A patio all by its lonesome looks a little strange in your yard and nothing softens those hard, awkward edges than the organically-shaped beds and vibrant plant life of a well-designed landscape.
The perfect patio landscaping design blends the harsh edges of your patio into the more natural elements of your yard using organically-shaped beds and greenery to soften the hard edges of your masonry.
But a blank canvas can feel very overwhelming, so let's take a look at some of the most popular patio landscaping styles trending right now for inspiration. Enhance your patio with landscaping that softens edges and blends masonry with nature. Explore trending designs to transform your outdoor space.
(Read the original post on Medium)
Popular Patio Landscaping Styles
Rustic and Natural
Drought-resistant native Texas plants, shrubs, and grasses create a rustic look that stays vibrant all year long. Making use of simple, organic layouts that lack clear distinctions between spaces fits this style best.
Natural water features like small ponds or streams enhance this organic feeling but you can also go with a "dry riverbed" look featuring larger specimens of fieldstone or flagstone as focal points.
A rustic style landscape design is very popular in North Texas and will be easy to sell, if the day ever comes.
Modern and Minimalist
Contemporary patio designs like modern and minimalist styles feature clean geometric lines and striking shapes with colors of mostly neutral tones -and maybe one exciting accent color for contrast.
Materials like concrete, metal, and glass work well in contemporary designs and pair with low-maintenance plants with interesting shapes, such as succulents or ornamental grasses. Xeriscaping is a natural fit for the modern / minimalist look.
Large planters or raised beds made of concrete, brick, or stone, break up the sight lines and create hard boundaries for directing foot traffic. The result is an orderly, sophisticated outdoor space that's easy to maintain.
Luxurious and Elegant
Ornate materials create luxurious environments: marble, travertine, high-quality hardwoods for flooring and accents, and so on. And this is especially true when complementary materials are blended in unique designs, like travertine decking with a marble border, for example.
Lush greenery around your patio nourishes the eyes and the soul and a audible water feature, like a tiered fountain or a sleek infinity pool, creates a naturally tranquil vibe.
Adding a pergola or full patio cover helps protect your space from the sun and keeps your patio cooler and more comfortable while you relax and entertain -and comfort is the essence of luxury.
Mediterranean and Classic
If you like a Mediterranean aesthetic, introduce warm, earthy materials like terracotta and sand for a classic sun-kissed ambiance. Accent elements like wrought iron furniture, tile mosaics, and terra cotta potted gardens complete the scene.
Filling corners and ledges with herbs like lavender and rosemary introduces delightful scents, and olive trees (which can actually grow quite well in Texas) capture that Mediterranean feel.
Southwestern and Native
For an attractive southwestern patio landscape design you could start with something as simple as arrangements of native Texas landscaping plants with Texas-quarried stone and driftwood for accent pieces.
The Southwestern style employs colors inspired by the desert: warm oranges, reds, and yellows. Native Texas plants like yucca, agave, and cactus complement this look with soft greens and sages, and maintain a consistent low-maintenance landscape.
Stone pavers or gravel can be used for pathways and rustic wood elements and wrought iron accents work well together in a dry, desert theme. For a little something extra, consider a fire pits or bubbling rock fountain, to attract gatherings in certain areas.
Tropical and Exotic
Broad, leafy plants like palm trees, bird of paradise, and colorful bromeliads create a jungle-like atmosphere wherever you see them (even in Dallas). Vibrant tropical foliage can compete with more colorful choices so focus on natural materials like bamboo and teak in your furniture and accents.
Water elements are essential to creating that tropical feeling -especially in the dry summertime of Dallas. To match the lush, wet feel of the tropics, add features like a small waterfall or koi pond.
String lights or tiki torches create a magical evening ambiance, to complete the resort-like vibe.
Rustic and Natural Patio Landscaping
Rustic landscape designs bring the hill country to Dallas with elements like reclaimed wood, large, natural stones, and classic prairie grass looking ornamentals in your landscape. All help avoid the sharp lines and contrasts of more modern styles. Here are a few more ideas:
Native Texas Plants
Texas sage, black-eyed Susans, and other native species to create a genuine Texas landscape and thrive in local conditions, requiring less water and care. There are many such native plants, shrubs, and grasses you can use to create year-round appeal in your landscaping while supporting the local ecosystem.
Stone Pathways with Wildflower Borders
Lay irregular flagstones in winding paths through your landscaping and around your patio. Edge the path with colorful wildflowers like bluebonnets or Indian paintbrush for a colorful, local appeal.
Blending Patio and Garden with a Rustic Appeal
Blur the lines between your patio and garden for a seamless outdoor experience. Weathered wooden planters filled with trailing vines and grassy herbs like lemongrass, break up firm hardscaping edges. Dot your patio with colorful potted plants in repurposed barrels or terra cotta pots.
Modern and Minimalist Patio Landscaping
Minimalist patio landscaping prioritizes simplicity and functionality by focusing on clean lines, open spaces, and a limited, neutral color palette for a sleek, uncluttered look. Furniture should be kept simple and minimal as well and these other elements used to create a visually interesting design:
Geometric Planters
Choose square or rectangular planters with crisp edges to continue the modern aesthetic. Materials like concrete, metal, or fiberglass are ideal for this style. Placing planters strategically throughout your patio allows for balance and symmetry while keeping to the spaciousness that's essential to minimalism.
Grasses and Succulents
Ornamental grasses and succulents are great for modern minimalist designs. Mexican Feathergrass, for example, adds texture with its feathery seed heads, and succulents offer interesting shapes while requiring minimal care. Grouping plants together in your planters creates diverse and resilient accents that are also low maintenance (requiring little water).
Hardscape Borders
Hardscaping around your patio maintains the clean lines that define minimalist design and blend it with your natural yard spaces with intention and care. Concrete pavers and large-format tiles are examples of materials which can be used to blend your patio into the surrounding space.
Luxurious and Elegant Patio Landscaping
Elegance and refinement are the keys to feeling luxurious. Imagine a design with sophisticated looking Japanese maples, with their delicate foliage and striking colors, contrasted against dark green boxwood hedges with clean, manicured lines. And for accents, picture manicured topiaries and shrubs of unruly purple lavender. Or you could go the traditional route with formal hedges and neatly ordered flower beds. It's the subtlety and spaciousness and sense of balance that create an upscale ambiance in a landscape design.
Water Features
Consider a koi pond surrounded by lush greenery for a serene, ornamental touch, or an infinity pool that blends with the horizon. Or try a pondless waterfall for a low-maintenance version that sets the scene for both the eyes and the ears.
Marble or Granite Accents
Marble and granite accents enhance any upscale space with an undeniably luxurious feel. You might install marble or granite countertops in your outdoor kitchen area or granite pavers for a garden pathway or patio floor. A marble fire pit is a strong statement piece that also serves to as a cozy gathering spot. And granite planters are an elegant way to showcase ornamental plants. For a truly magnificent centerpiece you could install a marble fountain or sculpture centrally in your patio design.
Mediterranean and Classic Patio Landscaping
Mediterranean style patios bring a touch of sun-soaked charm to your Dallas home. Since olive trees are a must-have for that authentic Mediterranean feel, opt for hardy varieties like Arbequina, Mission, or Manzanillo which grow well in North Texas. Plant them in pots or in sheltered spots that will protect them from harsh winter weather. Pair olive trees with fragrant lavender to be transported straight to the Mediterranean coast.
Terracotta Pots and Ceramic Decor
Terracotta pots are the secret sauce of Mediterranean style. Their warm, orange hue adds instantly recognizable charm to your patio. Fill them with colorful flowers or herbs and spread them around your space. Feature a ceramic tiles mosaics for extra flair. Together these elements revive the Old World in your outdoor space.
Paving Stones Combined With Greenery
Mix stone pavers and lush greenery for a timeless patio look. Lay out a pattern of light-colored stones to reflect heat and create visual interest. Plant low-growing herbs or succulents between pavers for a soft, green contrast. The combination adds character and texture subtly throughout your space.
Seating for a Mediterranean-Style Space
Create a cozy outdoor living space that begs for lazy afternoons and lively evening gatherings. Consider adding a pergola for shade and ambiance -perfect for hanging string lights or growing climbing vines. It's a setup that invites friends and family to relax and enjoy themselves in the same ways as our old world ancestors did long ago.
Southwestern and Native Patio Landscaping
Create a desert-style sanctuary with a Southwestern aesthetic. There are plenty of native Texas plants that are suitable and natural materials, like stone and gravel, to create an authentic look.
Cacti and Succulents
Mix cacti and succulents around your patio and in pots for a striking, low-maintenance display. Choose varieties like prickly pear, agave, and barrel cactus. Plant them in terracotta pots or directly in the ground, grouping different sizes and shapes. They're drought-resistant and thrive in Dallas's hot climate with minimal watering, making them perfect for busy homeowners.
Rock Gardens and Dry Riverbeds
A rock garden or dry riverbed is a great low-maintenance focal point. Position large boulders and smaller stones to mimic natural rock formations and fill up extra space with gravel and native grasses. It's a low-maintenance feature that adds depth to your patio and complements the Southwestern theme. It's also a great way to manage water runoff during heavy rains.
Using Warm-Toned Stones for a Desert-Inspired Aesthetic
Bring the warmth of the desert to your patio. Choose sandstone, limestone, or flagstone in shades like rust, tan, and gold. Pick your combo and then keep it consistent throughout your patio flooring, retaining walls, and planters, to give it a natural, consistent feeling. And stone fire pit only makes sense in this dry, rustic scene.
Tropical and Exotic Patio Landscaping
Bring the energy of a vibrant tropical paradise to your backyard design with lush, exotic plants that thrive in our local climate, like large-leafed plants like palms, ferns, and Elephant Ear, and colorful ornamentals like bougainvillea or Plumeria. What really sells this look is a mix different textures, sizes, and colorful foliage for a layered, jungle-like atmosphere.
Climbing Vines
Add climbing vines (like Pothos) to vertical spaces for a lush, overgrown look. Train them along walls, fences, or pergolas to soften hard edges and create a cozy, and naturally intimate, feeling.
Tropical Perspectives
Nestled seating among your tropical plants using weather-resistant materials like teak or rattan that complement the lush surroundings. Arrange seating to face eye-catching plant groupings or water features. Consider a hammock or swing for a permanent vacation vibe.
Bamboo and Water Accents
Complete your tropical patio design with bamboo accents and soothing water features, like a bamboo privacy fence and a small fountain or pond with flowing water. A rock waterfall surrounded by tropical plants would make a stunning focal point and turn an average Dallas yard into a resort-like experience (that you can visit everyday).
Dallas Landscape Designer: Clark Outdoor Designs
Whatever you can dream, we can build. From a rustic-themed patio and surrounding landscaping to a formal garden patio or tropical pool decking, Clark Outdoor Designs is your partner for building custom outdoor living experiences.
Where some contractors help you remodel your kitchen or your bathroom, we're here to build your perfect outdoor space. We've received many 5-star reviews for our unique outdoor creations, including inground pools, pergolas, patios, outdoor kitchens and lounges, and more.
When you're ready to speak with the experts in outdoor living design, visit us online and request a quote or just give us a call. One of our experts will come out to your property, discuss your goals, and answer all your questions, and then follow up with a free quote.
For projects with more complicated designs, featuring larger areas or mixed landscaping and hardscaping, we can also provide a 3D rendering of your project for a nominal fee, so that you can see your design down to the smallest detail before ever investing into construction.
With our design experience and a clear guide to follow, you can dream big with full confidence that you can turn those dreams into a reality.
