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Great Patio Cover Ideas

by Adrienne Wild
Adrienne Wild

Adrienne started her professional life as a gardener at her local parks department and went on to train at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh where she was the first female student on the prestigious and world-renowned horticultural course run by the Botanic garden. An experienced and award-winning garden writer and past editor of some of Britain’s favourite gardening magazines, Adrienne has for over 30 years, inspired gardeners with a breadth of gardening know-how plus creative and decorative ideas. One of her main aims is to make gardening accessible, even to the smallest green fingers, with her clear advice and straightforward step-by-step instructions. Adrienne loves to travel and has visited, given talks and met ordinary home gardeners in far flung places like China, South Africa, Philippines and Caribbean as well as the UK.

Last Updated: March 30, 2021

Great Patio Cover Ideas

Spring is in the air, weather is getting lovelier, and thoughts turn to dining al fresco and lounging on the patio. It’s the perfect weather to spend some time with your friends outdoors. Your patio should reflect who you are and how you live. Following the accents of your home out onto your veranda. Some people like a more traditional style with simple furnishings, others like to go a bit more modern and have some tech with them. You do need to think of a few things, such as the style of your house, where your patio will go, etc. Whatever your style, we are here to give you a bit of inspiration with our latest blog covering off Great Patio Cover Ideas. So let’s get started with some creative ideas that you can implement at home.

1. Rooftop

Let’s start with something a little bit whacky. If you have a flat roof, or a large enough balcony, you can add a perspex cover and turn it into a fun canopied hideaway! Add a small bar, some cute wicker furniture, and you have a tropical getaway. You’ll be the envy of all your friends and certainly not short of visitors.

Rooftop

2. Secret Garden

Have a secret patch of garden? Consider adding a small shaded canopy to it and turning it into an intimate little reading nook for the warmer weather. Get a bench in there as well and some sweet-smelling flowers, and you’ll be a world away from home. Imagine having your own secret little hideaway?

3. Eco-friendly and Rustic

Some of us are looking to watch our impact on the planet. Why not combine that with a rustic-looking patio? Have it designed to look like tree branches, dangle some vines over it, and allow the eclectic fusion of nature and architecture to define your outdoor living space.

4. Outdoor Dining

Are you the kind of person who enjoys having company over for dinner? Consider an outdoor dining space. Install a heat-reflective cover to manage temperature and some dining fixtures – maybe a barbecue grill and a wine cabinet – to make your patio more welcoming to guests. This will take al fresco dining to a whole new level of sophistication.

Outdoor Dining

5. Add an Umbrella

Okay, this one may seem a little silly, but if you’re budget-conscious or would like the option to close your patio cover, consider umbrellas. They provide us with shelter from the sun and rain in general life, so why not at home? There are several good brands to choose from, so shop around! They also come in all kind of shapes and sizes to suit most outdoor spaces.

6. Sea Sail

If you’re looking for something simple but with a slight edge. Consider going nautical but nice with a sea sail cover. While it won’t provide much protection from intense light, it will give your patio space a feeling of cosy intimacy which is hard to come by with other, more traditional, patio covers. It delivers a contemporary vibe that’s reminiscent of scenic bar tops scattered around the Mediterranean!

7. A Tree

This may seem silly, but if you’re into horticulture and want to reduce your carbon footprint, raising a tree to do the job might just be the right call for you. Go the extra mile and grow an apple tree so you will have a constant supply of apples for the summer! Trees as well planters filled with herbs and flowers make great additions to a patio.

garden tree

8. An Outdoor Living Room

Finally, consider building an outdoor living room. You don’t need to add a television set or a sofa. Simply get together a fire pit, a comfy bench, a bookcase, maybe a bookshelf, and install an awning for a truly unique patio.

Any one of these great patio cover ideas will ensure you enjoy plenty of outside entertainment this summer.

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