We are talking backyard project again on the blog today! We have drawn our plans for the garden and will be sharing those with the landscaper in the next few days. In addition to the garden area that we shared a couple of weeks back (See here: How Does Your Garden Grow?), our patio is also included in those plans! To say that it is time for a patio makeover is a huge understatement, seeing as it was built many years ago. We enjoy eating alfresco from April through October and sitting and relaxing-that is its primary function. For the past few years, we have contemplated adding a screened porch (too much upkeep, I think). And we must take into consideration that we have a lot of critters…raccoons, rabbits, opossum, armadillos, turkeys, deer…you get the picture! Friends have told us some of them will manage to get through screening. I can just imagine waking up to find them all having a full-blown party on the porch!!! So a patio make-over is the decision we have made! I wanted to share some inspiration photos and include a few from our back yard space and talk pros and cons.
Most of these were taken from my Pinterest board: Outdoor Spaces.
Click the picture to go to the original source.
This example, with its coffered ceiling and lanterns, is a
dream space and probably not a reality!
What a beautiful patio for eating. I love the brick herringbone
patterned floor!
What’s not to love about this patio! I can see enjoying morning
coffee and quiet time in the comfy seating with the sound
of the trickling water fountain!
A vine-covered arbor is great protection from the
mid-day sun. Of course, a fireplace would be a nice
addition-but how much would we really use it?
This is another example of an arbor covering!
Enjoying morning coffee last year on my patio!
To see more of my Instagram photos,
click here: Pam’s Instagram 
As you can see, everything is in disarray on our patio!
This is an ideal spot for dining out. I can imagine autumn
dinners with a fire burning!
I would not choose a gravel surface, but I love the vintage table
and chairs with a nearby fountain!
This partially covered patio has incorporated a sitting area with
fireplace and a dining space!
Breakfast on our patio last summer!
You can see more photos here: Breakfast Alfresco!
The large coffee table, mirror, vine covered trellis and furniture
offer an attractive space for entertaining!
A fire pit has been a consideration and I love this small one!
An arbor with a swing is always a good idea!
Butch built our arbor over 30 years ago and it was located in our front
yard with a swing facing our Appalachian foothills. We moved it to
the back yard and planted Lady Banks roses. I took this photo
this week! As you can see we have wide open space for our plans!
But if we place a swing under the arbor, then we can’t enjoy dinner
under the roses. This photo is from last year!
You can see more photos here:
Reservations for Two Under the Arbor
I think the swing will win!
So many options-and if we weren’t concerned with a budget and upkeep, then the sky would be the limit. We so enjoyed your comments from our post about the garden planning and would love your comments about the patio and arbor. This will be an ongoing story until we can
share the finished project.
Hopefully that will be by the end of May!
Linking with Pieced Pastimes, It’s Overflowing, Be Different Act Normal, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Pink When, Mod Vintage Life, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Style Sisters, The Charm of Home, The Winthrop Chronicles, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Craftberry Bush, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, My Romantic Home, Chic On A Shoestring Decorating, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, Alabama Women Bloggers, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Oh My Heartsie Girl, Cozy Little House
They’re all so gorgeous – but I LOVE your arbor with the lights – how magical !
Thanks for sharing – I’ll be pinning some of these 🙂
Suzan, thank you! Can’t wait to get our project started! Have a wonderful week-end! Pam
Oh Pam… Those were all just beautiful! I love the out of doors and enjoy playing in our yard making little changes every year.
Your post has inspired me all the more. 🙂
Thank you for sharing.
Enjoy your week end
Debbie
Debbie, thank you! It is fun to dig in the dirt and watch things grow! Happy planting! Blessings, Pam
Oh such gorgeous patios! Would be hard to pick just one. Your breakfast table is just so pretty and cheerful. I love all the colors!
Hi Sonia, thank you for your comments! I am excited to get started on our project! Have a great finish to your week-end! Blessings, Pam
You are going to have such fun! I adore the arbor that you have….why not carry that theme to your patio?? Make a larger version of the arbor? Your idea pix are so wonderful…I’d love to redo our patio…..rip it out and do it all over…but we had quotes and they were so high….we just nixed it….
So, I will live vicariously…..
Nancy
wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com
Nancy, it is so nice to meet you and thanks for your comments! We are to get an estimate next week for the patio and I hope it is our budget! My husband used to do all the outside work but his work schedule is so demanding that now we have to hire it done! We will hold our breath that the price will be reasonable! Have a blessed Sunday! Pam
Oh my, any of those would be a dream. I just want more yard so I can have something pretty. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me.
Marty, thank you for your comments and for your party. I look forward to it every week! Blessings, Pam
Such pretty inspiration pics. Can’t wait to see what you come up with! Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!
Sherry
Sherry, I am excited to finish our project! Thank you for the party! Blessings, Pam
I have the same traditional Home picture saved! Love your inspiration pics. Sheila@ mykentuckyliving
Sheila, thank you for reading and commenting! We hope this project will be started soon! We have had so much rain. Blessings, Pam