Having a patio in your backyard is a great way to add more living space to your property while also enjoying the great outdoors. However, not all of us want to actually be outside while enjoying nature. Even if you do enjoy being outside, there are times when you simply can’t.
Enclosing your patio lets you enjoy this space no matter what time of day, time of year, or weather conditions. The amount of protection you enjoy will depend on the type of enclosure you use.
You also need to consider the style of your home, the aesthetics offered by each enclosure type, and your budget. These enclosed patio ideas will help you start planning your next home improvement project, building an enclosure for your patio.
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1. Ideas for Covered Enclosed Patios
The easiest way to give your patio more protection and structure is to build a cover over it. Simple covers are affordable and easy to construct. A shade sail, retractable awning, or pergola are all long term solutions that aren’t permanently installed as a piece of the home. They can give you overhead protection and shade on your patio.
For more protection and to make your patio feel more like a room, build a patio roof. This could be an extension of the original roof on your home. This is the most expensive option but will create a seamless look on the exterior of your home.
A more affordable option is to cover your outdoor space with a metal roof. These are just as protective and permanent but are easier to install. They attach to the side of your house and slant downward as they extend out.
2. Creative DIY Inspiration
Building a permanent and solid structure that attaches to your home will require permits. These are best left to the professionals who understand what impact your new structure will have on the rest of your home. You don’t want the weight of your new deck enclosure pulling away from your home and taking a part of your existing roof or walls with it.
DIY solutions that you can accomplish are buying and building a pre-designed pergola, gazebo, and awning kit. These don’t directly affect the structure of your home since they are freestanding. The kits are designed to be structurally sound and come with everything you need for a safe and secure structure.
3. Embracing Rustic Charm
You want to enjoy the rustic beauty of nature and be able to admire the wilderness around your home. But you don’t want to actually be outside in nature with the fluctuating temperatures, dirt, and bugs. An enclosed porch is the perfect solution. You can sit on your porch and admire the beauty of nature while staying safely protected inside of your home.
Bring some safe elements of nature into your rustic patio. Use exposed wood beams and paneling for the finishing materials. Then arrange natural wood furniture to create places to sit. Use pieces that are handmade or at least look handmade.
Carved legs and intricate designs will give your furniture a vintage feel. A porch swing is perfect for that country-inspired look. Plus, they’re fun to gently swing on.
Use potted plants to create natural greenery. Stick with plants that flourish inside and are native to the area. Doing this helps your porch blend with the natural surroundings to blur the lines between inside and out.
4. Deck Transformation
Building a deck is a great way to create a solid ground surface in your backyard. Your deck doesn’t have to attach to your home. It can also be an independent structure located in another part of your backyard.
Build your deck to be large enough to have the square footage you need. A deck for a hot tub should be larger than the hot tub footprint. At a minimum, there should be a walkable space around it to stand on before getting in. A better design includes a larger area and benches for placing your towel and other belongings and some decor.
5. Stylish Furniture Solutions
Depending on the type of enclosure you choose, your furniture needs to be either indoor, covered, or outdoor style. An enclosed glass patio works with regular furniture because the glass protects the furniture from the weather.
A covered space can have furniture that’s designed for outdoor use but isn’t durable enough to stay outside and unprotected. Use wicker furniture for both enclosed and protected patio areas. It’s a traditional patio furniture material and can give your outdoor living space a tropical feel.
Screened-in and other totally exposed patios require patio furniture that’s the most durable. Look for solid hardwood frames and removable cushions. You can take the cushions off when you aren’t using the patio to keep them looking nice. This furniture will also give your patio a modern look.
Resort-style furniture will create a mini oasis in your backyard. This type of furniture feels oversized and has plush cushions that you sink back into.
6. Embracing Natural Light
A glass enclosure on your outdoor living space gives the illusion you are outside without actually having to be outside.
One option is to leave the roof solid and install glass sliding panel doors for large windows. For a complete glass patio, work with a contractor to replace the roof too. Have the glass surround the space.
This depends on the weather and the amount of sunlight you want to come through. An all-glass room in Florida or Arizona could get unbearably hot very quickly. Instead of an entire glass ceiling, installing a few panels can be a smarter choice.
Arrange your furniture to consider your new view. A dining room could have a table extending the length of the windows. Or you could have several sofas and chairs that face the window.
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7. Porch Revamp
You want to enjoy the rustic beauty of nature and be able to admire the wilderness around your home. But you don’t want to actually be outside in nature with the fluctuating temperatures, dirt, and bugs.
An enclosed porch is the perfect solution. You can sit on your porch and admire the beauty of nature while staying safely protected inside of your home.
Bring some safe elements of nature into your rustic patio. Use exposed wood beams and paneling for the finishing materials. Then arrange natural wood furniture to create places to sit. Use pieces that are handmade or at least look handmade. Carved legs and intricate designs will give your furniture a vintage feel.
A porch swing is perfect for that country-inspired look. Plus, they’re fun to gently swing on.
Use potted plants to create natural greenery. Stick with plants that flourish inside and are native to the area. Doing this helps your porch blend with the natural surroundings to blur the lines between inside and out.
8. Contemporary Flair
Modern patio design calls for the use of multiple building materials in innovative applications. Start with a concrete or stone patio. Then use wood and metal to construct your patio enclosure.
Use large floor-to-ceiling panes of glass for the walls and possibly the ceiling. To keep the patio design looking modern, have minimal supports or breaks between the pieces of glass.
Look for ways to add innovative and creative accents to your modern patio. Instead of having a traditional outdoor fire pit, you could have fire features. Perhaps a table with a line of fire in the center. Or have a small decorative accent pot with a small flame in it. Add a blade ceiling fan to the room for a gentle breeze. This keeps the air circulating and helps the room to feel comfortable.
9. Sunroom Splendor
Florida homes are famous for having sunrooms. These are outdoor rooms that are typically attached to the backside of houses. They have a solid ceiling and large windows that take up the majority of the walls.
The windows could be floor-to-ceiling or take up the top half of the wall. The idea is to feel like you’re outside enjoying Florida’s beauty without having to suffer in the high humidity and heat. You may also hear these rooms called a “sleeping porch.”
Keep your sunroom feeling light and fresh with streamlined metal furniture. It should have clean straight lines and is typically either black or white. The openness of this furniture helps the light to shine through the room.
Sunrooms can feel a bit sterile and have a strange echo to them. This can make the room feel slightly uncomfortable for people. Address this by adding textiles to the space to absorb the sound waves. Add cushions to the furniture. Lay a large area rug on the floor. Hang decorative window treatments that will define the space but not block too much light.
10. Enjoy the Outdoors
The easiest way to enclose a patio is to create a screen room. This Lanai area will have a mesh screen that makes the wall and ceiling extend out from your home. A screened porch enclosure is perfect for giving your patio a minimal amount of protection. The screen stops insects, bugs, leaves, and other debris from entering your patio area.
The drawback of this enclosure style is that it doesn’t provide you with any protection from the elements. If you’re looking for a bit more protection, build a screen porch with a solid roof. Now you have a sheltered space that you can use rain or shine.
There are different grades of mesh. The tighter the weave, the more protective it will be. However, it will also be more visible and allow less air through. Stick with a fiberglass mesh. It has a minimal amount of sunlight glare, great visibility, and is flexible for easy installation.
11. Backyard Bliss
Once you’ve built your enclosed porch, stand in it, and look outward. Now it’s time to create a view worth looking at and admiring.
Living in a neighborhood can make this limiting. However, you can build a fence or plant privacy plants to obstruct your neighbors’ view and give your outdoor patio an oasis feel.
Plants that are native to your region will thrive and be easier to care for. Choosing plants that are minimal maintenance will also make caring for your backyard easier. A simple lawn and some shade trees can provide your new enclosure with protection from the sun.
12. Poolside Paradise
Building an enclosure around your pool can make it usable year-round. The simplest solution is to build a covered patio out of a screen. This is the most affordable option if you already have a backyard pool. You can then use pavers to finish the patio area and create a decking around the pool.
Homeowners with a larger budget can build an enclosure around their pool. The support structure is solid, with several large windows throughout. You’ll feel like you’re outside without being outside at all. A solid ceiling is the most affordable and easiest to maintain. However, glass inserts in the ceiling allow light to shine through and help the space feel welcoming.
Plan to dehumidify your pool room. You’ll also need to heat your pool to make it swimmable year-round. While the water isn’t subjected to the weather temperature changes, it won’t be warm enough on its own to swim comfortably.
13. Expanding Your Options
Enclosed patio ideas offer a versatile and stylish way to expand your living space and connect with the outdoors. Whether you’re seeking a cozy retreat or an entertaining area, there are endless possibilities to transform your enclosed patio into a personalized oasis. From covered designs that provide protection from the elements to glass-enclosed sunrooms that let in abundant natural light, the options are vast.
You can explore rustic themes with exposed wood beams and vintage furniture or embrace modern elegance with sleek lines and contemporary furnishings. With the right design and décor choices, an enclosed patio becomes a seamless extension of your home, providing year-round enjoyment and a tranquil escape.
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