30+ Enviable Outdoor Spaces From HGTV Magazine

These homeowners planned to build a deck off the kitchen of their home in Atlanta, but at the last minute, they decided to make it a screened porch (with the help of designers Lathem Gordon and Cate Dunning). No bugs here! With a striped outdoor sofa from CB2, a wood-slice coffee table from World Market and a sunny round rug from Frontgate, it’s a chic continuation of their living space — and the family’s go-to spot for watching movies with a projector.

Earthy browns and lush greens are always fresh and fun. The natural texture of the loveseat, chairs and rug give this porch (designed by Kristina Phillips and Kerri Pilchik of K+K Interior Design) its resort ambiance. A graphic lumbar pillow adds a contemporary touch, while a sprinkling of pillows with a bold palm leaf pattern turns up the oasis factor in this aah-inspiring space.

Painted the same happy yellow as the front door of this Los Angeles home, the back door sets a playful tone for this patio (designed by Karen Vidal). The teak sofa is old Crate & Barrel, but pattern-splashed Jonathan Adler and Lulu & Georgia all-weather pillows help camouflage its age. The outdoor rug is from Dash & Albert.

"When we moved in, the area was a giant pile of dirt,” says DIY expert Rebecca Propes, who transformed it into a modern oasis. Look closely: The tile on the fountain base actually matches the tile in Rebecca's kitchen. Sandblasted marble pavers (read: not slippery when wet) and turf keep the space cool during hot Arizona summers. The scalloped umbrella is from Safavieh.

A Cali-casual patio starts with a zen focal point. This one by Mark Hoesterey of SMH Architects has a dreamy water garden, with Adirondack chairs — so hip in black! — grouped irresistibly around it. Accessories with fun geometric patterns and bright colors also bring a fab West Coast feel. Garden stools come in handy as side tables, footrests and even extra seating.

Drew and Jonathan Scott get major points for the sleek pool in their Las Vegas backyard. Travertine-tiled fire pits cozy up the seating area at night. When the brothers want to watch movies, a motorized screen drops down. The sculpture above the swim-up bar is actually a clock.

Rattan rockers offer prime viewing for daredevil maneuvers on the the Scott Brother's waterslide — Las Vegas's first and only commercial-grade slide in a residential home (Jonathan's request).

Finally! A patio that makes saying hi to the neighbors easy (in the front of the house). These homeowners love chilling out around the firepit and watching kids bike and ride scooters on their street. The wood trellis they added offers shade on sunny days, and a bench from Design Within Reach makes room for visitors.

To give this porch seaside style, Lindye Galloway of Lindye Galloway Interiors paired beachy materials, like jute and teak, with navy blue and white. She gets bonus points for the hanging chairs (bringing breeziness and bliss!) and the shiplap-style ceiling. Nautical stripes are forever appealing, but with such a simple palette, it’s easy to drop in accessories in a variety of patterns.

The sliding glass doors stay open when these Coral Gables, Florida homeowners entertain outside. Patterned pillows from Etsy layer a gray outdoor sofa. The green garden stool was a HomeGoods find, and the striped rug is from Crate & Barrel.

This Pinterest-inspired pine playhouse is like a mini Craftsman! Pom-pom garlands and a slide kid it up. The gloriously green lawn is artificial turf. After searching high and low for a table to fit the fort, the homeowners ended up building that cute teal picnic table; sometimes the kids dine out there.

When designers Nicole White moved into ther home in Sunrise, Florida, this 1,000-square-foot space was just grass, but she had big visions for hangouts and barbecues. Enlisting her brother’s help, Nicole created paver molds out of two-by-fours, then called in a cement truck. After the squares set, she sprinkled gravel between them. Black paint (Limousine Leather by Behr) on the fence, swagged string lights and plenty of seating make it a welcoming gathering space.

A bug-free living room with fresh air! These homeowners screened-in their back deck and turned it into a new "living room." For a kick-off-your-shoes feel, they chose a beige sofa and chairs (from Pottery Barn) made of outdoor Sunbrella fabric and eucalyptus wood. The prefab brick fireplace (from isokern.net) was about half the price of a custom-built version. With a gas ignition, it’s a cinch to light with just a match — no old newspapers or kindling needed.

Lush tropical style can turn patios like this one in Jacksonville, Florida, into resort-level escapes. Designer Lauren Leonard used teak seating (by Summer Classics), palm-leaf fabric and a lattice coffee table to create a breezy ambiance. And cue the beachy boho, compliments of a white rug by Annie Selke’s Dash & Albert.

A mix of modern and vintage-y pieces with one thing in common (white!) creates an eclectic escape that’s laid-back yet put together. Here, designer Jenny Keenan of Jenny Keenan Design added in a blend of textures — fuzzy, nubby and woven — to make the space even more inviting. For a hit of global charm: tie-dyed fabrics in jewel tones and Moroccan-inspired accessories.

It’s picture-perfect and chill-perfect, too — this patio designed by Brian Patrick Flynn looks right out onto Whitefish Lake in Montana and the surrounding forest. Weatherproof wicker sofas with navy blue cushions from Birch Lane flank the majestic woodburning fireplace with complementary gray pavers by Belgard.

Kick back and relax! The lounge chairs from Pottery Barn and a hanging rattan chair by Serena & Lily are perfect spots to read. Peep those graphic pillows and that patterned beak on the toucan float by Sunnylife.

“We live close to the Ohio River, so I worked in items out here that remind me of water,” designer Gretchen Black says of the screened deck on her 160-year-old home. She painted a thrift store coffee table and a Pier 1 rattan chair sea blues, then anchored them with a nautical striped rug from Target. The sofa’s slipcover is made from outdoor fabric. The Shinto (traditional Japanese art) pillows are from Jayson Home.

Bring on the pillows! This transitional style porch is comfy-cozy thanks to colorful throws, a chic rug and a wicker outdoor sofa. The best part? Sky blue paint on the ceiling. It's the small touches that matter most.

This 20-foot-by-40-foot blue tile and white plaster pool in New Orleans is one-of-a-kind. "Everyone told us not to use the white plaster, and not to let the grass go right up to the edge, but we went with what we loved," says homeowner Jeff Burkhardt. He designed the cabana-style pool house and had it built with reinforced concrete-Styrofoam blocks, which means it's energy efficient and can withstand strong storms.

Designer Vern Yip's home is almost as cool as the rest of his his vacation home in Florida. Although the homes in Rosemary Beach are inspired by West Indies architecture, no two look alike. Vern’s house is especially unique — it’s the first private structure in the area to have a second-story pool. At just three and a half feet at its deepest, it’s a splash-happy spot for the kids. The bolster pillows are from One Kings Lane, and the copper gas lanterns are from Flambeaux Lighting.

Since outdoor living is the norm in Sacramento, California, it’s no wonder that patios often resemble living rooms. This one’s designed by Colossus Mfg. Cali-cool blend of eclectic pillows, a graphic rug from Joss & Main and a sleek propane-fueled firepit from Wayfair make it a chill thrill.

Coordination is key in this Santa Monica, California, backyard. The outdoor custom loungers are upholstered in striped Sunbrella fabric that can withstand damp swimsuits and muddy paws. A matching awning was installed as a sun shield. The Kartell plastic gnome table from Kartell AllModern multitasks as a drink perch. This “lawn” is Astroturf!

Lake air calls for a cozy setup, like this one by Project Interiors on Lake Geneva in Wisconsin. Say hello to cushy seats, a soft throw and logs on the firepit. A minimal black, white and gray palette keeps the focus on the view. Flagstone pavers, which hold up well during Wisconsin’s harsh winters and busy summers, are naturally slip-resistant.

This porch swing in Austin, Texas was custom-designed to accommodate a twin mattress, and now it's a sweet spot to nap on. Natural rope instead of a chain feels warmer and more indoorsy.

Classic good looks rule in outdoor hangouts of the Midwest, and this patio by Bria Hammel Interiors does tradition proud with its twin wicker chaises, striped cushions and blue-and-white scheme. The rug’s formal pattern ups the fanciness; the fringe keeps it laid-back.

The back porch of designer Hooper Patterson's house in Wilmington, North Carolina, is where you’ll find her family of five hanging out. That’s because Hooper turned the once-empty space into the home’s go-to spot. "I didn’t want the back porch to feel like an afterthought," she says. "The rest of our house is bright with lots of turquoise, and I wanted the porch, which is right off the living room, to be lively and inviting, like an extension of the inside." With cheery colors and patterns, comfy seating and some clever DIY projects, their porch is now the envy of the neighborhood.

What better place to while away a lazy afternoon than on this comfy porch in Birmingham, Alabama? An outdoor rug defines the sitting area and a ceiling fan makes sure there's always a breeze blowing.

Designer Alison Kandler's Santa Monica, California, pool, with its splashy lilac-and-turquoise tiling, isn’t like any other on the block. The patio off the garage follows suit, trading run-of-the-mill chairs and loungers for vintage teak pieces, all bought at a flea market. Softened with pastel cushions, they look more garden party than pool party. Joseph’s Coat roses and Boston ivy climb up the exterior, framing the seating area.

“The plan was to go full-on fantasy with the boathouse,” says HGTV Designer Chip Wade. “Being on the water is 90% of the reason we are here!” The dock, made of composite decking by MoistureShield, comes in handy for watching wildlife, especially hawks. It has a grill, a dining area and a TV (see: "full-on fantasy").

Chip got a firepit from American Fyre Designs and clad it in the same stone and pavers he used on the retaining walls, from Belgard. With chairs from Frontgate, this spot is s’mores central.

Enter this rustic space in Bozeman, Montana by Tk Design Studio: A mix of woods, including reclaimed barn planks on the wall and metal-frame seating by Casamidy, rock modern-rustic vibes in the West. The saddle-leather ties on the canvas backs are so cowboy!

This suave space by Willey Design LLC is located in Quogue, New York. While the driftwood-gray club chairs by RH were arranged with low-key chats in mind, chevron-stripe pillows luxe up the scene. The concrete composite table, from Walters, looks like a stone one straight out of a historic estate. A big lantern is always an impressive — but not pricey — centerpiece.