Decorating Advice
June 25, 2018
25 Covered Porches, Patios & Pavilions Perfect For Rain Or Shine
Whether lounging the afternoon away or entertaining alfresco, summer months are meant to be spent outdoors — but the weather doesn’t always cooperate. From porches to patios and pavilions, these stunning outdoor spaces offer a perfect shady spot or rainy repose, even if the sun isn’t shining. Consult Ipswich Decking if you would like to build a deck on your outdoor space.
For homeowner Kelly Anderson, a screened-in porch was a must-have to keep out black flies and mosquitoes common in New Brunswick during the summer. A wood envelope and touches of greenery bridge it perfectly to the outdoors.
A striped canopy conceals a concrete ceiling and makes this condo balcony feel like a sophisticated urban retreat.
Hidden behind mirrored doors, a flat-screen TV in this pergola means that the family can spend their weekends outside watching sports. A ceiling protects the electronics from the elements, while a skylight keeps things bright.
A greenhouse roof allows homeowner Sandy Skotnicki to enjoy her terrace nine months a year — and indulge her design sense with luxe outdoor pieces.
A glass-paned roof over this outdoor dining area means that homeowners Anne and Craig Rowland get the best of both worlds: light streams through on sunny days, and the couple can dine alfresco when it’s raining.
Homeowners Sarah and Murray Bancroft topped the pergola in their Los Angeles home with an aluminum cover to make it enjoyable no matter the weather.
Next to this 50-foot-long saltwater lap pool, a covered pergola offers shade. A large columnar cedar adds sculptural greenery.
A covered back porch with a lattice cutout means that this family can enjoy every meal alfresco with beautiful lakeside views.
A generous sectional is the epitome of comfort in this laid-back sitting area. Striped outdoor throw pillows punch up solid upholstery.
A pavilion defines the formal sitting area in this expansive Palm Beach, Florida, backyard. “The outdoor living space is just as important as the inside of the house,” says designer Maxime Vandal of Les Ensembliers.
For designer Jay Hodgins, the need for a screened-in porch at his Prince Edward County, Ontario, retreat was born out of necessity: “We needed a screened-in porch for meals because the mosquitos can be bad around the pool,” he explains.
Concrete pillars frame the dining area in this mod outdoor space. A half-covered, half-open roof means that the family can move the dining table under the sun on warm days, or push it back for shelter when it rains.
A beadboard ceiling and Spanish cedar pillars add rich detail to this porch. Blue wicker chairs play up the home’s lakeside location.
Curtains on this large dining canopy can be left open when the sun is shining, or closed off on rainy days. A candlelit iron chandelier is an elegant addition that casts an intimate glow at night.
A post-and-beam structure hung with Sunbrella fabric creates a breezy atmosphere for admiring lakeside views at this Lake Simcoe, Ontario, retreat.
A screened-in porch provides a shady, bug-free space for family meals. An overhead fan keeps things cool on sweltering summer days.
Handcrafted of dried palm leaves, this steeply roof absorbs heat from the sun, making it a fitting choice for a getaway home in the Dominican Republic.
A shaded cabana offers reprieve from the heat or a chic spot to chill out by the pool. To make the space appear larger and create a sense of movement, landscape designer Meredyth Hilton added mirrors on the interior walls. “When there’s a breeze, the plants are reflected and the space takes on a shimmery feel,” she says.
A wraparound balcony and dock-level lounge seating make the most of this boathouse’s location on the shores of Lake Rosseau.
For landscape architect Ron Holbrook, an outdoor room isn’t complete without a “ceiling.” In his own terrace, he used a mesh fabric for shade.
Homeowner and designer Robert Tanz drew inspiration from the Parthenon for his garden pavilion. Nestled in the middle of his property, the structure makes for a serene spot to enjoy lunch.
A mid-century modern sofa and chairs by British designer T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings anchor this airy porch. Textural green pillows are reminiscent of leaves.
The pool house’s soaring peaked roof has a dramatic silhouette against the sky. Palm trees and curvy fiberglass sofas bring a posh Miami vibe to the Trenton, Ontario, home.
At designer Colette van den Thillart’s cottage, a French walnut daybed on the screened-in porch is a favorite play spot for daughters Hannah and Ava.
Complete with a gas fireplace, television and kitchenette, this sprawling pavilion has everything you could ever need to entertain outdoors.