50 Stylish Patio Cover Ideas (for All Budgets)

Lisa Hallett Taylor is an expert in architecture and landscape design who has written more than 1,000 articles about pool, patio, garden, and home improvement over 12 years. She has a bachelor's degree in Environmental Design and is certified in fine and decorative arts appraisal.

When designing or outfitting your outdoor space, you'll need to account for how to protect it from the elements. There are many patio cover ideas you can consider such as blinds, pergolas, screens, and awnings. Protecting your patio space will make it usable and enjoyable in extreme temperatures or unpredictable weather.

Get inspired with these stylish patio cover ideas from design and landscaping experts who will show you how to protect your outdoor space so that it's equipped and ready for year-round use.

Materials and Other Considerations For Your Patio Cover

A patio cover can be anything from a retractable awning to a pergola or a fixed roof. If you have a small patio with simple shading needs, you can buy or DIY a privacy screen, pop-up canopy, or free-standing umbrella. Work with a professional like an architect or landscape architect if you plan to build something more permanent to ensure that your structure complies with city codes and is engineered correctly. Other considerations before planning, designing, and building a patio cover include:

• Budget
• Architectural style of your house
• Building materials available in your region
• Location
• Size and scale of patio and overhead
• Orientation of the patio to the sun, like a bright south-oriented or cooler northern-facing location.

Add Perspex Sheeting

Top off a pergola with a sheet of clear Perspex, a type of plexiglass with UV resistance that will help filter harsh rays while maintaining an open feel. This rooftop patio in Hong Kong, designed by Alexandra Lauren, features plenty of texture and vibrant colors that keep the focus on the seating area.

Use Neutral Finishes

Install a roof overhang to protect your patio from rain or inclement weather, like this space from South African firm LevEco Architects. Use neutral finishes to help the space blend into the backyard.

Hang a Shade Sail

One of the simplest and most affordable patio cover ideas is a shade sail. Blanco Bungalow installed a large shade sail in this Los Angeles backyard to shield it from unwanted sun and the windows of a neighboring house that overlook the space. String lights around the periphery provide ambient light after dark.

Plant Some Climbing Vines

One of the simplest ways to add charm to a patio cover is by decorating it with natural greenery. Carson Douglas Landscape Architecture covered a custom-designed redwood pergola with climbing vines for a lush and organic feel.