Features
18 small patio designs worth a closer look in 2027
Eighteen layouts that work on tight sites, grouped by what they solve: seating, cooking and shade, with the clearance questions each one raises.
Desk
Living Desk
Furniture, lighting, heating and outdoor cooking.
Maintenance
A maintenance plan for covered patio systems after year one
Fasteners, flashing, gutters, louver seals and light fittings: the twice-yearly checks that keep a patio cover sound, plus the heater rules for cold months.
Guides
A practical 2027 guide to outdoor living in the U.S.
Plan an outdoor space around usable hours: shade, seating, light and drainage, plus heat limits, storm rules and clearances for anything that burns.