PHOTOS: Best Outdoor Spaces

Private Quarters

PHOTOS: Best Outdoor Spaces

The partially enclosed porch, which Angela Green built 30 years ago, is kept comfortable with a fan from Lowe's and a rug from Walmart. Her rescue dogs, pit bull mixes Maria (left) and Anna, enjoy the shade on a sunny day. Text by Kat Khoury. Photo by Reynolds Rogers.

Furniture from Ballard Designs provides seating on the covered patio outside of Angelo and Dana Spinola’s Buckhead home. There is also a table from Cost Plus World Market where their children like to eat dinner. Text by Shannon Dominy. Photo by Reynolds Rogers.

One of the other entertaining areas in this 1922 Craftsman bungalow is a patio with a fire pit. The wood is also used in the original fireplaces inside the house. Text by Marena Galluccio/Fast Copy News Service. Christopher Oquendo/AJC FILE

On the covered porch, Angela Green's brown wicker furniture, which was originally white, has lasted decades because she washes and repaints the pieces every two years. "If you want something to last," she said, "take care of it." Text by Kat Khoury. Photo by Reynolds Rogers.

Brick and stone pathways, all laid by the homeowner, wind throughout a Cobb County garden. Text by Kat Khoury. Photo by Reynolds Rogers.

Trying not to overscale the house for their Decatur neighborhood, the Smiths gave extra roominess to the porch by curving the side that overlooks the yard. They used beadboard on the ceiling. The outdoor sofa is from Crate & Barrel and the tall chairs belonged to Liefje Smith's grandmothers. Text by Kat Khoury/Fast Copy News Service. Photo by Reynolds Rogers/Fast Copy News Service.

In the patio area, furniture that Angela Green has taken special care of has lasted decades. The bright blue umbrella retains its original stand, but she sewed the new awning with Sunbrella fabric after the original wore out. Text by Kat Khoury. Photo by Reynolds Rogers.

Nancy and Gene Hooff worked with William B. Litchfield Residential Designs, Inc. to design their pool cabana, which has a wood burning fireplace, TV and seating from Sutherland Furniture. The couple uses their outdoor space to hold family gatherings, such as birthday parties and Easter egg hunts. Text by Shannon Dominy. Photo by Reynolds Rogers.

The backyard of Gene and Nancy Hooff’s Atlanta home is a sprawling garden oasis, with a pebbled terrace containing three picnic tables, a pool and a cabana. The couple worked with Pope Garden Design to create their backyard, removing the bamboo that had overtaken the space in stages to craft a lovely outdoor living area. Text by Shannon Dominy. Photo by Reynolds Rogers.

When Leah and Todd Matthews worked with Level Team Contracting and PSB Studio Architecture to renovate their home last year, they added an outdoor kitchen area with seating and a fireplace. They like to cook and eat out there, and they often set food out by the fireplace when they entertain. Text by Shannon Dominy. Photo by Reynolds Rogers.

A quaint garden shed that is similar in style to the main home holds yard tools for now. Homeowners Patrick and Erin Connolly plan to convert it into a playhouse for their two young daughters. Text by Lori Johnston and Keith Still/Fast Copy News Service. Christopher Oquendo Photography/AJC FILE

Elizabeth Farrell said her family lives in the covered patio space during the summer, watching TV when not swimming in the pool. It’s also where they watch football games in the fall as the doors lead to the unfinished basement, which has a pool table and bar. The blue chairs and sofa are from American Backyard, while the striped rug is from Bed Bath & Beyond. Text by Marena Galluccio/Fast Copy News Service. Christopher Oquendo/AJC FILE

The covered patio is like another room in the home, said homeowner Sandra Boylan. The wrought iron daybed was custom made by Ironworks International while the wicker chairs were purchased at an estate sale. The cocktail table was thrifted and painted with chalk paint. Text by Marena Galluccio/Fast Copy News Service. Christopher Oquendo/AJC FILE

The deck and patio, completed in 2016, leads to a new carport that provides off-street parking for the Virginia-Highland homeowners. Christopher Oquendo/AJC FILE

The yard, with a fire pit surrounded by Adirondack chairs from Woodstock Furniture and a stone wall, is like a slice of Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground, said homeowner Barbara Skeen. The landscape design is by Cane Cutters Landscaping in Jasper. Christopher Oquendo Photography/AJC FILE

The Porches covered the raised patio next to the pool to make the space easier to enjoy in the heat. They added skylights in order to allow the natural light to come inside. Text by Kat Khoury/Fast Copy News Service. Photo by Reann Huber/Fast Copy News Service.

The backyard’s colorful and modern makeover replaced a brick patio with a deck that offered room for dining and gathering. The hardscaping includes pavers and slate chips. “You automatically open the French doors onto the deck so you can be inside and outside,” said homeowner Stephanie Andrews. Christopher Oquendo Photography/AJC FILE

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The partially enclosed porch, which Angela Green built 30 years ago, is kept comfortable with a fan from Lowe's and a rug from Walmart. Her rescue dogs, pit bull mixes Maria (left) and Anna, enjoy the shade on a sunny day. Text by Kat Khoury. Photo by Reynolds Rogers.

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