Soak In The Sun: 9 Courtyard Design Ideas To Create Warm Spaces In Your Home

This design by Practica Arquitectura is beautiful and calming. We didn't know red could be used in such a way, and now we can't stop imagining ourselves in this courtyard to recharge ourselves, read a book, or just stargaze. 

This fantastic design by Fantastic Frank takes us straight to Mamma Mia. The white walls and soft curved edges are what make it look very Greek to us, paired with bursts of muted green colours that are easy on the eyes and match well with the plants. If you'd like to add green as a statement colour, we think what EV Design Office did is incredible (first image).

This house is designed by a Pune architectural firm, Alkove-Design. The house is designed around the courtyard with traditional decor while a swing like the one in the picture was done in old homes. The courtyard is in the middle of the house, known as 'Thotti Mane' in Kannada, harmonising with the surroundings and serving as a central gathering place for family and friends.

If you have a small courtyard, then this simple and basic design is perfect for you. It's achievable in any courtyard set-up, all you need is some plants and white walls to bring this courtyard design together. It's modern and will suit big as well as small spaces. It's a beautiful space in the day and just with the help of some lights can be easily turned into a cosy party or gathering area for friends and family. 

For people who like their spaces to have minimal items and let the space itself do the talking, this extremely minimal and modern courtyard design is for you. Big spaces don't always need to be filled up, and this is exactly what this design is all about. It's all about clean lines, and crisp colours with hints of green from the plants to make this place come alive. The best part is that even though this will take the minimum amount of time and effort to execute (because of very less elements) it'll look very old money.

This is what I imagine a courtyard in a beach vacation home to look like. So, if you're looking to create a space where you feel like you're on vacation but you're actually in the comfort of your home, then this is the style you should go for. The shredded area gives enough shade to sit comfortably on sunny days whereas there's enough cosy seating for you to sit and relax. The colour palette is neutral with use of natural elements for the built of the place.

We know we'd love to have a private courtyard one day, and this is the kind perfect for winter mornings and nights with a bonfire in the middle. This courtyard design is also perfect for small gatherings, call your friends over and enjoy a bonfire night with a glass of wine and memorable stories. 

Courtyards are a very old structural design and very dominant in homes of Kerela, and if you love that aesthetic then this is the inspiration for you. These types of courtyard designs heavily depend on vintage aesthetics and lots of earthy tones, mostly shades of brown and green, which lend this space a very welcoming and warm feel. Add a rattan chair, a chest of drawers, or a room divider to embrace this design. 

Pro-tip: Here are some brands to check out rattan furniture.

This courtyard design offers a great indoor-outdoor connection; it's located centrally but also has doors to either limit or expand the connection. This one makes it great for hosting parties as well, considering that you have a big area and a built-in bonfire pit.