I would watch the TV show, deck wars or deck outs are some good shows for deck ideas. You might want to get some house and home magazines also have tons of ideas for patio, deck and furnitures as well.
http://www.hgtv.com/topics/decks/index.html has a bunch of different ideas and designs for decks. Decks.com also has free deck plans available to be mailed to you.
There are a lot of sites that feature photos of patios and decks.I would try kmart,walmart,and target to start.You may een get some good ideas from the sites as well.
You should not be confined to simply the decks and patios ideas that the local builder has for you when you hire him to make the deck. Instead, you should look in books that come complete with many photographs. You should have a good idea about what you want before you hire anyone to do the job so that you will really be happy with your new deck or patio when it is complete.
Backyard decks and patios are best enjoyed when they are in good condition and free from safety concerns. Maintaining decks and patios involves fixing problems such as raised nails or loose tiles as quickly as possible and in the proper way. Decks and patios should also be inspected at the start of each season, after heavy use and at the end of a season to ensure that the structure is sound and the ground is not eroding. Patios need special attention because weeds can grow between bricks, tiles or concrete and can eventually crack the patio surface.
http://www.hgtv.com/topics/decks/index.html They have photos of homes with good designs of their decks. They have actual photos there of existing homes. Get inspired, good luck.
One good place to find patio and deck photos, would be shutterstock. Another good Idea may be to purchase magazines that have pictures of these items and frame them yourself.
It is a good idea to utilize the empty yard to build a deck and patio. You can refer to home and gardening magazines that do share ideas with pictures and DYI steps. You may also review online websites including: http://www.hgtv.com/topics/patio/index.html http://www.hgtv.com/topics/decks/index.html
Patios and decks can be made in a number of ways but there are two main types that are the most popular. This is, in part, because of the environment these outdoor structures are exposed to. For a patio, it's best to use an impervious material like stone tiles. This prevents the material from rotting from its constant contact with the ground. Decks, on the other hand, are usually raised. This makes wood a good choice for them.
Lowe's and Home Depot are both great places to shop for sun awnings. They each offer various styles, some retractable and motorized for patios, backyards, and sun decks.
I love houses with lovely patios too. Are you looking to build it yourself or hire someone? If you are looking for a good workman or contractor maybe try yell.com or myhammer.com. Or if you want to do a spot of DIY try somewhere like Home Depot or B&Q.
Home and garden.com has several ideas for outdoor wood decks. They also have several good ideas on how to decorate that deck once you have built it and several landscaping and gardening ideas that will allow you to enjoy your handiwork.
Decks look good and patios are great for relaxing. It's a up to your personal likings. I can't seem to find cons to either a patio or a deck. But if I had to choose between the two, I would choose a patio.