patio Patio is a Spanish word, which means it is a courtyard of a house or building. A patio differs from a courtyard in that it doesn’t have to be surrounded by walls. It’s similar to a courtyard in that it’s an open space that can be situated directly on the ground. Patios can be attached to a house or detached. A patio is a paved outdoor area adjoining a house, generally used for dining or recreation. … Common materials employed when building a patio include concrete, stone, bricks but also tiles or cobbles.