Small Patio Ideas That Make the Most of a Compact Space
All around the world, people gather on patios to relax and entertain. A large patio might be the ideal for enjoying the beautiful weather with your loved ones. But even as modern homes are getting larger, backyards are getting smaller. Or, you may live in the city where patio space is at a premium. Thankfully, a well-designed small patio can meet your outdoor lifestyle needs and wants in style.
When a compact patio features a few key components and a layout that makes the most of the space, it can be just as awesome, if not more. In this article, we’ll take a look at some excellent examples of successful small patios. We’ll highlight some of the best design elements and give you plenty of inspiration to make use of the smaller space you have available.
1. Make Every Square Inch Count
Image Source: Renson Outdoors
With a compact outdoor living design, there should be a concerted effort to use every part intentionally. This photo shows how a swimming pool, an outdoor kitchen, and an outdoor dining space easily occupy only a few hundred square feet without feeling too cramped. The space feels open and airy, with an elegant modern design including a louvered roof pergola from Renson Outdoors. Importantly, every space moves seamlessly from one to the other. Everywhere you stand in this outdoor living space, it feels dynamic and free-flowing.
2. Expand the Space with Large and Bold Pavers
Image Source: Belgard
One of the most important components in any patio design is the visual impact of the surface itself. This petite patio uses chessboard-style alternating colors and large-format pavers from Belgard. The pattern is bold, and makes the patio feel much larger despite the patio taking up a space not much larger than a typical room in the house. The modern and minimalist approach doesn’t compete with the furniture or artwork: it would have been a very, very different look in stark black and white. The gray feels softer and more sophisticated, especially with the bluestone-inspired border.
3. Create a Functional Focal Point
Image Source: Belgard
Any great patio design will include a focal point. In the case of a small outdoor living space, that focal point should do double duty as a functional element as well as something gorgeous to look at. A fire bowl such as this gorgeous example makes it immediately clear what’s important: in this case, gathering with friends and family. Other functional focal point ideas could include an outdoor fireplace, a wood-fired pizza oven, or a pergola.
4. Use the Right Laying Pattern and Texture to Create the Illusion of Space
Image Source: Techo-Bloc
Texture is an important physical element that creates a specific mood in an outdoor living space. It also greatly affects the visual feel when hit from different angles by sunlight and your outdoor lighting system. You can always employ textures to engage the eyes. This is a key tactic in small spaces as you don’t want the eye to hurry through the space but instead linger and take in the details. Notice how this fairly simple outdoor living space utilizes several different textures using gorgeous stone-inspired patio pavers from Techo-bloc, plants, and sleek modern furniture. Even though this space has a lot going on visually, it doesn’t feel cluttered at all. It’s a great mixture of modern masonry styles and a natural, rustic feel that’s aesthetically pleasing. Most importantly, your attention lingers, which makes a space feel larger.
5. Expand the Space with Curved Furniture
Image Source: Wayfair
Most outdoor furniture will likely be linear. Curves of any kind help keep the eye engaged in the space, and this includes curved furniture. Curved furniture is more dynamic and interesting. Notice how the furniture in this poolside patio doesn’t hug the wall. It feels like its own attraction, partly because of the shape and partly because of the bold turquoise upholstery and patterned accent pillows. The gentle curve of this outdoor sofa from Wayfair makes the space feel fun and communal. This stunning outdoor sofa makes a great place to catch the view and observe the pool area.
6. Play Textures Off Each Other
Image Source: Wayfair
A smaller patio space is an opportunity to create a cozy feel. Comfortable furniture, flooring materials, walls, and plantings show off their unique textures in a stunning visual combination. In this patio, notice how everything has its own character yet ties together. The chairs, table, and rug pattern have rounded edges which contrast beautifully with the plants and the smooth wall. The brown textured furniture bases play off the greenery while the upholstery echoes the smoothness of the wall. The point? Keep the eye engaged in the space. Of course choosing each element should be done intentionally. It’s better to invest in a few key pieces that you’ll use or enjoy looking at every day, than fill a small space with elements that rarely get used.
7. Big and Chunky? Why Not?
Image Source: Homary
It may seem somewhat counterintuitive to try to fill a small space with oversized furniture. However, done right, it feels right. There should be plenty of space to walk around furniture without having to turn yourself sideways, so “large” is relative. But filling a small space with three seating elements and a coffee table, like this example, feels more luxurious, more like a living room than a patio. The textures of the furniture create a playful and elegant space. Notice how in this patio, the smooth flooring and muted outdoor rug have a modern almost industrial feel, while the chunky basket weave texture of the furniture from Homary adds softness. In fact, the only thing these two different textures really have in common is the gentle grays. This furniture beckons you to come sit and relax, while the smooth flooring maintains a clean, effortless vibe.
8. Embrace the Curve
Image Source: Belgard
There’s a reason we feel “boxed in” in square spaces. The way we move isn’t linear. Nature rarely has right angles or straight lines. A simple trick to make a small patio feel grand is to curve the edges, and use more curved elements within its perimeter. Rounded shapes encourage more relaxed movement. It’s less hurried, more easygoing. In this example, irregular pavers from Belgard and a round fire pit create a more naturalistic patio reminiscent of summer campfires. If your style is sleeker and more modern, you can still curve the edges of your patio and use rounded furniture and a round fire feature. With not much space to speak for, this patio surely feels grand.
9. Bring Nature Closer and Build Privacy with Plantings
It’s important to make sure your outdoor living space, no matter how compact, has plenty of privacy. And yet, you don’t want the space to feel fenced in, which can end up looking like a cubicle. One solution is to place plants along the perimeter. Plants can make the space feel incredibly lively and cozy. Notice how this outdoor living space occupies a small backyard, yet it’s chock full of brilliant plantings and plenty of space to socialize, relax, or just admire the greenery. The patio is also divided into two main spaces, but set at an angle, which makes the entire area feel much bigger than if it was just straight on. Notice, too, that the plants are a variety of heights, shapes, densities, and colors. Variety is the name of the game (otherwise, you’d feel like you’re in a green box, as opposed to a brown box).
10. Blur the Line To Make a Space Feel Larger
Some of the most successful outdoor living spaces seem like a few tasteful components have been set right into the natural world. This gorgeous patio (technically it’s a deck, but you can achieve the same effect using patio pavers or natural stone) is set amid a mystical garden. It’s not just the furniture that makes this space feel so special, it’s the dedication to preserving the natural feel. In this space, you’re part of nature. When you plan a compact outdoor living space, try to blur the line between living space and nature.
Small is definitely beautiful as long as you prioritize key activities (don’t try to cram “everything” into a small patio). From there, use colors, textures, shapes, plants, and a mix of manmade and natural elements to create a harmonious space that doesn’t feel at all cramped.