Make the Most of a Small Patio

Just because you don't have a big backyard doesn't mean you can't enjoy the fresh air. Use these ideas to make whatever you've got into an outdoor oasis.

1. Keep It Cheerful

Victoria Pearson
On the brick patio of a tiny California bungalow, designer Krista Ewart kept the mood fresh and playful to match the decor inside. A white 1960s lawn furniture set is perked up with a pink patterned tablecloth.

2. Get Creative With the Floors

Dulcet Creative via Passion Shake
Amber Throne of Dulcet Creative dressed up her tiny patio with an outdoor fireplace, minimalist seating, and a few throw pillows. But that detail that really pulls it altogether is the patterned floor.

Tour the rest of the house »

3. Don't Dismiss Your Rental

Courtesy of A Piece of Rainbow
Ananda of A Piece of Rainbow thought outside the box when she redecorated her rental apartment's drab patio. From shipping pallets, she and her husband made free-standing walls, floating floor tiles, and furniture — all of which could be easily removed when it's time to move.

Take a look at the transformation »

4. Rethink What You've Got

Victoria Pearson
Don't write off a small patch of land because it's overgrown with weeds or is awkwardly located. Designer Myra Hoefer was inspired by the way Parisians turn balconies or pathways into "poetic spaces for lunch, drinks, or dinner." She transformed her tiny front yard into a pocket paradise, a walled courtyard with graystone pavers, a fountain, Adirondack chairs, and a marble-and-iron table.

5. Be Strategic About Furniture

Freshome via Apartment Therapy
Invest in some space-saving furniture like folding tables and chairs, nesting tables, or two-in-one pieces like storage ottomans and benches.

From Freshome via Apartment Therapy

6. Add Plants

The Desi Wonder Woman
This seems like a no-brainer, but in small apartment balconies like blogger The Desi Wonder Woman's, it's important to mix in greenery to offset the urban environment. To create a "jungalow" feel, she added wicker chairs, vibrant pillows, a leather footstool used as a side table, and a striped rug.

7. Hang a Mirror

Victoria Pearson
Mirrors can work magic indoors andoutdoors, helping to expand a small space. Designer Dan Marty loves to entertain friends and family in the patio of his Los Angeles apartment, so he added interior accents such as a mirror, chandelier, and plenty of candles.

More Outdoor Design Tips:

  • 10 Easy Outdoor Decorating Ideas
  • Rooms We Can't Believe Are Outdoors
  • 7 Incredible Outdoor Kitchens
  • 12 Reasons to Dine Alfresco

By Sarah Yang

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