Make every inch count in your alfresco space.
Having any type of outdoor space at home is highly desirable, especially as spring and summer approach. But additional living areas also mean more places to furnish, which can be challenging enough indoors. Take the task outside (particularly to a tiny backyard area), and there are even more factors to consider when choosing the perfect pieces that will last for years, from exposure to the elements to curious outdoor critters. Still, even having a small patio is an alfresco luxury—you just need to know how to style it. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of small patio ideas to inspire you.
When it comes to the necessities, here are the key things to note: performance fabrics are essential for outdoor cushions, and if your patio isn’t already covered, you’ll want to be sure to add a source of shade to protect against the bright sun. If you have neighbors close by, privacy is also key, so consider creating a visual barrier with a trellis wall or tall planters instead of a traditional fence.
But there’s a lot more expert advice to note. Keep reading to see how professional designers make the most of compact outdoor spaces—here are 59 small patio ideas to help get your home ready for warmer weather.
Additional copy by Meghan Shouse.
Designers Leanne Ford and Grace Mitchell used this small space wisely, packing it in with a vintage fireplace, padded bench, and dining table. A bench like this is a great way to bring in a seating option that can stay out of the way and live along an exterior wall.
Keeping with the same idea as above, designer Janie Molster chose a hanging bench for this small covered patio. It brings a bit more playfulness to a space like this without taking up more room.
This patio slab that the team at Alexander Design created for this home is small but impactful. They chose to almost completely cover it with a custom daybed for the ultimate alfresco lounging.
In our 2024 Whole Home, interior design firm Curated Nest decorated this small covered patio with relaxed chaise lounges. It creates a more tranquil vibe than a regular chair, which is ideal for sitting out and reading or napping in the sun.
Though this covered patio is pretty large, you can still take inspiration from the space. Designer Ashley Gilbreath used every inch that she could here, hanging up boho rope swings along the edge for a fun place to sit and hang out. Even with a smaller patio, you can take this idea and roll with it.
Obviously, you don’t want your outdoor space to feel cramped and cluttered, so only display a few pieces on your small patio at a time. These furnishings should be ones you really love, since there’s only room for so many. On this rounded patio space by Ome Dezin, they displayed just two wooden chairs and a fire pit—the perfect amount of decor for the little clearing.
Related Story:The Design Duo at Ome Dezin Embrace “Clean Palettes” and “Timeless” Design
Make your small patio feel cozier by surrounding it in tall greenery and beautiful florals, like this outdoor space by Brian Paquette. There’s still enough room for two chairs and even a potted plant, but the landscaping makes the area feel much more inviting and elegant than if it were bare.
In this backyard by Jeremiah Brent, the designer installed these tall metal archways over the small patio to create a focal point for the space. Plus, they have lanterns hanging from them, providing light without taking up extra room on the ground.
The best way to create an intimate patio is by circling up your seating. In this outdoor spot by Michael Ellison, the designer plotted this small patio behind the cabana and pool, describing it as the ideal place for sunset chats.
If your small patio is covered, decorate with a banquette seat to anchor the space—it'll also cut down the number of pieces you need. In this outdoor dining room area, designer Andrew Howard added a lovely light banquette seating option, as well as two other wicker dining chairs and a teak table. It’s compact and beautiful.
In this compact outdoor space designed by Tina Ramchandani, minimalist furniture was thoughtfully chosen, both in style and quantity, to create a sleek and inviting atmosphere. Opting for a few chic pieces rather than a massive outdoor set is a great way to make your small patio feel more spacious.
If a vegetable patch is what you really want, put a small greenhouse on your patio as designer Whitney Leigh Morris did at her Florida home. Not only will you now have ample shelf space for the garden of your dreams, but you’ll also have a cozy space to set a café table and chairs for your morning coffee.
If you live on a body of water, your dock might need to double as your backyard. Rather than chalk it up to wasted space, embrace the flat square footage as Joe Lucas’s clients did here, and place a table out there for a cute place to dine on a sunny day.
City patios always have to be multifunctional, but if you’re lucky enough to have layers or stories, designate one for each purpose. In this space by the Brownstone Boys, the lower level is for group gatherings, while the upper level is better suited to quiet mornings and relaxing outdoors.
No patio? No problem. Take a note from outdoor space designed by Kemble Interiors, and place your outdoor furniture directly on the grass. When properly accessorized (note the chic throw pillows), this can look just as intentional as a patio space.
On this long yet narrow patio, Tom Scheerer opted for dining benches to avoid blocking the view of the great outdoors that lay beyond the covered dining area. The benches take up less visual space while still allowing large groups to gather.
On this penthouse apartment’s terrace, a putting green bridges the gap between apartment living and functional outdoor space. Yes, the homeowner does use the green for practice while his children lounge nearby!
In this Jeremiah Brent–designed home in Los Angeles County, a small patio off the guest bedroom is chic and functional thanks to a slim loveseat rather than a larger outdoor sofa. When paired with an equally small drinks table, it’s a cozy place to hang out all year.
Because this home literally floats on a body of water (Richardson Bay, off the coast of Sausalito, California), there’s no ground-level patio space to be found. That didn’t deter Colleen Dowd Saglimbeni of CDS Interiors. Instead, she simply placed the patio on the roof.
While petite, this patio—at a San Francisco home by design teams Regan Baker Design, Medium Plenty, and Terremoto—packs a punch. The seating, table, and fire pit are all properly sized to ensure the area doesn't feel overcrowded. Greenery, including a cherry laurel hedge that will grow over time, amplifies a sense of serenity.
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