Even with limited space, you can still design a small patio that will be functional for entertaining, relaxing, and living, as well as being beautiful. These design ideas are ideal for many different applications such as a backyard, porch, or even roof top where size may be limited due to little space. Along with these layout plans and planting ideas, we'll share some design tips, considerations, and problem areas you might run into while designing a backyard patio with limited or little space.
Design Ideas, Planting Schemes, And Plans To Inspire You
Decorative Concrete
Round Tile Floor
Small Concrete Pad
Natural Stone Walls
Small Bistro
Backyard Porch
Back Porch 2
In The Lawn
Modular Floor Plan
Square Sitting Area
Privacy Patio
Japanese Design
Small Sitting Area
Primitive Flagstone Floor
Decorative Concrete
Tropical Style
Terrace
Japanese Privacy
Small Sitting Area
Budget Gravel Floor
Terrace Deck Design
Wood Deck Flooring
Front Porch Swing
Flagstone Floor
Outdoor Room
Simple Seating Idea
Small Seating Area
Ocean View Terrace
Small Wood Deck
Rooftop Balcony
Sunken Patio
Small Bistro
A Simple Design Idea
Outdoor Fireplace
Tile Courtyard
Patio Decor And Design Tips
- Furniture Color: Seating, and optionally tables, is necessary for all patios that are going to be used for entertaining or simply relaxing. Use lighter color cushions, covers, and materials rather than darker to help make smaller areas appear larger.
- Stay With A Single Theme: As with all limited spaces, backyards, and small gardens, too many different elements can easily appear cluttered rather than decorative. Choose a theme color scheme, and design ideas that match the home, surroundings, and rest of the backyard and stick with it.
- Landscape Lighting: As well as being necessary to enjoy your patio at night, lighting is also a good idea as it creates visual atmosphere when viewing the garden or landscape from the home or other area of the yard. However, because of the small and confined space, lighting placed on the edges or in the flooring area can be easily damaged or become a tripping hazard. Place landscape lighting deeper inside planting beds or look for ways to provide down lighting that is not intrusive to the view. Use strings of holiday lights or theme based party lights to create atmosphere and additional patio lighting.
- Plants And Planting Containers: To help keep floor space clear, hanging plants where possible are a good idea. If your patio is lined with planting beds, use plants that have upright or limited growth habits rather than aggressive trailing habits. Keeping within a theme and principles of small gardens, use a limited selection of alike plants. Also, if planters and containers are used, place them in small odd number groups or singles against walls to keep floor space open.
- Water Features: While water features can offer the element of sound and motion, they can also create a lot of sound in an enclosed small patio that make it difficult to carry on a conversation. Along with that, they can take up a lot of room. Another good idea is to use low volume wall fountains that have minimal drop and splash.
