15 Ideas to Maximize Your Small Patio Space

Lisa Romerein

Transform your patio into a cozy oasis with these unique ideas, all designed for small but mighty spaces.

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Lisa Romerein

Make the most of your small patio by transforming it into a comforting oasis. Despite its little size, there are a number of ways to refresh your space. Here, we'll show you how to take the ordinary and turn it into the extraordinary with the help of both subtle and wow-worthy décor elements.

When you have a small patio that's located in close proximity to your neighbors, maintaining your privacy can seem difficult. Even so, there's no need to put up a fence, which would make a tiny space feel even tighter. Instead, use landscaping to your advantage and come up with natural ways to shelter your home from prying eyes—plant trees and dense shrubs around the area, as pictured here, is an easy way to make your patio feel more private. Continue to use your green thumb by adding plenty of potted plants to the space. We recommend growing some of your favorite herbs to cook with or flowers and greens that help you destress. A weather-resistant cushioned couch, designed specifically for use outside, will further help transform the nook into a relaxing escape that you'll actually look forward to using.

If your patio sits atop a cement surface, adding decorative features is as easy as looking to the ground. Change up the area by painting the floor, or simply introduce a colorful weather-resistant rug to add a homey feel. Another good idea is to purchase multipurpose furniture pieces. We love the idea of using a stylish stool as both a side table and an extra place to sit. For those that need more storage solutions, adding a chest that can double as a bench is another great idea.

From small decorative elements to new outdoor furniture, ahead find some of our favorite ways to maximize your space.

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Outdoor Furniture

Courtesy of West Elm

Nothing makes an area cozier than a comfy couch. Constructed from solid wood with a wire-brushed surface, this seat features a built-in ledge for extra storage and weather-resistant yarn cushions designed to withstand whatever nature throws its way.

Shop Now: West Elm "Portside" Outdoor Sofa, $1,199, westelm.com.

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Stash in Plain Sight

Getty / Johner Images

A repurposed console not only serves as an outdoor bar, but also acts as a great place to store firewood.

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Plenty of Patterns

Joe Schmelzer

An array of bright colors and patterns can easily make a small patio feel twice the size. Opt for color coordinating designs in both subtle and more robust hues to make your décor pop.

How to Mix Colors and Patterns

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Your Own Café

Courtesy of Room&Board

Escape to an outdoor Parisian café in your own backyard with a set of chairs and small table placed on your patio. It'll be your new favorite spot for dining alfresco.

Shop Now: Room&Board "Sabrina" Chair, $129, roomandboard.com; Room&Board "Maris" Table, $399, roomandboard.com.

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Outdoor Rug

Courtesy of Pottery Barn

Incorporating details underfoot makes any space feel cozy without taking up coveted foot paths. Be prepared for the area to get wet with a water-resistant option.

Shop Now: Pottery Barn "Oden" Recycled Material Indoor/Outdoor Rug, in Blue, from $249, potterybarn.com.

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Potted Plants

Caitlin Atkinson

Whether you choose a live or faux potted garden, adding some green to your small patio space is a natural choice, and doing so can actually help relieve stress.

Breathe New Life Into Your Patio with a Group of Container Gardens

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Light It Up

Getty / M_a_y_a

You'll use your small patio both day and night when it has proper lighting. String lights bring both a touch of romance and plenty of brightness to your backyard, and we like that they're a space-saving way to make your patio both more functional and more stylish.

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Colorful Elements

McGee & Co.

Decorate your small patio with bright colors to make it feel bigger. Think pinks, reds, or blues for a larger than life appearance.

Shop Now: McGee & Co. "Sierra" Stripe Indoor/Outdoor Pillow, $94, mcgeeandco.com.

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Sconce Lighting

Molly Winters Culver

Want to add outdoor lighting but don't know where to start? No problem. Place a colorful sconce light on the wall to add some brightness and a pop of color to your small patio.

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Use Indoor Decorating Ideas

If you plan to use your patio to entertain, do more than just set out some folding chairs. Instead, really think about this space in the same way you would when decorating a room inside your house. What can you do to maximize light? What decorating tricks will make the space seem larger? Should you add a rug to tie the room together? The goal is to make the space cozy so you utilize it more often. Furniture that's cozy yet weatherized ensures you'll head outside frequently.

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Add a Swing

If you have an overhang or more cover than ground to work with, hang a swing chair as your new seating of choice.

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Storage Box

Courtesy of One Kings Lane

An outdoor storage box can double as a seat for your small patio when cushions are added to the top. Meanwhile, the wheels make this box turned bench even more versatile, as you can simply roll it out of the way when needed.

Shop Now: One Kings Lane "Adelaide" Outdoor Storage Box, in Gray, $295, onekingslane.com.

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Wooden Stool

Terrain

A small, compact stool doubles as a surface to hold your magazines and favorite beverages, while it can also serve as a seat when needed.

Shop Now: Terrain "Cross Leg" Teak Stool, $68, terrain.com.

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Faux-Brick

Nothing changes up a space quite like a splash of paint. Paint your way to a brick patio with our artful technique.

Get the Faux-Brick Painting How-To

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15 Ideas to Maximize Your Small Patio Space

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Outdoor Furniture

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Stash in Plain Sight

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Plenty of Patterns

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Your Own Café

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Outdoor Rug

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Potted Plants

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Light It Up

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Colorful Elements

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Sconce Lighting

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Use Indoor Decorating Ideas

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Add a Swing

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Storage Box

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Wooden Stool

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Faux-Brick

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