12 Small-Deck Design Ideas for Outdoor Dining and Lounging
Space-saving layouts, clever furnishing solutions and creative plantings help make the most of these compact areas
Lauren Dunec Hoang
19 July 2023
Houzz Editor; landscape designer and former garden editor for Sunset Magazine and in-house designer for Sunset's Editorial Test Garden. Her garden designs have been featured in the Sunset Western Garden Book of Landscaping, Sunset Western Garden Book of Easy-Care Plantings (cover), Inhabitat, and POPSUGAR.
Houzz Editor; landscape designer and former garden editor for Sunset Magazine and... More
When deck space is at a premium, efficient design and smart styling can make what could be a cramped outdoor area an inviting one. From investing in disappearing railings to choosing hanging planters over ones that take up floor space, there are plenty of ways to make the most of a compact deck.
Read on to discover a dozen ways to design for a small-scale deck, including tips on how to choose an efficient design for a new deck or optimize an existing deck layout, plus styling ideas to make tight decks feel more welcoming.
Read on to discover a dozen ways to design for a small-scale deck, including tips on how to choose an efficient design for a new deck or optimize an existing deck layout, plus styling ideas to make tight decks feel more welcoming.
1. Choose an Efficient Design
One of the best ways to ensure that you’re making the most of a small deck is to start with a design that fits your needs and the space. If you’re installing a new deck, start by identifying how you’d like to use the space. Then determine space and site constraints and choose the size and shape of your deck accordingly.
Rectangular decks are the most common and can be sectioned off into multiple areas for different uses. With this efficient wraparound deck in Portland, Maine, the corner naturally divides the deck into two areas.
Work with a deck design professional on Houzz
One of the best ways to ensure that you’re making the most of a small deck is to start with a design that fits your needs and the space. If you’re installing a new deck, start by identifying how you’d like to use the space. Then determine space and site constraints and choose the size and shape of your deck accordingly.
Rectangular decks are the most common and can be sectioned off into multiple areas for different uses. With this efficient wraparound deck in Portland, Maine, the corner naturally divides the deck into two areas.
Work with a deck design professional on Houzz
Small, curved decks, like this one in Pittsburgh by Shelton Design//Build, can be well-suited for creating intimate seating nooks. For irregular site layouts, you may want to consider a deck design that includes semicircular, square or angular pop-out sections that extend from the main deck to capitalize on a bit more square footage.
Hiring a landscape architect or contractor can help make sure you start with a deck design that is best-suited to your site and fits in with your home and backyard.
Hiring a landscape architect or contractor can help make sure you start with a deck design that is best-suited to your site and fits in with your home and backyard.
2. Optimize an Existing Layout
To make an existing deck more efficient, consider where you can fit in different elements — including furniture, lighting and cooking equipment — to save floor space and improve overall flow. You may decide it’s worth it to invest in built-in seating or new patio furniture to maximize the space.
With this rectangular deck in Austin, Texas, the designers at B. Jane Gardens made the most of the relatively small square footage by tucking a square fire feature and built-in bench seating into a corner. They positioned a movable bench along a wall for additional seating and a dining table along the far side, keeping the middle section open. The layout feels spacious and inviting.
Find patio furniture in the Houzz Shop
To make an existing deck more efficient, consider where you can fit in different elements — including furniture, lighting and cooking equipment — to save floor space and improve overall flow. You may decide it’s worth it to invest in built-in seating or new patio furniture to maximize the space.
With this rectangular deck in Austin, Texas, the designers at B. Jane Gardens made the most of the relatively small square footage by tucking a square fire feature and built-in bench seating into a corner. They positioned a movable bench along a wall for additional seating and a dining table along the far side, keeping the middle section open. The layout feels spacious and inviting.
Find patio furniture in the Houzz Shop
3. Work Around Existing Features
If your site comes with a challenging feature, like a mature tree or a building support that breaks up the area where you’d like to install a deck, see if you can weave it into the deck design.
The deck built around an existing tree in this Phoenix backyard allows for the tree to be preserved without compromising floor space. Plus, the tree acts as a stunning focal point and provides natural shade over the seating area.
If your site comes with a challenging feature, like a mature tree or a building support that breaks up the area where you’d like to install a deck, see if you can weave it into the deck design.
The deck built around an existing tree in this Phoenix backyard allows for the tree to be preserved without compromising floor space. Plus, the tree acts as a stunning focal point and provides natural shade over the seating area.
4. Consider Furniture Scale
Don’t try to squeeze large furniture onto a small deck — it will feel feel cramped and cluttered and leave no room to move through the space. Instead, choose furniture to fit the size of your existing or future deck, and look for flexible designs, such as an extendable dining table.
Here, the lounges chosen by Rehkamp Larson Architects for a viewing deck outside a cottage in Minnesota take advantage of the view and fit the deck’s size.
Don’t try to squeeze large furniture onto a small deck — it will feel feel cramped and cluttered and leave no room to move through the space. Instead, choose furniture to fit the size of your existing or future deck, and look for flexible designs, such as an extendable dining table.
Here, the lounges chosen by Rehkamp Larson Architects for a viewing deck outside a cottage in Minnesota take advantage of the view and fit the deck’s size.
5. Hang Lights Overhead
Save floor space and cast an inviting glow over a small outdoor seating area by hanging string lights, lanterns and wall-mounted exterior lights. For this Portland, Maine, deck designed by Whitten Architects, three horizontal wires support a crisscross of cafe lights centered over a small outdoor dining table with seats for four.
Shop for outdoor lighting
Save floor space and cast an inviting glow over a small outdoor seating area by hanging string lights, lanterns and wall-mounted exterior lights. For this Portland, Maine, deck designed by Whitten Architects, three horizontal wires support a crisscross of cafe lights centered over a small outdoor dining table with seats for four.
Shop for outdoor lighting
6. Design for Indoor-Outdoor Flow
A deck built right off a room in the house creates bonus living space, even if the deck is modest in size. The more seamless you can make the transition from indoors to outdoors, the more the two areas will flow together, making both spaces feel larger. In this Austin, Texas, home, large-scale glass doors connect the deck and the living room, allowing people to easily pass between both spaces.
A deck built right off a room in the house creates bonus living space, even if the deck is modest in size. The more seamless you can make the transition from indoors to outdoors, the more the two areas will flow together, making both spaces feel larger. In this Austin, Texas, home, large-scale glass doors connect the deck and the living room, allowing people to easily pass between both spaces.
7. Choose Railings That Disappear
If there’s a grade change between your deck and the ground (even if it’s only minor), you will likely need to install railings to comply with local building codes. Small decks can feel more cramped if surrounded by heavy railings. Instead, choose a style that appears light and open, like the glass panels surrounding this Toronto deck by Sustain Design Architects. They seem to disappear from view, expanding the perceived deck boundary and allowing one’s gaze to move out to the water beyond.
If there’s a grade change between your deck and the ground (even if it’s only minor), you will likely need to install railings to comply with local building codes. Small decks can feel more cramped if surrounded by heavy railings. Instead, choose a style that appears light and open, like the glass panels surrounding this Toronto deck by Sustain Design Architects. They seem to disappear from view, expanding the perceived deck boundary and allowing one’s gaze to move out to the water beyond.
8. Save Floor Space With Smart Planting Strategies
Adding flowers and foliage can be a great way to make a deck feel more like a garden. But for tiny decks, like many in urban areas, potted plants compete for space with higher-priority items like chairs, a table or a grill.
Elevate your plants if floor space is tight but you still want the feeling of a garden. Use hanging baskets, window boxes, over-the-railing planters or vertical gardens to maximize space. In this London backyard by design-build firm GDL Property, a living wall brings plenty of greenery to the space while keeping the floor space open.
Adding flowers and foliage can be a great way to make a deck feel more like a garden. But for tiny decks, like many in urban areas, potted plants compete for space with higher-priority items like chairs, a table or a grill.
Elevate your plants if floor space is tight but you still want the feeling of a garden. Use hanging baskets, window boxes, over-the-railing planters or vertical gardens to maximize space. In this London backyard by design-build firm GDL Property, a living wall brings plenty of greenery to the space while keeping the floor space open.
9. Provide Shade
Decks of any size can benefit from having a source of shade, whether in the form of a pergola, mature tree or large umbrella.
Adding an overhang to the side of a building, as was done for this deck by LDa Architecture & Interiors, can save space by taking advantage of the support of an existing structure. Similarly, one could attach a shade sail to the side of a building to add shade in a small footprint.
Decks of any size can benefit from having a source of shade, whether in the form of a pergola, mature tree or large umbrella.
Adding an overhang to the side of a building, as was done for this deck by LDa Architecture & Interiors, can save space by taking advantage of the support of an existing structure. Similarly, one could attach a shade sail to the side of a building to add shade in a small footprint.
10. Invest in Built-In Seating
Built-in seating can be a significant space saver for small decks, as it allows a seating area to be anchored against a wall or in a corner and leaves the center of the deck open.
In this back deck by San Diego Master Craftsmen, a bistro table and chairs pulled up to a built-in bench makes for an elegant seating solution for a small space.
Built-in seating can be a significant space saver for small decks, as it allows a seating area to be anchored against a wall or in a corner and leaves the center of the deck open.
In this back deck by San Diego Master Craftsmen, a bistro table and chairs pulled up to a built-in bench makes for an elegant seating solution for a small space.
11. Lay Down an Outdoor Rug
Give a small deck some style without changing your outdoor furniture or adding bulky accessories by rolling out an outdoor rug for the season. Look for outdoor rugs made of weather- and fade-resistant synthetic materials like polyester and recycled plastic, which can be easily hosed off to clean them. Rugs made of natural materials like jute are less outdoor-hardy and should be brought inside when it rains.
Give a small deck some style without changing your outdoor furniture or adding bulky accessories by rolling out an outdoor rug for the season. Look for outdoor rugs made of weather- and fade-resistant synthetic materials like polyester and recycled plastic, which can be easily hosed off to clean them. Rugs made of natural materials like jute are less outdoor-hardy and should be brought inside when it rains.
12. Add Interest to Walls
Small decks surrounded by walls can feel boxed in, but you can reduce this feeling by enhancing the walls around the deck. With this deck by OPaL Design Build, perimeter fences have become a backdrop for an installation of wall-mounted plants.
Vines like clematis (Clematis spp.) or Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) can be planted on outdoor walls to create a lush green backdrop.
Your turn: How have you make the most of a small deck? Tell us in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Get more deck inspiration
Find a professional for your home project
Shop for outdoor decor
Small decks surrounded by walls can feel boxed in, but you can reduce this feeling by enhancing the walls around the deck. With this deck by OPaL Design Build, perimeter fences have become a backdrop for an installation of wall-mounted plants.
Vines like clematis (Clematis spp.) or Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) can be planted on outdoor walls to create a lush green backdrop.
Your turn: How have you make the most of a small deck? Tell us in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Get more deck inspiration
Find a professional for your home project
Shop for outdoor decor
Related Stories
More Rooms
The 5 Most Popular Laundry Rooms on Houzz Right Now
Get decorating ideas for your laundry or utility room from these most-saved photos on Houzz
Full Story
Gardens
How Do I Create a Drought-tolerant Garden?
By Kate Burt
As summers heat up, plants that need less water are increasingly desirable. Luckily, there are lots of beautiful options
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Warm Tones and Luxurious Surfaces in a City Townhouse
An earthy colour palette, hidden storage and well-placed texture add character and practicality to this London home
Full Story
Gardens
5 Inspiring Before and After Garden Transformations
Check out what a difference designers have made to these once dull plots, visually expanding spaces and creating privacy
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Kitchen Tour: A Gorgeous Extension With a Leafy Glasshouse Feel
By Kate Burt
When the owners of this terraced house extended, they were keen to retain its period feel and highlight the garden
Full Story
Gardens
How to Disguise Rubbish and Recycling Bins Outside Your Home
Need to hide unsightly bins in your garden or driveway? Take a look at these clever ideas for inspiration
Full Story
Renovating
21 Ways Designers Are Incorporating Arches Into Homes
By Kate Burt
Everywhere we look on Houzz right now, a cheeky arch pops up. How would you add this timeless architectural feature?
Full Story
Lifestyle
How to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home
Want to ensure your home environment is clean and healthy? Start by assessing the quality of your air
Full Story
Gardens
Garden Tour: A Bare Roof Terrace Becomes a Pretty, Sociable Space
By Kate Burt
A retired couple got help transforming their large rooftop into a gorgeous, welcoming, multi-functional retreat
Full Story
Living Rooms
8 Mistakes to Avoid in Your Small Living Room
Swerve these common design errors to make a big impact in your compact sitting room
Full Story
I like the mature tree built in idea, but supplying water and nourishment is imperative.
Very lovely suggestions .... however keep in mind that trees, bushes, shrubs etc attract birds ... especially when you are not on your terrasse or deck. The state of your tables, sofas and armchairs will quickly become a nightmare concerning the amount of bird droppings you will have to deal with
Enjoyed this article and the comments! Two additional thoughts: I live in the fireprone west. One ignition source is patio cushions! I have recovered mine with treated, fire resistant material. Also, I struggle with keeping the windows in my house clean! I can't imagine adding glass or plexi added in place of deck rails, but love the clear view. The new hog wire material (personally I liked the sturdy Raw Tahoe Hog more than the 6 gauge) or thin wire rail replacements preserve the view without adding maintenance chores, and provide the added benefit of being able to shovel snow through it rather than over it!