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  1. Garden & Outdoor
  2. Patio
  3. Size: Compact

Premium Small Patio Ideas and Designs

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Atlantic Beach Contemporary Compact Backyard
Atlantic Beach Contemporary Compact Backyard
Cascade Outdoor DesignCascade Outdoor Design
Small spaces can provide big challenges. These homeowners wanted to include a lot in their tiny backyard! There were also numerous city restrictions to comply with, and elevations to contend with. The design includes several seating areas, a fire feature that can be seen from the home's front entry, a water wall, and retractable screens. This was a "design only" project. Installation was coordinated by the homeowner and completed by others. Photos copyright Cascade Outdoor Design, LLC
3309 White Oak
3309 White Oak
Fisher Lane Building & DesignFisher Lane Building & Design
This is an example of a small traditional back patio in Houston with decking and no cover.
Breezeway & Patio
Breezeway & Patio
risa boyer architecturerisa boyer architecture
Photo Credits: Aaron Leitz
Inspiration for a small contemporary back patio in Portland with concrete slabs and a gazebo.
Sunnyside Zen Garden
Sunnyside Zen Garden
Northwest Native Landscapes LLCNorthwest Native Landscapes LLC
This is an example of a small world-inspired back patio in Portland with natural stone paving.
From the Right
From the Right
Urban Oasis Outdoor LivingUrban Oasis Outdoor Living
Small classic back patio in Dallas with concrete slabs and a roof extension.
Back Patio with Awning
Back Patio with Awning
Ware Architecture StudioWare Architecture Studio
Design ideas for a small modern back patio in Dallas with concrete slabs and an awning.
Thornbury Township
Thornbury Township
B.DeMichele Inc.B.DeMichele Inc.
This roomy patio space allows for outdoor entertaining of larger parties. The pavers and walls are constructed using EP Henry products.
Inspiration for a small traditional back patio in Philadelphia with a fireplace, concrete paving and an awning.
Iron Shade Arbor
Iron Shade Arbor
Exterior Worlds Landscaping & DesignExterior Worlds Landscaping & Design
This shade arbor, located in The Woodlands, TX north of Houston, spans the entire length of the back yard. It combines a number of elements with custom structures that were constructed to emulate specific aspects of a Zen garden. The homeowner wanted a low-maintenance garden whose beauty could withstand the tough seasonal weather that strikes the area at various times of the year. He also desired a mood-altering aesthetic that would relax the senses and calm the mind. Most importantly, he wanted this meditative environment completely shielded from the outside world so he could find serenity in total privacy. The most unique design element in this entire project is the roof of the shade arbor itself. It features a “negative space” leaf pattern that was designed in a software suite and cut out of the metal with a water jet cutter. Each form in the pattern is loosely suggestive of either a leaf, or a cluster of leaves. These small, negative spaces cut from the metal are the source of the structure’ powerful visual and emotional impact. During the day, sunlight shines down and highlights columns, furniture, plantings, and gravel with a blend of dappling and shade that make you feel like you are sitting under the branches of a tree. At night, the effects are even more brilliant. Skillfully concealed lights mounted on the trusses reflect off the steel in places, while in other places they penetrate the negative spaces, cascading brilliant patterns of ambient light down on vegetation, hardscape, and water alike. The shade arbor shelters two gravel patios that are almost identical in space. The patio closest to the living room features a mini outdoor dining room, replete with tables and chairs. The patio is ornamented with a blend of ornamental grass, a small human figurine sculpture, and mid-level impact ground cover. Gravel was chosen as the preferred hardscape material because of its Zen-like connotations. It is also remarkably soft to walk on, helping to set the mood for a relaxed afternoon in the dappled shade of gently filtered sunlight. The second patio, spaced 15 feet away from the first, resides adjacent to the home at the opposite end of the shade arbor. Like its twin, it is also ornamented with ground cover borders, ornamental grasses, and a large urn identical to the first. Seating here is even more private and contemplative. Instead of a table and chairs, there is a large decorative concrete bench cut in the shape of a giant four-leaf clover. Spanning the distance between these two patios, a bluestone walkway connects the two spaces. Along the way, its borders are punctuated in places by low-level ornamental grasses, a large flowering bush, another sculpture in the form of human faces, and foxtail ferns that spring up from a spread of river rock that punctuates the ends of the walkway. The meditative quality of the shade arbor is reinforced by two special features. The first of these is a disappearing fountain that flows from the top of a large vertical stone embedded like a monolith in the other edges of the river rock. The drains and pumps to this fountain are carefully concealed underneath the covering of smooth stones, and the sound of the water is only barely perceptible, as if it is trying to force you to let go of your thoughts to hear it. A large piece of core-10 steel, which is deliberately intended to rust quickly, rises up like an arced wall from behind the fountain stone. The dark color of the metal helps the casual viewer catch just a glimpse of light reflecting off the slow trickle of water that runs down the side of the stone into the river rock bed. To complete the quiet moment that the shade arbor is intended to invoke, a thick wall of cypress trees rises up on all sides of the yard, completely shutting out the disturbances of the world with a comforting wall of living greenery that comforts the thoughts and emotions.
Entertaining Space
Entertaining Space
Susan Cohan GardensSusan Cohan Gardens
Raised bluestone patio with custom trellis.
Design ideas for a small traditional back patio in Newark with natural stone paving and fencing.
West Coast English Retreat
West Coast English Retreat
Tierra Madre Fine GardensTierra Madre Fine Gardens
Photo of a small contemporary back patio in Other with a water feature and gravel.
DC Residence
DC Residence
Traut Landscape StudioTraut Landscape Studio
Designed while at Graham Landscape Architecture.
Photo of a small contemporary back patio in DC Metro with a water feature, natural stone paving and no cover.
Irvington Deck + Patio
Irvington Deck + Patio
Howells Architecture + DesignHowells Architecture + Design
We converted an underused back yard into a modern outdoor living space. A bright tiled planter anchors an otherwise neutral space. The decking is ipe hardwood, the fence is stained cedar, and cast concrete with gravel adds texture at the fire pit. Photos copyright Laurie Black Photography.
House extension in Barnes
House extension in Barnes
Square One ArchitectsSquare One Architects
The small rear patio is related to the internal spaces thus maximizing the sense of space. The wooden bench has been designed to conceal a practical low storage unit.
Contemporary wide and narrow makeover
Contemporary wide and narrow makeover
Land Studio CLand Studio C
Land Studio C
This is an example of a small contemporary back patio in San Francisco with an outdoor kitchen and concrete slabs.
Backyard Sauna and Shower
Backyard Sauna and Shower
Alex Crook PhotographyAlex Crook Photography
Photo by Alex Crook https://www.alexcrook.com/ Design by Judson Sullivan http://www.cultivarllc.com/
Los Gatos Courtyard Escape
Los Gatos Courtyard Escape
Confidence Landscaping, Inc.Confidence Landscaping, Inc.
Contained in a small courtyard, this intimate garden includes a full sized lounge chair along with an outdoor shower and full bath. The Herbert S. Frank Special Award recognizes exceptional design, unique use of materials and quality of construction in a residential landscape. Granted at the discretion of the California Landscape Contractors Association judges, this award is not necessarily given each year at the Trophy Awards event. In 2014, Confidence Landscaping, Inc. earned this important honor that carries the highly respected name of one of the founding members of the CLCA - San Francisco Bay Area chapter.
Julia Starr Sanford - Amelia Island, FL
Julia Starr Sanford - Amelia Island, FL
Oasis Rug & Home / Pearl HomeOasis Rug & Home / Pearl Home
Furnishings and accents provided by Pearl Home (Jax Beach) among other resources www.pearlhome.biz Wally Sears (photographer) / Julia Starr Sanford (designer)
Lincoln Park Transitional
Lincoln Park Transitional
Calafia DesignCalafia Design
Katy Sheppard
Design ideas for a small classic back patio in Chicago with brick paving and no cover.
Entertaining Space
Entertaining Space
Susan Cohan GardensSusan Cohan Gardens
Renovated woodburning grill with custom console table fabricated from architectural salvage and a bluestone slab.
Inspiration for a small classic back patio in Newark with natural stone paving and a bbq area.
Warm Welcome
Warm Welcome
Pro-Land Landscape Construction Inc.Pro-Land Landscape Construction Inc.
A compact yet comfortable contemporary space designed to create an intimate setting for family and friends.
Small contemporary back patio in Toronto with an outdoor kitchen, concrete paving and no cover.

Premium Small Patio Ideas and Designs

Patios are the go-to solution for turning your garden, or part of it, into an outdoor living area. A well-laid patio will integrate your home seamlessly into your garden, providing a solid and level surface for garden furniture and potted plants. Well designed patios are about more than just paving slabs – its positioning and layout are crucial to how much you enjoy this space. Before you start picking out patio ideas for materials and laying your patio, ask yourself important questions such as what will you use it for? How many people should it accommodate? Which part of your garden has the best aspect and sunlight? Will the patio have enough privacy?

How should I position my patio?

If you are designing your patio as a space for entertaining then make sure it’s wide enough for the garden furniture you want so you haven’t got guests tipping over into the flowerbeds. Don’t be wedded to the idea of having your patio attached to the house; think about positioning yours elsewhere in the garden if that space doesn’t offer the best aspect or lighting position. Consider the position of the sun through the course of the day and depending on whether you are most likely to want to dine outside at breakfast, have lunch on your patio or host dinner outside, you may want to position your patio differently. You can connect patios to your house with a footpath or stepping stones to allow easy transportation of food and drink.

How should I design and lay my patio?

Rectangles are the classic shape for patios, not least because they make the most efficient use of space and can be softened with garden edging. However, a rounded patio or a paving circle can perfectly complement a garden which isn’t linear in design. Paving slabs come in an extensive range of materials and are the most practical surface for patios. Yorkstone has the most traditional appeal, whereas concrete blocks, granite and slate patio slabs have a great texture and colour for modern gardens. Natural stones such as limestone, travertine and Indian sandstone vary in colour and finish and are a great way to add shade and texture to your patio. For some patio ideas that offer an alternative to block paving, loose material such as crushed stone and wood chippings have a rustic and more casual feel; if there are specific materials that re-occur elsewhere in the garden, you could repeat this in your choice of patio materials for consistency. Finally, it’s not a British summer without the great British barbeque, so look at patio ideas that incorporate barbeques and think about how you could accommodate one on your patio.

What garden furniture does my patio need?

Rattan garden furniture is a patio favourite, offering a durable, attractive finish that blends well into natural surroundings. Metal garden furniture and wooden garden furniture are sturdy alternatives available in many styles. Weight is a good feature in garden furniture to stop it from being blown away, but if you want to be able to move your furniture around the patio and garden to follow the sun you won’t want to go too heavy. Browse the various patio ideas that include garden furniture to see what styles of furniture go with different types of patios. If you find a particular patio set you like, you may be able to ask the designer where the furniture is from so you can look at buying the same set for your patio. Good, outdoor patio furniture crafted in high-quality materials should withstand bad weather, but cold, wet British winters followed by strong sun in the summer will be enough to weather even the best furniture, so it’s important to have somewhere, such as a shed, to store it when not in use for long periods of time. If you don’t have the space to store patio furniture, make sure that at least the cushions and umbrellas are stowed away out of the elements, and consider investing in a waterproof cover. One piece of furniture that might be able to stay out for a bit longer is a patio heater; it will warm any brave patio users and most modern designs are built to survive the cold weather. If you prefer something a bit more rustic than a patio heater, look at fire pits instead which will add warmth and an attractive centrepiece to your patio. If privacy or shade is an issue, then covering patio furniture with a parasol or sheltering patios with a gazebo or pergola are both smart patio ideas – these can be covered in climbing flowers or even wound with outdoor fairy lights for romantic evening lighting.
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