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

Small Modern Patio Ideas and Designs

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Glass House in the Garden
Glass House in the Garden
Flavin ArchitectsFlavin Architects
Modern glass house set in the landscape evokes a midcentury vibe. A modern gas fireplace divides the living area with a polished concrete floor from the greenhouse with a gravel floor. The frame is painted steel with aluminum sliding glass door. The front features a green roof with native grasses and the rear is covered with a glass roof. Photo by: Gregg Shupe Photography
Small paved garden
Small paved garden
Melanie Hick Garden DesignMelanie Hick Garden Design
A small flat garden in Greenwich gets a modern makeover with 3 social areas and a maze-like path that leads to a secluded sunlounging spot.
Inspiration for a small modern back patio in London.
Whittier Retreat
Whittier Retreat
Sitio Landscape ArchitectureSitio Landscape Architecture
Inspiration for a small modern side patio in Los Angeles with an outdoor kitchen, concrete slabs and an awning.
Rockridge Redux - Extending an Elegant Home Outdoors
Rockridge Redux - Extending an Elegant Home Outdoors
Ian Moore DesignIan Moore Design
The hot tub patio is designed to provide flexible furnishing options. When open or unfurnished the ground plane details and lighting bring the space alive. This area can also accommodate chaise lounge chairs or larger dining assemblies. The plantings envelop and calm the space.
Stratton Woods Residence
Stratton Woods Residence
Smelek DesignSmelek Design
Inspiration for a small modern back patio in Houston with an outdoor kitchen, natural stone paving and no cover.
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
Wood-Look Tile Outdoor BBQ Kitchen
Wood-Look Tile Outdoor BBQ Kitchen
Arcadia Outdoor KitchensArcadia Outdoor Kitchens
Arcadia Outdoor Kitchens
Photo of a small modern back patio in Miami with an outdoor kitchen.
Elegant Modern Design in a Small Backyard
Elegant Modern Design in a Small Backyard
Betz Pools LimitedBetz Pools Limited
The backyard features a striking array of German-designed Dedon furniture, with the Orbit loveseat as a centerpiece. Although this home is located near the centre of Canada’s largest metropolitan area, the ravine’s towering timbers add an aura of being surrounded by nature.
Lake Manassas Golf Community
Lake Manassas Golf Community
Land & Water DesignLand & Water Design
We took a small non-defined space and created an enjoyable backyard integrating an existing flagstone patio with a new lower flagstone patio, complete with new stucco retaining walls, raised planters, fire bowls and fire table. The main focal point of the patio is the new water feature, a series of basalt towers sitting on a bed of black Mexican beach pebbles. The landscaping & outdoor lighting complete the package. Small yard with a million dollar view of the golf course and Lake Manassas in the background.
Tarrytown Pavilion
Tarrytown Pavilion
Studio SteinbomerStudio Steinbomer
Photo Credit: Thomas McConnell
Inspiration for a small modern patio in Austin.
Integrity Sliding French Doors from Marvin Windows and Doors
Integrity Sliding French Doors from Marvin Windows and Doors
AVI Windows & DoorsAVI Windows & Doors
Integrity Sliding French Patio Doors from Marvin Windows and Doors are made from Ultrex, a patented pultruded fiberglass, a material that is 8 times stronger then vinyl. Integrity doors are made with Ultrex®, a pultruded fiberglass Marvin patented that outperforms and outlasts vinyl, roll-form aluminum and other fiberglass composites. Ultrex and the Integrity proprietary pultrusion process delivers high-demand doors that endure all elements without showing age or wear. With a strong Ultrex Fiberglass exterior paired with a rich wood interior, Integrity Wood-Ultrex doors have both strength and beauty. Constructed with Ultrex from the inside out, Integrity All Ultrex doors offer outstanding strength and durability.
Modern minimalist
Modern minimalist
Evolving LandscapesEvolving Landscapes
Client asked for a simple transition from deck to yard with area for sitting.
Photo of a small modern back patio in Kansas City with gravel and no cover.
Hearth
Hearth
Seed Studio Landscape DesignSeed Studio Landscape Design
Photography: Travis Rhoads Photography
Design ideas for a small modern back patio in San Francisco with a fire feature and concrete paving.
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.
Modern Landscaping | Freeform Pool
Modern Landscaping | Freeform Pool
4 Seasons Remodeling & Design Inc.4 Seasons Remodeling & Design Inc.
This is an example of a small modern back patio in San Francisco with a fire feature, concrete slabs and a pergola.
Deck Renovation In West Hollywood, CA
Deck Renovation In West Hollywood, CA
NB ConstructionNB Construction
Outdoor sitting area renovation. Taken by: Noam Baram
Inspiration for a small modern back patio in Los Angeles with decking and a gazebo.
Silvertree Residence
Silvertree Residence
UserUser
The existing patio porch framing was saved and covered with birch panel plywood to unite the interior and exterior. The framing is supported by steel wide-flange beams and concrete columns echoing the interior language. The new space allows the exterior patio to become an extension of the interior spaces encouraging indoor-outdoor living. Secrest Architecture LLC
Irvington Deck + Patio
Irvington Deck + Patio
Howells Architecture + DesignHowells Architecture + Design
We converted an underused back yard into a modern outdoor living space. The decking is ipe hardwood, the fence is stained cedar, and a stained concrete fountain adds privacy and atmosphere at the dining area. Photos copyright Laurie Black Photography.
Wallace Family | Endless Pools® Swim Spa
Wallace Family | Endless Pools® Swim Spa
Richard's Total Backyard SolutionsRichard's Total Backyard Solutions
The perfect balance of recreation, relaxation, and resistance with this Endless Pools® R200. This R200 features an End2End roll-away swim spa cover, a spa-side caddy and custom swim spa steps. Elevate your swim experience at night with stunning underwater LED lights. We also extended the living space of this backyard patio by adding comfort deck to the swim spa and pergola area. The perfect backyard Staycation for endless fun year-round! #hottubs #pools #swimspas
Uptown Beauty
Uptown Beauty
Pro-Land Landscape Construction Inc.Pro-Land Landscape Construction Inc.
Pro-Land was hired to manage and construct this secluded backyard in the core of Toronto. Working in conjunction with multiple trades and Eden Tree Design Inc., we were able to create this modern space, utilizing every corner of the property to it's fullest potential. Landscape Design: Eden Tree Design Inc. Photographer: McNeill Photography

Small Modern 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 modern 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 modern 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 modern 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 modern 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 modern 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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