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

Small Modern Patio Ideas and Designs

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Family-Friendly Modern Garden
Family-Friendly Modern Garden
Little Miracles Designs - TorontoLittle Miracles Designs - Toronto
Stone patio with Mexican beach pebbles and fire pit
Photo of a small modern back patio in Toronto with a fire feature and natural stone paving.
Naples Modern
Naples Modern
Rob Bramhall ArchitectsRob Bramhall Architects
Rob Bramhall
Inspiration for a small modern back patio in Miami with an outdoor kitchen, concrete 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. 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.
Closer view - paver patio and privacy screen
Closer view - paver patio and privacy screen
Metamorphic DesignMetamorphic Design
The secondary footpath in the foreground from the street to the patio offers quick and easy kid access
This is an example of a small modern front patio in Vancouver with concrete paving.
Tranquil Minimal Modern Townhouse | As seen on Dwell.com
Tranquil Minimal Modern Townhouse | As seen on Dwell.com
Breathe Design StudioBreathe Design Studio
Our Austin studio designed this gorgeous town home to reflect a quiet, tranquil aesthetic. We chose a neutral palette to create a seamless flow between spaces and added stylish furnishings, thoughtful decor, and striking artwork to create a cohesive home. We added a beautiful blue area rug in the living area that nicely complements the blue elements in the artwork. We ensured that our clients had enough shelving space to showcase their knickknacks, curios, books, and personal collections. In the kitchen, wooden cabinetry, a beautiful cascading island, and well-planned appliances make it a warm, functional space. We made sure that the spaces blended in with each other to create a harmonious home. --- Project designed by the Atomic Ranch featured modern designers at Breathe Design Studio. From their Austin design studio, they serve an eclectic and accomplished nationwide clientele including in Palm Springs, LA, and the San Francisco Bay Area. For more about Breathe Design Studio, see here: https://www.breathedesignstudio.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://www.breathedesignstudio.com/minimalrowhome
Small Space Tranformation
Small Space Tranformation
National Paver Systems Inc.National Paver Systems Inc.
3D design rendering
Design ideas for a small modern patio in San Francisco.
Tables and Seating
Tables and Seating
Artefact Design & SalvageArtefact Design & Salvage
Photo of a small modern back patio in San Francisco with gravel and no cover.
Yard Crashers Design in Kansas City!
Yard Crashers Design in Kansas City!
VanElders Design Studio - Stantec Kansas CityVanElders Design Studio - Stantec Kansas City
Ready for the reveal. Photo by VanElders Design Studio.
This is an example of a small modern back patio in Kansas City with decomposed granite and a pergola.
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.
La Sombra - Overall View
La Sombra - Overall View
Hush HouseHush House
Warm ipe wood deck to the dappled-light of the second floor patio, surrounded by vines and greenery. Overlook at the juliet balcony.
This is an example of a small modern front patio in Austin with an awning, a potted garden and decking.
Contemporary in Clinton Hill
Contemporary in Clinton Hill
New Eco LandscapesNew Eco Landscapes
Photos by Anthony Crisafulli
Design ideas for a small modern back patio in New York with a fire feature and natural stone paving.
Palm House
Palm House
Kirsten Johnstone ArchitectureKirsten Johnstone Architecture
This is an example of a small modern back patio in Melbourne with decking and a pergola.
Shoshone
Shoshone
EVOKEEVOKE
Design ideas for a small modern back patio in Denver with a water feature, concrete slabs and a pergola.
Outdoor Fire Place
Outdoor Fire Place
MGL Building & LandscapeMGL Building & Landscape
A contemporary outdoor fire place softened with planting. The corten steel breaks up the Venetian render and gives a very clean contrast.
Photo of a small modern back patio in Brisbane with a fire feature, decking and no cover.
Laurelhurst Garden
Laurelhurst Garden
Howells Architecture + DesignHowells Architecture + Design
This project reimagines an under-used back yard in Portland, Oregon, creating an urban garden with an adjacent writer’s studio. Taking inspiration from Japanese precedents, we conceived of a paving scheme with planters, a cedar soaking tub, a fire pit, and a seven-foot-tall cedar fence. The fence is sheathed on both sides to afford greater privacy as well as ensure the neighbors enjoy a well-made fence too. Photo: Anna M Campbell: annamcampbell.com
Cardiff Floating Stairs
Cardiff Floating Stairs
Carson Douglas Landscape ArchitectureCarson Douglas Landscape Architecture
Michael Brennan
Photo of a small modern patio in San Diego with concrete slabs and no cover.
Cricles Project
Cricles Project
Calumma Creative LandscapesCalumma Creative Landscapes
Inspiration for a small modern back patio in Vancouver with an outdoor kitchen, concrete paving and no cover.
光帯の家
光帯の家
Sデザインファーム株式会社Sデザインファーム株式会社
デッキテラスの天井は段々と低くなるようなっています。一番奥の低い部分がクライアントのお気に入りの読書スペースです。
Photo of a small modern front patio in Tokyo with decking and a roof extension.
左京山の家／庭を望む土間テラス
左京山の家／庭を望む土間テラス
松原建築計画／matsubara architect design office松原建築計画／matsubara architect design office
庭から土間テラス・ダイニング方向を望む
Small modern side patio in Nagoya with concrete paving.
Coin barbecue
Coin barbecue
Terrasses des Oliviers - Paysagiste ParisTerrasses des Oliviers - Paysagiste Paris
Design ideas for a small modern back patio in Paris with a potted garden, concrete slabs and no cover.

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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