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

Small Patio Ideas and Designs

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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.
My Houzz: A Charming Apartment in the Mission
My Houzz: A Charming Apartment in the Mission
Nanette WongNanette Wong
Photo: Nanette Wong © 2014 Houzz
Inspiration for a small classic patio in San Francisco with concrete slabs and no cover.
Elsternwick Addition
Elsternwick Addition
Sketch Building DesignSketch Building Design
Matthew Ware
Design ideas for a small contemporary back patio in Melbourne with no cover and decking.
Truly Tiny
Truly Tiny
Texas Tiny PoolsTexas Tiny Pools
This is an example of a small modern back patio in Austin.
West Coast English Retreat
West Coast English Retreat
Tierra Madre Fine GardensTierra Madre Fine Gardens
This is an example of a small contemporary back patio in Other with gravel and a pergola.
Purple Rain
Purple Rain
Mom's Design BuildMom's Design Build
Small classic back patio in Minneapolis with a fireplace, brick paving and a pergola.
Flowering Shade
Flowering Shade
FormLA LandscapingFormLA Landscaping
The roof extension covering the front doorstep of the south-facing home needs help cooling the space. Western Redbud is a beautiful way to do just that.
Inside Out Pool Cabana
Inside Out Pool Cabana
THE UP STUDIOTHE UP STUDIO
Modern Shaded Living Area, Pool Cabana and Outdoor Bar
Inspiration for a small contemporary side patio in New York with an outdoor kitchen, natural stone paving and a gazebo.
8x10 Signature Series Home Office Space
8x10 Signature Series Home Office Space
Studio Shed - Live Large. Build Small.Studio Shed - Live Large. Build Small.
This 8x10 Signature Series Studio Shed, located in Portland, OR, was built for use as a home office. This unit did not require a permit.
Photo of a small midcentury patio in Portland.
West Seattle Mid-Century
West Seattle Mid-Century
Board & VellumBoard & Vellum
Photos by Tina Witherspoon.
This is an example of a small midcentury back patio in Seattle with concrete paving, no cover and a fire feature.
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.
Polished Modern
Polished Modern
Bartone InteriorsBartone Interiors
A conversation area that can communicate with guests inside the kitchen (through the accordion doors to the right) or the pool deck beyond!
Inspiration for a small contemporary patio in Raleigh with concrete slabs and a roof extension.
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.
Sonoma in the City
Sonoma in the City
dSPACE Studio Ltd, AIAdSPACE Studio Ltd, AIA
Back deck opens out to the side; stone pavers frame a sunken rectangular pool. Tony Soluri Photography
This is an example of a small contemporary side patio in Chicago with an outdoor kitchen, natural stone paving and a pergola.
West Village Backyard Garden
West Village Backyard Garden
Staghorn NYCStaghorn NYC
Landscape design and installation of this small backyard garden in the West Village neighborhood of NYC. Herringbone brick patio with custom horizontal ipe fencing, built in planter, and veneering. Low maintenance plantings and low voltage lighting finish off this modern backyard.
Malvern Courtyard
Malvern Courtyard
Formation Landscapes Pty LtdFormation Landscapes Pty Ltd
Dylan Lark
Small contemporary back patio in Melbourne with tiled flooring and no cover.
WATERSIDE HOME, EMSWORTH, HAMPSHIRE
WATERSIDE HOME, EMSWORTH, HAMPSHIRE
Emma Painter InteriorsEmma Painter Interiors
Chris Snook and Emma Painter Interiors
This is an example of a small traditional side patio in Sussex with natural stone paving and a pergola.
New Urban Garden
New Urban Garden
SED DesignSED Design
This is an example of a small contemporary back patio in Philadelphia with a water feature, brick paving and a pergola.
Outdoor Kitchen
Outdoor Kitchen
DeGoey DesignsDeGoey Designs
Small industrial back patio in Other with an outdoor kitchen and brick paving.

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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