skip to main content
Photos
Photos
Advice
Stories From Houzz
Houzz Discussions
Houzz Research
Sign In
Houzz Logo Print
  1. Garden & Outdoor
  2. Patio
  3. outdoor lighting

Small Patio Ideas and Designs

All Filters (2)
Refine by:
1 - 20 of 144 photos
Item 1 of 12
LANCASTER RESIDENCE
LANCASTER RESIDENCE
FineLines Design StudioFineLines Design Studio
Michael Hunter
Photo of a small eclectic side patio in Dallas with a potted garden, stamped concrete and a roof extension.
Modern in Bed-Stuy
Modern in Bed-Stuy
New Eco LandscapesNew Eco Landscapes
Photos by Lori Cannava
This is an example of a small contemporary back patio in New York with no cover and natural stone paving.
Pacific Heights
Pacific Heights
Randy Thueme Design Inc. - Landscape ArchitectureRandy Thueme Design Inc. - Landscape Architecture
Landscape lighting at courtyard
Design ideas for a small contemporary courtyard patio in San Francisco with no cover and fencing.
2019 Gold Award - Residential less than 50m², ecodesign
2019 Gold Award - Residential less than 50m², ecodesign
LDI (Landscape Design Institute)LDI (Landscape Design Institute)
This is an example of a small contemporary back patio in Sydney with concrete slabs and no cover.
Preassembled Portable Wood Fired PIzza Ovens
Preassembled Portable Wood Fired PIzza Ovens
Pizza Ovens R UsPizza Ovens R Us
Authentic wood fired pizza ovens that are preassembled and portable with a metal stand and optional wheels. Superior quality refractory ovens for the ultimate heating and cooking results. Delivered anywhere in Australia.
Coronet Ridge
Coronet Ridge
Woodland’s Exterior DesignsWoodland’s Exterior Designs
After
This is an example of a small contemporary courtyard patio in Houston with brick paving, a water feature and no cover.
Diamond Heights Mid-Century Modern
Diamond Heights Mid-Century Modern
Regan Baker Design Inc.Regan Baker Design Inc.
First home, savvy art owners, decided to hire RBD to design their recently purchased two story, four bedroom, midcentury Diamond Heights home to merge their new parenthood and love for entertaining lifestyles. Hired two months prior to the arrival of their baby boy, RBD was successful in installing the nursery just in time. The home required little architectural spatial reconfiguration given the previous owner was an architect, allowing RBD to focus mainly on furniture, fixtures and accessories while updating only a few finishes. New paint grade paneling added a needed midcentury texture to the entry, while an existing site for sore eyes radiator, received a new walnut cover creating a built-in mid-century custom headboard for the guest room, perfect for large art and plant decoration. RBD successfully paired furniture and art selections to connect the existing material finishes by keeping fabrics neutral and complimentary to the existing finishes. The backyard, an SF rare oasis, showcases a hanging chair and custom outdoor floor cushions for easy lounging, while a stylish midcentury heated bench allows easy outdoor entertaining in the SF climate. Photography Credit: Scott Hargis Photography
Entry Courtyard
Entry Courtyard
Landwell Design + Build Co.Landwell Design + Build Co.
Design ideas for a small contemporary courtyard patio in San Luis Obispo with a water feature, concrete paving and a pergola.
Outdoor Dinner Terrace
Outdoor Dinner Terrace
Exterior Worlds Landscaping & DesignExterior Worlds Landscaping & Design
This is an example of a small traditional side patio in Houston with concrete slabs and an awning.
Uptown Dallas condo
Uptown Dallas condo
Dallas Property PhotosDallas Property Photos
Viorel Bucur
Inspiration for a small contemporary side patio in Dallas with brick paving.
Backyard Living Space Creation
Backyard Living Space Creation
Mass HardscapesMass Hardscapes
Design ideas for a small classic back patio in Boston with a fire feature, concrete paving and no cover.
North Coogee Courtyard
North Coogee Courtyard
Cultivart Landscape DesignCultivart Landscape Design
Peta North
This is an example of a small contemporary courtyard patio in Perth with decking.
Potomac Stone Colonial
Potomac Stone Colonial
Anthony Wilder Design/Build, Inc.Anthony Wilder Design/Build, Inc.
Angie Seckinger
Design ideas for a small classic back patio in DC Metro with natural stone paving.
Ridgeview Court
Ridgeview Court
Glassman Companies LLCGlassman Companies LLC
Michael Yearout
Photo of a small rustic back patio in Denver with a fire feature, concrete paving and no cover.
South Pasadena Eclectic
South Pasadena Eclectic
June Scott DesignJune Scott Design
Blending a modern sensibility with traditional architecture, this garden features a front yard meadow with native grasses (Carex praecracilis) and wildflowers. Poured-in-place concrete pavers in a meandering pattern slow the approach from the sidewalk to the entry. The modestly-sized backyard has been maximized for entertaining with outdoor dining and lounging areas and subtle landscape lighting. Native plants, herbs, and edibles share the back garden beds, and a raised pond brings the garden to life. Photo by Martin Cox Photography.
Dellagio Community Dr. Phillips
Dellagio Community Dr. Phillips
BLG ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICESBLG ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Inspiration for a small rustic back patio in Orlando with brick paving.
Balboa Fire pit table by COOKE
Balboa Fire pit table by COOKE
Cooke FurnitureCooke Furniture
We custom make fire pits to the exact size our customers want to fit perfectly in their space, giving them the fire pit table center peace they will cherish forever.
Outdoor cooking
Outdoor cooking
Atlanta Design & BuildAtlanta Design & Build
Barbara Brown Photography
Design ideas for a small rustic back patio in Atlanta with an outdoor kitchen, brick paving and a pergola.
Gallery
Gallery
Dan Viehmann LandscapingDan Viehmann Landscaping
The granite cobblestone apron provides an interesting transition of materials from the asphalt driveway to the natural geometric bluestone walkway.
Photo of a small beach style front patio in Portland Maine with natural stone paving and no cover.
Paver Walkways
Paver Walkways
Kingdom LandscapingKingdom Landscaping
This is an example of a small contemporary front patio in Baltimore with concrete 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.
1
12345678Next Page
United Kingdom
Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.