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. Size: Compact

Small Patio Ideas and Designs

All Filters (1)
Refine by:
1 - 20 of 14,106 photos
Item 1 of 11
Fulham Courtyard
Fulham Courtyard
Lucy Willcox Garden DesignLucy Willcox Garden Design
This Courtyard was transformed from being an Astro Turf box to a useable, versatile Outdoor Room!
Small contemporary back patio in London with a bbq area, tiled flooring and a pergola.
West Coast English Retreat
West Coast English Retreat
Tierra Madre Fine GardensTierra Madre Fine Gardens
Photo by Samantha Robison
Design ideas for a small classic back patio in Other with natural stone paving, a pergola and fencing.
Mill Valley Cottage to Home Transformation
Mill Valley Cottage to Home Transformation
Jetton Construction, Inc.Jetton Construction, Inc.
This property was transformed from an 1870s YMCA summer camp into an eclectic family home, built to last for generations. Space was made for a growing family by excavating the slope beneath and raising the ceilings above. Every new detail was made to look vintage, retaining the core essence of the site, while state of the art whole house systems ensure that it functions like 21st century home. This home was featured on the cover of ELLE Décor Magazine in April 2016. G.P. Schafer, Architect Rita Konig, Interior Designer Chambers & Chambers, Local Architect Frederika Moller, Landscape Architect Eric Piasecki, Photographer
Del Mar Exterior Renovation
Del Mar Exterior Renovation
SJS Studios Inc.SJS Studios Inc.
Bluestone Pavers, custom Teak Wood banquette with cement tile inlay, Bluestone firepit, custom outdoor kitchen with Teak Wood, concrete waterfall countertop with Teak surround.
Urban Frenzy
Urban Frenzy
KD LandscapeKD Landscape
The loveseat and pergola provide a shady resting spot behind the garage in this city garden.
Design ideas for a small world-inspired back patio in Chicago with a potted garden, brick paving and a pergola.
Contemporary Patio
Contemporary Patio
Constructive and CoConstructive and Co
This is an example of a small contemporary patio in London.
Small outdoor room with a green wall in Kensington
Small outdoor room with a green wall in Kensington
The Garden BuildersThe Garden Builders
Pro Colour Photography
Inspiration for a small contemporary back patio in London with a living wall and natural stone paving.
Stone Patio
Stone Patio
Wallace Landscape AssociatesWallace Landscape Associates
Small contemporary back patio in Philadelphia with a water feature and natural stone paving.
An entertainers' courtyard
An entertainers' courtyard
LandArtLandArt
Small contemporary back patio in Dublin with an outdoor kitchen, tiled flooring and a pergola.
Plant Of The Month - Thuja occidentalis Emerald Green
Plant Of The Month - Thuja occidentalis Emerald Green
Hursthouse Landscape Architects and ContractorsHursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors
Emerald Green Arborvitae. Thuja occidentalis Emerald Green. Arborvitae provide are a functional rivacy planting in the most simple way. A bit overused, but still functional when there is limited space available. Here they screen a private bluestone patio adjacent to a home office.
扇垂木の家（鵠沼海岸の家）
扇垂木の家（鵠沼海岸の家）
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
芝生敷の裏庭と縁側。
Small back patio in Other with a vegetable patch, decking and a roof extension.
Hyde Park View
Hyde Park View
Catrin Fenton DesignCatrin Fenton Design
outdoor furniture sourcing for this stunning, modern pergola.
Photo of a small modern courtyard patio in London with tiled flooring and a pergola.
Lakeway Pool Bath
Lakeway Pool Bath
CG&S Design-BuildCG&S Design-Build
Small contemporary side patio in Austin with an outdoor shower, concrete slabs and an awning.
Modern Northwest Bend
Modern Northwest Bend
Blooming DesertBlooming Desert
This modern space offers maximum outdoor living for the homeowners with minimum maintenance with the use of 2' x 2' paver slabs, Mexican Beach Pebble and River Rock Mulch, drought tolerant plant material, drip irrigation and synthetic lawn.
AFTER the beautiful space is renovated!
AFTER the beautiful space is renovated!
The Garden DistrictThe Garden District
This is an example of a small contemporary back patio in Miami.
Lafayette
Lafayette
HALLETT & Co.HALLETT & Co.
The home's original layout had this small patio functioning as the only outdoor area accessible from inside the house. It was reimagined as an intimate courtyard, just off the newly sited master and guest bedrooms, with reclaimed brick paving and a custom fountain designed for the vintage sculpture. | Photography by Atlantic Archives
Del Mar Escape
Del Mar Escape
Cross Construction Inc.Cross Construction Inc.
Built-in grill, terrazzo waterfall countertop, teak wood, custom hand tile
Inspiration for a small beach style back patio in San Diego with an outdoor kitchen, concrete paving and no cover.
Del Mar Exterior Renovation
Del Mar Exterior Renovation
SJS Studios Inc.SJS Studios Inc.
Custom outdoor kitchen with teak wood, waterfall concrete countertop and cement tiles. Bluestone pavers and Mexican Beach Pebble ground cover.
Small contemporary back patio in San Diego with an outdoor kitchen, natural stone paving and no cover.
Fallen Leaves
Fallen Leaves
Arbordale LandscapingArbordale Landscaping
Stepping stones in a minimal gravel paved area lead past two lounge chairs to the intimate dining area. The herringbone-patterned limestone patio dissipates into a lush planting bed filled with loose swaths of shade-loving perennials and seasonal bulbs. Beech hedging, and formal clipped evergreens, surround the space and provide privacy, structure and winter interest to the garden. On axis to the main interior living space of the home, the fountain, is the focal point of the garden. A limestone water wall featuring an engraved pattern of fallen Honey Locust leaves nods to the centrally located mature Honey Locust tree that anchors the garden. Water, flowing down the wall, falls a short distance into a pool with a submerged limestone panel. The light noise of the falling water helps soften the sounds of the bustling downtown neighbourhood, creating a tranquil back drop for living and entertaining.
Brooklyn Backyard fit for a Fiesta
Brooklyn Backyard fit for a Fiesta
BrooklinteriorsBrooklinteriors
Brooklyn backyard patio design in Prospect Heights for a young, professional couple who loves to both entertain and relax! This space includes a West Elm outdoor sectional and round concrete outdoor coffee table.

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
123456789Next 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’.