In an ideal scenario, a spacious backyard with a pool, outdoor kitchen, and lounge area would be the epitome of luxury. However, for many city dwellers, the reality is often a small deck or a modest patch of grass. The homes featured in ELLE DECOR exemplify that despite size constraints, there are abundant design opportunities for those willing to get creative.
For most, the outdoor space may serve as a part-time retreat, furnished only when the weather is inviting. Regardless of whether it’s a seasonal escape or a year-round oasis for activities like post-dinner s’mores, the outdoor area should seamlessly connect with the overall home decor. To inspire the infusion of style into compact spaces, we’ve delved into the archives to uncover small patio ideas that radiate grandeur. From the warmth of fire pits to captivating furniture choices, these spaces make a compelling case for embracing the beauty of the outdoors, even in limited confines.
1. Accentuate Your Angles: Modern Minimalism for Outdoor Elegance
Minimalists, rejoice! Elevate your outdoor space with sleek, pared-back furniture to infuse a touch of modernity. Taking inspiration from the revival of Paul Rudolph’s former Manhattan home by designers Christine and John Gachot, Blu Dot’s streamlined table, custom chairs, and a classic Charlotte Perriand stool create a winning blend of hard and soft elements.
2. Lounge Away: Chic Matching Chaise Longues for Style and Comfort
For a small patio that seamlessly blends aesthetics with functionality, consider adding a set of matching chaise longues. Studio Schicketanz showcases this sleek style in a Silicon Valley home, complemented by Kerry Joyce performance fabric that ensures both visual appeal and practicality.
3. Stun with Symmetry: Symmetrical Outdoor Setup for Timeless Appeal
Embrace symmetry as the furniture equivalent of ASMR, universally pleasing in various spaces. This Hamptons, New York, home achieves a harmonious look with a coordinated conversation set and Paola Lenti’s patio table, delivering timeless and balanced aesthetics.
4. Pack on the Plants: Greenery for Year-Round Outdoor Appeal
Dispelling concerns about seasonal charm, a Malibu, California, home features a central tree planted on the back patio. Whether paired with outdoor furniture or standing proudly alone, abundant foliage ensures year-round beauty in diverse environmental conditions.
5. Spring for Suspended Style: Hanging Chairs for Elevated Relaxation
Elevate your small patio decor with a hanging chair, as showcased in a Pebble Beach, California, home by Workshop/APD. This design addition offers a delightful space to unwind without occupying precious square footage.
6. Mix and Match: Visual Intrigue Through Varied Furniture Pieces
Break away from the monotony of matching furniture by assembling your outdoor set piece by piece. In a Palm Beach home designed by Caroline Rafferty, the mix-and-match approach featuring a Room & Board sofa and Sam Son chairs by Konstantin Grcic for Magis adds visual intrigue and dynamic appeal to the patio setting.
7. Try the Tactile Treatment: Cozy Elegance Through Material Juxtaposition
Achieve the perfect blend of coziness and chic aesthetics on your small patio by juxtaposing different materials. In a picturesque French property, designer Patrick Frey enhances the weathered stone facade with a combination of wood furniture, custom cushions, and a wrought-iron chandelier for a tactile and inviting atmosphere.
8. Get Your Glow On: Layered Lighting for Ambiance
Illuminate your small patio with layered lighting for an enchanting ambiance. In an Austin, Texas, outdoor space designed by Paul Lamb, small lanterns expertly accessorize an outdoor fireplace. The addition of a simple yet stylish outdoor set from RH, Restoration Hardware, completes the look with a warm and inviting glow.
9. Create a Pop of Color: Bold Maximalism with Vibrant Accents
For lovers of maximalism, Atelier Davis presents a vibrant space featuring a neutral table from RH, Restoration Hardware, paired with eye-catching chairs from Petite Friture in a bold citrus hue. The pop of color makes a statement, harmonizing beautifully with the lush surroundings of the Bay Area home.
10. Bring the Inside Out: Interior-Inspired Decor for Outdoor Spaces
Designer Cliff Fong shares the key to outdoor decorating—treat your outdoor space like an extension of your home’s interior. In his Los Angeles backyard, Fong brings his impeccable style outdoors with a Van Keppel-Green table, an assortment of Mathieu Matégot chairs, and a striking pendant from Louis Poulsen.
11. Think Beach-y Keen: Eucalyptus Poles and Coastal Vibes
In a beachside patio designed by the late architect Mario Connio at his vacation retreat in Uruguay, eucalyptus poles create a coastal oasis. The sitting area with sofas and a table invites shaded gatherings, while lounge chairs offer a perfect spot to enjoy the ocean view.
12. Round it Out: Overgrown Greenery and Relaxed Lounge Vibes
Santa Monica, California, family home designed by Natasha Baradaran features a patio with overgrown greenery above a small pergola. Dedon lounge chairs and a cocktail table by Baradaran provide a relaxed and inviting outdoor space for the family to enjoy.
13. Foster Fireside Chats: Intimate Gatherings Around a Fire Pit
Create a cozy atmosphere for family and friends with an intimate fire pit setup, as seen in the courtyard of a Marin County, California, cottage designed by Nicole Hollis. Perfect for fireside chats, this outdoor space invites warmth and connection.
14. Take Vintage to the Max: Eclectic Charm in a Colorful Mumbai Apartment
In a vibrant Mumbai apartment owned by designer Srila Chatterjee and filmmaker Mahesh Mathai, a canopied outdoor dining area seamlessly blends with an array of vintage goods and flea-market finds, showcasing a maximalist approach to design.
15. Bring it Under the Lights: Illuminated Ambiance in Bel Air, California
Set the mood with a well-lit fire pit and string lights, as demonstrated in the outdoor space of a Bel Air, California, estate designed by Lonni Paul. The combination of soft lighting creates an inviting atmosphere for evenings under the stars.
16. Make it Moroccan: Cozy Eclectic Vibes with Global Flair
Designer Holly Kopman infuses her porch with a cozy eclectic vibe by incorporating piled-on pillows in fabrics from Peru, brass pendant lamps from Tazi Designs, and vintage statuettes. The mix of elements creates a Moroccan-inspired outdoor retreat.
17. Mix Neutrals: Moroccan Theme in an Alabama Patio
Artist William McLure gives his Alabama patio a Moroccan theme by pairing a low, long table with a seating bench transformed from an existing planter. Affordable cushions from Ikea complete the look, showcasing a stylish mix of neutral tones.
18. Elevate Your Balcony: Romantic Scrollwork and Vintage Charm in Lebanon
At the chic Beit Trad guesthouse in Lebanon, romantic scrollwork serves as a backdrop for a vintage slipper chair and a petite table from Artisans du Liban et d’Orient. This balcony design elevates the outdoor space with charm and sophistication.
