1Incorporate a Greenhouse
Jenna Peffley If a vegetable patch is what you really want, put a small greenhouse on your patio as designer Whitney Leigh Morris did at her Florida home. Not only will you now have ample shelf space for the garden of your dreams, but you’ll also have a cozy space to set a café table and chairs for your morning coffee.
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2Embrace Your Surroundings
Lucas Studio If you live on a body of water, your dock might need to double as your backyard. Rather than chalk it up to wasted space, embrace the flat square footage as Joe Lucas’s clients did here, and place a table out there for a cute place to dine on a sunny day.
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3Designate Zones
Christian Torres City patios always have to be multifunctional, but if you’re lucky enough to have layers or stories, designate one for each purpose. In this space by the Brownstone Boys, the lower level is for group gatherings, while the upper level is better suited to quiet mornings and relaxing outdoors.
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4Carve Out Seating
Carmel Brantley No patio? No problem. Take a note from outdoor space designed by Kemble Interiors, and place your outdoor furniture directly on the grass. When properly accessorized (note the chic throw pillows), this can look just as intentional as a patio space.
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5Don't Block the View
Jessica Klewicki Glynn On this long yet narrow patio, Tom Scheerer opted for dining benches to avoid blocking the view of the great outdoors that lay beyond the covered dining area. The benches take up less visual space while still allowing large groups to gather.
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6Frame the Seating Area
Shade Degges Embrace the tight square footage of your small patio by framing it with arched trellises. Designer Jeremiah Brent opted to hang lanterns from the vine-covered pieces to enhance the intimate vibe.
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7Bring the Outdoors to You
Brantley Photography On this penthouse apartment’s terrace, a putting green bridges the gap between apartment living and functional outdoor space. Yes, the homeowner does use the green for practice while his children lounge nearby!
Related: 75 Outdoor Living Room Ideas for an At-Home Escape
8Seek Out Streamlined Furniture
Shade Degges In this Jeremiah Brent–designed home in Los Angeles County, a small patio off the guest bedroom is chic and functional thanks to a slim loveseat rather than a larger outdoor sofa. When paired with an equally small drinks table, it’s a cozy place to hang out all year.
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9Take It Up High
JONATHAN MITCHELL Because this home literally floats on a body of water (Richardson Bay, off the coast of Sausalito, California), there’s no ground-level patio space to be found. That didn’t deter Colleen Dowd Saglimbeni of CDS Interiors. Instead, she simply placed the patio on the roof.
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10Focus on Scale
Laure Joliet While petite, this patio—at a San Francisco home by design teams Regan Baker Design, Medium Plenty, and Terremoto—packs a punch. The seating, table, and fire pit are all properly sized to ensure the area doesn't feel overcrowded. Greenery, including a cherry laurel hedge that will grow over time, amplifies a sense of serenity.
11Select Patterned Tiles
Stacy Zarin Goldberg If you don't have much wall or ground space for decor, make your patio stand out with patterned tiles. For the patio of a Maui, Hawaii, retreat, designer Breeze Giannasio chose black-and-white ones from Merola Tile. Chairs with bamboo detailing fit right in with the surrounding landscape.
12Add Bistro Seating
Anson Smart On a patio with brick pavers laid in a herringbone pattern, interior design firm Arent&Pyke placed a small bistro table with a speckled top. Backless green stools and bench seating make the area feel more open.
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13Mix Pavers and Grass
Costa Christ If you're working with a small backyard and don't have room for both a lawn and patio, combine the two with stone pavers separated by grass (real or faux!). The mixed materials also offer a manicured look as this 1930s cottage by designer Javier Burkle proves.
14Make It Nature-Inspired
Romanek Design Studio Incorporate various elements found in nature—from potted plants and large trees to irregularly shaped stone pavers and a stone fireplace. But don't be afraid to add contrast: Romanek Design Studio included black-and-white striped chairs for a modern pop.
15Play With Textures
William Abranowicz Lots of of textures create a statement. This area by designers Leigh Anne Muse and Lili O'Brien is a prime example. The flooring is made of pavers and pebbles set in concrete for a smooth and textured look. Wicker furniture, patterned pillows, and a plush blanket complete the look.
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16Keep It Neutral
Stephen Karlisch 17Go for a Sophisticated Look
Robson Rak Interiors On a sleek, modern patio, designer Robson Rak let chic materials stand out. Seating wrapped in upbeat blue fabric and a nook filled with firewood add flair.
18Avoid Bulky Furniture
Courtesy of Hawk + Co Designer Summer Jensen of Hawk + Co, outfitted four metal chairs with white plush pillows to offer comfy seating that isn't unwieldy.
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19Introduce a Bar
Douglas Friedman Lack of space doesn't mean you can't have an outdoor bar on your patio. Just take it from this dining area by design firm HurleyHafen, which features a built-in wall nook filled with cocktail essentials.
20Create a Cobbled Effect
Marion Brenner Give any outdoor area European charm by introducing cobblestone-inspired flooring, as designer Wendy Owen did here. Add climbing vines and loungers for a dreamy setup.
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