Create a backyard oasis
With a light color scheme, geometric lines and minimalist furniture, even a small backyard patio can become a functional and stylish outdoor oasis. This guide to small patio ideas is inspired by modern hardscape trends that enable homes with the tiniest garden spaces to be great all year round.
How can modern design make a small patio look bigger?
Geometric lines create a sense of direction and openness, while light or neutral colors make the area feel larger by reflecting sunlight. Built-in or modular furniture and a few well-placed, structured plants are better than bulky items and cluttered flowerbeds. Draw the eye upward with a vertical garden, stone walls or string lights to add dimension without taking up floor space.
Material choices are also important in small spaces for reasons beyond aesthetics. According to Mid-Atlantic outdoor masonry design experts, Newline Hardscapes, “Breton permeable pavers are a three-piece mixed bundle (all on one pallet), crafted with a natural, stone-cleft finish. Enlarged lugs on the units’ sidewalls create quarter-inch joints that drain water to the permeable base when filled with a properly-sized aggregate. This infiltration filters stormwater and recharges groundwater sources, creating a sustainable pavement option.” For small patios specifically, these pavers eliminate standing water issues, require less drainage infrastructure and can reduce long-term maintenance costs.
3 Modern design concepts for small backyard patios
Choose from a minimalist lounge, a stone bistro dining nook or a Zen meditation space, depending on your lifestyle and preferences. All offer compact outdoor living you’ll love. According to the National Association of Realtors, you can recoup 95 percent of the cost of a new patio, so even on a small budget, it’s worth the investment.
The aim is “creating an experience so perfect you’ll never want to go back inside,” which, as Newline Hardscapes says, “takes a whole new way of thinking about pavers and walls.”
| Concept | Layout and Furniture | Materials | Planting | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimalist Lounge | Low-profile sectional sofa or stone bench or a simple square coffee table | Large-format concrete pavers with a smooth finish | Single, sculptural tree in a large pot or ash stone wall with sculptural tree | Unwinding and sophisticated, low-key entertaining |
| Stone Bistro Dining Nook | Small stone table or two sleek chairs or a built-in stone booth | Porcelain tiles that mimic slate or light-colored wood or ash stone tiles | Wall-mounted vertical herb garden | Romantic meals and morning coffee |
| Zen Meditation Space | Simple stone bench or outdoor floor cushions or a small stone water feature | Mix of dark slate tiles and smooth river rocks or gravel | Moss, bamboo and ornamental grasses in simple pots, accented wall for privacy | Creating a peaceful, quiet escape |
Which pavers have the cleanest lines for a modern look?
Large-format pavers are the top choice for fewer joints and a clean, uninterrupted surface. Porcelain tiles offer a similar benefit, with rectified edges that allow minimal grout lines. To compare the costs of porcelain tiles versus large-format pavers for a small patio, think long-term value. Porcelain tiles are generally more expensive. Quality pavers have exceptional durability, which can mean lower maintenance costs over time.
Small-Patio FAQs
What are sustainable paving options for a small patio?
Consider concrete-based permeable pavers that can capture 70% to 80% of rainfall thanks to enlarged lugs that allow water to drain through.
Where can I find a contractor who specializes in modern hardscape design?
Ask neighbors for recommendations, and check out reviews on local contractor websites and independent sites.
What can I do with a long, narrow backyard?
Add a built-in bench along one wall, with narrow planters opposite. Use elongated pavers to give a visual distance effect and add climbing plants on a trellis to soften harsh walls.
Small space, big impact
With thoughtful design, your small patio space has great potential. Using modern principles for layout, materials and furniture can create a beautiful outdoor haven even on a small budget. Make intentional choices to create a space you love to use.
Article written by Eloise Badenhorst
