10 Small Backyard Patio Ideas

Your backyard patio is the ideal spot for get-togethers, book club meetings, relaxing with friends and family or even large celebrations like christenings or weddings. If your patio needs a little love and attention we have some incredible small backyard patio ideas that will make the most of your space!

These simple tips and trips will transform your regular old patio into a multifunctional space that is welcoming, warm and completely beautiful. Best of all, you can easily implement any of these suggestions over the course of a weekend.

   

Ways To Make Your Backyard Patio Shine

  We've outlined ten ways to really make your backyard patio become the extraordinary gathering place that it was meant to be. There's something for just about every taste and style in this list and we're sure that you'll find a tip that will resonate with you. Why settle for a boring patio when you can have one that really reflects your taste and lifestyle?    

Bring The Comfort Of Your Living Room Outside

  When the summer days are long and the fresh air is calling, it is tempting to leave the familiar trappings of our indoor lives behind and take the party out to the patio. Too often our patio gets neglected and only furnished with second-hand pieces that are often stained or battered by the weather. No more! Give your beautiful patio the love that it deserves by bringing the comfort of your living room outside.   All you need is some super comfy furniture, a coffee table and some chairs where people feel comfortable enough to stretch their legs are relax for a while, and even a modest backyard patio can have all of the comforts of the inside. Think outside the box, especially if you live in a temperate climate and your patio is covered. Choose darker fabrics that won't stain as easily and handsome woods, like wicker, as the base of your furniture.    

Consider Adding An Accent Wall

  There is nothing that will make your valuable amenity skyrocket more than a handsome accent wall.   Accent walls might be all the rage inside and they look just as grand when they're outside too! There are accent wall options for even the most modest budgets, and a pop of color or surprising new texture could go a long way to making your patio sing. Think about the overall feel of your patio before choosing an accent wall. What message are you trying to convey?   Here are some great ideas for accent walls!    

• Use colorful tile to give your accent wall a fresh and exotic feel. Try different patterns!
• Why not create an accent wall of gentle ivy?
• Exposed brick makes a lovely and modern accent wall that looks chic and is low maintenance.
• Create some visual interest by making your accent wall the pop of bright color that will take your patio to the next level!

   

Use Natural Elements To Create A Rustic Feeling

  Since your patio is outside, why not add a few natural elements to really invoke a rustic sense of being with nature? Natural features work especially well for a small circular patio that is already surrounded by grass, foliage and trees as it is. Bring a little more of that nature into the patio itself by incorporating unfinished elements, like wooden blocks or mason jars full of plants, into your space.   Green spaces tend to be a little more calming, so simply by using these elements, you'll already be inviting guests to relax and take in the beauty of their surroundings!    

Use Mirrors To Give The Illusion Of More Space

  Mirrors are phenomenal at creating the illusion of more space, so if you have a small patio consider adding some mirrors to your design. If you position the mirrors in the correct way they will reflect off the existing foliage in your yard and give the illusion of ample space. This trick is a great way to make the most out of tight spaces and also add a nice pop of seasonal color to your decor.   Mirrors don't have to be boring either! Any flea market or second-hand shop will sell mirrors with interesting frames and unique designs. If you find a mirror that you really like but the frame doesn't match your decor, simply get some craft paint and give that old mirror a whole new makeover. Get creative with it and have some fun. You'll be amazed by what a little extra optical illusion can do to make your modest backyard patio seem a lot larger!    

Add A Bright Burst Of Color

  A huge part of your patio planning should be the color scheme. Colors can impact our mood dramatically, so wise use of color is instrumental in making your signature backyard patio into a thing of beauty!   Once you've decided on a dominant color, pick others that compliment it perfectly. For example, lush deep purples pair well with delicate sea-greens and even pops of hot pink. Gather up paint samples from local hardware stores and look at how the colors flow together. You might find a combination that you never thought of before!    

Design A Peaceful Place

  Many people want their backyard patio to be the perfect oasis, a place where they can just get away from it all and relax! A great way to foster this sense of peace and tranquility is to install a small water feature in your patio. Water features come in all shapes, sizes and price ranges so even if you have a modest patio you'll be able to carve space for a water feature.   Here are some excellent water features for every taste!    

• Invoke an exotic feel by installing a small koi pond complete with live fish.
• Set up a tranquil fountain that is peaceful and musical.
• Install a small layered reflecting pool with brightly colored stones at the bottom.

   

Create An Amazing Entertaining Space

  Backyard patios are the perfect place to do some entertaining. Even modest patios hold a small kitchen and a murphy bar! There is also something so fun and unexpected about alfresco cooking and dining. Your guests will love watching food prepared right before their eyes while they enjoy the cocktail of choice at your mini pop-up bar. Best of all, you will not have to leave your guests unattended while you go and take care of the dishes.    

Celebrate All Of The Beautiful Blooms

  One of the best parts about having a backyard patio, no matter how big or how small, is that you get to celebrate nature in all aspects of your decor. Patios are the perfect spots to showcase nature's bounty with a burst of beautiful blooms.   Flowers are the ultimate aesthetic showstopper because they look glorious and smell even better. It is so simple to build a flower display with just a few crates or pots and a little imagination. You can even decorate your backyard patio with hanging plants. It's best to choose blooms that are in season. For a full list click here and get started with your planting right away!    

Get Creative With The Lighting

  It's true that light often sets the entire mood of a space, and your backyard patio is no exception. Treat your patio just like you would treat any other part of your home. Find gorgeous lights that compliment your decorating scheme and have the ability to take your patio to the next level. Don't be restricted by traditional "outdoor lights" either. Think outside the box and light up your patio with a glorious burst of unexpected flares!   Here are some amazing ways for you to light up your life (and patio)!    

• Consider a rustic chandelier for a sophisticated twist.
• Think about colorful paper lanterns in hues like red, orange or blue.
• Mix and match lanterns for a funky and fun look.

 

Make It As Cozy As Possible

  Patios are nothing if not cozy spots for the whole family to gather in, which is why you should consider adding a fire-pit to yours! There are plenty of different options to choose from, including some custom design choices. Patio fire-pits and bowls can be sleek and modern, rustic or even very sophisticated. They add a little extra warmth on those cold winter nights and give you the option of roasting marshmallows with the kids or sipping wine next to a crackling fire with the adults. Today's fire-pits and bowls are safer than ever, so don't worry about disasters happening. As long as you use them as instructed you should be totally fine. In addition to being warm and toasty, these fiery features are also beautiful to look at and make your small backyard patio just a little bit more inviting. There are plenty of ways to take your backyard patio from boring to extraordinary, and all of the suggestions that we've outlined on this list take minimal effort, time and money to install. All you need is a little creativity and the will to make your patio the best that it can be. The rest will happen all on its own. This season, make your patio a place where people will want to gather. Transform it into the destination spot in your home!