Inspiration
If you’re looking for outdoor seating ideas for small spaces, consider adding a spot of shade to your patio so that you can use chairs no matter the weather.
Giving your patio shade lets you block out the rain in bad weather, while protecting from the harsh sun in the summer. If your patio doesn’t have a porch or veranda to design your seating around, an adjustable parasol is easy to add to your furniture, letting you customise your shade to suit the conditions.![]()
Patios are a great place to experiment with different styles, as they can help to blend your outdoor and indoor designs. For smaller spaces, minimalist designs are always a strong choice.
Opt for modern furniture with straight edges and clean lines for a sleek, industrial look. Metal designs suit this look particularly well, but wooden pieces can strike a strong balance between current trends and traditional looks. Experiment with different forms and see if a minimalist patio suits your space.
An easy way to draw attention to your design is with a unique colour palette, and a small patio lets you add plenty of depth to your design in a small space. By giving most of your patio’s furniture a neutral tone, working splashes of a bold accent colour can help different aspects of your design stand out, creating focal points around your small patio.
Try choosing soft furnishings for your seating that can stand out from their surroundings, or add table decorations for an eye-catching centrepiece.![]()
While a patio area is perfect for soaking up the sun, not every day will have the perfect weather for relaxing outside. Fire pits are a classic small patio furniture idea, helping you keep warm during colder nights, and creating an inviting centrepiece for your seating area. By arranging your chairs around a fire pit, you can keep the conversation flowing at parties and fight off the cold as the night goes on.
When designing a small patio area, every bit of space counts. Bulky furniture can leave you without much room for movement, and leads to overcrowding once you start using your outdoor seating area.
Try using furniture solutions that can make the most of your space, such as a corner garden sofa set, or an extending table to suit more guests when needed.![]()
Adding soft furnishings to your furniture is an easy way to give your design some extra depth without taking up extra space. Consider adding contrasting cushions to your outdoor seating for added comfort and a splash of colour, or use throws and blankets to stay warm when using your outdoor area at night. You can also add an outdoor rug to your patio for a softer touch under your table area.
If your small patio décor ideas are all taking up too much space, a smart way to add more depth to your design is to use your walls for decorations. Whether you’re adding wall lighting to the outside of your home, or hanging planters for some extra greenery, it’s easy to break up the monotony of your walls and make the most of limited room on your patio.
When you’re adding decoration to your walls that may be damaged by bad weather, such as soft furnishings or wall art, be sure to protect them with appropriate shade to keep rain away.![]()
Outdoor lighting is an important part of any patio design, but when you’re looking to make the most of limited space, larger lights can cause issues. Plus, with no ceiling to hang central lighting from, your patio area will encourage creative ways to keep things bright.
There are a number of ways you can add outdoor lighting to your small patio, such as solar lamps for use at night, or hanging lights from your walls. See which solutions work best for your small patio’s décor and avoid choosing lights that will intrude too much on your space.
When it comes to picking the best outdoor furniture materials, there are a wide variety on offer, but lightweight options will work best for smaller areas. By choosing materials that aren’t so heavy, you can move your furniture around easily to suit larger groups and customise your small patio’s design on the fly.
Rattan furniture is a classic choice for light outdoor seating, but metal and wood can be just as adaptable without taking up so much space. Try out different materials and see which ones look best with your patio layout. You can try using furniture of one material for a continuous look or mix and match for a blend of styles.![]()
Garden rooms are a popular trend in interior design right now, bringing a taste of the outdoors inside your home. You can try recreating this effect for your small patio area, by adding plant life to your seating area to embrace the biophilic design trend. You can also use greenery to add an accent colour to your design, pairing plant life with neutral tones for a unique natural look.
By choosing pots and planters that complement the rest of your patio design, you can work plant life into your seating area easily. Experiment with different pottery and see which styles suit your patio décor best.
10 Small Patio Ideas
Words by Emma Hughes
February 20, 2025
|
7m
Not every garden has the space to suit all your wildest design dreams, but with the right mindset, even the smallest of areas can be transformed into a relaxing outdoor retreat. A patio is a great addition to any garden, even though many are too small to fit a large one. Luckily, a small patio still offers plenty of room for creativity.
Looking to give your garden the perfect patio with limited space? Our small patio design ideas can help you make the most of your garden, letting you find the ideal style for your home.
1. Add shaded seating
If you’re looking for outdoor seating ideas for small spaces, consider adding a spot of shade to your patio so that you can use chairs no matter the weather.
Giving your patio shade lets you block out the rain in bad weather, while protecting from the harsh sun in the summer. If your patio doesn’t have a porch or veranda to design your seating around, an adjustable parasol is easy to add to your furniture, letting you customise your shade to suit the conditions.
2. Use clean edges and lines for a minimalist look
Patios are a great place to experiment with different styles, as they can help to blend your outdoor and indoor designs. For smaller spaces, minimalist designs are always a strong choice.
Opt for modern furniture with straight edges and clean lines for a sleek, industrial look. Metal designs suit this look particularly well, but wooden pieces can strike a strong balance between current trends and traditional looks. Experiment with different forms and see if a minimalist patio suits your space.
3. Choose a bold accent colour
An easy way to draw attention to your design is with a unique colour palette, and a small patio lets you add plenty of depth to your design in a small space. By giving most of your patio’s furniture a neutral tone, working splashes of a bold accent colour can help different aspects of your design stand out, creating focal points around your small patio.
Try choosing soft furnishings for your seating that can stand out from their surroundings, or add table decorations for an eye-catching centrepiece.
4. Keep it warm with a fire pit
While a patio area is perfect for soaking up the sun, not every day will have the perfect weather for relaxing outside. Fire pits are a classic small patio furniture idea, helping you keep warm during colder nights, and creating an inviting centrepiece for your seating area. By arranging your chairs around a fire pit, you can keep the conversation flowing at parties and fight off the cold as the night goes on.
5. Pick space-efficient furniture
When designing a small patio area, every bit of space counts. Bulky furniture can leave you without much room for movement, and leads to overcrowding once you start using your outdoor seating area.
Try using furniture solutions that can make the most of your space, such as a corner garden sofa set, or an extending table to suit more guests when needed.
6. Customise with accessories and soft furnishings
Adding soft furnishings to your furniture is an easy way to give your design some extra depth without taking up extra space. Consider adding contrasting cushions to your outdoor seating for added comfort and a splash of colour, or use throws and blankets to stay warm when using your outdoor area at night. You can also add an outdoor rug to your patio for a softer touch under your table area.
7. Decorate your walls
If your small patio décor ideas are all taking up too much space, a smart way to add more depth to your design is to use your walls for decorations. Whether you’re adding wall lighting to the outside of your home, or hanging planters for some extra greenery, it’s easy to break up the monotony of your walls and make the most of limited room on your patio.
When you’re adding decoration to your walls that may be damaged by bad weather, such as soft furnishings or wall art, be sure to protect them with appropriate shade to keep rain away.
8. Get creative with your lighting
Outdoor lighting is an important part of any patio design, but when you’re looking to make the most of limited space, larger lights can cause issues. Plus, with no ceiling to hang central lighting from, your patio area will encourage creative ways to keep things bright.
There are a number of ways you can add outdoor lighting to your small patio, such as solar lamps for use at night, or hanging lights from your walls. See which solutions work best for your small patio’s décor and avoid choosing lights that will intrude too much on your space.
9. Choose the right materials
When it comes to picking the best outdoor furniture materials, there are a wide variety on offer, but lightweight options will work best for smaller areas. By choosing materials that aren’t so heavy, you can move your furniture around easily to suit larger groups and customise your small patio’s design on the fly.
Rattan furniture is a classic choice for light outdoor seating, but metal and wood can be just as adaptable without taking up so much space. Try out different materials and see which ones look best with your patio layout. You can try using furniture of one material for a continuous look or mix and match for a blend of styles.
10. Add touches of greenery
Garden rooms are a popular trend in interior design right now, bringing a taste of the outdoors inside your home. You can try recreating this effect for your small patio area, by adding plant life to your seating area to embrace the biophilic design trend. You can also use greenery to add an accent colour to your design, pairing plant life with neutral tones for a unique natural look.
By choosing pots and planters that complement the rest of your patio design, you can work plant life into your seating area easily. Experiment with different pottery and see which styles suit your patio décor best.
Looking to give your outdoor space more of a makeover? You can read our blog on garden bar ideas to help make your outdoor area the perfect social space for parties. If you’re ready to start building your dream patio area, browse our collection of garden furniture to find the perfect fit for your home.