Landscape Design
15 Small Patios for Socializing and Relaxing
These outdoor spaces make stylish statements with paving, furniture, fire features and more
An outdoor space of any size gives you additional living area and a chance to enjoy the outdoor world. These 15 small patios show how stylish designs for outdoor living can be achieved in a variety of spaces.
2. Row House Retreat
The greenery-filled lower-level patio at this Chicago row house reflects the home’s classic style. Black ironwork stairs and railings plus a small table set the stage, with the dark color repeated in the painted latticework along the side wall. Moorish-inspired gray, white and brown floor tiles reflect light and, along with the white tabletop and chair cushions, help brighten the space.
Shop for outdoor tile on Houzz
The greenery-filled lower-level patio at this Chicago row house reflects the home’s classic style. Black ironwork stairs and railings plus a small table set the stage, with the dark color repeated in the painted latticework along the side wall. Moorish-inspired gray, white and brown floor tiles reflect light and, along with the white tabletop and chair cushions, help brighten the space.
Shop for outdoor tile on Houzz
3. Secluded in the City
This terrace in New York City’s Greenwich Village neighborhood provides a welcome respite from the bustle of the city. Trees growing above the painted brick walls form a leafy canopy that shades the space and helps filter out sound. Additional plants spill down the walls and soften the edges. An oversize raised planter at the far end provides stepped seating and a home for more greenery.
10 Top Trees to Grow in Containers
This terrace in New York City’s Greenwich Village neighborhood provides a welcome respite from the bustle of the city. Trees growing above the painted brick walls form a leafy canopy that shades the space and helps filter out sound. Additional plants spill down the walls and soften the edges. An oversize raised planter at the far end provides stepped seating and a home for more greenery.
10 Top Trees to Grow in Containers
4. Italian Vibes
Stone walls, a spiral staircase and smooth pavers bring old-world Tuscan style to this small patio in Littleton, Colorado. The modern fire bowl and chairs add a pleasing contrast and allow the homeowners to relax and enjoy the mountain views beyond.
10 Things to Know About Buying a Fire Pit for Your Yard
Stone walls, a spiral staircase and smooth pavers bring old-world Tuscan style to this small patio in Littleton, Colorado. The modern fire bowl and chairs add a pleasing contrast and allow the homeowners to relax and enjoy the mountain views beyond.
10 Things to Know About Buying a Fire Pit for Your Yard
5. Table for Two
This cozy patio nook in a Toronto yard is the perfect spot for having morning coffee or afternoon refreshments. The tall table and contrasting bar-height chairs help break up the expanse of the tall fence they sit against, without requiring much room.
Shop for patio furniture on Houzz
This cozy patio nook in a Toronto yard is the perfect spot for having morning coffee or afternoon refreshments. The tall table and contrasting bar-height chairs help break up the expanse of the tall fence they sit against, without requiring much room.
Shop for patio furniture on Houzz
6. Midcentury Modern Update
Tropical design, tiki accents and midcentury modern style were the inspiration for this Orange County, California, home. The entry patio, just to the left of the front door and connected to the living room, sets the tone for the space, blending palm trees and tropical plants with retro lounge chairs.
Tropical design, tiki accents and midcentury modern style were the inspiration for this Orange County, California, home. The entry patio, just to the left of the front door and connected to the living room, sets the tone for the space, blending palm trees and tropical plants with retro lounge chairs.
7. Townhouse Terrace
The narrow outdoor space at this Sussex, England, townhouse packs in a lot of style and functionality. A mirror on a bright blue wall at one end acts as a striking focal point and visually expands the space. A built-in L-shaped bench provides plenty of seating, with lush plants along each side wall softening the look.
Final touches include checkerboard flooring edged with diagonal tiles, and a small fountain that can be enjoyed while indoors or out.
Note: Avoid hanging mirrors outside if birds frequent your yard, as reflective surfaces can be distracting and dangerous to them.
The narrow outdoor space at this Sussex, England, townhouse packs in a lot of style and functionality. A mirror on a bright blue wall at one end acts as a striking focal point and visually expands the space. A built-in L-shaped bench provides plenty of seating, with lush plants along each side wall softening the look.
Final touches include checkerboard flooring edged with diagonal tiles, and a small fountain that can be enjoyed while indoors or out.
Note: Avoid hanging mirrors outside if birds frequent your yard, as reflective surfaces can be distracting and dangerous to them.
8. French Country Influence
Stepping into this Franklin, Tennessee, backyard feels like being transported to the French countryside. A generous layer of large gray pebbles, reminiscent of what’s found in European gravel gardens, surrounds a center fire pit and radiating concrete gray pavers. Stone-clad walls backing the space add to the ambiance. The final touch is the plantings loosely set throughout the patio for a country-casual look.
Stepping into this Franklin, Tennessee, backyard feels like being transported to the French countryside. A generous layer of large gray pebbles, reminiscent of what’s found in European gravel gardens, surrounds a center fire pit and radiating concrete gray pavers. Stone-clad walls backing the space add to the ambiance. The final touch is the plantings loosely set throughout the patio for a country-casual look.
9. Cozy Nook
Nestled between two wings of a house in Lake Oswego, Oregon, this patio-and-fireplace setup turns what could have been a forgotten area into a prime backyard destination. The large fireplace encourages lounging on cool evenings, while four comfortable swivel chairs invite people to sit and chat. A large outdoor rug softens the flagstone paving and adds a spot of bright color.
Nestled between two wings of a house in Lake Oswego, Oregon, this patio-and-fireplace setup turns what could have been a forgotten area into a prime backyard destination. The large fireplace encourages lounging on cool evenings, while four comfortable swivel chairs invite people to sit and chat. A large outdoor rug softens the flagstone paving and adds a spot of bright color.
10. Coastal Perch
This circular patio is ideally situated for taking in the sights and sounds of the Massachusetts coast. The circular stone design is just big enough to fit six chairs and a fire pit. The space can be easily accessed from the deck and the yard, thanks to paver pathways on each side.
This circular patio is ideally situated for taking in the sights and sounds of the Massachusetts coast. The circular stone design is just big enough to fit six chairs and a fire pit. The space can be easily accessed from the deck and the yard, thanks to paver pathways on each side.
11. Spanish Modern
The mix of adobe and blue tiles on this patio in San Juan Capistrano, California, reflects the town’s Spanish influence. A contemporary fire pit and armchairs with comfy cushions — just right for both humans and pets — subtly update the style.
The mix of adobe and blue tiles on this patio in San Juan Capistrano, California, reflects the town’s Spanish influence. A contemporary fire pit and armchairs with comfy cushions — just right for both humans and pets — subtly update the style.
12. Vineyard Views
This satellite patio set off the main outdoor entertaining area takes in the vineyard and lake views below this Sacramento, California, home. Trees shade the space on sunny days, while the fire pit ensures that the homeowners also can enjoy the patio when things cool down.
Expand Your Outdoor Living Space With a Satellite Patio
This satellite patio set off the main outdoor entertaining area takes in the vineyard and lake views below this Sacramento, California, home. Trees shade the space on sunny days, while the fire pit ensures that the homeowners also can enjoy the patio when things cool down.
Expand Your Outdoor Living Space With a Satellite Patio
13. Indoor-Outdoor Living
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that disappear into the walls turn this patio into an extension of the adjacent kitchen and living room. The warm winter climate of its coastal Southern California location, along with the fireplace, allows the homeowners to take advantage of the expanded living space year-round.
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that disappear into the walls turn this patio into an extension of the adjacent kitchen and living room. The warm winter climate of its coastal Southern California location, along with the fireplace, allows the homeowners to take advantage of the expanded living space year-round.
14. Clean Contemporary
Tropical style takes on a contemporary feel at this home in Delray Beach, Florida. The clean lines and sleek furnishings work well with the stunning two-story glass atrium that houses the home’s staircase.
Tropical style takes on a contemporary feel at this home in Delray Beach, Florida. The clean lines and sleek furnishings work well with the stunning two-story glass atrium that houses the home’s staircase.
15. Inspired by Nature
The designers chose soft grasses and climate-friendly perennials and trees to set off this gravel patio in the San Francisco Bay Area to its best advantage. The casual look feels right at home in the space, softening it without being overwhelming.
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The designers chose soft grasses and climate-friendly perennials and trees to set off this gravel patio in the San Francisco Bay Area to its best advantage. The casual look feels right at home in the space, softening it without being overwhelming.
More on Houzz
Read more stories featuring patios
Browse thousands of landscape photos
Find a landscape architect or designer
Shop for your outdoor space
This small patio fronting a brick fireplace is the perfect spot for relaxing with family, friends and neighbors on a chilly evening. It’s conveniently tucked around the corner from the Los Angeles home’s front entry. A mix of traditional bricks and vertical siding teamed with contemporary square concrete pavers and horizontal wood accents creates a timeless appeal.
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