20 Small Patio Decorating Ideas

If you have big dreams for your small patio, you're going to love these 20 small patio decorating ideas. From ways to maximize the space of a small patio to small patio furniture hacks to easy patio shade solutions, we've thought of every way to get the most out of your patio, no matter how small it is.

You may think your patio's small square footage is a downside, but we're here to convince you that it's really an upside. Use your patio's small footprint as an opportunity to buy your dream outdoor flooring without breaking the bank.

With limited space, you have to pick and choose how you use your patio. That's why we suggest picking a central theme based on your favorite way to relax outdoors. Love sitting around the fire? Center your furniture around a stunning fire pit. Love dining al fresco? Go all in on your dream outdoor dining set.

If you don’t have room for an outdoor kitchen, a bar cart can be just as useful. You can easily roll it from indoors to outside, keeping your drinks and appetizers within arm's reach.

While you may not have room on your petite patio for a dining set, lounge set and more, you can still prioritize comfort with your patio furniture picks. The secret to having it all is to choose the most comfortable dining chairs you can find, so you'll want to lounge away even after the meal is over.

Make the most of your patio space by getting smart with your furniture layout. Maybe you omit an unnecessary side table, opt for a slimmer sofa or simply rearrange your existing furniture to unlock more usable space and flow.

Impromptu patio gatherings can sometimes require dragging heavy seating outside when the weather takes a turn for the better, especially if you don't have ample space for permanent patio seating. Make it easier to set up your space with stylish, lightweight, collapsible chairs.

Is your patio feeling cramped? Swap ordinary patio furniture for storage furniture and stow away all the garden tools, outdoor cushions, toys and more.

The sure way to make your small patio feel even more cramped? Load it down with patio furniture. You know, you can just leave it as a blank slate (outdoor flex space, anyone?). Fill in around it with some plants, center a water feature and create your very own moment of outside serenity.

String lights make everything better, including your space-challenged patio. Oh, and don't worry if you don't have any trees or convenient spots to hang your string lights. Our DIY below has you covered.

Is your patio scorched by the sun? While building a permanent structure overhead may be out of the question, shade sails are a quick shade solution that requires less invasive construction.

You may not have ample space for lots of potted plants on your patio, but that doesn't mean you can't exercise your green thumb. Just take your plants vertical, instead.

Before you hire a construction crew to tear out your patio and build something bigger, have you considered adding a patio extension with embedded pavers? If you choose a complementary paver and install it flush with your patio, it will look like it was built that way all along.

You know what fits perfectly in a patio corner? A corner sectional, of course! Whether you opt for a built-in corner sectional like the one above or furnish your patio with your dream sofa, sectionals are almost always the most efficient use of space on a patio.

No pint-sized patio is complete without a petite bistro set to match. Whether you use your patio bistro set to sip a morning espresso or you prefer to wind down with an afternoon aperitif and a good read, the possibilities are endless.

Modular furniture and small patios go together like PB and J. Assemble a sofa, a few chairs, two loveseats or whatever suits your patio's layout. Best of all, you can switch things up whenever you want.

Nothing makes a patio feel more complete quite like the addition of a pergola. Pergolas can boost your patio's aesthetic appeal and give your outdoor space a comfy-cozy feel, all without making it feel cramped and closed in like a solid roof would.

Short on space? You can still have the patio fire pit of your dreams; you just have to get creative. Swap your ordinary outdoor dining table for a fire table or simply upgrade your existing table with a tabletop fire pit.

It's simple. If your home is colorful, opting for a more neutral color scheme on your patio will keep them from visually competing. If your home leans more neutral, don't be afraid to choose bolder, colorful patio furniture.

We get it, you don't have room for one of those big full-frame hammocks on your patio, but that doesn't mean you have to miss out on the incomparable rest and relaxation that comes with lying in a hammock. The solution? Screw in a couple of heavy-duty eye bolts, then hang your hammock up when you want and take it down when you're done.