When designing pint-sized outdoor spaces, you have to get a little creative with layouts. Take your garden vertical, like these doubled-up hanging planters, and choose furniture that fits the scale of your space without overwhelming it.

No sprawling backyard for a massive pool? No problem. A stock tank pool is the perfect way to enjoy the water even when your outdoors is small. A container garden of succulents dots the stone surround of the concrete patio, and strung cafe lights allow for evening dips in the pool.

What could have been a boring rectangle of a backyard is elevated with smart planning. Pavers define the front section, which has low seating for enjoying the outdoors. As you walk out into the yard, you have a lovely patch of grass and then raised planter beds that even encompass the yard’s tree.

An outdoor space that flows seamlessly with its interior counterpart immediately increases your square footage. Retractable doors softened by flowing curtains open up to the balcony, which is covered in fabric shades to protect from the sun. Small potted trees planted with low-lying flowers give a one-with-nature feel that’s utterly inviting.