20 Small Backyard Ideas That Pack a Lot of Punch
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If your outdoor space is smaller than some people’s bathrooms, you are sure to have justifiable grievances. Your neighbor might be up in your grill when he’s on the grill; Your lifelong aspiration to have a large tree in your backyard would come at the expense of basic chair space; or any attempt of dining al fresco with more than one guest involves a tetris game of bodies that will surely end in one or two drinks spilled. Fear not, outdoor enthusiasts. You don’t need acres upon acres of yard space to create a state-of-the-art backyard oasis that you won’t leave all summer.
The trick to small spaces lies in taking advantage of what your space does have, whether that means airspace, built-in structures, or vertical wall real estate. “It’s not intuitive, but large-scale furnishings can make small spaces feel bigger,” advises designer Liz Williams, whose outdoor Atlanta-based projects often require savvy resourcefulness. “Bring in full-scale items that have a shallow footprint, like a big couch that shows a lot of leg, transparent coffee tables, or white textiles that don’t feel busy.” Morse Designs’ Andi Morse, who also operates from Atlanta, says maximizing a small outdoor space means embracing its potential for cozy intimacy. “This begins with comfortable seating that looks and feels inviting, and is easy to plop down and relax on,” she says. “Additionally, cozy pillows and rugs make the space feel like an extension of your interior.”
Staring at your shoebox of a backyard in uninspired despair? We’ve culled 20 images from our favorite designers that prove bigger isn’t always better. Read on for small backyard ideas that will send you straight to Home Depot with newfound motivation for a summer of epic soirees.
If your outdoor space is smaller than some people’s bathrooms, you are sure to have justifiable grievances: Your neighbor might be up in your grill when he’s on the grill. You might have to sacrifice your lifelong aspiration for a towering leafy tree in favor of a thirsty houseplant. Or you might find that any attempt of dining alfresco with more than one guest involves a game of human Tetris. Fear not, outdoor enthusiasts. You don’t need acres upon acres of yard space to create a state-of-the-art backyard oasis that you won’t leave all summer.
The trick to small spaces lies in taking advantage of what your space does have, whether that means airspace, built-in structures, or exterior wall real estate. You should also consider scale. “It’s not intuitive, but large-scale furnishings can make small spaces feel bigger,” advises designer Liz Williams, whose outdoor Atlanta-based projects often require savvy resourcefulness. “Bring in full-scale items that have a shallow footprint, like a big couch that shows a lot of leg, transparent coffee tables, or white textiles that don’t feel busy.”
Morse Designs’ Andi Morse, who also operates from Atlanta, says maximizing a small outdoor space means embracing its potential for cozy intimacy. “This begins with comfortable seating that looks and feels inviting and is easy to plop down and relax on,” she says. “Additionally, cozy pillows and rugs make the space feel like an extension of your interior.”
Staring at your shoebox of a backyard in uninspired despair? We’ve culled 20 images from our favorite designers that prove bigger isn’t always better. Read on for small backyard ideas that will send you straight to your local garden store with newfound motivation for a summer of epic soirees.
Install an Outdoor Shower
Admit it: The monotony of your daily shower routine can get old. Give yourself another reason to look forward to hot summer days by installing an outdoor shower. A bit of spare yardage—nay, an unused wall!—is all you need to evoke a back-to-nature feel like this Palm Springs oasis that’s as invigorating as it is convenient.
Add a Firepit
Nothing creates ambience in an outdoor space quite like a cackling fire. And the best news? A portable firepit can take up less than five square feet of space—and can be moved to the side on those days when the kids want to get creative with the chalk. In TV producer Jamie Tarses’s Hollywood Hills home, designer Pamela Shamshiri opted for a chic black metal vessel that grounds the space and clarifies the other colors. Do you want s’more?
Fire Up a Fireplace
Ready to commit to something more permanent (and more lit!)? A fireplace like this natural stone surround and hearth in Florida will give your outdoor space that special spark that just might outrank your indoor space. “A fireplace always adds a cozy feel to a patio,” says designer Liz Williams, who spearheaded this stunning backyard moment. “Mix textures such as wicker with ceramic pieces like a garden seat or planter, then top it off with comfortable, weatherproof furniture and smaller accessories, and it will feel like an extension of your interior.”
Bring in Textiles
This cozy nook on Emily Henderson’s porch is proof that a backyard upgrade needs little more than a fabulous assortment of pillows, poufs, and throws. Whether you’re angling to create a cozy reading nook, a lounge area for guests, or simply an outdoor space to take a load off, these stylish accessories are a small investment with a big pay-off. Hot tip: Start by picking out simple and neutral furniture pieces, then pull in color and pattern through textiles. You can then switch up the color scheme, come fall.
Create a Bar Cart Moment
No matter the size, a backyard situation isn’t a proper hangout spot without a bona fide bar cart. Set up a chic drink station atop a weather-withstanding support—anything, really, will do. Here, Emily Henderson transformed a Target potting bench into a festive drink display, complete with candle lanterns and billowing florals. Bottoms up!
Dip into the Black Paint
Black walls can give the illusion of endlessness, making a space seem larger. This petite courtyard in the South Bronx, designed by the husband-wife duo behind AphroChic, is given a douse of black paint that does just that—with a soulful edge.
Break Up the Space with Zones
Creating different zones within your space and breaking up the landscape will create added visual interest. Take, for instance, the casual outdoor grilling area of this 1870s San Antonio home, which is a chic niche within a sunny courtyard. The design move keeps the area connected with the rest of the space but defined for its purposes. Plus, we love an excuse to flaunt some healthy potted plants!
Go for Striped Everything
Nothing says “resort style” quite like bold stripes. These McGee & Co. striped ottomans, in a breezy desaturated teal pattern, and matching striped cushions, will add a playful yet sophisticated vibe to an outdoor lounge moment.
Add an Umbrella
No shade, no problem. This swanky courtyard patio, tastefully revamped by designer Caroline Rafferty, creates visual intrigue alongside various pieces of outdoor sets for a look that is cohesive yet unexpected. All that’s missing is the drink with the little umbrella in it.
Plant a Garden
It’s small backyard decor 101: Add greenery. Whether you’re bringing in a set of midsize trees and privacy-giving bushes (as landscape designer Stephen Eich of Hollander Design did on the porch of this Greenwich Village duplex penthouse) or unearthing (pun intended) your inner green thumb with an herb or vegetable garden, the right verdure can be the difference between “sad, boring concrete space” and “nirvana.” Pro tip: Bringing in vegetation that is evergreen and perennial is smart long-term thinking.
Incorporate Old Charms
If you design for A-list movie stars, why not make yours fit for the silver screen as well? Designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard takes us inside his Los Angeles home, the former residence of silent film icons Rudolph Valentino and Gloria Swanson. The backyard space, though small, is the stuff of vacation daydreams. Lush greenery creates a natural wall over a 19th-century Portuguese plaque in the wall, added by Valentino. Jubilant zebra-stripe pillows remind us that we’re in the 21st century. “I come out, have a glass of wine, and decompress,” says Bullard. “It reminds me of gardens I saw as a kid going to Marbella.”
Create a Dining Moment
With scale in mind, a small food-friendly surface can create an opportunity for many an open-air dinner. “If there’s room, add a table to enjoy al fresco dining,” Morse Design’s Andi Morse suggests. “It’s best to set up your furniture so that seating is conversational, should the evening linger past the last course.”
Build a Culinary Nook
Architect David Rockwell says his terrace overlooking Manhattan’s West Chelsea neighborhood was “a godsend” amid the Covid-19 shutdown. It will likely remain so for years to come, thanks to his clever addition of a long outdoor kitchen. “It subtly creates the idea of a room within the roof,” he says. The timber shelving ensures no space goes wasted, and it also provides nice material contrast against the futuristic building.
Transform a Shed
Have a backyard structure that has become a catch-all for your family’s junk? Take a page out of designer Melissa Lee’s book and turn it into a gym. The Bespoke Only founder transformed an unfinished storage shack on one Amagansett, New York, property into a shingle-covered gym, complete with skylights and a pendant. “It became such a cool space,” Lee adds. “Imagine working out with the barn door open and the breeze coming in and looking out onto the yard. Who wouldn’t be incentivized to burn some calories under such conditions?”
Build a Pergola
We get it: August heat can make alfresco dining intolerable. If you have more than 10 square feet of yardage to your name, you’re a candidate for a pergola, arbor, awning, or trellis. This California retreat, made even more stunning by the magic touch of designer Noz Nozawa, is giving us all the reasons to get building—and then get furnishing. “There was a very deliberate intention for it to read ‘spirited’ through a casual mixing of colors, shapes, and design eras,” her client explains. Don’t let the sun shine down on your space this summer!
Don’t Discount Concrete
Hear us out on this one: Concrete is a low-maintenance way to create a visual break in landscaping. Today, there are many patterns and color options to choose from for a finish that feels more bespoke. This Frank Gehry gem of a house features a small yet luxurious outdoor space that is enveloped by brilliant pink bougainvillea and, yes, travertine-like cement.
Incorporate Multipurpose Furniture
When it comes to enjoying the great outdoors (all 20 feet of it), sometimes it’s best to simply let the environment take center stage. This London townhouse, designed by decorating doyen Veere Grenney, is punctuated by a set of metal lounge chairs that function as dinner seating one minute and party chairs the next. Easy.
Opt for Low-Slung Furnishings
While there may be no ceiling to worry about, furniture that lays low to the ground creates the illusion of added space. The chic outdoor courtyard of Jenni Kayne’s New Zealand retreat is a case in point. The custom white sofa and natural wood side tables would look good in a space one-fifth the size.
Add a Chandelier
What you lack in square footage can be made up for with good lighting. A well-placed line-up of ground orb lights or (if you’re lucky to have an overhang like this tranquil Italian loggia) a chandelier can add a luxurious vibe to an otherwise mundane space come sundown.
Create a Plant Wall
We’re swooning over the backyard space of this Hollywood Hills house, which features a luscious backdrop of foliage that creates a junglelike vibe. We especially love the Rose Tarlow armchairs in bright white against the green setting.
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