Dinner en plein air Better tastes. A summer breeze is as pleasant as a hot shower. And little competition with sipping a cold beer on the grassy lawn. Simply put, life outside is unmatched in the warmer months. And a backyard, no matter the size, is a dream. The challenge is how to best design this space for maximum efficiency. Luckily, as these small backyard design ideas demonstrate, you don’t need an endless stretch of lawn to reap the benefits of outdoor living.
In fact, even a piece of grass or turf can bring joy. The key, as a designer Bobby Berk and Liza Reyes Share with us below, is to see your backyard (or patio or skylight) interior design as an extension of your living room. “Treat the outside as if it were the inside but with resilient materials,” says Reyes, whose tips make designing this area seem so much easier. The same goes for Berk, who believes the backyard is underutilized. “I like to bring the inside out and often use the same color palette,” he says.
Since we’re burning summer daylight, let’s get to Berk and Reyes’ small backyard design idea. Each proves less is more. (And that we will always need more sunscreen.)
Featured image of Michelle Nash.
Keep scrolling to see 8 inspiring small backyard design ideas.
Photo of Nikole Ramsay.
How do you maximize a small backyard space?
Tip #1: Map out your goals.
Like any other room, a little planning helps with a backyard or outdoor space. Reyes suggests first considering how you want to use your outdoor area. Do you mainly want to eat outside? Do you want to lie down? Could be both? “Depending on the size of the space, a table for eight to 10 people or a small pub table for coffee or cocktails can be equally appealing,” says Reyes. Just take a moment to visualize how you want to live outdoors.
Tip #2: Define the space.
Create a setup like you would with a living room. This requires fixed items, such as rugs, lighting, and sun coverage. Will you eat during the dark hours or lounge in the peak sunlight? For both — and more — think about items that care for bare feet and provide shade when needed. “Covering can be a vines covered with vines or a great umbrella,” says Reyes. “For lounging, a few pillows and cushions will go a long way in making outdoor seating an inviting place to sit.”
Tip #3: Use dual-purpose pieces.
With a small outdoor space, the biggest barrier is where to store items, says Berk, who suggests using multipurpose furniture or accents. “Instead of cluttering your space with lots of tables and chairs, you can use a stool as a countertop and extra seating.” And opt for built-in memory whenever possible.
Photo of Michelle Nash.
Tip #4: Stick with a tonal palette.
Keeping the same color scheme makes every space feel larger — including outdoor spaces. It also helps keep a small backyard looking disjointed and focused, says Berk.
Photo of Nikole Ramsay.
How do you make a small backyard look good?
Tip #5: Add highlights.
Here’s the solution: You don’t need to overhaul your existing outdoor setup. Take it slow, Berk said. Add smaller decorative items to freshen up the space. This can be in the form of small pillows for chairs or placing a tablecloth on your outdoor table. Berk adds: “This will change the look and feel of your space without breaking the bank.
Tip #6: Use what you have.
Chances are, there’s a bonus plant or two already thriving in your backyard. “Whether it’s greenery from your garden or trees or flowers that are in season in your area,” Berk recommends, consider how to highlight them. Use colorful potted plants or small lights to showcase any natural greenery.
Photo of Marta Xochilt Perez.
Tip #7: Incorporate small plants and flowers.
Berk says smaller plants like cacti and mini cacti are easy to care for. Add them to the outdoor table setting or on smaller stools or tables. “They never block your view from the person sitting across from you.”
Tip #8: Do what you need to.
When Reyes needed something to relax outdoors, she chose to expand the possibilities of what was already in her home instead of buying expensive outdoor furniture. “I used an extra double mattress in my son’s room, which was previously used for sleeping, and covered it with a sturdy textile that I can wash regularly,” she said of the makeshift bed. his Donald Judd style. After tossing a few pillows, it turned into an ideal nap spot and “best place to hang out with friends” — all for less than $300, she says.
