Among the great features that can come along with your home is a patio. If you don’t have a big patio space, though, you might be wondering what to do with the space you’ve got. It can seem too crowded if you add much furniture, but you don’t want to leave it bare and not use it, either. Fortunately, there are some small patio design options that you can consider, so you’ll have a way to use that little outdoor space. Even though small patios are challenging, they can also be lovely spaces that really make your yard look great once you’ve transformed them. The key is knowing how you really intend to use your patio space, so you can cater to that use. Here are five design tips to consider.
1. Does your patio see use all through the year?
If you use your patio all year, you’re going to want to design it to be available when it’s sunny or rainy, cold or warm, windy or calm, and there are ways you can do that. Consider not just if you’ll use your patio all year round, but how you’ll use your patio. If you’re going to be grilling out a lot, for example, you don’t want to enclose the area. That could present a fire hazard and also cause smoke and dangerous fumes to build up. If you want to read outdoors and have some quiet time, the idea of enclosing the patio can seem like a much better choice. There may be a way you can compromise on how much is enclosed or how easily the enclosure can be removed, which is why it’s so very crucial to determine the way your patio will be used. That way you can get the most from it all the time.
2. Can folding chairs or benches help?
After purchasing a home with a patio and deciding how you’ll use it, it’s time to start looking at the space objectively. If you want to have seating but space is tight, folding chairs or benches that fold against the wall can help. You can fold the benches down when people are sitting on them, and fold them up when they’re not in use. As long as they’re sturdy and anchored securely, they’re great ways to make sure you have more floor space on your patio and plenty of seating, too. With a patio that’s too small to leave chairs and benches out all the time, folding seating that can be tucked away can be one of the best choices you’ll make. Then it’s always ready whenever you have guests, or you just want to spend some time outside, enjoying nature.
3. Are there options for a covered area?
Covering your patio makes it much easier to use it all year round. You get some shade in the summertime when it’s hot outside, and in the wintertime you’ll have some protection from snow and wind. There may be days when it’s still not comfortable to use the patio, but those days will be much less common when the area is covered. You’ll need to decide whether you want a solid roof, or whether you’d prefer to have something with slats or another type of design. It’s completely up to you and what you like best. Think about it carefully before making your choice, so you can have it completed to your satisfaction the first time. That way you’ll save money, and you can start using your covered patio right away.
4. Can you use lighting to make it feel bigger?
The right lighting options can help make your patio feel bigger, especially if you’re outdoors at night. Even during the day, festive or colorful lighting can make the area seem brighter. That’s especially valuable in the wintertime if you live in a cold climate, when the reflection of lights on the snow can be very beautiful. No matter where you live, though, you can enjoy your patio more with good lighting. It’s pretty, and it makes things safer at night, too. That can mean some great garden parties, even on a small patio.
5. What can you do about a table for entertaining?
The home you bought has a small patio, but that doesn’t mean you can’t entertain people out there. You can set up a folding table, that you can put away after people have eaten. Tables that fold up don’t cost very much, and since they fold away so neatly they are easily stored in a garage, shed, or even the closet in the spare room. You can also have a buffet indoors, and let people make up a plate of food and then carry it outside to sit with their friends on some comfortable folding chairs or the benches against the wall. For a small get-together, there will still be plenty of room.
There are many creative ways to enjoy your small patio, and the best part about it is that it’s a space where friends and family can come together and enjoy each other’s company. That’s really what’s most important about any entertaining space. Being small can make it better, because it keeps everyone you care about close by. That can be a great feeling, and help you enjoy your little patio even more than you have in the past.
