Today I am sharing all about how to decorate a small outdoor space, including beautiful patios, balconies, decks, porches, and backyards in a variety of styles. You’ll surely find something to inspire you!
How to Decorate a Small Outdoor Space
1. Small Front Porch budget makeover by Cassie Bustamante
My friend Cassie just moved away (*tear*)—she used to live quite close to me! But I’m loving seeing all of her projects in her new house, including this small front porch budget makeover.
You know, I’m not usually a fan of too much color, but I absolutely love this door! It’s just the right amount of color, I think. It really looks beautiful.
2. Simple DIYs for summer entertaining by Sustain my Craft Habit
This is the first of a few balconies and porches in this roundup. This one fits a bunch of seating and a table into a small space really well and also provides a lot of great tips about summer entertaining, especially in a small space.
3. Decorating a small patio you’ll love by Inspiration for Moms
Another adorable small balcony with a cute brick backdrop! This one fits a comfy seating area and a table with room for plants and refreshments. (Also, this is a great rug, I used to have it!)
5. Screened Porch by Tag and Tibby
This screen porch is bigger than the last one, but it has a really similar color scheme. I like all of the natural tones and the comfy-looking sectional.
6. Porch Refresh by Made by Carli
I love everything about Carli’s porch refresh! The little dining set is so cute, and I especially love the hanging plants. Definitely check out this post for loads more pictures of and details about this space.
4. Modern Rooftop Deck by Blu-i-Style
My jaw kind of dropped with this one! Angela has a really modern style, which I love. Also, who wouldn’t kill for a rooftop deck like this?!
Her house is stunning. I really love these chairs, too. Though you guys know I’d probably fill up any outdoor sunny space with a bunch of plants (that would be a huge pain to water because there’s probably no hose bib here).
9. Modern Outdoor Space by Blu-i-Style
Another outdoor space by Angela, and you can definitely see her style carries through to her back patio space, too. She has a ton of pictures in this post, including aerial shots showing how they laid everything out.
This is such a gorgeous space. I also love that she somehow fit a playground into this small space…a must see. I love all of the large chunky planters, too. Awesome job.
7. Screened-In Back Porch by Unskinny Boppy
I would die for a screened in back porch like this, especially if it’s off a bedroom (which is appears to be!). The lighting in this space looks incredible, so I’m glad to see Beth taking advantage of it for some plants, too! Add a ceiling fan and a swinging lounger, and this is fantastic. You’ll love the before pictures of this space, too—what a transformation.
8. Small and colorful patio by Anika’s DIY Life
If you’re a color lover, Anika’s cute small patio has lots of ideas! She recently also shared free build plans for a small outdoor dining table that seats four.
10. Painted Patio Tiles by PMQ for Two
Another one for the color lovers—and a renter-friendly option, too! Ariel from PMQ for Two painted pavers to create her own colorful patio.
I suspect that a lot of you asking how to decorate a small outdoor space are renters, too. Although Ariel owns her home now, she specialized in renter-friendly military housing options for a long time, so she’s got a lot of renter content. Check her out!
11. Outdoor Living Room by Jessica Welling Interiors
Now this cute little area looks like somewhere I could take a serious nap. I love the addition of the outdoor fireplace, too.
12. My Tiny Backyard by me
My tiny backyard! I need to get some updated pictures, but the space isn’t in full swing yet. This is from July of last year. Updated pictures to come!
We didn’t really make any changes for this year because everything about it was really perfect for us last year 🙂 I did switch up some of the things I planted to add some more color this year with more flowers, though.
Some of my DIYs in this space include the DIY HVAC unit screen, the concrete paver outdoor coffee table and matching side table, and the raised garden beds. I also shared posts about how to hang flower pots, how to seal clay pots for painting, how to remove paint from clay pots to repaint, and how to hang globe string lights under a deck. 🙂
13. Modern Coastal Deck by Made by Carli
This pretty little deck with a modern coastal vibe has just the right about of laid-back beach vibes. The before and after on this one is awesome, too—without even replacing the fencing or decking!
14. Small Outdoor Patio by Delineate Your Dwelling
I love the feel of this space, especially all the plants and that outdoor coffee table. Amy has a ton of adorable and modern-style DIYs on her blog, too.
15. Back Patio Refresh by Whitney J Decor
Who doesn’t want a hammock? I love naps, and naps outside in the fresh air under a shady umbrella or deck are even better. Whitney did an awesome job making this tiny space fabulous!
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Brittany is a seasoned DIY home and garden expert, running a creative brand since 2014 that inspires others with approachable plant care guides, woodworking tutorials, and decor projects. She is a certified project manager and has completed extensive coursework in the art and science of growing your own plants. Her work has been recognized by major publications, and she routinely collaborates with fellow DIY industry leaders—but her favorite thing to do is inspire you!
I have a very tiny apartment lanai in Florida and need some comfy decorating ideas to include pretty night lighting without it being overly eclectic. I prefer a monotone palette in neutrals with pops of bright color in the blue spectrum. Help!!!! ❤️
Hi Tina! Have you thought about hanging globe string lights? We have them on our patio, and they are just the right about of light!
thank you so much for including me here, friend! i love that outdoor space of yours and it looks so magical at night! wish i could bring wilder over and have some wine and the babies could poke each other in the eye or do other baby things.