If you love to entertain outdoors, it doesn’t matter if your home is large or small. It doesn’t even matter if your backyard is small. All that matters is that you love outdoor entertaining. It’s quite simple to transform a small backyard into a beautiful entertainment space–even in the winter. You don’t have to do any remodeling (of course, you can if you want to). All you need are some excellent design tips and a budget to go out and make it happen.
9 New and Exciting Ways to Transform Your Small Outdoor Space
Outdoor living spaces are highly underrated and underused, especially if your home and backyard are small. You can use your outdoor space as an extension of your home to make your home feel bigger. The indoor-outdoor connection keeps the comfort of the indoors flowing outdoors. Here is a list of the best design tips to help you transform your outdoor space into a living and entertainment area.
1. Build a Deck
If you don’t have a deck in your backyard, you should build one. A deck is the foundation of any outdoor entertainment space. Depending on your home and yard’s layout, you can:
- Build the deck right off the back of your house
- Build it freestanding in your backyard
By making your deck the backyard’s focus, you open yourself to various small backyard landscaping ideas. The best materials for building your deck depend on many factors, like:
- Design
- Cost
- Maintenance
- Warranty
- Sustainability
Take a look at our guide to the best deck materials for some great ideas.
2. Secret Storage Compartments
If you want to maximize your space, secret storage compartments are the way to go. You can store pillows, blankets, firewood, games, and anything else that gets in the way. No matter what climate you live in, it’s always a good idea to keep your outdoor accessories out of the elements. Some items that include hidden storage compartments are:
- Storage benches
- Ottomans
- Side tables
However, if you’re building your deck, you can also include built-in storage spots.
3. Multi-Purpose Furniture
Multi-purpose furniture is an absolute necessity for small outdoor living spaces. While the previously mentioned storage benches and ottomans are a perfect place to start, get creative, and think outside the box. Did you know you can find small patio furniture that has storage underneath the seats? Have you ever considered using a stool as a side table? You can even use large throw pillows for additional seating. Furthermore, patio dining sets that have removable leaves are another great way to save space. Just make sure that you take care of your outdoor furniture by protecting and winterizing it.
4. Mini Garden
Another one of the best small backyard ideas is to add a mini garden. Greenery is an essential part of the outdoors. If you think the limited amount of space prevents you from creating a vibrant garden, you’re wrong. Whether you scatter potted plants throughout the area or plan a small-space garden, the potential is there. You just have to see it.
5. Look Up
When designing a small outdoor entertainment space, folks often forget about all of the vertical space available to them. If it seems like you don’t have anywhere to decorate, look at your walls and fences. You can even make your garden vertical. All you need is an outdoor wall to implement a lush garden design. Once the plants grow, they will blend, looking like a giant wall of greenery.
6. Create Your Own Privacy
A vital design element to a comfortable outdoor space is privacy. If you have noisy neighbors or unsightly surroundings, implementing a privacy screen or curtains is a perfect solution. Hanging curtains is an inexpensive solution that creates moveable privacy. Installing a few curtain rods here and there gives you the ability to shut out bothersome surroundings and open them back up when you feel like it. You can also install privacy screens for a sturdier but still impermanent solution. If you’re working on a tight budget, transform some old shutters into privacy screens.
7. Use a Bar Cart
If you enjoy a cocktail now and then, you’ve got to get a bar cart. This is one of the best small backyard patio ideas. Instead of taking up precious space with an actual bar, or storage for store glasses, bottles, ice, and shakers, just keep it all on a bar cart and wheel it out when you want to use it. It’s easily storable and keeps your drinks within your reach.
8. Light Up the Night
Lighting is crucial. Installing strings of lights or light fixtures overhead draws the eye upward, making your outdoor area feel larger and less cramped. Not only can unique light choices make a statement and set the mood, but if you hope to enjoy your outdoor space into the evening hours, it’s a necessity. Even if there are no outlets or a structure in your yard to hang lights from, you can easily install a pole-mounted lighting system and conceal your extension cords. If extension cords and wiring are too complicated, you can also choose solar light solutions. They’re an excellent alternative because they’re:
- Inexpensive
- Available in various colors
- Come in many styles and sizes
- There’s no fuss over batteries or wiring
9. All-Season Porches
It can be disappointing to lose out on time with friends and family during the winter because of cold weather. In areas of the Midwest, and especially in Minnesota, all-season porches provide the perfect solution so you can still enjoy the outdoors while staying in the comfort and warmth of your porch.
All-season porches and perfect for Minnesota homeowners because they offer shade and shelter during the often unpredictable weather conditions that can occur year-round. Decorate the interior of your porch with fun, inviting furniture, accessories, and paint to create the perfect hangout spot for every season. You can choose exterior siding that matches your home’s style precisely to improve your home’s curb appeal as well. Entertain guests in all weather conditions with a well-crafted all-season porch.
Make the Most of Your Outdoor Space Today
If your outdoor space is small, you can still entertain with the best of them. It’s not about the size or grandeur of the area; it’s about the design. All it takes is extra planning and making sure you do your homework to figure out what will work best with your personal tastes and lifestyle. For some outdoor deck inspiration, browse our photo gallery of decks we’ve built. Whether you’re starting from scratch or redesigning what’s already in your backyard, call the expert exterior remodelers at MN Contractor Pros if you want to build a deck or do any remodeling. When it comes to quality work at a fair price, we are unmatched. We care about our customers and take pride in the work we do, so you’ll never be disappointed.