Home Improvement Ideas Porches & Outdoor Rooms Outdoor Rooms 31 Apartment Patio Ideas That Maximize Outdoor Space Make the most of your outdoor space by maximizing space and design. By Maria Sabella and Grace Gallagher Updated on May 5, 2024 Close Photo: John Bessler Make the most of limited space on an apartment patio without skimping on style or blowing your budget. To help you create the ideal outdoor sanctuary, we're sharing our best small apartment patio ideas. Whether it’s adding pops of color, choosing smaller furniture, or getting strategic with your plant placement, there are several easy ways to create a welcoming outdoor space, regardless of size. Make your patio an extension of your apartment—and your square footage—by embracing the bones of the space. For example, if your outdoor space is concrete and industrial, try metal furniture with warm touches and a few small plants. Or, try a vintage rocker and a small side table to fit more of a rustic space. Take inspiration from these small apartment patio ideas and create a space you'll love to lounge in. The 18 Best Wicker Patio Furniture Pieces of 2024 for a Stylish and Functional Backyard 01 of 31 Get a Bistro Set Meredith Corporation Channel a Parisian cafe vibe on your patio and get a bistro set where you can start your day with a cup of coffee—and a flaky croissant, of course! A bistro set is an excellent option for an apartment patio since it’s compact and typically inexpensive, but provides seating, a practical surface, and a stylish touch. 16 Patio Furniture Ideas to Make Your Backyard a Destination 02 of 31 Hang String Lights David Land Embrace the feel of your apartment patio and choose your furniture or decor pieces accordingly. Here, metal furniture in a smaller size and a corresponding planter work well for an industrial apartment patio, but if your patio is more rustic you may opt for wood or wicker chairs. Imperfections like mismatched brick quickly become part of the charm with some other easy design choices. A simple strand of cafe lights is a budget-friendly way to instantly make your outdoor apartment space look bigger and brighter. 15 Gorgeous Ways to Decorate with String Lights 03 of 31 Add Functional Decor Aaron Menken, Hatch & Maas Collective To avoid clutter on a small apartment patio, only shop for decor that is functional. Here, woven lanterns act as a decor statement, but also provide light for evening gatherings. Using electric candles at night imbues the space with warm ambience and functional lighting so you can see your guests. Woven items like this are an ideal choice for small spaces because the airy nature of the weave allows for more visual space. 04 of 31 Use an Outdoor Area Rug EDMUND BARR Just like an indoor rug, an outdoor area rug helps define the space and grounds furniture to make sure it doesn’t look like it’s floating in space. It’s a great vehicle for continuing a color scheme and introducing a fun pattern, provides an extra layer of visual interest, and is a clever way to hide an ugly concrete floor or chipping decking. 05 of 31 Mix Different Styles of Furniture John Bessler Don't be afraid to fill your apartment patio with different furniture styles for an fun look that works well in a smaller space. Mismatched furniture paired with an eclectic mix of pillows creates a cool, homey feel that blends together seamlessly. Bolder design choices—like painted black and white stripes on the floor, or a patterned area rug— often work well in a small spot because they don't overwhelm the space. 06 of 31 Paint Apartment Patio Furniture Blaine Mloats Take the DIY route and breathe new life into an old piece of outdoor furniture with a fresh coat of paint. Make sure you use outdoor paint, use multiple coats if needed, and allow the paint to fully dry before leaving the furniture outside and styling it with decorative items or textiles. Go with a fun color to brighten the patio and add plants and decor in complementing colors for a cohesive and incorporated look. The 8 Best Paints for Furniture of 2024 Will Give Your Home Decor a Quick Refresh 07 of 31 Add Wood Paneling Jason Donnelly Whether you need a little extra privacy or you want to create a cool backdrop for potted plants, add wood paneling to your patio. Make sure to use wood suitable for outdoor use and seal it properly to prevent weather-related damage. 08 of 31 Embrace Color Dana Gallagher When decorating a small outdoor patio, don't shy away from colorful accents. Whites and neutrals definitely have a place when decorating a small area (the white shaker siding makes this small space look larger), but adding color will turn even the smallest of patios into a cozy retreat. Consider adding plants or potted flowers in bright colors, too. If you don't have room for a full plant, a big clipping from a favorite monstera (faux leaves work well too) placed in a pretty vase adds the same effect without taking up too much space. 25 Colorful Backyard Decor Ideas to Refresh Your Porch or Patio 09 of 31 Hang Planters Blaine Moats Hang planters with blooming flowers or fresh herbs to liven up your patio. This tiered planter adds a modern touch thanks to its wood and metal chain design, it allows the plants to enjoy plenty of natural light, and creates a beautiful display, extending the backyard greenery onto the patio. Tips for Growing Tomatoes in Hanging Planters for Juicy, Fresh Results 10 of 31 Try a Living Wall Peter Krumhardt If you're able to create one, a living wall is an instant way to add depth to a small outdoor patio. Ferns, succulents, vines, or air plants work well as they grow upward. Adding plants to a brick wall warms up the space and can make it look even bigger. If you have a concrete floor, greenery and flowers will give an earthy feel and make your patio or porch feel homey rather than industrial. 11 of 31 Use Smaller Furniture Embrace smaller furniture and opt for thoughtful accents when decorating a small patio. There's no need to crowd the space with a big outdoor table or sectional. A cozy rocker and a side table that can be folded up when you don't need it is really all you need. Add thoughtful details like a hanging plant and comfy outdoor pillow to warm up the space without causing clutter. How to Clean Outdoor Cushions and Pillows 12 of 31 Small Apartment Patio Furniture Adam Albright Sometimes a smaller outdoor space calls for furniture that can be easily rearranged or stored, so stylish beach furniture is the ideal solution for extra small apartment patios. Easily unfold a chair or two and pull out a side table when it's time to sit outdoors and read or have a drink outside with friends, then flatten and store them in your coat closet while they're not in use. This idea is especially helpful if you live in a place with snow and prefer to take the furniture inside for the winter. Plus, it's easy and cost effective to switch up the pieces as trends change year to year. How to Properly Store and Winterize Outdoor Furniture 13 of 31 Invest In an Outdoor Kitchen Dominique Vorillon If you do a lot of entertaining out on the patio, consider investing in an outdoor kitchen. A small wall with a grill, fridge, and cabinets is plenty to provide storage and a prep surface to whip up delicious food and drinks for outdoor gatherings. 14 of 31 Apartment Patio Layout Adam Albright Take inspiration from this modern apartment patio and get creative with the layout, positioning a seating area on an angle for an unexpected design touch. It helps break up the patio’s square design, livens up the space, and maximizes the patio corner. 15 of 31 Apartment Patio Curtains Kim Cornelison Patio curtains are a decorative as well as function addition to an apartment patio. They create privacy and shade, while providing an opportunity to add a pop of color and pattern, visually enclose the space, and introduce a new material. 16 of 31 Create a Drinks Station Marty Baldwin Take inspiration from an indoor bar cart and create an outdoor drinks station on your patio. Use an outdoor piece of furniture that has closed storage where you can store glasses, barware, and other accessories, as well as a top surface where you can prepare drinks and put out snacks while entertaining outside. The 17 Best Bar Carts of 2024 for Every Style 17 of 31 Arrange Potted Plants Carson Downing Use potted plants to liven up an apartment patio. A little decorating trick: Strategically arrange them to fill an empty corner, add height where needed, or to visually frame seating. Add a pop of color with bright planters and use complementing throw pillows to evenly distribute color throughout the patio. 18 of 31 Brighten It With Pillows Edmund Barr One of the simplest and most affordable ways to brighten your patio is with colorful outdoor throw pillows. Mix and match different patterns for an effortlessly relaxed look, use pillows to liven up neutral colored furniture, and bring out seasonal pillows to celebrate holidays throughout the year. How to Clean Outdoor Cushions and Pillows 19 of 31 Break It Up Into Sections Anne D. Schlechter Similar to an indoor floor plan, if you use your apartment patio for multiple different activities, breaking it up into sections is key. Designate one area for dining, another for playing games, and yet another for taking outdoor naps. Use area rugs to create definition and leave enough space between the different sections to allow for a walkway and visual separation. 20 of 31 Grow Veggies Carson Downing Just because you don’t have acres of land doesn’t mean you can’t grow your own veggies! Whether it’s tomato plants or berry bushes, plant them in large planters on your patio and support them with stakes and leave them out while weather permits. 21 of 31 Decorate with Plants Blaine Moats Add color and life to an small outdoor patio with a few small potted plants. Hanging shelves look understated and low profile on a patio wall, and smaller plants will bring in some greenery without overpowering a space. When choosing the best outdoor plants for your space, keep in mind how much direct sunlight you get; a light wall like this one helps to reflect light for maximum sun and brightness, which also makes a smaller space feel brighter and ultimately bigger. 22 of 31 Use a Console Table Jean Allsopp A console table is an incredibly versatile piece of furniture whether you use it in an indoor foyer or outdoor patio. Place it against the wall and have fun styling it with anything from potted plants and lanterns to decorative items such as shells and antique-style busts. 23 of 31 Maximize Charm With Rattan Victoria Pearson For timeless charm, furnish your apartment patio with an outdoor dining table and rattan chairs. Use a mix of bistro-style chairs and rattan armchairs for a more casual feel and visual variety, and make them extra comfy with plush seat cushions and patterned throw pillows. Complete the dining area with string lights to make the most warm evenings and add a magical touch to al fresco dining. 9 Ways Rattan Decor Can Bring Natural Texture to Every Room 24 of 31 Apartment Patio Fire Pit Chad R. Mellon Build a fire pit on your patio and create a seating arrangement around it for a cozy outdoor lounging spot. This modern fire pit has a gray concrete top that matches the concrete patio floor and a white-painted brick exterior that maintains the neutral color scheme and modern aesthetic. The 11 Best Fire Pits of 2024 for a Toasty Outdoor Hangout 25 of 31 Set Up a Potting Bench Kimberly Gavin A potting bench provides storage space for gardening tools and supplies as well as a work surface to transplant seedlings or create beautiful floral arrangements. If you’re not necessarily an avid gardener, use a potting bench as a plant stand to display potted greenery and seasonal decorations. 26 of 31 Apartment Patio Plant Display James Nathan Schroder Get creative with wall decor on your patio and make a plat display to hang on the side of the house. Attach metal planter holders onto a wood board that’s been properly sealed and secure it to the wall, then fill it with potted plants to liven up the apartment patio. Go with identical planters for a uniform look and switch them out seasonally to change things up. 27 of 31 Add a Statement Light Fixture Carson Downing Hang a statement light fixture to add a stylish touch to your patio and create a relaxing ambience. An outdoor rattan pendant light is a fun option as it introduces a natural element that seamlessly blends in with nature and casts beautiful shadows as it glows. 28 of 31 Style an Outdoor Vignette TRIA GIOVAN A side or console table provides the perfect surface for you to style a beautiful vignette. Think in threes to create a visually appealing display such as this one, featuring outdoor lanterns, a pair of low-sitting potted plants, and two taller and bushier floral elements that add height and complete the visual vignette triangle. 29 of 31 Go For Stripes Carson Downing Black and white stripes are a classic look you can’t go wrong with. They feel as fresh as they do timeless, and are a great way to make a big design impact on a small patio. Add stripes through an outdoor rug, seat cushions, or throw pillows for a fun and non-permanent way to incorporate the classic pattern. 30 of 31 Cover It With a Pergola James Nathan Schroder Build a pergola on your patio and you’ll be amazed at how versatile the structure is. Get a cover for it to create shade, hang plants from the slats to turn your apartment patio into a lush outdoor paradise, and drape string lights for a magical ambience. 31 of 31 Incorporate a Fountain ADAM ALBRIGHT A garden fountain makes for a beautiful outdoor decoration that also creates a calm and soothing environment thanks to the gentle sound of water. Position it in a corner where it can best be enjoyed from multiple angles and surround it with stones and plants for a built-in feel. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit