Home Improvement Ideas Decks Deck Designs & Ideas 28 Small-Deck Ideas to Maximize Your Outdoor Living Space These small-deck decorating ideas make it easy to transform your outdoor space into a cozy oasis. By CJ Younger CJ Younger CJ Younger is an editorial assistant at Better Homes & Gardens. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process and Kaylei Fear Kaylei Fear Kaylei Fear is a digital editorial apprentice for Better Homes & Gardens where she covers the home category. A junior at Iowa State University, she is pursuing a B.A. in public relations, with minors in environmental studies and fashion, culture, history, and social justice. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on April 13, 2024 Close Photo: Tria Giovan As warm weather arrives, roll up your sleeves for an outdoor refresh. These small deck ideas will give you all the inspiration you need to revamp your outdoor space into a small yet mighty oasis. If your space needs a complete overhaul, consider adding a trellis or buying functional deck furniture perfect for seasonal entertaining. Or opt for an easy small-deck update, like adding new cushions to an existing sofa or conversation set, or hanging a well-placed mirror above your potting bench for added style. And for those on a budget, we've got suggestions for how to rearrange what you already have to suit all your deck needs this summer. The 11 Best Patio Furniture Pieces of 2024 to Upgrade Your Outdoor Space This Summer, Tested by Us 01 of 28 Decorate a Small Deck Waterbury Publications Inc When decorating a deck where space is limited, first think through how you want the space to function. You might not have enough room for both dining and conversation areas, for example, so consider your priorities carefully. Then select space-efficient furniture and accessories that boost comfort and facilitate your desired activities. 02 of 28 Decorate with Small Details John Bessler Just because your deck is small doesn't mean you should pay less attention to the final flourishes. Plan for convenient electrical outlets. Choose complementary fabrics and furniture that enhance the design of the small deck and your outdoor living space. Do what you can to create a space that feels comfortable and welcoming. Outdoor Rooms 03 of 28 Personalize a Small Deck with Paint Andy Lyons If you're decorating on a budget, one can of paint opens up multiple decor doors. Here, a painted design on the floor takes the place of an area rug. Similar shades of gray dress up the trellis-lined deck railing for a cohesive look. 04 of 28 Use Multi-Use Furniture Jason Donnelly Decorate a small deck with outdoor furniture that pulls double duty. This wood console, for example, provides a handy serving spot for snacks and refreshments. Two stools tuck neatly underneath, ready to offer seating when the piece transitions into an outdoor dining table. Functional Decor Is the Smartest Way to Decorate Right Now 05 of 28 Plan for Entertainment Tria Giovan If you like to host outdoor gatherings, devote your small deck to a dining table and chairs. Consider choosing furniture that can easily transition from one setting into another. A dining table, for example, can moonlight as a buffet during outdoor get-togethers. Lightweight chairs with narrow legs take up minimal space around the table and can easily be shifted to different spots of the deck when needed. 20 Cheap Outdoor Party Ideas That Look Expensive 06 of 28 Create a Conversation Pit David Tsay Arrange your deck furniture into a layout that encourages conversation. Place chairs across from each other and make sure there are plenty of low surfaces for drinks and snacks. Add colorful throw pillows and a table in the middle for the ideal hosting setup. 31 Firepit Ideas for the Ultimate Backyard Hangout Space 07 of 28 Choose a Deck Color Scheme Dustin Peck To make a small deck feel cohesive and tidy, pick one accent color and stick to it. This deck makes use of yellow throughout the space, and its consistency prevents the small space from looking cluttered. Start small with some new outdoor pillows, then extend to planters or tabletop accessories. 42 Exterior Color Schemes for Every Architectural Style 08 of 28 Consider Small-Deck Seating Arrangements Kimberly Gavin Dedicate your small deck to entertaining friends and family by arranging your favorite outdoor furniture in a casual grouping with a petite coffee table in the middle. Ensure there's plenty of room to navigate around the sides and enter the conversation area. To lighten the visual weight, look for patio furniture with open woven designs or armless silhouettes. BHG Editors' Favorite Finds: Outdoor Entertaining Essentials 09 of 28 Hang Outdoor Curtains Tria Giovan Just because your deck is small doesn't mean you don't deserve some privacy. Add sheer or light-filtering outdoor curtains to your deck to keep it feeling open and airy while providing a bit of solitude. This easy small-deck idea can also help your space feel cozier while allowing for your to express your personality through your favorite color or pattern. How to Hang Outdoor Curtains: 4 Foolproof Methods 10 of 28 Make Use of Sheer Furniture Jason Donnelly A glass table and some wicker chairs make this small deck feel light and airy. Even if they physically take up the same space as darker furniture, visually they make the space so much bigger thanks to an open weave and glass surface. For a similar look, utilize a glass table, white accents, clear vases, and wicker or mesh furniture. The 11 Best Patio Furniture Pieces of 2024 to Upgrade Your Outdoor Space This Summer, Tested by Us 11 of 28 Expand a Small Deck with a Mirror JIM FRANCO Mirrors are the universal answer to making a space feel bigger, and they're not just limited to your home's interior. Hang a mirror on the exterior of your home and watch a dark corner or alcove visually expand. Your tiny deck will feel bigger and lighter. Just remember to keep it out of direct sunlight. 12 of 28 Add an Outdoor Bar Jason Donnelly To assist with warm-weather entertaining, create an outdoor bar. Guests will love the ability to grab snacks and drinks without walking into your home. This bar has a built-in ice bin to keep drinks cold and plenty of space for food and glasses. Decorate with plants and hang an art piece above for a finished look. 13 of 28 Create Casual Deck Seating Erin Kunkel For a more bohemian, laid-back look, throw some comfortable cushions down on a small deck design. Not only will their low profile make your space feel bigger, but it's also a great way to add last-minute seating for friends. They can easily be tucked away when not in use or left scattered around a coffee table for a comfy, maximalist look. 14 of 28 Utilize Every Surface—Even The Ceiling Matthew Benson If you're lucky to have a covered deck, put it to use by hanging seating or light fixtures. Less clutter on the deck floor will make the space feel roomier. Hang a porch swing to add extra seating, then pile on the pillows and add a coffee table for a casual hangout spot. 15 of 28 Add Privacy to a Small Deck Werner Straube Give your small deck a sense of privacy to foster a cozy, intimate feeling. Lattice panels like these create boundaries around your outdoor space and block neighboring views. Train climbing vines up the screen for a lush effect. 16 of 28 Incorporate Built-In Seating David Tsay Maximize space on a small deck by incorporating seating around the perimeter. Here, a bench built into the deck railing takes up much less room than an outdoor sofa or sectional but offers a similarly sized seating area. This also frees up floor space at the center and creates more standing room. 17 of 28 Use Colorful Small-Deck Decor Robert Cardillo Use color to liven up a small deck with big personality. Consider updating outdoor dining furniture with paint for a colorful statement. This small bistro table and chairs received coats of bright green and turquoise paint to create a cheerful outdoor dining area. How to Refinish Metal Patio Furniture That’s Covered in Rust 18 of 28 Turn a Small Deck into a Garden Escape Edward Gohlich Surround your small deck with verdant vines and planted containers for a lush, jungle-like feel. Here, a dense vine climbs up support posts to form a screen of greenery. Pots of various sizes border the cozy deck seating area for added color. 19 of 28 Designate Zones on a Small Deck Peter Krumhardt With the right arrangement of small deck furniture, you don't have to choose between dining and conversation areas. Here, a modest dining set abuts a group of low-slung seating and accent furniture. The armless chairs and bench take up a minimal footprint, while a round coffee table provides smooth traffic flow. An area rug distinguishes the conversation zone from the dining area. 20 of 28 Fill Corners with Plants Laurie Black Containers filled with lush plantings are a simple but impactful small deck decorating idea. Position large planters to fill in empty corners or frame your deck seating arrangement. If you don't have much space for plants on the deck itself, place pots on the deck stairs, ensuring there's plenty of room to safely pass up and down the steps. 21 of 28 Lay Down an Outdoor Rug Kritsada Panichgul Anchor your small deck with a high-style outdoor rug. For the most durable option, select a synthetic material that's easy to clean and resistant to UV rays. A colorful, well-fitting rug ties small deck decorating ideas together and provides interior-like appeal that can withstand the elements. 22 of 28 Consider Your Lifestyle Jason Donnelly Your lifestyle can and should play a part in any small-deck ideas. So before you start planning construction, think about how you currently use your outdoor space and how you'd like to use it. For example, if you regularly gather family and friends for meals, you'll want to maximize the deck area for seating and include a spot for a grill. But if you have a large lawn for playing and relaxing, a deck might serve a different purpose in your daily life, such as a spot to read the paper. 19 Ways to Create a Dream Deck Where You'll Love Relaxing 23 of 28 Maintain the Proper Scale Peter Krumhardt Before you begin sorting through small-deck designs, think about scale. Your deck should maintain consistent proportion to the yard and your home. Too small or too big, and either the landscape or the deck will feel overwhelming. 24 of 28 Establish a Connection Between the House, Deck, and Yard Nathan Kirkman A design that looks out of place with its surroundings can make a small deck look awkward. One of the keys to successful small-deck design ideas is ensuring that the materials, style, and shape feel in sync with your home and your landscape. You'll also want to use small-deck ideas that encourage an efficient, natural flow between the inside and outside. For example, if doors to your kitchen lead to a side yard, that unexpected spot might be the best place for a small deck. Building a Deck? Here Are Common Costs and Prices to Consider 25 of 28 Think in Levels and Curves Bob Stefko Often, homeowners let difficult yard situations, such as an awkward slope, discourage them from including a small deck. But even in a minuscule yard or space, decks can be a great way to conquer those landscape challenges. For example, a stepped-down small-deck idea can provide multiple levels for gathering, serve different functions, and help you eliminate grass that never grows or cover a slope that constantly erodes. A curved design might help you squeeze a few extra square feet (as well as a secluded nook) out of a tiny landscape. 26 of 28 Provide Visual Relief Thomas J. Story Small-deck ideas and layouts have less space to distract the eye, so the details take on heightened significance. Think overhead, on the sides, and underfoot. Try an arbor to create a cozier structure (and provide support for flowering vines). Creative rails offer visual relief, as do rail planters and metal accents. A deck floor in a pattern such as a basket weave or one set on a diagonal creates interest. 27 of 28 Add Storage Kimberly Gavin Just because your deck is small doesn't mean it shouldn't work hard. Much like shelves, hooks, and drawers in the tiniest linen closet, there are multiple ways to put your small-deck design to work. Adding a potting bench to your deck provides extra storage as well as a convenient spot to easily pot flowers and other plants. Think of built-in seating with lids that flip up to hide outdoor cushions and toys. If your small deck is elevated, try hidden storage underneath for seasonal furniture. 28 of 28 Layer Plants and Landscaping Edmund Barr Whether in containers or between the small deck and the rest of your landscape, flowers, trees, and shrubs are key to melding the deck with the yard. Use small shrubs to disguise footings, posts, and corners. Trees offer shade and privacy, and flowers connect with gardens in the yard. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit