La existencia de una terraza pequeña siempre es un plus para el hogar, especialmente durante los meses con mejores temperaturas. Y es que, si contamos con este espacio al aire libre, podemos relajarnos y hacer algunas de nuestras actividades de ocio favoritas al mismo tiempo que disfrutamos del sol y de un clima favorable.
However, if it’s on the small side, it can sometimes limit us or become a factor that affects our comfort. This is especially true if we want to enjoy it with other people, since we might not all fit comfortably or we might feel a bit “cramped.” That’s why today we’re sharing several tips on how to organize a small patio, so you can make the most of the space you have available.
Designing a Small Patio: Tips for Maximizing Your Space
Decide what the main use of our small patio will be
First, it’s a good idea to decide how we want to use our terrace. Do we want to turn it into a cozy little spot to spend long hours with guests who stop by our home? Would we like to turn it into a quiet space to relax while reading or listening to music? Are we going to use it as a prime spot for sunbathing, thanks to its prime location?
Naturally, this decision will clearly shape how we organize our small patio, because it will influence the furniture we choose and the layout of all these elements across its surface. Keep in mind that if you plan to enjoy it with other people, you’ll need several chairs or a sofa, whereas if you’re going to turn it into a personal, more intimate space, you’ll most likely only need a place to sit and may prefer to use trellises, netting, or tarps to shield it from the view of others.
Minimalist Designs
If we want to make the most of our small terrace, we need to be strategic about our furniture choices. This means opting for pieces that take up little space and have simple designs: for example, if we want to use this space as a spot for lunch, dinner, or a drink outdoors, a few folding chairs and a small folding table, along with some cushions of our choice, will be more than enough to help us make the most of it.
For shade, an awning or blinds are best
Any terrace worth its salt needs a way to provide shade when the sun’s rays hit it. And in this regard, it’s also important to choose the option that takes up the least space due to its installation method. For this reason, we can rule out installing a pergola right from the start, because it’s clear that it will take up part of the terrace’s surface area and somewhat limit our ability to move around.
Instead, the best options available to us are installing an awning or blinds. These will be anchored to the facade or the terrace roof and will never need to rest on the terrace’s surface, so they’ll provide the shade we’re looking for without sacrificing even a small portion of the terrace’s space.
Vertical Plants
You probably think that a terrace without plants isn’t really a terrace. And we agree, because plants are a wonderful way to bring life and cheer to this essential space. But when it comes to organizing a small terrace, we can’t afford to give planters and flower boxes more space than necessary.
In this case, a good solution might be to to choose a wall on the terrace itself to create our own vertical garden. We can install a railing in this area to hang our planters and add a touch of greenery to the decor, or even opt for hanging plants that give the space a slightly more natural and “wild” feel.
Don’t let lighting take up your space either
Yes, lighting is also essential for those times when you want to enjoy your patio at night. But it doesn’t have to take up any space either, because, fortunately, there are plenty of solutions that will allow you to light this space efficiently without “stealing” a single centimeter of its surface area.
When it comes to decorating your small patio, our advice is to choose string lights, since you can drape them along the walls or ceiling and, plus, you’ll be able to properly light every corner you want. Or, if you’re looking for more discreet but equally effective options, you might consider installing wall sconces on the walls, ceiling, or even on the railings—if they’re large enough and allow for it.
Decorate the perimeter; clear the center area
Just because you have a small terrace doesn’t mean you have to give up on decorating it the way you want. In fact, you can use decorative elements that suit your taste, as long as you keep a couple of things in mind: they shouldn’t take up too much space, and you should place them along the perimeter (walls, railings, ceiling…).
In this case, it’s essential to have enough space to comfortably enter the patio and move around as we please, without having to worry about tripping over a piece of furniture or bumping into something in the way. So, just as with the examples of plants and lighting mentioned earlier, focus on using decorative elements that you can hang or install vertically, and leave the center open for what matters most: moving around easily and arranging the space to suit your needs.
Turn your patio into a multipurpose space
You don’t always have to arrange your small patio in a specific way. What do we mean by this? We mean that you might be able to transform it to suit your tastes and needs, using small, multifunctional furniture (which you can store inside your home and bring outside whenever you need it, for example).
That way, if you have guests over at any given time, you can bring out as many folding chairs as you need, along with a side table; while on a day-to-day basis, you’ll have more space to enjoy the patio. Or maybe sometimes you’ll want to go outside to paint, in which case you can get a storage unit or rolling cart to store your paints and take it outside whenever you need it.
Turn your patio into an extension of your home’s interior
Keep in mind that you can not only create more physical space on your patio, but also more visual space. The key is to give the impression that this space is larger than its actual size suggests. How? By trying to “erase” the boundaries between the interior of your home and this outdoor area.
There are different ways to do this, such as using the same materials for both spaces—for example, the flooring or furniture. Or using the same color tones for the decor elements inside and outside. Or even placing a rug that connects the two areas and reinforces the sense of connection between them.
Always keep things tidy
Finally, to keep your small patio organized at all times, don’t let clutter take over. If, as we mentioned earlier, you bring a piece of furniture or an object outside at any given time—such as a chair for dining al fresco—be sure to return it to its original place when you’re done. The idea is to keep only the basics and essentials you need to enjoy your patio, and to prevent things you don’t need on a day-to-day basis from piling up and taking up valuable space.
CULMIA helps you organize your small patio
Here are a few ideas to help you organize your small patio. We hope you find them useful, and remember that we’ve already shared several tips on how to decorate your terrace—whether it’s enclosed or not—and how to light it according to the latest trends. So, with CULMIA, no terrace will be too challenging for you!
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