These 24 Small Balconies, Patios, Decks Get It Right
These compact alfresco areas achieve a relaxing ambience and a welcome connection with the great outdoors
Vanessa Walker
7 February 2019
Houzz Australia & New Zealand Editor-in-Chief
A place to sit and enjoy nature or a glimpse of the outdoors is imperative for good health and wellbeing. Here, we show you how some inventive home owners have taken advantage of often modest outdoor spaces to get their nature hit.
You can get more details on a project and see more of a professional’s work by clicking on a photo.
You can get more details on a project and see more of a professional’s work by clicking on a photo.
1. Location: Gold Coast, Queensland
Just enough room to enjoy a meaningful indoor-outdoor connection.
Just enough room to enjoy a meaningful indoor-outdoor connection.
3. Location: Barcelona, Spain
Not outdoors but plenty of greenery, and space for a sofa too. The perfect pairing.
Not outdoors but plenty of greenery, and space for a sofa too. The perfect pairing.
4. Location: Sydney, NSW
Classical-inspired elements make the space special.
Classical-inspired elements make the space special.
7. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Everything a family needs for an alfresco living and dining area.
These seating ideas will encourage you to go outside
Everything a family needs for an alfresco living and dining area.
These seating ideas will encourage you to go outside
8. Location: Gloucestershire, UK
Rustic charm on the porch.
Rustic charm on the porch.
9. Location: Sydney, NSW
Designer: House of Origin
Modern (and forgiving) colours add a contemporary edge to a small space.
Designer: House of Origin
Modern (and forgiving) colours add a contemporary edge to a small space.
10. Location: Toronto, Canada
Enough room for a conversation with a loved one.
Enough room for a conversation with a loved one.
11. Location: London, UK
A great example of making the most of what you have.
A great example of making the most of what you have.
12. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Lawn, plantings, an outdoor kitchen and seating. It’s all here in the square.
Lawn, plantings, an outdoor kitchen and seating. It’s all here in the square.
13. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
A place to sit back, relax and enjoy the view.
A place to sit back, relax and enjoy the view.
14. Location: Chicago, USA
An oasis created out of moveable furniture.
An oasis created out of moveable furniture.
15. Location: London, UK
A snazzy outdoor sofa and coffee table to beckon you outside.
A snazzy outdoor sofa and coffee table to beckon you outside.
16. Location: London, UK
A colourful setting with lashings of greenery to soften all the hard surfaces.
A colourful setting with lashings of greenery to soften all the hard surfaces.
17. Location: London, UK
A controlled palette and built-in furniture to make the most of a small space.
A controlled palette and built-in furniture to make the most of a small space.
18. Location: Miami, USA
A set-up that works perfectly in a small area.
A set-up that works perfectly in a small area.
19. Location: Washington, USA
Every centimetre has been used, including the modest space behind the spiral staircase.
Take a look at outdoor staircase designs
Every centimetre has been used, including the modest space behind the spiral staircase.
Take a look at outdoor staircase designs
20. Location: Sydney, NSW
Building along one wall is an efficient use of space. Adding moveable, low-maintenance furniture makes the space friendly and welcoming.
Building along one wall is an efficient use of space. Adding moveable, low-maintenance furniture makes the space friendly and welcoming.
21. Location: Dallas, USA
A bright spot and a touch of greenery to enjoy.
A bright spot and a touch of greenery to enjoy.
22. Location: London, UK
Built-in seating so it’s clear what the space is for.
Built-in seating so it’s clear what the space is for.
23. Location: Los Angeles, USA
Every centimetre is celebrated in this narrow space.
Every centimetre is celebrated in this narrow space.
24. Location: Sydney, NSW
Hard flooring for convenience and a patch of lawn for fun.
Read more:
10 Outdoor Decks Accentuated With Built-In Features
Tell us:
Did you gather some ideas from these spaces? Tell us in the Comments below.
Hard flooring for convenience and a patch of lawn for fun.
Read more:
10 Outdoor Decks Accentuated With Built-In Features
Tell us:
Did you gather some ideas from these spaces? Tell us in the Comments below.
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love the simplicity and modern lines of no.17, it is a bit clinical. I would add a small splash of color. Would love to see the whole house.
How is #3 not outdoors?
Thank you for writing this wonderful article! So inspiring. It just shows how important a good design is. I feel like we have 'no yard' because I was brought up in the semi-country. Now, after reading this, I can see we have a great outdoor space. It just needs thought and planning.