With the warm weather, there is nothing quite like spending time in an outdoor room.

But for those with limited space, creating a welcoming and comfortable outdoor room may seem impossible. The good news is that even the smallest patio, balcony, or backyard can be transformed into an outdoor oasis.

Inspiring tips for making even the smallest space your perfect outdoor room.

Location

1. Consider the Orientation of the space with the sun. Western exposures are much different in plant material and the amount of shade needed whether thru arbors, umbrellas, or sunscreens.

2. How to use

Define how you use the outdoor room. If it is a patio right off a bedroom then it will be a private space for morning coffee or an afternoon wine. But if access is off a living area such as a lanai, patio, or porch then it can be an extended living area for entertaining guests. Once you have a clear vision of how you will enjoy it, create a list of must-haves and prioritize accordingly. For instance, if you have enough area for hosting frequent gatherings, allocate the space for conversational seating and a dining area.

3. Choose versatile furniture.

When choosing furniture for your outdoor space, select pieces that are versatile and multitask. Opt for flexible seating arrangements such as lightweight and stackable chairs that can be easily moved around to accommodate various group sizes. Consider investing in a coffee table that doubles as a fire pit, and a sturdy bench placed along a wall can function as both seating and storage. Keep the scale in proportion to the space available, big heavy Adirondack chairs are too much for a small balcony

4. Emphasize vertical design.

Limited outdoor space calls for the creative use of vertical space. By incorporating a vertical garden, trellis, or hanging plants, you can add greenery and color without sacrificing additional square footage. Hanging art or a living wall can add ambiance without taking up precious table space. Too often the volume-creating effects of going up with design are forgotten.

5. Incorporate an element of privacy.

You may love your neighbor but there is something about giving your outdoor space a bit more privacy. The lightweight fiberglass plant containers on the market today can provide an instant courtyard feeling. These come in long Troughs to make a hedge row by placing them in containerized plants or single pots to form a framework at corner points. Seasonally you can store the pots if needed. In addition, the local box stores are beginning to carry interesting sections of fence panels made out of laser-cut metal or bamboo poles, both of which can be anchored with the planters.

5. Accessorize

Throws and pillows add color and texture and can be changed seasonally. Outdoor rugs ground a seating area and add color, and do not forget how important texture is.

Make a unified theme in style whether it is formal, country farmhouse, or modern. Planters, lamps, and furniture should look like they are in a similar train of thought. Topiary forms and upright Junipers tend to gravitate to the formal end while loosely structured shrubs and flowers lean towards a casual style.

6. Lighting

Candles and string lights will add a very special evening ambiance to your new outdoor in the evening hours.

7. Sound

Add a couple of blue tooth speakers with a Spotify French dinner mix or some similar playlist. Or maybe even one of those self-contained fountains hung on a wall. Best of all add a birdbath to encourage birds to share your new space. Much less messy than a feeder.

Conclusion:

Small outdoor rooms can be just as inviting and enjoyable as their larger counterparts. By creating a clear vision, maximizing flexibility and functionality, vertical elements, and more you can transform your outdoor space into the oasis you’ve always dreamed of.

With In Green Living, Joni Keefe shares nature-based design choices for urban greenspaces, Interior Design, and outdoor rooms. Her interests also follow sustainable agriculture, eco-friendly building products, and the latest in sustainable housing. She is a published writer with design work featured in national publications.