Having an outdoor space that you can escape to is wonderful, even if you’ve only the smallest of plots. A compact patio has lots to offer compared to a very big garden. Everything you need is close to hand; looking after a smaller space is easier and less time-consuming than maintaining a large garden, and small patio ideas can often feel cosier and more private than a very open or overlooked outdoor space.
If lack of space is a problem, there are lots of clever visual tricks that you can use to make a compact patio feel a bit bigger. Limiting the colour palette can be a good starting point, whether wall colour, furniture or flooring, as too many colours confuse the eye and can make a small space feel chaotic. The same goes with choice of planting too. Keeping to two or three colours that are repeated throughout containers, raised beds, and borders can create a more cohesive, natural scheme that feels less muddled than lots of clashing colours.
