The 4 Things Making Your Small Patio Look Even Smaller – And What Designers Say You Should Be Doing Instead

Rustic patio with a white and wooden outdoor sofa and chair, a low wooden table, a potted palm, brick walls, glass lantern lights hanging from the ceiling, and a terracotta tiled floor.

As is the case with every small space, there are tried and tested ways to highlight its potential, and easy-to-make mistakes that do the complete opposite.

Choosing the right colors, layouts, materials, and what you actually put in the space all give you the opportunity to 'expand' or 'shrink' your outdoor areas – and knowing what could be making your small patio feel smaller can be just as important as tips on making it look bigger.