Garden Paving: Small Patios, Big Ideas!

As urban living becomes more popular, small patios are becoming the norm. Whether you live in a ground floor flat or a small house, a patio provides a space to enjoy the outdoors and relax.

How do I maximise my small patio space?

Designing a small patio can be challenging. With a limited amount of space, it can be difficult to determine what to add and where to place it.

So, here are some helpful tips and best practices for designing and maintaining a small garden patio.

1. Keep it Simple

When designing a small patio, it's important to keep it simple. Don't add too many elements that could clutter the space. Consider using furniture that can serve multiple purposes, such as storage benches or tables that can be folded up when not in use. Choose a neutral colour palette for your patio furniture and decor to create a cohesive look that's pleasing to the eye.

Brett Chaucer Garden Paving in Charcoal 450x450mm.

2. Use Vertical Space

If you don't have much square footage on your patio, make use of vertical space. Hang planters or attach trellises to your walls to add greenery without taking up ground space. You can also install shelves or a vertical garden to add storage and visual interest to your patio.

From left to right: Aura Silver Fleck / Elegante Basalt Porcelain / Eden Slate Midnight Shadow Porcelain.

3. Stick to a Theme

Decide on a theme for your patio and stick to it. This will help you make design decisions and keep the space cohesive. For example, you might choose a tropical theme, using a lot of green plants, bright colours, and bamboo accents. Alternatively, you could create a cozy, rustic-themed patio with a lot of warm wood tones and cosy textiles.

To bring a bit of the Mediterranean to your garden patio, choose the Brett GeoCeramica Mosaik.

4. Don't Be Afraid of Colour

While a neutral colour palette can help create a cohesive look, don't be afraid to add some colour to your small patio. Brightly coloured pillows, rugs, or planters can add a pop of colour and personality to your space.

Left: Brett Eclipse in Pulsar. Right: Brett Bronte Patio Packs in Acorn Brown.

5. Use Lighting

A well-lit patio can be enjoyed at any time of day. Consider adding outdoor string lights, lanterns, or even a table lamp to create ambient lighting. Not only will it add to the atmosphere of your patio, but it can also provide added safety when using the space at night.

A beautiful patio making great use of lighting and the Brett Eden Limestone in Cream.

6. Keep it Clean

Maintaining a small patio is just as important as designing it. Regularly sweep or hose off your patio to keep it clean. If you have furniture cushions, consider storing them indoors when not in use to keep them clean and dry. Place a doormat at the entrance to your patio to help reduce the amount of dirt and debris that gets tracked onto the space.

Brett Eden Sandstone Porcelain.

Designing a small garden patio layout

The six points listed above can help you to get the most out of your existing patio area. But if you're starting from scratch, or looking to renovate a tired and worn patio, then you will need to think about what patio slab to use.

That's a whole blog in itself, which will be coming soon, but to help you out with some suggestions now take a look at these two options:

Looking for a Rustic, Cottage style patio?

Looking for something more Contemporary and Modern?

Small patios can be transformed into cosy and inviting outdoor spaces. By keeping it simple, using vertical space, sticking to a theme, adding colour, using lighting, and keeping it clean, you can create a beautiful and functional patio – no matter how small it may be.