With lot sizes shrinking, and with more homeowners living in high-density areas, the reality is that outdoor entertainment space is often compact. But with strategic design, entertaining in a small backyard can be a breeze.
The key to creating great entertaining space in a smaller yard is to focus on improving functionality with multi-purpose design and leveraging design elements to amplify the sense of space.
Deck or patio?
Homeowners often choose to create a central gathering area either with a deck or a patio. Which one is best suited for your yard ultimately depends on the space available, and the slope of your yard.
Decks are easier to construct than patios in a sloped yard and might be a good choice in a narrow yard, because of the option for multiple levels, making use of vertical space as well.
A patio, however, could potentially work well to cover the width of a yard, and even wrap around a home, offering built-in zones for various uses.
Create zones
In addition to having a deck or a patio, establishing zones is helpful for entertaining in a small backyard, as they communicate purpose and establish flow.
Use screens, artwork, landscaping or area rugs to define areas for dining, socializing and play.
One popular idea is to install your grill in the middle of your entertainment space, to identify dining and socializing zones. A central grill, with built-in prep, can work like an island in a kitchen, where a host is doing the prep and cooking, while remaining connected with the guests.
Flexible, multi-functional, movable
Each piece in a small backyard needs to have a specific function, as any extraneous furniture, decor or landscaping interferes with flow visually and physically.
It’s even better when your furniture is multi-functional, offers storage, or can easily be modified.
Look for benches that convert into picnic tables, seating and ottomans that offer storage inside, or choose modular seating that can be added to or taken away, as you require.
Items that fold, such as a table or extra seating are space-saving ideas.
While your outdoor entertaining ideas may include feasting al fresco, landscape architect Robert Bell of Bell Design Inc. cautions against large dining sets, simply because they are too stationary in a small space.
You are better off with “two small tables, rather than one big table,” he says, because of movability.
For socializing, cluster seating so that guests are facing each other, for easy conversation. Look for accent or tub chairs with decorative cushions that you can move around, whether you are hosting two or a few.
Pay attention to scale
Choosing your outdoor furniture and decor must make sense in relation to your available space.
One of his go-tos in a small backyard is a 36-inch diameter bistro table with cafe chairs.
“You can move it easily. It’s a nice place to have a coffee in the morning or bring in more chairs and share cocktails in the evening,” says Bell.
When choosing landscaping, consider scale to make sure it is appropriate. Less is more.
Bell recommends limiting planting choices to one or two at most, to not overwhelm the small space.
Over-stuffing a yard will make it feel smaller. Bell encourages homeowners to use a philosophy like what they would use indoors when furnishing and decorating a small room, regarding scale.
“You wouldn’t over finish a room inside,” he says, because it would feel cramped.
Pick a focal point
You can create the illusion of a larger yard by creating a focal point and building outwards from it. It’s a visual trick that can amplify depth by directing the eye where you’d like it rest longest.
Fire pits are trending and work well in a small yard as a focal point, either built-in (as an easy DIY,) or as a standalone feature. Also popular are water features, which add a multi-sensory benefit or a pergola.
Fuse an indoor/outdoor connection
The secret to making the most of your outdoor living space may be indoors. Look at creating your outdoor space as an extension of your indoor living and dining area.
Use sliding glass doors, or retractable walls to instantly increase your space for entertaining in a small backyard. Run the same indoor/outdoor flooring for the sake of continuity and have your indoor furniture, colors and decor choices, mirror those inside.
A portable feast
One of the most coveted backyard features is an outdoor kitchen, but with limited space, a full kitchen with built-in bells and whistles may not be possible.
You can incorporate much of the same functionality of having an outdoor kitchen, with a portable chef station on wheels, letting you seamlessly bring your indoor kitchen outdoors with you.
Ideally, have a cart with built-in prep space, such as a stainless steel or butcher block surface. Shelves and built-in containers can house ingredients, as you stock your cart before you take it outside.
For a space-saving bonus, look for a chef station that folds up when not in use.
Remember lighting
In many cases, especially with new builds, yard lighting might be limited to spotlight-style lighting, which is overly harsh and obtrusive for entertaining or relaxing outside.
Lighting is an important component to creating the vibe for your gathering, but also plays a role in comfort and functionality too.
“Lighting is key,”says Bell.”Make sure it is flattering,” and subtle enough for entertaining, but strong enough for tasks.
Bell says to rely on secondary lighting for ambience, including string lights, stake lights, lanterns or uplighting.
Pay attention to privacy
One of the biggest challenges with entertaining in a small backyard, particularly if you are living in a high-density neighborhood, is privacy.
Installation of hedges is a common approach for privacy, but Bell suggests looking at other options first, if possible.
While hedges might be less costly than some other options at the installation stage, they will require more maintance over time, so the immediate cost savings may not sustain them for the long term.
Hedges don’t offer soundproofing in the same way that some other privacy-helpful installations might.
Bell says, if budget and configuration of the yard allow, a brick or stone wall accomplishes both soundproofing and privacy, while also adding visual interest.
Another idea is a “tall, board fence, with plantings on the inside,” says Bell.
Bell also reminds homeowners to remember privacy needs to be considered from above, especially in high-density living situations.
Umbrellas, shade sails or fixed shade structures offer privacy from above and can also offer cool comfort on a hot day.
