Small Deck Deck Decorating Ideas

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19 Small Deck Ideas That'll Make the Most of Your Limited Space

Give your tiny area a mega dose of personality without making it feel cluttered.

small deck with bar cart and sitting area

Malcolm Simmons

Outdoor space is sacred—especially during a time where staying socially distant is essential. Even just a tiny balcony or deck can improve your lifestyle. Whether you're looking to revamp your small deck or turn an unused space into one, decorating it well and optimizing it for your needs will make a world of difference. From hanging furniture to built-in amenities, these small deck ideas will help you make the most of your limited space so that you can actually use it and enjoy it.

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Install Hanging Chairs

Take your seating up a notch–literally–with hanging chairs. These white ones from Serena & Lily (inspired by Scandinavian design) offer an airy, sculptural frame that keeps the space feeling unconfined.

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Make Sure It Flows Architecturally

"I was worried the pool might be too close to the house, but I love it," says Eric Olsen, the architect of this California home. "When we open the doors, it feels like one big room." Take a closer look at the left corner and you'll see the outdoor shower peeking out too.

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Optimize It For Multiple Activities

This deck attached to a home by Aamir Khandwala is covered with a complimentary white pergola for a modern approach that pops against the green landscape but blends in with the exterior of the house. It's the perfect place to perch for some flower arranging or use as a dining space.

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Create a Cozy Corner

If you don't have a ton of space, fill it with the coziest items you can find. This area by Malcolm Simmons features hanging plants, cozy throws, and layered outdoor rugs, making this deck seem like the ideal spot to sit with a cup of coffee and a new book.

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Make It Low-Maintenance

Designer Andrea Goldman chose furniture that doesn't require cushioned seats for a low-maintenance outdoor space.

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Don't Cram It All On the Deck

In this backyard designed by Robert McKinley Studio, the small deck is optimized for sun lounging with a couple of recliners, but the designer added an additional hangout space on the lawn with a fire pit and chairs since it couldn't all fit on the deck.

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Think About Scale

Since most decks feature wooden materials, they can feel a little cold and bare. Warm yours up with an outdoor area rug and a daybed. Here, Vanessa Alexander of Alexander Design chose a large daybed with an ethereal canopy and tropical palm trees to set the mood. Though it fills up most of the space, the surrounding trees and fencing make it feel like the right scale and proportion.

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Use Tile Instead of Wood

If you want a distinctive look, opt for a tiled deck instead of wood. In this space designed by Emily Henderson, the tiles offer a clean look. Plus, you can have a little fun with color and pattern without filling your limited space with a ton of decor.

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Incorporate Built-In Amenities

So you can't fit a pool in your backyard, but who needs that when you can have a jacuzzi instead? This small deck by Tamsin Johnson Interiors features a sleek in-ground hot tub that blends right in, as a raised one might make it feel too cramped.

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Practice Minimalism

With a small deck, less is more. Take note from this porch at Durham House, which features two stunning rattan chairs and a few plants. The more clutter you have on your deck, the smaller it will feel.

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Don't Be Afraid of Color

Vibrant colors can easily give a small space a lively feeling. This space designed by Old Brand New doesn't shy away from color, pattern, or greenery.

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Keep It Bare

Accordion glass doors connect this living room designed by Tamsin Johnson to the surrounding deck area, which is totally bare. This provides the benefits of open-air living you'd get from an outdoor space but also keeps pathways clear.

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Add Space-Saving Decor

Try to incorporate seamless decor. The patterned rug and string lights wrapped around the fence in this space designed by Studio Ten 25 give the area life but don't take away from the views.

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Secure Wall Hooks

Optimize an enclosed deck at a beach house by installing wall hooks for towels and other times that might make a mess indoors. Then, add a couple of chairs for an outdoor reading nook or hanging spot, as Romanek Design Studio did here.

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Use Double Duty Furniture

A table that turns into a fire pit is the perfect space-saving solution. Designer Megan Pflug simply placed a glass top she found at a flea market on this fire pit to avoid squeezing a coffee table and pit into her limited backyard space.

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Add Sheer Curtains

If you need to block the sun but don't want to use an umbrella, try sheer curtains along the edges of your deck, like these from the curtain brand Snowcity. They still allow some light in but don't make the space feel more confined.

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Put Seating Along the Perimeter

Placing seating along the edge of your deck is a surefire way to make it feel less cluttered. The options are endless from incorporating simple bench seating to adding a corner couch, as shown in this space by blogger Room for Tuesday.

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Add Tall Plants

Add greenery with low-maintenance plants, like cacti. Though this deck is small, interior designer Tamsin Johnson still added plenty of personality and color with rustic planters and tall plants that take advantage of the vertical space.

Kelly Allen Kelly Allen is a writer based in New York and the editorial assistant at House Beautiful, where she covers design, culture, shopping, and travel.

Hadley Mendelsohn Senior Editor Hadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's senior editor, and when she's not busy obsessing over all things decor-related, you can find her scouring vintage stores, reading, or stumbling about because she probably lost her glasses again.

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