Home Improvement Ideas Decks Deck Designs & Ideas 14 Small-Deck Decorating Ideas to Make the Most of Your Outdoor Space By Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett Instagram Jessica Bennett is the digital assistant home editor at Better Homes & Gardens. With a knack for writing and editing, she covers decorating, home improvement, cleaning, organizing, and more for BHG.com. With nearly five years of combined experience in digital and magazine journalism, she has contributed over 800 articles for BHG.com to date, and her writing on interior design and decorating has been featured in 16 national print magazines, including Do It Yourself, Country Home, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, Secrets of Getting Organized, and more. Jessica received a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University. She also completed a secondary major in French language studies. Prior to graduation, she was inducted into the Kappa Tau Alpha honor society, which recognizes academic excellence in the field of journalism. She is currently pursuing an interior design certificate from the New York Institute of Art + Design. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process and Kaylei Fear Kaylei Fear Kaylei Fear is a digital editorial apprentice for Better Homes & Gardens. Interested in all aspects of home design, she is eager to learn from skilled experts while diversifying her experiences. Kaylei is currently attending Iowa State University while pursuing a B.A. in public relations with minors in environmental studies and fashion, culture, history, and social justice. She is a Forever True Scholar and a Deans Advisory Council Student Panelist. At her university, she is involved with The Fashion Show as a special events team member and was previously a writer for TREND magazine. Kaylei is also the social media manager for Good Makers Market. She manages their Facebook and Instagram platforms. Previously, she was a public relations intern for EightSixtySouth, a strategic communications agency, managing social platforms, creating press kits and clips, updating media lists, and researching and monitoring influencers. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on May 17, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Kimberly Gavin Your small deck might be limited in square footage, but it doesn't need to skimp on style. Clever arrangements of small deck furniture and accessories can help maximize a modest footprint. Bring big style to your outdoor space with these small-deck decorating ideas. 01 of 14 How to Decorate a Small Deck Waterbury Publications Inc When decorating a deck where space is limited, first think through how you want the space to function. You might not have enough room for both dining and conversation areas, for example, so consider your priorities carefully. Then select space-efficient furniture and accessories that boost comfort and facilitate your desired activities. 02 of 14 Plan for Entertainment Tria Giovan If you like to host outdoor gatherings, devote your small deck to a dining table and chairs. Consider choosing furniture that can easily transition from one setting into another. A dining table, for example, can moonlight as a buffet during outdoor get-togethers. Lightweight chairs with narrow legs take up minimal space around the table and can easily be shifted to different spots of the deck when needed. 03 of 14 Use Multi-Use Small Deck Furniture Jason Donnelly Decorate your small deck with outdoor furniture that pulls double duty. This wood console, for example, provides a handy serving spot for snacks and refreshments. Two stools tuck neatly underneath, ready to offer seating when the piece transitions into an outdoor dining table. 04 of 14 Carve Out Small Deck Entertaining Space Kimberly Gavin Dedicate your small deck to entertaining friends and family by arranging small deck furniture in casual grouping with a petite coffee table in the middle. Ensure there's plenty of room to navigate around the sides and enter the conversation area. To lighten the visual weight, look for patio furniture with open woven designs or armless silhouettes. 05 of 14 Add an Outdoor Bar Jason Donnelly To assist with warm-weather entertaining, create an outdoor bar. Guests will love the ability to grab snacks and drinks without walking into your home. This bar has a built-in ice bin to keep drinks cold and plenty of space for food and glasses. Decorate with plants and hang an art piece above for a finished look. 06 of 14 Add Privacy to a Small Deck Werner Straube Give your small deck a sense of privacy to foster a cozy, intimate feeling. Lattice panels create boundaries around your outdoor space and block neighboring views. Train climbing vines up the screen for a lush effect. 07 of 14 Incorporate Built-In Seating David Tsay Maximize space on a small deck by incorporating seating around the perimeter. Here, a bench built into the deck railing takes up much less room than an outdoor sofa or sectional but offers a similarly sized seating area. This also frees up floor space at the center and creates more standing room. 08 of 14 Splash Color on Small Deck Decor Robert Cardillo Use color to liven up a small deck with big personality. Consider updating outdoor furniture with paint for a colorful statement. This small bistro table and chairs received coats of bright green and turquoise paint to create a cheerful outdoor dining area. 09 of 14 Bring in Live Small Deck Decor Laurie Black Containers filled with lush plantings are a simple but impactful small deck decorating idea. Position large planters to fill in empty corners or frame your deck seating arrangement. If you don't have much space for plants on the deck itself, place pots on the deck stairs, ensuring there's plenty of room to safely pass up and down the steps. 10 of 14 Create a Conservation Pit David Tsay Arrange your deck furniture into a layout that encourages conversation. Place chairs across from each other and make sure there are plenty of low surfaces for drinks and snacks. Add colorful throw pillows and a table in the middle for the ideal hosting setup. 11 of 14 Designate Zones on a Small Deck Peter Krumhardt With the right arrangement of small deck furniture, you don't have to choose between dining and conversation areas. Here, a modest dining set abuts a group of low-slung seating and accent furniture. The armless chairs and bench take up a minimal footprint, while a round coffee table provides smooth traffic flow. An area rug distinguishes the conversation zone from the dining area. 12 of 14 Personalize Your Small Deck with Paint Andy Lyons Paint provides a wide variety of easy and inexpensive small deck decorating ideas. Here, a painted design on the floor takes the place of an area rug. Similar shades of gray dress up the trellis-lined deck railing for a cohesive look. 13 of 14 Turn a Small Deck into a Garden Escape Edward Gohlich Surround your small deck with verdant vines and planted containers for a lush, jungle-like feel. Here, a dense vine climbs up support posts to form a screen of greenery. Pots of various sizes border the cozy deck seating area for added color. 14 of 14 Lay Down an Outdoor Rug Kritsada Panichgul Anchor your small deck with a high-style outdoor rug. For the most durable option, select a synthetic material that's easy to clean and resistant to UV rays. A colorful, well-fitting rug ties small deck decorating ideas together and provides interiorlike appeal that can withstand the elements. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit