Interior designers offer 11 low-cost ideas for the most of a small outdoor space.

Interior designers offer their best, most cost-effective advice on how to create the illusion of a large outdoor area.
Attention can be diverted and drawn upward by hanging light fixtures and tall, vibrant plants.
Making your space feel more complete and spacious can be achieved by dividing it into different areas.

Interior designers are architects of interior sanctuaries; They go beyond traditional boundaries with their knowledge, providing eleven clever ways to bring the potential of small outdoor areas to life. Interior designers fill these spaces with very attractive features through their understanding of spatial dynamics, making every corner a functional and aesthetically pleasing haven. Their well-planned interventions coexist in the most private rooms and outdoors; Every square inch is maximized for both pleasure and efficiency.

Interior designers offer 11 low-cost ideas

Choose a focal point, like a gallery wall or faux fireplace.

Having a focal point in your outdoor area can instantly give it a bigger feel, interior designer and owner of Michelle Harrison Design Michelle Harrison-McAllister told Insider.

She recommends turning a console table into a makeshift fire feature that you can attach to your exterior wall.

“Just add flameless candles to the bottom shelf of the console to give it a faux-fireplace focal point,” explains Harrison-McAllister.

Another way to create an extra room or extension of your home is by placing a mirror or thrift piece on the wall.

Colorful plants can add visual interest to your outdoor space.

Although Interior designers Harrison-McAllister said you can get a little more creative with gardening in your outdoor space, Greenery can lend style to almost any room.

“Colorful plants not only bring the outdoors to life, but also let the eye dance with visual delight,” Harrison-McAllister told Insider.

“With some strategic plant placement you can trick the eye into following different seating and dining areas to make the space feel larger,” she said.

Look for pieces that work double-duty, like multipurpose seating or tables with storage.

Multipurpose furniture and seating can help you save space, according to interior designer Jessica Harris of Living Spaces, who spoke to Insider.

“A hidden compartment table makes it easy to hide tabletop accessories and when you need to clear the tabletop at a moment’s notice,” Harris said.

She also notes that a colorful stool can be used as a platform for a drink, accent item, or additional seating.

Tall plants and accent pieces bring the eye upward.

You may not have many design options in a small outdoor area, but you can often look to the sky for extra space.

“Tall outdoor pieces that branch out, such as outdoor umbrellas, will add height and keep the focal point up,” Harris said.

Interior designers Harris adds that accents like fresh foliage hung from fashionable macrame planters can help draw attention upward and provide more surface area.

According to Harrison-McAllister, by stacking plants of different heights, you can give your area an artistic vibe and draw attention away from the ground.

Place your patio furniture near your plants and trees.

Interior designers Harris suggests arranging your patio dining set against your plants to enhance the surrounding natural landscape.

“By placing your table next to your planted flowers or plants, you save space used for planters,” Harris told Insider.

By decorating the table with flowers or foliage, you can carry the theme forward.

Opt for smaller furniture pieces instead of one bulky item.

Harris suggests buying several smaller pieces to serve the same purpose as a single, larger size so you can quickly arrange the furniture in a way that best suits your room.

“Play for the cozy effect of a small backyard by grouping furniture in small circles,” she advises Insider. “The tighter the circle, the more comfortable the experience, the easier it is for guests to relax and engage in conversation.”

Additionally, you can simply rearrange components to create additional space for different occasions or tasks.

Mirrors can open up natural spaces.

According to Barrett Oswald, principal designer at Barrett Oswald Designs, mirrors can effectively enlarge small spaces, especially outdoor spaces.

Oswald added that you can choose a standing mirror that rests on a wall or piece of furniture instead of hanging.

Opt for light colors and woods for outdoor furniture.

According to Oswald, dark colors and furniture should be avoided when choosing color schemes and elements for your exterior.

To maintain the room’s brightness and lightness, the designer suggests choosing light woods and materials for your outdoor furniture and going with white or neutral furnishings and cushions.

Dividing the space into distinct sections can give the illusion of more room.

Harrison-McAllister advises dividing your outdoor space into two areas, one for dining and one for lounging, as this will make the room appear larger.

“You can easily accomplish this with outdoor rugs,” Harris said.

“You can place an outdoor rug under your furniture to help create a visual point of focus and define one part of your backyard from another,” she told Insider.

Another easily accessible approach to make your room stand out is to use lighting and plants.

Fill in awkward corners with attention-grabbing pieces.

Use awkward areas such as awkward corners or difficult-to-access passages by incorporating a focal point or decoration.

“Train the eye to look beyond the usual confines of your backyard by placing an attention-grabbing accent piece in those spaces,” says Harris. “For example, an outdoor egg chair is a great statement piece for a corner.”

You can also choose attractive plants or vibrant artwork.

Brighten up the area with string or accent lights.

Oswald said that by adding more light fixtures or string lights, you can visually expand the space and create a warm atmosphere.

According to Harrison-McAllister, more illumination also draws the eye upwards, giving the area a sense of more spaciousness.

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