I’m so excited Spring is right around the corner! The weather in Northern California has been amazing the past week. Sunny skies for days. Over weekend, I spend a lot of time outdoors cleaning up our outdoor spaces and working on my small patio. We have two patios in our backyard a large one off our back door, (link to my patio) perfect for entertaining and a small patio off our master bedroom french doors.

While working on cleaning up my patios, I was inspired to share design ideas to maximize a small patio and give it big style. Thursday on the blog, I’m sharing my design plans for my small patio a space that we haven't touched since re-building our home.

Just like small spaces inside can be tricky, outside spaces can also be challenging. However with space planning and selecting furniture that suits the space well, a small patio can easily go from so-so to wow.

Outdoor spaces should feel like an extension of your home. Think comfortable, inviting and lived in, just like your home. Before diving into the design plan for a small patio / deck, decide how you intend to use the space.

Big Style Ideas for a Small Patio

ONE: Layer in Plants. Just like interiors come alive with plants. Small decks, porches and patios look so much better layered with plants. On a patio bring in various size planters, on a balcony hang plants from the rails. The more plants the merrier.

TWO: Go Vertical. Use the your wall space and grow vertically! Wall pocket planters are super easy to install and plant in and look amazing in small spaces.

THREE: Bring in Ambiance. Layer in lighting overhead and all the ground with outdoor string lights and large lanterns placed on the ground. The patio below is lovely and is giving me loads of inspiration for my own small patio!

FOUR: Layer in Pattern & Texture. As I mentioned above treat your outdoor spaces like your indoors. Use rugs, pillows and blankets to make your patio feel cozy and inviting.

FIVE: Go big with Lounge Furniture. Having a small patio doesn't mean you have to fill it with teeny tiny furniture. Instead use larger lounge furniture to fill a small patio or build a long bench.

I'm so excited to finally start tackling my small patio this Spring, I put together my favorite Modern picks for small patios. Looking for Modern Planter ideas for your patio, then this post is for you!

Modern Small Patio Design Picks

Shop the Look

ONE Standish Club Chair TWO Rattan Chair Set THREE Wood Praiano Sofa FOUR Morocco Love seat FIVE Wicker Love Seat SIX Grey Loveseat SEVEN Black & White Pillow EIGHT Chevron Pillows NINE Outdoor Pouf TEN Grey Outdoor Pouf TEN Accent Table ELEVEN Black Side Table TWELVE C-Table THIRTEEN Outdoor Pouf FOURTEEN Faceted Side Table FIFTHTEEN Concrete Garden Stool SIXTEEN Diamond Throw Pillow

What are your outdoor plans for Spring?

Welcome to another edition of the Small Home Style series, sharing inspiration and ideas for Small Home Dwellers to effortlessly maximize their spaces. One of my favorite spaces in my home is my kitchen and dining room. In my small 1950's rancher we don't have a dedicated dining area away from the kitchen. My kitchen and dining room are in the same room, one side is the kitchen and one side is the dining room. You can see my dining room tour here and how I've maximized my small space allowing us to seat comfortable seat eight! Quick fact about my dining room nook, its only 9 feet wide!

Today on Small Home Style, I'm sharing ideas on turning a small eat-in kitchen into a well thought out space that you can cook and entertain in. I’ve always felt that kitchens are the heart of the home and feel most alive when you're cooking for loved ones and entertaining family and friends. They’re typically two types of eat-in kitchens, let’s tackle one at a time.

ONE Eat-in Kitchen Style Dining Table in Kitchen. The great thing about having your dining table right in your kitchen is the extra work space it gives when cooking and baking. It can almost feel like you have a kitchen island in your space. The design challenge, it can easily feel like your kitchen is too small to entertain. The solution, choose a dining room table that will maximize your kitchen layout.

Farmhouse Kitchen Table. For long narrow kitchens choose a long a farmhouse style table. Select dining room chairs that visually won’t take up a lot of space and can easily ‘push-in close the table’ skip big bulky chairs that take up too much space. A great alternative to using chairs is bringing long benches, I love how they can easily be tucked into a table.

Fold-Out Dining Table. When your dining room is too small to comfortably fit a full size table, consider using a fold-out table that will double in size when needed and and easy fold back down to a small size.

Round Table. A round table can be tricky in small spaces and sometimes take-up more room, however if your space is wide enough a round table can be a great fit and look so charming. Select a table with a pedestal base or tulip table.

TWO Eat-in Kitchen Style the Dining Nook. The second most popular eat-in style dining in a small kitchen is the dining nook. A dining nook can be a huge challenge to 'make-it work' since they're on the small side.

Banquette Dining. However, adding a banquette to a small dining nook helps transform a small awkward space into a well-designed one. Banquette seating can be built-in going from wall to wall, or built into a corner or freestanding. Either way, they're space saving allowing you to sat more people around the table.

Bring in extra storage in a small dining nook, by adding a pair on small dressers / side tables on either side of the banquette. The dressers / side tables can hold extra dishes, silverware and kitchen linens. The easliy give a custom built-in look to a small dining nook.

Benches can easily be transformed into banquette seating with cushions, the open space below a bench can hold baskets, giving you extra storage.

The L-Shape built-in banquette below, looks extra comfy thanks to all the pillows and pretty farmhouse table. I love built-in banquettes have extra storage: either with drawers or hidden under the seat.

If your also a small home dweller, what type of dining room does your home have? What ways have you maximized your space and given it style? Remember to share your small spaces on Instagram with the #SmallHomeStyle Need more ideas to take your small dining room from so-so to wow, check out this post!

In addition, if there's a small space in your home your having trouble whipping into shape, feel free to send me and email and I can help you tackle your space send emails to Hello@chiclittlehouse.com for design dilemmas.