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Backyards · 20 ideas

Small Backyard Ideas

A small backyard rewards decisions. These designs show how a compact lot gets everything it needs — somewhere to sit, something green, a little fire or water — by giving each element a fixed home instead of leaving furniture to drift.

Modern Classic Tropical Mediterranean Modern Farmhouse Mid-Century Modern Coastal English Cottage

Concrete Fire Pit on Bluestone Patio

Weathered Timber Pergola over Gravel Dining

Weathered Timber Arbor Along Brick Path

Concrete Fire Pit on Bluestone Patio Modern backyard

Weathered Timber Pergola over Gravel Dining Classic backyard

Weathered Timber Arbor Along Brick Path Classic backyard

Plunge Pool Beside Bamboo Privacy Screen Modern backyard

Raised Timber Deck with Paver Pathway Modern backyard

Small Backyard Patio with Square Fire Pit Modern backyard

Craftsman Backyard with Turf and Pavers Classic backyard

Curved Pool Beside Circular Fire Pit Classic backyard

Built-In Stucco Bench Beside Fire Pit Mediterranean backyard

Mid-Century Patio with Breeze Block Wall Mid-century backyard

Beach House Deck with Sunken Fire Pit Coastal backyard

Stone Cottage Yard with Fire Pit Cottage backyard

Cedar Deck Beside Raked Gravel Garden Japanese backyard

Desert Patio with Fire Pit and Bench Desert backyard

Sunken Brick Patio with Built-In Bench Tudor backyard

Victorian Backyard with Fire Pit and Bench Victorian backyard

Colonial Patio with Fire Pit and Bench Colonial backyard

Flagstone Patio with Fire Pit and Bench Mountain backyard

Sunken Lounge with Stone Fire Pit Mediterranean backyard

Mediterranean Courtyard with Stone Fire Pit Mediterranean backyard

That's all 20 — browse every backyard idea

About this collection

Small Backyard Ideas, explained.

A small backyard rewards decisions. These designs show how a compact lot gets everything it needs — somewhere to sit, something green, a little fire or water — by giving each element a fixed home instead of leaving furniture to drift.

Look at the edges: built-in benches, planters that double as walls, slatted screens that borrow privacy from the fence line. The best small yards read as one composed room, so save the layouts that match your lot's shape.

What to look for as you browse

How the space is zoned — dining, lounging, lawn, planting
Sightlines from the back door to the furthest feature
Layers of privacy: canopy, screening, structure