I Showed a Designer My Small Patio, and Her Smart Tips Made It More Functional

I’m a sucker for some fresh air — and yes, that includes heading outside on days when the humidity is so thick in North Carolina, it feels like you could swim through the air. But my long-neglected patio wasn’t exactly the optimal place for me to relax in the evenings. I had let the space go (it was admittedly pretty dirty), but the lack of storage and usable seating wasn’t exactly thrilling me, either. 

And while I have many talents, figuring out how to utilize a small patio clearly didn’t make the list. Luckily I had a chance to chat with Swati Goorha, principal interior designer and founder of Swati Goorha Designs, who walked me through her recommendations for my space. Here’s how I transformed my patio and incorporated much-needed outdoor storage.

First, I cleaned and disposed of everything currently on my patio. I got rid of broken tiles, a moldy rug, and my broken outdoor couch, and swept up an ungodly amount of leaves, dirt, and other unknown things off the patio’s surface using a walk-behind push sweeper (it collects everything in the container, so cleanup is a breeze). 

Once I could actually see the patio’s surface again, I turned my attention to one of Goorha’s first recommendations: creating a more finished foundation for my space. The current tiles I have on there are suffering (and I intend to replace them soon). In the meantime, I grabbed a few packs of these deck tiles from BJ’s, which easily snap together. To further define the space, I layered two separate rugs: a larger gridded pattern option and a smaller tan/black one from Rugs USA. Goorha approves, explaining outdoor rugs make smaller spaces feel more inviting. “Rugs in small spaces add warmth to the space through subtle textures or soft neutral patterns that do not overwhelm the space,” Goorha says. 

With the foundation in place, I moved on to one of Goorha’s most important points: adding storage. In smaller patios, having multi-use pieces is everything. “The use of storage benches, deck boxes (that are compact), and tall vertical storage units all offer an opportunity to keep visible clutter down while creating a clean and inviting design,” Goorha explains. Keeping her advice in mind, I selected a piece I was super excited about: a storage coffee table combo from Ledge. You can easily use it to eat dinner outside, store plants on top, and to keep cushions and extra tiles dry (or whatever your heart desires).

Adding to the storage theme, I procured a water-resistant storage bag from the Company Store. This was further insurance that I’d actually be able to keep outdoor items in good shape for when I wanted to use them. 

With the storage components done and dusted, I was ready for finishing touches. My parents kindly gave me two patio seats, a moveable side table, and two plants. To make the space a little more homey I added mossy-green tie-dye and blue chinoiserie printed outdoor pillows from Smith Honig, and Santa Fe Lanterns from Olive and Cocoa.

Once everything was in place, it really didn’t feel like the same small, dirty space. Nothing about the square footage changed (obviously), but it actually felt like an extension of my house. And more importantly, it was functional for my needs. Goorha sums it up accurately: “The best patio renovations create an inviting atmosphere of both comfort and functionality by incorporating the right amount of finishing touches to your design.” And I did just that (with an interior designer’s help, of course).