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How to decorate a small outdoor space

A cozy outdoor corner with wicker chairs, colorful cushions, and various potted plants creating a relaxing, nature-inspired ambiance.
Having a small backyard, balcony or courtyard doesn’t mean you have to scrimp on outdoor style. We’ll show you how to create a relaxing outdoor space you, your family and your friends will never want to leave!

Measure out the area

Before investing in outdoor furniture, it’s important to get the measurements right. Measure the available space, then use painters’ tape to map out where the key pieces will sit. Make sure you leave enough room to move around your furniture.

Plan dining and relaxation zones

Do you prefer sit-down dining or casual relaxing? With the right planning you can have both – even in a small area. Start with a casual zone – a comfortable and inviting sofa or lounge chairs where you can chat with guests or chill out on your own. “You’ll get so much use out of the space,” says Tilly.

If there’s enough room, create a separate dining zone with an outdoor table so you can enjoy meals outside as the weather gets warmer and the days get longer. It’s also handy as a buffet table for no-fuss barbecues and bring-a-plate parties.  

White outdoor table with one chair, outside with pot plants.

Add decorative screens

If the view around your area isn’t fabulous, improve it! Make plain walls more appealing with garden wall art and use garden screens and screen panels to spruce up the surroundings of your small outdoor space. “They help define the area as a room of its own, but add a textural dimension,” says Tilly. Remember to fix them securely in place for safety.

Go green with pots and planters

Want to create a balcony garden or just add more colour to your outdoor entertaining area? A collection of potted plants adds instant greenery and draws the eye. Choose rounded outdoor pots to bring softness into the zone. Vertical gardens and hanging wall baskets can also bring your wall to life. Plus, pots and portable planters give you the flexibility to rearrange your space down the track. 

Rust coloured panels on a hedge

Choose a compact BBQ

A barbecue is a must-have for entertaining outside, and for small outdoor spaces, portable options are your best bet. Go for compact portable BBQ with a trolley that can do double-duty as a bar cart. Bonus points if it’s easy to wheel away and the stand can be folded up and stored when not in use.

Don’t forget the lighting

Ambient lighting adds cosiness and maximises how much you can use your space throughout the party season and beyond, right into the cooler months when the days are shorter. It’s hard to relax with mozzies around, so add some elegant and practical citronella candles. To keep the vibe going when the sun goes down, some party lights will set the mood perfectly. “Twinkling lights add a touch of celebration to every occasion,” says Tilly.

Ready, set, decorate

Style your outdoor space as you would your living room, with soft layers and cushions in a palette you love. This is your chance to play with trending colours, materials, shapes and forms. Get started with these expert tips.

  • Sunset shades Give your space a glow-up with rich sunset and sun-kissed hues, accented with pops of lemon and dynamic riviera stripes. These colours look amazing next to natural and faux stone and earthy matte terracotta. Stacked bubble silhouettes and scalloped elements add a playful touch.
  • Retro café Go for a base of ocean blues with bold cobalt accents, then contrast with warm terracotta and eye-catching striped pottery. Make the most of on-trend mosaic tiles – they’re great for adding a Mediterranean feel. Fine powder coated elements and matte terracotta provide durability as well as character, while for vintage elegance, high-gloss pottery is the way to go. Geometric forms help create a timeless heritage style with a modern twist. 

    • Rust coloured panels on a hedge

  • Natural wonders Capture sandy shores and ocean depths with soft creams, light tans and muted greens, then break them up with cabana stripes. Keep the look refined yet relaxed by teaming wicker and powder coated elements and calming honey travertine. Add weathered pale oak and teak for natural warmth and complete the look with rippled and fluted timber, rope weaves and textural linen. Shapes should be fluid and curved – think organically shaped pots and planters with matte finishes to ground the space.
    •  

Throw some shade

You don’t want too much sun and heat to spoil the enjoyment of your outdoor area. Our buyer's guide to shade options has you covered with shade ideas for any backyard, including portable options like umbrellas and shade sails that are easy to install and ideal for smaller spaces.

More ideas

Find more great outdoor living and decking ideas to help you transform your space, or pop into your local Bunnings and let us inspire you.

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Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer. You can also use a simple test kit from Bunnings to indicate the presence of lead-based paint.