Sometimes living big means thinking small. If your outdoor space is lacking in square footage, it may seem like your outdoor entertaining dreams are far-fetched – but with a little creative thinking, sound design advice and clever additions, you can get the most out of your garden.

Whether you’re hosting a Fourth of July barbecue in the backyard or enjoying your morning coffee on the patio, it can be difficult to fit all of your outdoor wants and needs into a small backyard. No matter the size of your garden, patio or balcony, it’s easy to create an outdoor oasis where you can spend time with friends and family. Start by creating a priority list for the space, then find ways to adapt it to your lifestyle.

Not everyone is blessed with a large garden, but there are many small backyard ideas that can help you make your property look and function at its best. For those who live in places with tighter outdoor spaces, it’s all about practicing intelligent design on a smaller scale. Whether you live in an apartment, condo, townhouse, loft, or a home that offers more indoor than outdoor space, you can still design a garden with soil, trees, plants, patios, seating, and even water features .

We found different designs and solutions for small backyards and outdoor spaces, from urban to suburban and everything else in between.