Patio Ideas for Small Yards
When we lived in a small house in the Eastmoreland neighborhood of Portland about eight years ago, I needed a landscape plan that didn’t include a traditional lawn. We had moved from a property with a lot of grass, and my husband’s severe allergy meant he couldn’t go outside to mow. That left either hiring a lawn service or finding an alternative solution. In our next home I chose to get creative.
Country Home
I didn’t consider myself a gardener before, but planning a small backyard with a paver patio and manageable planting areas turned out to be a rewarding project. I designed spaces I could care for on my own, and once the hardscape was in place I spent many satisfying hours planting, weeding, and tending flowers. What started as a necessity became a new hobby: I discovered I actually enjoy gardening.
Country Home
At another home we intentionally eliminated grass but never developed defined garden areas, and between work and projects I didn’t find the time to landscape. I missed the hands-on experience of shaping an outdoor space and watching it mature season after season.
Thankfully, my husband eventually found relief with allergy medication, but I still prefer a yard that’s enjoyable to maintain rather than one that requires constant mowing. Small patios, clean paver layouts, and raised planting beds make outdoor care easier and more pleasant for everyone.
Country Home
Edited to add: I should have included a photo of my own patio from eight years ago, so here it is. The image is a little dated by today’s standards, but it shows how a simple stone patio and compact planting areas can transform a small backyard into a comfortable outdoor room.
Share what inspired you this week — link up your posts or tell us in the comments about your small patio or garden ideas.