Structure is the most important thing when it comes to designing a small garden. The bones of the garden hold it together in all seasons and weather conditions. The squared paved area here unites different parts of the garden through its structural use of strong lines.

Inside a sunken or elevated space, you have an altogether different vantage point. Perhaps the design focuses your attention inward, fostering intimate conversation. Or, if the orientation is outwardly focused, you'll observe the borrowed landscape or enjoy a bird's-eye view of the garden.Any time the grade is changed, even with a single riser, the dynamic is also changed. Here are some clever ways designers have changed the grade. I give them an A-plus.Step it down. At the lowest point of this narrow, steep backyard, there was plenty of room for a patio. But this is no ordinary patio. It's a dreamy destination for anyone who walks outside the back door.The elements are perfect. First, the designer has done a superb job of breaking up the slab into bands and squares, further defined by crushed stone. The treatment ensures good drainage and suggests a patterned carpet.As you descend a few concrete steps to enter the sunken outdoor living room, you're drawn to the generously scaled U-shape bench. Made of a sustainable hardwood, it embraces three edges of the patio and has a gas fire bowl at its center.Twenty could sit here easily. Just add a few cushions and you've got a party.

Modern formal gardens use geometry to define private outdoor spaces, and smaller gardens require clean lines and minimal features to allow for multifunctional uses. Geometrics aid this design. The strong rectangular shape of this table and bench, for example, reinforce the clean lines.

"Watching a lunar eclipse or meteor shower" party. There's a futuristic, otherworldly look to this patio.

2. Identify Your Design StyleA seamless transition from your home's interior to its exterior is created when the architectural and interior design style — from line, shape and colors to textures and building materials — is echoed in the outdoor spaces.

nice sitting area to match in the corner

front deck could be like this

fireit space

I like the built in benches

color of bench stain

orange color

wooden long bench

Deck benches

Nice layout and seating

Everything

outside

Suelo terraza

idk

Bench

Bench

fogata

Patio bench seating around fire pit

cement squares

Horizontal fence and two-tiers

Bench

Outdoor

side yard

areas related and yet private

My back yard

Elkrsi n76a fi el7deega

Outdoor sitting area

wrap around bench

like the dining table and benches

Outdoor

Wall

Benches

Different levels

Outdoor seating

Bench around fire out

love everything

Front court yard

Patio

Yard

Second floor outdoor space

Good Wood.

Backyard space

Bed

Fire Pit Area

wood bench

Curte

Bench ideas

Feature tree

Muro de madera

Small but beautiful

cool modern patio area

simple

Layout

Show tab~ lower level

lighting

Bench for backyard

levels for backyard

fence and seating

privacy fencing, fire pit

nice...without stepdown

clôture

outdoor seating

Sunken area with built in seating and stone floor (concrete?)

Banca de madera

landscape in the courtyard

garden seats

Cement patio

I like the screen

Love this oasis backyard!!!!

the size of the pavers

Bench for lower deck

seating

Zen feel

Outside

lines? what is the surface of the upper patio

fire pit

patio

space and lounge

double level

If I get a place w/ a backyard space, fire pit & hot tub, plants, NO grass!

colors and boarder

like the rectangular pattern here

Near pool

Cute n cozy rest area...

concrete floor

Wooden seating area

fire pit

Patio with levels

I like the privacy of the fence and the green backdrop with full use of a small backyard

Firepit steps down

patio techo

firepit, orange benches

Bbq

I like the line of pebbles between the slabs of concrete. This seems to be the rule of 60's outdoor: pebble line between slabs, mulch w/ decorative grasses at the borders.

Fence

Nice

Cement

urban colours.. deck seating

Garden

all

small garden

Trim around concrete

Ohhh

blend wood deck into stone patio

COUR PRIVÉE

中庭

Different fire pit.

outdoor seat

Viwe

fencw

the style

Concrete patio with wood bench framing

Clean, Functional

sunken courtyard

zithoek met planten erachter

patio fire

seating area

Like the bench and firepit

Concrete

muro di legno

Garden

Sunken and raised areas.

land scape

seating

hardscape

Seating area path

Deck seating

nice

Love the built in benches

outdoor area with firepit

Chair

Bench

Fire pit

everything

Banca

Patio

fence, raised beds, modern plants

I like the square shapes and lines.

Patio

The built-in benches around the fire pit are cool.

Fire pit & build-in bench

Firepit

Fence and bench seating

Back patio

Bench seat

Sunken patio

back pour deck

bed

bench

Simple line asian style

Backyard

Outside Fireplace

The color is my favorite right now

Long wood chair

benches

seating

bench

Terraza

Ronde braai

Fire

Wooden bench

seating arrangement

serenity

Garden

Bench and fire bowl area.

fire pit

Cosy

Bench

That is a viable project

seating: could be two level with wider back rest

seating, fence

Seating

Seating fire

corner to right of kitchen in corner?

Fence

Seems like an oasis

notice the fence

backyard

yard

mommy would love this space

Cool private garden/entertaining outdoor space.

Back yard ideas

Bench seating around fire pit. Secret garden space

fire pit with seats

Pit a feu

concrete color

fire pit

Plantings, wood

Modern heaven

create a raised (maybe decked) sitting area in the middle of the garden

Fire pit and wood seating

outdoor space

benches can also be wood slat

built in bench seating