Pall Spera Company Realtors-Stowe, VT
Pall Spera Company Realtors-Stowe, VT
Teresa Merelman, Broker, Pall Spera Company Realtors-Stowe, VTPhone: (802) 793-5171
Email: [email protected]

Essential design tips for small outdoor living spaces

by Teresa Merelman, Broker 05/21/2025

Homeowners with small outdoor living spaces are often stumped when it comes to design. With so little square footage, how do you make the most of your outdoor space?

The lack of space might seem restrictive at first, but there are plenty of ways to add style and comfort to even the tiniest deck or patio. Here are some expert design ideas to inspire you and transform your outdoor living space:

Multi-use furniture

When you’re short on space, multi-use patio furniture can be a lifesaver. Choose outdoor furniture with storage space, like benches or coffee tables with empty compartments. Furnishings that can expand or shrink depending on need, such as bar carts or side tables with fold-out leaves, will also conserve precious space.

Privacy solutions

If you live in an apartment or condominium, chances are your outdoor space is very close to your neighbors’. One way to make small outdoor spaces feel more comfortable is to add privacy without taking up square footage.

Some ideas for privacy include hanging screens, curtains or trellises attached to preexisting walls. You can also create privacy with live greenery by adding a row of tall container plants.

Establish zones

Breaking up a tiny space to make it larger might seem counterintuitive, but you can increase the functionality of your deck, yard or patio by establishing different zones. Some examples of different zones might be outdoor dining, solo relaxation or gardening.

You can have a designated dining area with a table and chairs and add an outdoor area rug to make it a cohesive space. Add comfy lounge chairs and a small accent table with a separate stylish rug, and now you have two living spaces in one!

These are just a few tips for designing your small outdoor space to meet your personal needs. Whether you have a tiny backyard, patio, deck or terrace, make the best use of limited space by considering these ideas.

About the Author
Author

Teresa Merelman, Broker

 Teresa's beginnings were at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. She was child #5 of 8 and born into an Air Force family that moved all over the United States but usually ended up back in the Washington, D.C. area. Teresa attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and received her bachelor's degree in business from George Mason University, in Fairfax, Virginia. Some of her prior careers include: computer buyer in Fairfax, Virginia; Deputy Clerk at the U.S. District Court in Denver, Colorado; Police Officer in Steamboat Springs, Colorado; and Bed & Breakfast owner in Stowe, Vermont. Teresa obtained her license as a Realtor® in 1998. She has been through many ups and downs in this profession and continues to learn every day. She very much enjoys the real estate profession and the wonderful people she has met and assisted along the way. In order to serve her clients and customers, Teresa continually attends classes and seminars. Some of her Designations and Certifications include: 

  • ABR - Accredited Buyer Representative (2003)
  • CBR - Certified Buyer Representative (2000)
  • e-PRO - Internet Certified Professional (2001)
  • CNHS - Certified New Home Specialist (2005)
  • CRS - Certified Residential Specialist (2005)
  • AHS - Accredited Home-Stager Specialist (2008)
  • TRC - Transaction Referral Certification (2009)
  • RSPS - Resort and Second Home Specialist (2009)
  • GREEN - NAR's Green Designation (2009) 
  • SFR - Short Sales & Foreclosures Certification (2009) 
  • SRES - Senior Real Estate Specialist Designation (2012)
  • AHWD - At Home With Diversity (2021)
  • SRS - Seller Representative Specialist (2021)

Teresa has also served and continues to serve on several boards:

  • Lamoille Area Board of Realtors - President and Board of Directors
  • Vermont Association of Realtors - Board of Directors
  • NEREN (MLS) - Board of Directors and Shareholder 
  • Vermont Real Estate Commission - as a member of VAR's Liaison Committee
  • Stowe Vibrancy - Board of Directors - this is a volunteer group that promotes activities in the Village of Stowe

In 2007, Teresa was named Vermont Realtor of the Year.Teresa and her husband, a local attorney, moved to Stowe in 1987. They had two sons and Stowe has been their home for the past 36 years. She still feels the Stowe area is a wonderful place to raise a family, there's always something going on. Teresa can often be found behind the lens of her camera documenting the beauty of the area and its many events.As an update, Teresa's older son is now a Doctor/resident at the University of New Mexico's Emergency Management Program. Her younger son graduated from James Mason University and currently resides in Chicago, IL as a supervisor for OKTA.