The secret to the perfect garden room isn’t so secret: Start with comfortable seating, add lush plantings, and finish everything off with cozy, colorful details. But if all you have is a small patio, fitting everything in to transform it into a courtyard garden can be a challenge.

Besides the obvious difficulties of limited space and close neighbors, this courtyard also came with a space-hogging air-conditioning unit and rules from the homeowners’ asso­ciation that prohibit attaching anything to the neighbor’s wall—which, as luck would have it, is the primary view from inside the house. Creative problem-solving goes a long way, however, in such a tight space. Bringing interior-design accents like flooring tile and fabric outdoors and adding colorful plantings turned this formerly unused courtyard into a central gathering place, with seating for five and a tropical flair that can be enjoyed both inside and out.

Diagonals make a space look bigger

Arranging outdoor furniture on an angle breaks up a boxy yard and makes the space feel more open. This same trick also applies to flooring. In this courtyard, tiles were laid on a diagonal to help counterbalance the yard’s rectangular shape. You could create the same effect, however, by simply angling an all-weather area rug.

Built-in seating disguises an eyesore

A custom air-conditioner surround provides seating, a countertop, and storage space. When the air conditioner is in use, the fabric cushions can be removed to allow the unit to vent. Take note, however, that it’s essential to consult with a professional landscape contractor or air-conditioning specialist for a project like this, as your unit needs adequate ventilation to function properly.

Vertical plantings soften the edges

This courtyard is not only small but is also narrow. Containers often work better than beds in these situations because they let you more easily layer vertical plantings. In this courtyard, a freestanding trellis bolted to the floor provides a vertical frame for a fountain, lanterns, and potted climbers, such as star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides, Zones 9–10) and ‘Jackmanii’ clematis (Clematis ‘Jackmanii’, Zones 4–11). To fill the garden’s corners without overwhelming them, I opted for tall slender plants with a see-through quality, such as ‘Tequila Sunrise’ kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos ‘Tequila Sunrise’, Zones 10–11) and coral bark Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’, Zones 5–8).

Bold foliage offers long-lasting color

Emphasizing tropical foliage instead of flowers extends the life of a garden over multiple seasons. In this cozy backyard retreat, I relied heavily on Tropicanna® canna (Canna indica ‘Phasion’, USDA Hardiness Zones 8–11), sweet potato vines (Ipomoea batatas cvs., Zone 11), and coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides cvs., annual).

Bridge the connection between home and garden by selecting a flooring material that works both indoors and out.

3. Add cushions

Scattering all-weather throw cushions on furniture (or even the floor) adds color and comfort to an outdoor room.