225-Square-Foot Courtyard Sanctuary

Designer Mazen El-Abdallah wanted an outdoor living area with a gigantic sofa to lie on, a great dining space to host friends and a place to barbecue. Could this be done in a 225-square-foot courtyard? See how he transformed this small space into a private sanctuary in this House & Home video:

The high surrounding fence is painted in an off-black color. Large furniture makes the space feel bigger; a 10-foot-long sofa positioned against the wall acts as a built-in. The white dining set and wire mesh chairs unify everything and draw the eye to the greenery – one long wall of planters along the back wall. A mix of containers gives the space a casual vibe.