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Savvy homeowners and renters know that a small backyard can be functional, even if it's the size of a broom closet. With the right furnitureand decor, your pocket patio will look like a cozy oasis perfect for lounging, container gardening, or even hosting small gatherings. (Emphasis on small.)

The best way to curate a small yet functional outdoor space is to declutter and keep only the basics. "If you stick to the essentials, your outdoor area will look larger," says Jamie Novak, author of "Keep This Toss That." That means making sure your backyard doesn't become a dumping ground for all the random junk you can't fit inside.

Ready to pump up your tiny outdoor space to its maximum potential? Here are eight decorating ideas.

1. Bistro table

Photo by PAGE DUKE Landscape Architects 

What's the classic small-space solution to having somewhere to dine? A bistro table, says Darla DeMorrow, professional organizer, decorator, and home stager. "Walk anywhere in Paris, and you'll see people drinking and dining at these small round or square tables and woven chairs," she says.

2. String lights

Photo by Accents Lighting 

Twinkly string lights can liven up just about any space, but they work especially well in a small, enclosed area. "String lights are ideal in a small backyard, because you have places to anchor them," Drew Henry of Design Dudes in San Antonio. He points out that they also help define the area and don't take up any floor space .

Julie Coraccio, a professional organizer, recommends a solar-powered set (Next Deal Shop, $20) and a weatherproof set (Home Depot, $41).

3. Storage benches and ottomans

Photo by Blu Design Group

Storage benches are a must in a small backyard—and they're even better when they have wheels. Mobile pieces can be moved inside or outside, and "Storage ottomans double as seating," Novak says.

Coraccio recommends this six-piece wicker set (Sunset Garden, $550), which has seating for four, and four of the pieces also open up for storage.

4. Hanging planters

Photo by Carolina Katz + Paula Nuñez 

Large planters have no place on your tiny deck or around a small yard. Ceramic planters will take up precious square footage on the ground, so to maximize space, think vertically. "Stacked planters or a wall garden draw the eye upward and make use of overlooked or wasted real estate," she adds. A green wall can also beautify a metal link fence between you and your neighbor.

You can also hang window boxes over the fence that divides your lot from other properties. "Get creative by hanging little herb pots or succulents on the wall," says Henry.

5. Nesting tables

Photo by Casey St. John Interiors 

A set of nesting tables can expand to fit a spread of food and drinks while entertaining guests. But after the party's over, you can push them back in line so they take up as little space as possible. A traditional wooden set of three nesting tables (Hayneedle, $129) will spruce up any small outdoor space.

6. Rolling cart

Photo by Park and Oak Design

Think about adding a bar cart on wheels to your tiny porch when the weather is nice. "With a rolling cart, you don't need multiple stationary tables," says Novak. In some situations, it can be a stand-in for a side table. And a cart with sides that flip up is a total plus. It'll give you additional space to hold platters of food, napkins, and, of course, cocktails.

7. Outdoor mirror

Photo by Kim Bartley Design 

Interior designers have touted the value of a mirror in a small space and how it can make the space look bigger. Jeanine Boiko, a home blogger at Okio B Designs and a real estate agent with Exit Realty Gateway in Wantaugh, NY, used a mirror to make a small she-shed in her backyard look larger. "It'll do the same thing for your tiny outdoor space," she says.

Be sure to pick a mirror made from a metal that'll withstand the elements. "If you're on a budget, check out local garage sales, where you'll likely find a couple for a steal," Boiko recommends.

8. Dividing curtains

Photo by Coffman Studio

A tiny backyard usually means you're smashed up right next to your neighbor's outdoor dwelling. To keep your privacy intact, put up a set of curtains made of weather-resistant fabric, heavy-duty plastic, or polyester. Or channel your inner bohemian and string up a wall of funky beads or shells as a divider.

By Jennifer Geddes