A home in Toronto with a tiny backyard gets not one but two fabulous outdoor spaces.

BUILT-IN BLISS

Two outdoor spaces. Two tiny footprints. One fabulous mandate from the clients: lower the maintenance and turn up the fun! For designer Erin Hannon- Watkinson, these were challenges that played to her strengths. After all, she’s an enthusiastic proponent of using built-ins and convertible furnishings. “They’re a great way to double the function and dial down the clutter in small spaces,” she explains. And they proved a genius way to fulfill her clients’ desire for a restful backyard haven and hip urban rooftop lounge.

Designer Erin Hannon-Watkinson (pictured above) created a serene sitting area a few steps down from the kitchen-level decking; in a space-saving move, the wide steps double as bench seating. The barefoot-friendly concrete pavers and artificial turf add a fun graphic element, while four sides of slim-slatted fencing provide rare-in-Toronto privacy. Says Erin: “I think of this as an outdoor room, not a backyard. It’s so much more than that.”

ONE-STOP WONDERFUL

PHOTOGRAPHY: Lauren Miller | DESIGN: Studio HA/WA | STYLISTS: Me&Mo

Erin placed a comfy daybed beside the plunge pool. “It’s perfect for entertaining,” she says. Orb-shaped objects create a sculpture garden feel. To maximize the 460-square-foot space,

Erin tucked an outdoor kitchen, complete with an icebox fridge, into the back corner. She chose a fire pit with removable top, she says, “so it doubles as a coffee table. Multifunctional pieces like this are ideal for small spaces.”

“What could be better than a second living room that’s perched on top of your house?”

SET A HIGH BAR

PHOTOGRAPHY: Lauren Miller | DESIGN: Studio HA/WA | STYLISTS: Me&Mo

COMPOSITE DECKING, Timber Tech  BAR WITH STORAGE, COFFEE TABLE, Studio HA/WA (design); RDG Millwork (fabrication) | FIBERSTONE PLANTERS, Fresh Home & Garden.

This teak rooftop bar with its urban views isn’t just sleek – it’s also loaded with storage. It boasts enough room for glassware, liquor, outdoor cushions and even a hidden bar fridge.

Hurray for that! No clambering up and down the stairs during parties! Can we come over?

TOP OF THE WORLD

PHOTOGRAPHY: Lauren Miller | DESIGN: Studio HA/WA | STYLISTS: Me&Mo

Tribu ARMCHAIRS, SOFA, POUFS, LANTERNS and SIDE TABLE, Avenue Road.

The rooftop deck, set against the captivating city skyline, is the place to be for fireworks watching and cocktail sipping. “Even though we had only 325 square feet to work with, we kept the emphasis on comfort,” says Erin. The generous chairs and sofa are drawn up to an expansive teak table, and sculptural leather poufs are easy for guests to move around. Metal side tables are weather friendly.