The best outdoor furniture for even the smallest spaces

By Megan Burns
02nd Apr 2021

The best outdoor furniture for even the smallest spaces

House Doctor

A tiny patio or a bijou balcony can become a relaxing outdoor space once you find the right furniture.

Now that we’ve enjoyed our first few sunny days of the year, our thoughts have naturally turned to how we can make the most of our outdoor spaces, no matter how small they may be.

Having a place where you can sit outside when the sun is shining, reading a book or enjoying a cup of coffee, or maybe even a glass of wine as the sun goes down, definitely makes life a little brighter at the moment.

If your space is on the small side, especially a narrow balcony or patio, it can be tricky to find outdoor furniture that fits. And while a full dining table or outdoor sofa may be out of the question, there are plenty of ways you can turn your space into a comfortable retreat.

We’ve found some gorgeous garden furniture that will work for smaller spaces, without compromising on style.

Lounge chairs

small space outdoor furniture — Lost Weekend

If you’re tight on space, you’re probably going to have to choose just one type of seating for your outdoor area. If you don’t have space for a table, or maybe you don’t like eating outside anyway (does anyone else’s hair always blow into their mouth?), why not go for a lounge chair?

Perfect for relaxing, reading and just taking some time to soak up the sun, some lounge chairs are quite bulky, so look for something with an upright silhouette for a more compact design.

Desert Lounge Chair, €265, Lost Weekend

Peacock lounge chair, €1,275, Finnish Design Shop

Äpplarö outdoor armchair, €80, Ikea

Darkwood garden chair, €166, The Blue Door

Tables

You might not have space for a large dining table, but there are plenty of neater alternatives that mean you still have something to rest a glass, a plate or a magazine on.

From clever balcony-friendly designs to multi-level side tables that can fit a surprising amount of things, there’s something to suit your space.

Level Side Table, £179.10, Maven

Capri Garden Side Table, €129, M&S

Balcony table, €60, Meadows & Byrne

Ozevan square metal folding table, €120.99, La Redoute

Dining chair

If you prefer a more upright chair, you have plenty of choice as most dining chairs are around the same dimensions.

However, to make them more small-space friendly, look for a design that stacks or folds when not in use, or something that you’d be happy to use inside as well as out, so you don’t need to store it away in the colder months.