Best Small Space Patio Furniture

Kristen Dwyer

May 7, 2018

Hi all! Today's post is all about the best small space patio furniture. This warmer weather has me thinking about summer, which inevitably leads to wanting to revamp our patio/terrace/balcony. I am truly blessed in that I live in an apartment with an outdoor terrace, in Manhattan no less!

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Hi all! Today’s post is all about the best small space patio furniture. This warmer weather has me thinking about summer, which inevitably leads to wanting to revamp our patio/terrace/balcony. I am truly blessed in that I live in an apartment with an outdoor terrace, in Manhattan no less! It’s magical. Even more of a blessing is that the terrace overlooks all the gardens on my block. There is even a gorgeous cherry blossom tree two brownstones down!

I’ve reconfigured the furniture and plants in my space about a million times, so I know my way around small space furniture and the needs of an amazing outdoor space. So today, I am going to share with you the best small space patio furniture for people like me, who have an outdoor space that’s small, but still want it to be livable and vibrant! If living in NYC has taught me anything, it’s to really maximize the space I have and turn it into something design worthy. So, if you live in an urban area, an apartment, or just don’t have a large backyard, this post is for you, friend. Small space owners unite!

The first thing you need to know about designing for small spaces is that you must have a strategy.

What do I mean by that? Because we are working with a small space, you need a game plan. Small spaces are more sensitive to things being “just so”, and therefore you need to be extra mindful of what you bring into the space and where it goes. You can’t be all willy nilly and chuck things at the space. There are 3 things to consider, and I wrote about them here. Just like in meditation, mindfulness is key. So, namaste, outdoor warrior.

One thing I will say that you need to consider is what will you use this space for? Will you be entertaining? Will you be reading a book after work? Will you be grilling? Will you use it as a functioning garden area? This will determine how much space you need to allot for seating and decor. For example, on my own patio, I have a bistro table and 2 chairs. But, my fiance and I are never out there at the same time and I use the space to read and relax for hours in the evenings, mornings, and some weekend afternoons. Our metal bistro chairs aren’t comfy for lounging, but they would be fine for an hour meal. So, I will be getting a love seat or oversized chair. So, consider your needs and then fill your space with what you will actually use. Not every outdoor space needs furniture, even! You can have floor cushions and rugs and have this incredible bohemian paradise surrounded by plants and textiles. The world is your oyster. And by world, I mean the 8×8 tiny space you have. But still, go to town!

Ok, so now that you know the rules, because you definitely read my previous post that I linked to above, we can move on to the best small space patio furniture. I have them divided into 3 categories: sets, love seats + oversized chairs, and a la carte. You might not think you can have a love seat in a small space, and boy are you wrong! A love seat might even be a better option than 2 chairs because it’s cozier and takes up less space. It also looks great to the eye because if its minimalism. Also, if it’s just you sitting out there, you deserve a comfy chair that isn’t the smallest thing ever. You need room to lounge, too.