With most of us spending more time at home and in our gardens, our outside spaces have become our sanctuaries. Whether working, entertaining friends or having a well-deserved cup of tea (or G&T), having a functional and beautiful outdoor space is on everyone’s wish list.
If you have a small patio area or a courtyard garden, you’ll want to choose furniture that maximises the space you have, without making it feel cramped or cluttered. Luckily, there are many ways you can add functional furniture to your garden without compromising on style. Read on to discover our practical and stylish garden furniture ideas for a small patio.
Image courtesy of Yvonne Purcell @sixat21
How to choose furniture for a small space
Available in a range of weather-proof materials, garden furniture is no longer just for the summer months. By choosing the right furniture, you can extend your al-fresco time throughout the year. Think of how you’ll be using your patio, will it be mainly for entertaining, relaxing or eating outside? A really simple idea to see what you can fit into your space is to mock up the furniture using bits of cardboard and move them around to see how they will fit together.
Patio furniture ideas
Here are some innovative, space-saving furniture ideas for compact patio spaces:
Bistro sets
1. Soriano Compact Bistro Set, Made
Soriano Compact Bistro Set, Made
Absolutely perfect for small patios and balconies, bistro sets usually consist of a table and 2 chairs. Small and easy to fit into a corner or the middle of a patio, bistro sets are a small garden essential. Usually lightweight, they’re easy to move around and can be neatly stored away when not needed. We love this ultra stylish bistro set from Made, it’s available in a range of attractive colours too.
2. Fiji Bistro Set, Garden Furniture Centre
Fiji Bistro Set, Garden Furniture Centre
With a more luxurious take on the bistro set, this synthetic rattan set has been made to look just like the real thing. With comfortable seat cushions and a practical glass-topped table, you won’t want to move!
Folding furniture
3. Royalcraft Manhattan Folding Dining Set, First Furniture
Royalcraft Manhattan Folding Dining Set, First Furniture
Essential for small spaces, folding furniture is a great solution when you’re entertaining and don’t want the furniture to be a permanent fixture. As it just folds flat, tables and chairs can be discreetly stored away when not in use. This folding set from First Furniture is made from robust acacia, providing a beautiful and long-lasting addition to your patio area.
4. Marceline Bench, Wayfair
Marceline Bench, Wayfair
This attractive bench from Wayfair is crafted from solid wood and simply folds flat for storage. The bench is finished in a stylish, maritime, blue and white colour scheme and you can purchase matching items to brighten up your outdoor space.
5. Garden Trading Rive Droit 4 Seater Bistro Set, Leekes
Garden Trading Rive Droit 4 Seater Bistro Set, Leekes
Bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your patio with this gorgeous white metal bistro set. The table and chairs are fully foldable and lightweight, making storage a breeze.
6. Salvaged furniture
Another great option for furnishing a small patio is to think creatively, you may not be able to squeeze in that luxurious corner sofa set, but it doesn’t mean you have to compromise on comfort or style. Yvonne Purcell, artist, upcycler and salvage hunter has created a stunning haven in her garden in Ireland. Using a clever mix of salvaged furniture, lighting and soft furnishings, she’s made the most out of every inch of her space.
You don’t have to compromise style for space; Image courtesy of Yvonne Purcell @sixat21
“I’d always recommend choosing a favourite spot in the garden and placing a bench, bistro table and chairs or just a chair or sunlounger in that spot.” Yvonne explains, “if it’s old concrete you can stencil it and if there are weeds you can dig them up and lay decorative stones which are cheaper than decking, slabs or turf.
Next, add potted plants and festoon lights. A parasol would finish the whole look. You don’t need new furniture either and eclectic pieces from your home that you no longer use, painted in pretty colours would look great and brighten up any small space.”
Storage furniture
7. Edington Stool with Cushion, Wayfair
Useful storage that doubles up as furniture, Wayfair
When it comes to small spaces, it can be tricky to include furniture and storage, luckily you can combine both! These clever storage stools from Wayfair not only look great but provide room for garden tools, toys and cushions.
8. Salerno Outdoor Sofa with Storage Table, BillyOh
Salerno Outdoor Sofa with Storage Table, BillyOh
This compact seating set features a handy, roomy side storage box, ideal for holding all your garden essentials. The whole set is made from a weather-resistant weave so can be left outside all year round, although you will need to store the cushions inside. This is clever, compact seating and storage at a great price.
9. Alderley Rattan Storage Bench, Original Organics
Alderley Rattan Storage Bench, Original Organics
One of the most practical patio storage solutions, we love this roomy storage bench from Original Organics. It’s made from durable poly rattan with hardwood arms and legs and it will comfortably seat 2. Use it to store cushions, toys, garden games and more.
Compact Seating
10. Estellar Metal 4 Person Seating Group, Wayfair
Estellar Metal 4 Person Seating Group, Wayfair
Fancy an outdoor sofa set but just don’t have room? This compact option from Wayfair can be used as a comfortable seating area and pushed back against a wall when you need more space. Separate seats offer flexibility when it comes to arranging the set and make it easy to move around as needed. As the set is constructed from weatherproof rattan with washable cushion covers, you don’t need to worry about storing the furniture over winter.
11. Lyra Hanging Chair, Made
Lyra Garden Hanging Chair, Made
Hanging chairs are the perfect space-savers, taking up relatively little floor room. Offering a stylish, comfortable and practical place to sit, we think this hanging chair will rarely be empty. The chair is constructed from woven poly rattan (we know, it looks just like the real thing!) so can be left outdoors all year round or, you can bring it indoors during the colder months.
12. Forest Garden Harvington Love Seat, Keen Gardener
Forest Garden Harvington Love Seat, Keen Gardener
Ideal for smaller spaces, compact love seats offer a cosy and comfortable seating option. This attractive wooden love seat from Keen Gardener is made from FSC certified, pressure-treated sustainable timber so it will last for years to come.
13. Sacha Garden Stool, Made
Sacha Garden Stool, Made
When furnishing a small space, you definitely need to think creatively and choose pieces that are flexible. This on trend stool doubles up as a side table and is perfect for smaller areas. It’s easy to move around and can be combined with others or used alone. It’s a stylish and practical option for your patio.
Space-saving tables
14. Harriet Table and 2 Bench Set, You Garden
Harriet Table & 2 Bench Set, You Garden
Dreaming of a traditional picnic table but just can’t fit one on your patio? How about this space-saving table and bench set from You Garden. The benches aren’t fixed to the table so you can slot them underneath when not in use.
15. Space Saving 8 Seater Patio Set, Habitat
Space Saving 8 Seater Patio Set, Habitat
This clever set takes stackable garden furniture to the next level. With enough seating for 8, the whole set neatly fits together, incorporating 2 tables, 2, 2-seater chairs and 2, 2-seater benches. Impressive? We think so!
16. Edison Garden Side Table, Made
Edison Garden Side Table, Made
Add a touch of industrial style to your patio with this smart concrete and metal side table. With its clever design, it will easily slot under existing furniture, taking up minimal space, whilst providing a spacious stand for books and drinks. You can even use it as a seat.
17. Scaled-down shed
Master Tall Store, BillyOh
If you have a garden with a small patio area, this may be where you decide to house the shed. Crucial for storing pots, tools and general garden paraphernalia, you don’t have to sacrifice huge amounts of space to include this important item in your garden.
You can buy an incredible range of slimline sheds to fit all sized areas. This Master Tall Store from BillyOh is just 3×2 feet. You could add a lick of paint, festoon lights and some pretty window boxes to make it a striking feature. It’s also an ideal backdrop for a bench or bistro table.
Upstyle your shed and make it a glorious garden feature. Image courtesy of Yvonne Purcell @sixat21
With such a wide range of furniture options, there’s never been a better time to furnish your small patio. Get creative and make your small space work for you! Now, where’s that cup of tea?
You might also like 11 brilliant balcony furniture ideas.
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