Real Weddings: Cliona and Stephen’s fairytale French Chateau wedding
Real Weddings: Cliona and Stephen’s fairytale French Chateau wedding

Shayna Sappington

This free Christmas event is the perfect outing for the whole family
This free Christmas event is the perfect outing for the whole family

IMAGE

Page Turners: ‘Charlotte’ author Martina Devlin
Page Turners: ‘Charlotte’ author Martina Devlin

Sarah Gill

Somewhat festive films that are totally acceptable to watch in November
Somewhat festive films that are totally acceptable to watch in November

Lauren Heskin

Rachel Hennessy: A week in my wardrobe
Rachel Hennessy: A week in my wardrobe

Sarah Finnan

The Christmas party venues team IMAGE are booking this year
The Christmas party venues team IMAGE are booking this year

Sarah Gill

Social Pictures: Tanqueray No.TEN’s Christmas cocktail party
Social Pictures: Tanqueray No.TEN’s Christmas cocktail party

IMAGE

Is Ireland on the cusp of a childcare revolution?
Is Ireland on the cusp of a childcare revolution?

Dominique McMullan

Did you know that our hormone health affects our sleep cycle?
Did you know that our hormone health affects our sleep cycle?

IMAGE

WIN an at-home fertility testing kit and a Brown Thomas voucher worth €250
WIN an at-home fertility testing kit and a Brown Thomas voucher worth €250

IMAGE

Image / Living / Interiors

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.

Tables 

small space outdoor furniture
Maven

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.

Dining chair

small space outdoor furniture
April and the Bear

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.