Outdoor Furniture That Works in a Small Urban Garden
If your garden is on the small size, make the right outdoor furniture choices to suit your space
When you live in an urban setting, chances are your garden won’t be large. Designing a small urban garden can have its challenges, but there are ways to maximise space, comfort, practicality and a feeling of openness. Think carefully about the main purpose of your outdoor area and how you like to use it, choosing the type of furniture to suit the purpose. Consider the best finishes, materials and colours to enhance the feeling of space while still reflecting the style and personality of your home. Lastly, utilise tips and tricks to maximise space, functionality and storage. Whatever your style, there are options here to suit your small urban garden and ensure it’s as inviting and well-utilised as possible, year round.
FIT THE PURPOSE
Eating and entertaining
If your outdoor space is predominantly used for eating meals and entertaining, and you only have enough room for one setting, choose a dining table with comfortable chairs. That way you can eat and drink, but still relax comfortably. Make sure your chairs have backs and arms – synthetic wicker or chairs with cushions are comfortable choices.
Vela chair: Space Furniture
Eating and entertaining
If your outdoor space is predominantly used for eating meals and entertaining, and you only have enough room for one setting, choose a dining table with comfortable chairs. That way you can eat and drink, but still relax comfortably. Make sure your chairs have backs and arms – synthetic wicker or chairs with cushions are comfortable choices.
Vela chair: Space Furniture
Lounging and relaxing
Most of this small outdoor area is taken up with a double day bed – perfect if just one person or a couple live here. The ultimate in luxury and glamour, a double day bed will provide hours of relaxation.
Most of this small outdoor area is taken up with a double day bed – perfect if just one person or a couple live here. The ultimate in luxury and glamour, a double day bed will provide hours of relaxation.
Children and pet play
If you have children or pets, less is more when it comes to outdoor furniture to allow room for playing. Beanbags are great for adults, kids and pets alike – the ultimate in comfort and practicality. They come in outdoor fabric in a range of colours and are a brilliant way to introduce a pop of bright colour to an otherwise brown and green space.
If you have children or pets, less is more when it comes to outdoor furniture to allow room for playing. Beanbags are great for adults, kids and pets alike – the ultimate in comfort and practicality. They come in outdoor fabric in a range of colours and are a brilliant way to introduce a pop of bright colour to an otherwise brown and green space.
MATERIALS AND COLOURS
With a small space, stick to a limited number of materials, colours and finishes to ensure a cohesive look and prevent the area from looking too busy – no more than two or three.
White
White isn’t a practical choice if you have children or pets, but looks incredible, especially when teamed with a pop of colour like the orange here. Just make sure the fabric is wipeable and machine washable.
With a small space, stick to a limited number of materials, colours and finishes to ensure a cohesive look and prevent the area from looking too busy – no more than two or three.
White
White isn’t a practical choice if you have children or pets, but looks incredible, especially when teamed with a pop of colour like the orange here. Just make sure the fabric is wipeable and machine washable.
Black
An alternative to white, black is an elegant and sophisticated choice, plus it doesn’t show dirt or grease. Just make sure the area receives plenty of natural light.
An alternative to white, black is an elegant and sophisticated choice, plus it doesn’t show dirt or grease. Just make sure the area receives plenty of natural light.
Wood
If you have a wood deck, choose wood furniture to blend in seamlessly. Wood is classic, never dates and is suited to a less formal area. However, exposure to weather does mean it may fade and change colour (usually to grey). Periodically sealing, oiling or staining the wood will prevent this.
If you have a wood deck, choose wood furniture to blend in seamlessly. Wood is classic, never dates and is suited to a less formal area. However, exposure to weather does mean it may fade and change colour (usually to grey). Periodically sealing, oiling or staining the wood will prevent this.
Synthetic wicker
This is a great choice if you have a small area that is exposed to the elements or around a pool. Providing all-round comfort and style, it’s made from polyethylene so is durable, long-lasting, and UV- and water-resistant.
This is a great choice if you have a small area that is exposed to the elements or around a pool. Providing all-round comfort and style, it’s made from polyethylene so is durable, long-lasting, and UV- and water-resistant.
Concrete
A stunning, contemporary choice, concrete is solid and virtually indestructible, but it’s heavy and difficult to move – once placed, it stays! A hanging chair like this is great in a tight space, perfect for small courtyards and balconies.
A stunning, contemporary choice, concrete is solid and virtually indestructible, but it’s heavy and difficult to move – once placed, it stays! A hanging chair like this is great in a tight space, perfect for small courtyards and balconies.
SPACE-SAVING OPTIONS
Built-in bench seating
Built-in seating around the perimeter of a garden or courtyard is the perfect option if space is limited, and looks clean and streamlined. If possible, add storage underneath for extra cushions, candles etc. If you are adding a foam cushion, make sure you take this into consideration when measuring the height of the seat – a total height of 43-48cm is usually recommended.
Built-in bench seating
Built-in seating around the perimeter of a garden or courtyard is the perfect option if space is limited, and looks clean and streamlined. If possible, add storage underneath for extra cushions, candles etc. If you are adding a foam cushion, make sure you take this into consideration when measuring the height of the seat – a total height of 43-48cm is usually recommended.
Dining benches
These look sleek and don’t interrupt sight lines in a small garden. They’re also an efficient way to fit more people around a table, but you might want to consider chairs with backs for the ends of the table.
These look sleek and don’t interrupt sight lines in a small garden. They’re also an efficient way to fit more people around a table, but you might want to consider chairs with backs for the ends of the table.
Seating nook
If space is too tight for a sofa or dining table, opt for a couple of comfortable chairs and coffee table instead.
Barwon chair: Eco Outdoor
If space is too tight for a sofa or dining table, opt for a couple of comfortable chairs and coffee table instead.
Barwon chair: Eco Outdoor
Folding chairs
These are perfect in a small space as you can bring them out when visitors come over or fold them away for a ball game. There are a range of styles to choose from to reflect the personality and style of your home. The lightweight and folding Butterfly Chair seen here is an iconic design and became popular in the 1950s and ‘60s. It’s now available in outdoor fabric in a range of colours.
Butterfly chair: Muumuu Design
These are perfect in a small space as you can bring them out when visitors come over or fold them away for a ball game. There are a range of styles to choose from to reflect the personality and style of your home. The lightweight and folding Butterfly Chair seen here is an iconic design and became popular in the 1950s and ‘60s. It’s now available in outdoor fabric in a range of colours.
Butterfly chair: Muumuu Design
Deck chairs
A simple and classic style, deck chairs suit a casual, beachy vibe and are not only practical but budget-friendly too.
A simple and classic style, deck chairs suit a casual, beachy vibe and are not only practical but budget-friendly too.
Stools
These are cute and quirky and provide great flexibility in a small setting. Make sure you choose lightweight ones so they can be easily moved around.
These are cute and quirky and provide great flexibility in a small setting. Make sure you choose lightweight ones so they can be easily moved around.
Accessories
Don’t forget accessories – even the smallest outdoor area has room for items such as cushions, rugs, plants and candles that will make the space feel more homely and inviting.
MORE
11 Ways to Max the Benefits of Small Outdoor Space
10 Big Ideas for Small Urban Balconies
10 Ways to Make Your Small Garden Feel Bigger
Don’t forget accessories – even the smallest outdoor area has room for items such as cushions, rugs, plants and candles that will make the space feel more homely and inviting.
MORE
11 Ways to Max the Benefits of Small Outdoor Space
10 Big Ideas for Small Urban Balconies
10 Ways to Make Your Small Garden Feel Bigger
This garden has a relatively small footprint, but manages to fit in a pool as well as myriad outdoor furniture options to suit different activities – a dining table and chairs for eating, sofa, chairs and a chaise for lounging. There are even bar stools for chatting or eating at the outdoor kitchen bench. If your space is more limited, consider the purpose of your space and the activities that are most important to you.