Having a small outdoor patio doesn’t mean you have to forego sitting outside to watch a fine spring rain, curled up with a good book and a hot beverage. Even within a small space, you can create a covered haven that will allow you to enjoy the outdoors from your porch, even though it isn’t large.
Of course, working with a small space does make it more difficult to choose the right patio furniture. Each piece must be chosen carefully for both functionality and style. As with any small space, each piece of outdoor furniture should serve more than one purpose.
Here are some more tips for choosing the right small space patio furniture.
Skip the outdoor furniture sets.
Those small patio furniture sets can be very tempting, especially when displayed so artfully in both brick-and-mortar stores and online shops. But if you’re reading this article you probably don’t have room for them. You need at least three to four square feet per chair to give room for sliding in and out from the table, in addition to the square footage of the table itself.
Sometimes you can buy the smaller pieces individually, like outdoor end tables and slim-line chairs. But it may not be budget-friendly to do so. Often individual pieces of outdoor furniture sets can cost much more alone. You’re better off looking for inexpensive outdoor furniture specifically designed for small spaces.
Don’t go to your local outdoor furniture store.
You’re going to get much better deals, and more variety, by shopping online. Brick-and-mortar stores often have much higher overhead than online operations, and as such they charge more for their outdoor small space patio furniture. Small outdoor furniture is also less popular, which means a lot of local stores might not have many options. Most online furniture stores offer free shipping as well.
Measure your space, and read product descriptions carefully.
When working with a small area, it is very easy to overestimate the amount of actual space you have to work with. Don’t eyeball it; get out the measuring tape. Then, carefully check and calculate the dimensions of the furniture to ensure it will fit. Remember to allow for room for people to move and be seated at the chairs.
Download a free home decor app.
Most home decor apps are free to download and use, even if on a temporary basis. Since you’re only working on one space, having a free trial works fine. These apps allow you to input the dimensions of your space and the small space patio furniture so you can be sure everything will fit. This way you can play with different ideas and arrangements until you find the perfect solution.
Keep an eye out for outdoor furniture sales.
There are always deals to be found online for cheap outdoor furniture. You can find the best deals during off-seasons, such as in the late fall, winter, or early spring. Once the weather turns warm, local sales will disappear. Online furniture stores offer many more promotions year round.
Of course, you also want to keep in mind the same factors as any outdoor furniture: local weather, if your outdoor patio is covered, and how much time you’ll be spending in the space. When you are finished, you’ll have the perfect place to relax.
