These Outdoor Furniture Sets Will Turn Even the Tiniest Balcony Into an Oasis

It may seem like you're stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to purchasing furniture for your outdoor space, especially when space is limited. But transforming a tiny balcony or patio into a mini oasis for lounging and eating is possible—with the right small space patio furniture. If you're wondering if you have enough room on your patio to outfit your space with the projected outdoor design trends for this year, we spoke to experts for tricks on how to make any size space feel luxurious.

When shopping for small spaces, Fermob's experts advise, "Look for pieces that don’t over clutter and that can be both visually appealing but also functional." If you're working with an especially small footprint, less is more: It can be as simple as shopping for a single cozy weatherproof outdoor chair!

What to Consider Before Shopping for Your Patio

Outfitting your outdoor space is about combining function (space, use, and maintenance) with your personal style, says Lindsay Foster, Frontgate’s Senior Director of Merchandising. Here are a few jumping-off points for both.

Space

First and foremost, calculate the square footage you're working with. Then, dive into what you want to achieve...

Function

What do you hope to do in your space? If entertaining is a primary goal, for instance, you may want a small set—or a few chairs that rotate, giving guests the freedom to change direction and engage with everyone. If it's solo lounging you envision, one larger chaise may do the trick. You may also want to consider how you'll store your furniture: "Find pieces that work for you," advises Jordan England, CEO, and co-founder of Industry West. "Pieces that serve more than one purpose are ideal, and chairs that stack? Our favorite."

Style

Next, it's time to consider the look. Aaron Whitney, Neighbor's Vice President of Product suggests viewing your outdoor space as an extension of the interior of your home—and following the same design rules. Do you prefer aluminum, wicker, or teak frames? From handcrafted rust-resistant aluminum and handwoven all-weather wicker to sustainable high-quality teak–there are durable performance materials to choose from. Whitney states, "Warm up the space with durable accessories like an outdoor rug or throw pillows. Textiles add color, depth, and visual interest but also diffuse light, cover hard surfaces, and make a space more livable and comfortable."

Maintenance

Since the furniture will be exposed to the elements, you also want to consider how it will hold up. "Understand your lifestyle and required maintenance," cautions England. If you're in a location with harsh elements, for example, look to super-durable materials like aluminum.

Bottom line: There are ways to make your small space less of a burden and more of a creative, low-lift project for your backyard. Bistro tables, slim bar carts, stools, and stackable options will allow for flexible entertaining in even the smallest spaces.

So now, for the shopping! With the help of our experts, we found functional, high-quality outdoor furniture that will fit into your small patio with ease. Shop the best small-space-friendly furniture that will definitely make an impact wherever you arrange it—even the small things make a major difference.