Gardens come in all shapes and sizes but it’s certainly not uncommon to have a much smaller outdoor space. This is especially true in urban areas where houses are often built very close together so the garden can be somewhat lacking.

But as they say, good things come in small packages so if you’ve got a smaller garden, that doesn’t mean that you can’t make the most of it and enjoy some wonderful al fresco social times.

Choosing the best garden furniture for small gardens doesn’t need to be difficult and, in this guide, we’ll be giving you some handy tips to make the most of your space.

Whether you’ve got a pocket-sized garden, a balcony or a compact patio, you’ll soon be spending more time there than you ever thought possible.

Choosing garden furniture for small gardens

The type of garden furniture you choose for a small patio, balcony or other outdoor space will largely depend on how you wish to use the area.

For example, if you’re keen on getting family and friends together for a BBQ, then you’ll naturally want to include dining furniture. On the other hand, if you’re looking to kick back and soak up the sun then loungers are the obvious option.

The key is to choose furniture that will easily fit into the space. It goes without saying that you won’t be able to lay out a ten-seater dining table and chairs so you need to think outside the box. But we will look more at size later on.

Planning the garden furniture you need

Before you start shopping, it’s a good idea to plan everything out. The last thing you want is to end up with furniture that doesn’t fit or won’t suit your needs.

It’s as simple as taking a look at the area, deciding what you want to achieve and listing out exactly what furniture items you’ll require and of course the budget you have. This might include dining sets, side tables, outdoor sofas, reclining seats, benches and much more. Choose what works best for you.

Tips on choosing the right furniture for your small garden

Plan your seating area

Earlier, we talked about the importance of planning what furniture you’ll buy according to how you’ll use the outdoor area. If you’ve chosen a lot of seating, it’s imperative that you plan, plan, plan before spending a penny.

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Whether you’re choosing sun loungers, a dining set or a compact outdoor corner sofa, you’ll need to know where everything is going to go. Take some time to take measurements and ensure that you know what you buy will fit as well as leaving enough space to move around.

Folding furniture

Also think about whether you’ll need to adapt your seating area at any point. For example, if you occasionally have outdoor dinner guests over but spend more time sitting in a deck chair reading and sipping a soothing cup of tea, you won’t necessarily need a dining table and chairs taking up what is already a tight space.

In this case, you might consider garden furniture that folds and can be stored until it is needed. Just make sure that you’ve got somewhere to put it away in between uses and you’re good to go.

Smaller sets

If it’s just you and your significant other than a compact bistro set is perfect for a balcony or small courtyard. These are widely available and usually come with a small table and two chairs. They’re great for morning coffee or a glass of wine on a summer’s evening.

Many will also fold away for easy storage which is great news in winter as it means you won’t have to worry about leaving it exposed to the elements.

Consider storage furniture

If you’ve got a small garden then the chances are that you won’t be able to fit in a shed or other storage. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get a little more creative.

There are a plethora of garden benches and seats that lift up to reveal a handy storage space. You can use this for blankets, cushions, BBQ utensils, plant care items and much more. Just be sure to choose something waterproof so that your belongings are kept safe and dry.

Easy maintenance

This tip doesn’t only apply to small gardens but outdoor furniture in general. The last thing you want is furniture that’s difficult to care for so check out whether it requires any additional care.

Wooden furniture is incredibly durable and looks amazing but it will need to be regularly treated and stained to keep it looking its best. On the other hand, something like plastic is brilliantly easy to maintain but doesn’t have the same aesthetic appeal. Consider what’s most important to you before buying.

Adding a little flair

Making your compact outdoor space into something that you can really enjoy requires much more than just installing patio furniture. It’s important to add some colour and greenery for a more personal touch.

Plants are an excellent way to do this as they’re natural, beautiful and you have so many choices. Climbing plants are fantastic as you can install a trellis on a fence or wall and have that pop of greenery without taking up precious floor space.

If you can, adding small potted plants or even large plants likes hydrangeas alongside the edges of a seating area can add some real personality. Go for low maintenance plants that don’t require a lot of tools to look after, as storage space might be limited.

Choosing native plants and ensuring proper placement is the best way to make sure they remain low maintenance.

Of course, no matter which garden furniture you choose, on our website you can find all the plants, shrubs and ornamental trees you need to make the perfect outdoor space.

Garden furniture for small gardens

Just because you have a small garden it doesn’t mean that you can’t get a good amount of use out of it. It’s about choosing the right furniture and being realistic about what you can fit in.

Fortunately, there are some amazing options including smaller garden sets and those that fold. Perhaps you’ll consider furniture with storage to kill two birds with one stone. But whatever you decide, don’t forget to liven the space up with a wonderful planting scheme to show off all that new furniture.