As soon as the weather turns from winter to spring, everyone finds themselves dreaming of their perfect, peaceful outdoor space. The problem? Not everyone has the space to set up a big table, umbrella, or swing on their small patio.
Family homes tend to be getting smaller, and living small is much more common than it was ten years ago. When the square footage in your house shrinks, so does the amount of outdoor space you have. But fear not: you can still create a peaceful outdoor space on your small patio, and I’ve got a few ideas to help you do it.
Think small when choosing patio furniture
There are a few types of patio furniture you can choose when you’re setting up a small patio, but I’m a real fan of the bar-style table set. This Outsunny 7 piece rattan wicker table set has space to spare because it goes high instead of wide, and because it comes with 6 bar stools, you’ll have room for friends. When you’re headed back inside you can just slide the stools underneath the table for easy storage.
If you only need seating for two, there’s the Outsunny 3 piece bistro set. It has an antique look, is made from rust-free cast aluminum, and even has a spot for a small umbrella.
Save floor space by hanging your chairs
I have a big back yard and a large porch now, but I used to have a 10 x 10 patio. After I put my BBQ on it I didn’t have much room left for anything else.
When you don’t have floor space, look to your beams and hang a hammock chair like the Outsunny Portable Swing Chair. I have one exactly like this and it’s easy to hang, looks great, and kids love it. It’s the perfect place to swing and read, and the footrest gives you a spot to put your feet instead of letting them dangle.
A tiny garden right on your small patio
You can have a tiny garden on a small patio when you add planter boxes. A planter box like the Outsunny Raised Garden Box gives you the space to plant a small crop of vegetables, but you’ll also have space to add another garden box underneath. For a low planter box I love the Grapevine Urban Garden Planter in rustic pine wood. It’s 37″ x 12.6″ x 15.35″ so it’s perfect for a small patio.
Lighting is the key to a peaceful outdoor space
If you live in a townhouse or condo you probably can’t have a fire-pit on your patio, but you can still use light to create the feeling of a cozy fire.
I love the Philips Hue Go wireless lamp as a way to create the perfect lighting on any patio. It’s tiny so it doesn’t take up a lot of space, and you can have fun with the light, changing the colours to suit your mood, with a few taps on your smartphone. There are also additional apps that work with Philips Hue and you can even sync your lights to music or a movie you’re playing on your tablet.
If you’re dreaming about your small patio and the perfect, peaceful outdoor space, I hope these ideas help you to set it up. If you’re interested in a larger backyard makeover, check out my post on weekend backyard patio makeovers, and for more patio furniture and outdoor living, take a look everything online at Bestbuy.ca.
Main image: http://www.hgtv.com
