The Intentional Apartment: Furniture and Accessories For Small Outdoor Spaces

That balcony is better for more things than just stashing your 21 speed.

Now that summer is in full swing, I find that there’s nothing better than sipping a beer on the porch after a long day at work. But if you’re living in the city, outdoor space can be quite a commodity. Even if you’re lucky enough to have it, sometimes it’s difficult to find furniture that’s small enough to fit comfortably in your space. Outdoor furniture is often sold in sets, and produced to fill up large backyards – not fit onto small apartment balconies. So today I wanted to share some great options for those of us with smaller outdoor spaces… things that fold up, collapse down, or just don’t take up much space to begin with. None of these items will leave a hole in your wallet, either.

Patio furniture for small balcony

The first thing you’ll need for your deck or porch is seating. Many of these options fold up so they won’t hog your closet space when they’re not in use during the winter. They are also light enough to easily shift from place to place depending on your needs.

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Feel like building something yourself?

Our table tutorial will also work great for a balcony.
A side table next to leather chairs
The Intentional Apartment: Make an Industrial Side Table

1. Tarno Bistro Furniture Set from Ikea $49.99

The Tarno Bistro Furniture Set from Ikea has a clean look with dark steel legs. The compact table will hold a couple of beers and some burgers. It will easily tuck into the corner of a small balcony, and folds away when not in use.

2. Malaro Outdoor Furniture Set from Ikea $196.99

The Malaro Outdoor Furniture Set from Ikea is a bit larger, with room to seat four people. It will also fold up, so no need to worry about where you’ll store it during the winter months.

3. 3 Piece Patio Set from Target $62

For a more industrial look (and a pop of color) try this 3 piece patio set from Target. It is made of durable yet lightweight powder-coated steel that will stand up to the elements.

4. Zero Gravity Chair from Amazon $42.99

Planning on doing more lounging rather than eating? Then try a couple of these relaxing Zero Gravity chairs from Amazon. The comfortable armrests and padded headrest will have you asleep in two seconds flat.

Grills for apartments with small balconies or porches

Another important element of any outdoor space is a grill. It may be tempting to buy a huge, expensive monstrosity of a grill, but it just doesn’t make sense if space is limited. Why have a deck if you don’t have any room left to sit down? Here are a few compact options that are perfect for smaller patios and decks.

5. Folding Portable Charcoal Grill from Crate and Barrel $49.95

This portable grill can be taken anywhere… just fold it up and stick it in the accompanying bag. It also looks pretty cool.

6. Portable Stainless Steel Grill and Smoker from Amazon $145.94

This compact little number does double duty as both a grill and a smoker. It weighs just eight pounds and also includes a handy carrying case.

7. Handrail BBQ Grill from Connox 59.00 € (approx. $78 USD)

If you’re working with very limited space, this is probably the grill for you. Instead of taking up valuable tabletop real estate, this one attaches right to the handrail.

8. Weber Compact Grill from Target $29.99

This sturdy little grill can handle 9.4 pounds of food at one time, but it won’t take up too much surface area on your porch.

Small patio or balcony accessories

Next we have some accessories that will complete your space and lend some ambiance. Again, none of these items have a large footprint so you and your friends will have space to move around.

9. Solar Hanging Lantern from Bonanza $24.50

Lighting is crucial for any outdoor space. This solar powered lantern is both environmentally friendly and convenient – there are no cords to deal with, and no outlets needed. Most importantly, this lantern can be hung from a hook to save space.

10. Little Buddy Propane Heater from Amazon $57.99

You might want to invest in a small heater for those chilly fall nights. This tiny propane one made by Mr. Heater won’t take up much room, but it will take the edge off of those cold breezes.

11. Terminix Mosquito Repeller from Amazon $14.99

If bugs are a problem in your area, then this mosquito repeller is a must. It’s only 5 inches wide, but it will protect areas of 15×15 feet.

12. Landmann Outdoor Fireplace from Amazon $88

If you have enough open grass or patio space for a small portable fire pit or chiminea, then try this Landmann wood-burning fireplace. It has a wire mesh exterior so that the fire is visible from all angles. And it’s lightweight so it can be easily transported.

If you’re fortunate enough to have a balcony or a porch, there’s no reason to leave it empty just because it’s tiny. It’s only a matter of finding the proper furniture and accessories to maximize your space. The key is to find pieces that are small, collapsible or portable to take advantage of the area that you do have. And if you’re lucky, you might just hit a sale now that it’s August.

Faith Towers Provencher

Faith Towers is a designer and writer with a passion for all things creative. She received her art degree from Skidmore College, and her work has been featured in many well-known publications such as Forbes, Yahoo and Curbly. Visit her blog Design Fixation for more creative inspiration.