27 ideas for turning your small outdoor space into a private oasis
Photo by Efraimstochter via Pixabay
If you live in the city, you probably don’t have acres of yard or a sprawling patio (if you have access to any private outdoor space at all, you’re in a fortunate minority). Choose furniture, gadgets, and decor items that work in your space, and you’ll find yourself with an outdoor living paradise.
All of these products have been hand-selected by Team 6sqft. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these affiliate links. All prices reflect those at the time of publishing.
Arrange the space
Create a coffee nook or a conversation corner; everything doesn’t have to match, that’s the beauty of outdoor living.
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This modern outdoor furniture line by Scandi favorite Hay was modeled after classic park benches. The grass-green color and crisp good looks make this compact cafe set a design anchor in any space. Hay Palissade cafe set, $930 at Design Within Reach |
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This retro five-piece set is perfect for any size space, as it expands or shrinks depending on which pieces you use, and minimal lines keep it from taking up too much visual space. Mix, match and bring out more when guests arrive. Corrigan Studio 5 piece Acapulco patio set, $253 at Wayfair |
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This Hay take on the classic park bench is both a stylish statement piece and a place to sit and contemplate. Hay Palissade bench, $420.75 at Design Within Reach |
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This little folding bistro set is just right for tea for two–or coffee for one. Hashtag Home Upside Round two-person bistro set, $143.99 at Wayfair |
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Swing and sway without taking up a lot of floor space. Bombay porch swing with stand, $890 at AllModern |
Efficiency is key
Make your space work with portable, foldable, stackable items and gear that does double duty.
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This convenient side table also keeps your drinks on ice. Keter Pacific cooler/patio side table, $89.99 at Amazon |
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These sunny chairs are stackable, so you can keep a few spares around without using up too much space. Martinson patio dining chair (set of 2), $274 at AllModern |
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This compact, wooden-deck-safe fire pit can hold refreshments and light up your space at the same time. Latitude concrete outdoor fire pit table with lid, $670 at Wayfair |
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Bring your chill-out gear with you wherever you go. Hammock Sky Brazilian double hammock,$44.97 at Amazon |
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This rolling bar cart will go where you want it to–and it looks just as good indoors so you don’t have to stash it for the winter. Terrace bar cart, $260 at AllModern |
Perfect, but make it tiny
The tools you need, in small-space sizes.
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Anyone can have a BBQ. Why not have a pizza party with some help from this tiny, mighty outdoor pizza oven. ROCCBOX Gozney portable outdoor pizza oven, $499 at Amazon |
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This compact portable gas grill makes the backyard barbecue possible–without the backyard. Cuisinart Grillster 1-burner propane portable gas grill, $119 at Wayfair |
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If you’re team charcoal, this foldable, portable option is for you. Outsunny 13-inch folding portable charcoal BBQ grill, $48.99 at Wayfair |
Get smart with storage
Keep gardening and entertaining gear close by and out of sight in ways that add to the space. A storage bench or a colorful set of drawers does its job and looks good doing it.
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This baking rack works as an outdoor plant rack, but you can keep anything organized, from tools to barware or sports gear. Meraz solid wood outdoor baker’s rack with wooden shelves, $74.99 at Wayfair |
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This bench gives you plenty of room to store clutter out of the way. Kalki solid wood flip top storage bench, $249.99 at Wayfair |
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The mod interior classic Componibili is just as good as an outdoor design and storage statement, in an endless range of colors and configurations. Kartell Componibili drawers, $160 at Amazon |
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This bench adds a pop of color–and a lot of storage–to your porch, patio or garden. Nice aluminum planter bench, orange, $570 at Wayfair |
Go vertical with your garden
Vertical gardens are like art for the outdoors. Maximize people-space by putting plants on walls, railings and fences.
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Stack these flexible wall planters up and fill them with hangers and creepers for a DIY living wall. Dalya plastic wall planter (set of 4), $156 at Wayfair |
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Art meets nature in this sculptural wall planter. Kaiser metal wall planter, $26 at AllModern |
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If you can’t commit to watering your vertical garden, opt for faux! Artificial boxwood panels, 8-pack, $100 at Amazon |
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This pretty planter doesn’t take up much floor, wall, or shelf space, but it adds design impact and room for growing. Story planter, $335.75 at Design Within Reach |
Decorate, illuminate, elevate
Don’t overlook decor like lighting, rugs, art, and plants for your outdoor space.
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Bring some art into your space with this concrete abstract end table, which is also rated for outdoor use, available in dark gray, black, and ivory. Avoriaz 17.7” Tall concrete abstract end table, $256, All Modern |
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This cool, glowing orb recharges via USB; you can take it with you, indoors or out. Carrie portable LED lantern, $245 at Design Within Reach |
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This USB-powered LED lamp turns any space into a warm, welcoming room. PC portable lamp, $84.15 at Design Within Reach |
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Rugs add a unique decorative element to a patio, deck, or porch of any size. Mina geometric flatweave indoor/outdoor area rug, $163 at Wayfair |
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These tiny string lights are easy to weave into anything for an instant festive vibe; because they work on batteries, there’s no need to search for an outlet. Waterproof, battery-operated fairy lights, $15.00 at Amazon |
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You didn’t know you needed a Zen fountain in your life, did you? Ceramic LED lighted fountain, $290 at Wayfair |
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