Patio furniture for small areas doesn’t have to be limited to flimsy lawn chairs, mismatched tables, and humdrum accents. With just a little planning and perfect-fit patio furniture, you can maximize a minimal floor plan for comfortable outdoor living.
First, you’ll want to assess your outdoor area (terrace, patio, deck, porch, etc.) and determine how you envision using it. Are you a social butterfly who often hosts outdoor dinners and soirées, or do you prefer hanging solo and small, casual gatherings?
The next step is to identify what types of furniture you need based on how you plan to use the space most. (Versatility is key here.) A dining table and chairs can be used for sit-down meals, game nights, working from home, and crafting. Deep seating and a coffee table work best for happy hours, shared snacks, and curling up together for the Sunday morning crossword. An Adirondack set plus a small side table is great for coffee breaks, cloud gazing, and sunbathing.
Finally, measure your outdoor space and map it onto grid paper, making sure to maintain the ratios of the area in your diagram. Using the same proportions to estimate the size of your furniture, color in shapes of the outdoor furniture you want and see how it fits in your drawing, designating free space for people to maneuver through the room as well. As an example, a small space outdoor dining set will probably start at 7x7 feet to comfortably seat four people, plus at least two to three feet of clearance around the perimeter.