Small on Space, Big on Style

Your outside space might be a tiny balcony, back yard or compact patio, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be comfortable, stylish and the talk of the street

It’s out with the free-standing fire pit and plastic patio furniture, and in with the tabletop firepit and furniture good enough to use indoors.

With outdoor trends changing every spring just like interiors, the garden, patio and balcony have become extensions of our homes since lockdown, and we’re continuing to invest in style and comfort, just as we would in our living rooms.

Year of the Day Bed - recline and relax

Chilled prosecco, anyone? Jetting in this summer all the way from the poolside of your Mykonos or Ibiza beach club is the daybed, giving comfort and a touch of luxury in smaller spaces where a three-piece outdoor sofa and chair set hasn’t a hope of fitting in.

Imagine throwing your towel on a sun lounger right now under a parasol and imagining it’s your favourite holiday hot spot.

The Diablo outdoor cream sun lounger is ideal for a narrow patio or long balcony and can transit indoors to hibernate in a sunroom for winter (€499). If you think you might be able to fit in two, get your tape measure out as the Hampton sun lounger duo (€849) has a more streamlined profile with a cute little side table to land your sunnies and a cold beer.

Take it all a step further and define the space with decking or tiling and imagine you’re on Mexico’s Riviera Maya.

Hampton Sunlounger Set

Full Swing

Think vertically in small spaces and inject some fun in the process. Swings are not only for the kiddies; grown-ups can have a cushion-filled reading nook with the Hampton hanging wicker egg chair (€399).

Where you want to enjoy al fresco meals and lounging afterwards but can’t fit in both dining and arm chairs, a pair of Oxford beige rattan chairs (€249 each) and the Celine grey wicker pair with a bistro table meet the dual brief with a certain old world charm. You might find Matt Damon’s Tom Ripley lounging in one of these sipping martinis with Gwynneth Paltrow’s Marge, or a couple of them blending in with the modern classic look of the Marbella Club.

Hampton Hanging Wicker Egg Chair

Space Planning

Determined to fit a sofa and chairs in your compact space? Just like small indoor spaces, you’ll have to forego the multi-seater sofa and compromise with a two-seater outdoor version but you don’t have to compromise on style.

If you combine it with two matching armchairs, there’s a comfortable supportive seat for four people which is quite a coup in a little back yard. One to watch out for is the Viva conversation garden set with two bonus coffee tables (€1,499) and green cushions to blend seamlessly into a garden or pop against a whitewashed wall in a Victorian city centre artisan cottage. Balcony owners who want Viva’s style and comfort but cannot stretch their space to fit a sofa, can opt for the chair duo and bistro table version (€499).

Celine Grey Wicker Bistro Set

The Outdoor Console Table

Yes, it really is a thing this season. Meghan Markle had one in her With Love, Meghan Netflix series, styled in a vintage theme with objét d’art and terracotta vessels. When friends come over and there isn’t a rain cloud in the sky, get added value from your indoor console and move it outdoors for the day, where it can simply be decorative or double up as a cocktail bar.

The District console (€129) is a lightweight option, streamlined and compact for a smIaller home and scant outdoor space. For something super-casual with a touch of industrial design, the Eden sheesham wood console (€199) comes on wheels for easy moving outdoors and in again.

District Console Table

Finishing Touches

Accessories are just as crucial in your outdoor living space as indoors. A few LED pillar candles (€34) give the natural flame effect, undeterred by evening breezes.k.

Bring added comfort with an outdoor rug. It will also help to define your al fresco living space and pull your furniture together. Cluster up a few of your garden terracotta pots on the perimeter of your outdoor living space, or bring some of your indoor plant pots out to the balcony on sunny days. The contemporary Cal two-piece set brings height to your styling project (€59). The Aza bronze set of three pots (€99) brings a touch of high sheen metallic glamour, but don’t forget to bring them in when guests are gone as you don’t want the weather ruining their high sheen surfaces.

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Mock it Up

We’ve all been seduced by a gorgeous space on social media and rushed into trying to get the look only to miss the mark. Mood boarding is just as useful a way of planning your outdoor space as indoors and makes sense of product samples you’ve picked up, cuttings from magazines or online downloads, and colour swatches you’ve collected. Laying them all out and having a play around can be the difference between achieving the look you want and having something that’s not quite achieving your vision.

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