It’s that time of year again: when everyone is getting ready to whip their outdoor spaces into shape for summer. But if you’re short on space? All this talk of new decks, outdoor kitchens, and landscaping projects may seem out of reach. Even if you only have a small deck, patio, or even balcony, though, you can still entertain guests; the key is budgeting your space a little better. Smart outdoor seating sets made for smaller spaces are more compact than most outdoor furniture; many also and often have features that will help you make the most of a smaller outdoor area.
Build Up, Not Out
One of the easiest ways to reduce the footprint of your outdoor seating is to build up rather than out. Tiny bar tables aren’t just for the aesthetic; the added height makes for more comfortable sitting for people with long legs, and means you won’t have to spread out as much to get comfy. Admittedly they have a little less surface space, and usually cap out at seating two or four. Prefer to stand and mingle? A few slim bar tables (sans chairs) make nice drink holders and gathering spots for a crowd.
Mix Drinks For A Crowd
If you’re going to have a lot of people in a smaller space – especially of that mingling rather than lounging variety – it might be worthwhile to invest in an actual bar rather than just a bar table. Full outdoor bar sets have all the storage space you need to store liquor bottles, barware, and glassware. Add to that a big enough bar top to mix and serve drinks? And you’re all set, whether you’re crafting cocktails for friends or showing off your flair bartending for a crowd.
Plenty Of Surface Space On A Tiny Table
One of the biggest drawbacks to trying to entertain at a small outdoor seating set is that sizing down your table to save space means you won’t have anywhere to put your actual food or drinks. The good news is, the smallest tables tend to come with some kind of supplementary storage. Even if it’s just a small shelf underneath the main tabletop, it’ll give you a little more room to spread out and actually enjoy your time outside.
Small Surfaces Doing Double Duty
Not too concerned about finding a spot for your appetizers? Look for outdoor seating sets that have some kind of dual-functionality built into the table. The most common are ice buckets and small fire pits, right in the center of the table. You’ll be sacrificing a bit of table space, sure. But these clever alterations can transform a so-so, slightly-small outdoor seating set into a really elegant place to enjoy a drink (and maybe the sunset) with your special someone – or just whittle away the evening over a bottle of wine.
Chase Back The Chill With A Cozy Conversation Table
If you like to host small, intimate groups of people – especially if your conversations linger late into the evening? A fire pit table might be worth the investment either way. Gas, ethanol, and propane heaters are freestanding and clean burning; they create the beautiful appearance of natural flame, but without the mess or extra space commitment. Typically, the reservoir or tank is sits within the base of the table, out of sight. Want a little more flexibility with the space? Opt for a tabletop fireplace that you can set out when you need the added heat and stow when you need your full tabletop.
Seat A Big Crowd – No Matter How Small Your Space
The biggest challenge of entertaining in a small space is if you want to host a large group and be able to sit comfortably to talk and eat all together. But even this isn’t impossible with the right outdoor seating sets. Nesting outdoor seating sets are specifically designed for smaller spaces, with multiple seats and ottomans that fit perfectly under each other and underneath the table. That means you can stow them away in a compact cube, or pull them apart to seat as many as eight around a small square table. These cleverly designed sets won’t take up more space than you have on a daily basis, but easily expand to fit almost any size crowd.
Just because you don’t have a big deck, patio, or back yard doesn’t mean you can’t be the one to host summer events for your family or friends. You just need to make smart choices to get the most out of the space you have!
