The reality of city living is that if you’re lucky enough to have a “garden”, it’s more likely to be a patio or balcony that can barely fit a bike than a huge expanse of grass.
But just because an outside area is small and lifeless doesn’t mean it can’t be transformed into the perfect place to relax. Whether you use walls to add greenery, maximise outdoor dining with folding furniture or create ambience with lighting, your balcony or garden can be small but mighty with a bit of thought.
How to make the most of a small outdoor space
Spruce up the area
No one wants to relax surrounded by mossy walls and peeling paint, so give your outside space a little TLC. A pressure washer will make fast work of removing grime and dirt from patios, walls and fences. Kärcher’s K2 is a Filter favourite, earning the title of best budget option in Andy Shaw’s test of the best pressure washers. Or if it’s not something you’d use regularly, try your local library of things to see if you can rent one. My local library charges £21 a day for pressure washers.
Kärcher K 2 pressure washer
A lick of paint on walls, fences or railings will help freshen up the area. Opt for weather-resistant paint specifically made for the surface you’re painting to ensure longevity. Just remember to get your neighbour’s permission if the boundary belongs to them.
Smooth masonry paint, 10l
Cuprinol fence paint, 2.5l
Hammerite gloss metal paint, 2.5l
Bring in greenery
You can find ways to add greenery to even the smallest of spaces. If you have a balcony or any railings, then a hanging box is ideal for adding plants without taking up valuable floor space. Opt for drought-tolerant plants with a long bloom time to keep your boxes low maintenance. Mexican fleabane is a perennial that needs little water and typically has a long flowering period from May to October, making it an ideal candidate.
Balcony planters, four
Metal window box
Mexican fleabane
Or why not grow fresh herbs? They’re cheap to buy and are happy outside from late spring until early autumn. Get a set of small pots so you can grow a few varieties. Supermarket basil plants are usually lots of individual seedlings crammed together, so get the most out of them by dividing them into different pots.
Metal hanging planter set, set of three
Terracotta plant pots in wire basket, set of three
If you have a wall in your outdoor space, try vertical gardening. Whether you opt for a tall planter with a small footprint or a couple of plant pots that can be attached to the wall, it’s the perfect space-saving solution. Make sure to go for plants that flourish in plant pots, such as these perennial salvia amethyst lips that produce beautiful purple and white flowers.
Salvia amethyst lips
Eggologic planter pods
Living wall planters
Ceramic wall planter
Create some shade
If your outside space is a bit of a sun trap, then having the option of shade will maximise the time you can spend there. If space is tight, this Ikea balcony parasol is conveniently compact and flat on one side, so it can be placed squarely against a wall.
Ikea balcony parasol
Similarly, a retractable awning will make it easy to switch from sun to shade while taking up zero floor space. This one from VidaXL comes in a range of colours and jolly stripes.
VidaXL striped retractable awning, 150 x 150cm
A sunshade can be moved around to provide protection as the sun changes position, just as long as you have four points to tie it to. This one is square, but a triangular one is available if that better suits the shape of your space.
Sun shade sail, 3.6m x 3.6m
Add mood lighting
Solar-powered lights are cost effective and automatically switch on as it gets dark. Habitat’s festoon lights are perfect for wrapping around the railing of a balcony or stringing along a wall or fence in the garden, while these retractable string lights can double up as a spotlight and are also useful for camping.
Habitat solar festoon lights, set of 20
Retractable solar and USB rechargeable string lights, 100 LEDs
A rechargeable lamp is easy to pick up and plonk wherever you need, meaning it can double as an indoor and outdoor lamp (don’t leave it outside overnight). The Dusk option is stylish and compact, making it ideal for even tight spaces.
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Dusk bobbin rechargeable lamp
Easy-to-store furniture
Make the most of your space with fold-down furniture that’s easy to store when not in use. A fold-down table and chairs are spot on for alfresco dining, but can easily be moved out of the way if you fancy taking your yoga practice outside.
Folding metal garden chair
Bistro sets tend to be compact, making them ideal for balconies and smaller outside spaces. This set comes in a choice of bright colours that would really pop against neutral-toned walls and flooring.
Metal bistro set
This set comes in a neutral grey colour that would suit any space. The chairs have canvas seats and backrests, so they’re more comfortable than standard wooden or metal chairs.
Balcony bistro set
Hanging balcony tables can be suspended from rails and easily adjusted to fit securely without having to use screws (making them renter friendly). They create a space to eat, put a bottle of wine or even get some work done, and can then be folded down to make space when not in use.
Casaria wooden balcony table
Metal balcony table
Make it comfy
Fold-down garden furniture that is genuinely a joy to sit on is hard to come by, so try adding chair cushions. Just make sure they’re made for outdoor use and store them inside in the winter.
Ruffle seat pads, pack of two
Garden chair cushions with backs, pack of two
They may not be the prettiest option, but camping chairs are often more pleasant to sit on than your garden chair, and they’re easy to store. This Mountain Warehouse chair was rated the best budget option in Sian Lewis’s roundup of the best camping chairs.
Mountain Warehouse folding chair
This affordable option from Argos comes in a natty green stripe that is much more aesthetically pleasing than your standard camping chair.
Folding camping chair
Adding an outdoor rug will enhance the cosiness of the area and is a great way to bring some character. Ensure you choose one that is weather-resistant, and bonus points if it’s washable so you can easily refresh it if needed.
Bogota indoor/outdoor rug, 120 x 180cm
Hilma papaya outdoor rug, 90 x 150cm
Geometric outdoor rug, 160 x 230cm
Compact outdoor accessories
Make good use of any space with compact versions of garden accessories or multifunctional products. While barbecues aren’t safe to use on balconies, if you have a garden that’s too small for a full-size model, a portable barbecue could be the answer. This Everdure mini barbecue is well made, aesthetically pleasing and small enough to fit on a table (and in a cupboard when not in use). It comes in both charcoal and gas, with enough room to do a full barbecue for two, or just grill a few things for a larger group. Sian Lewis rated it the best portable barbecue in her test of camping stoves. “I found the Cube a doddle to set up and cook on,” she says.
Everdure by Heston Blumenthal portable barbecue
There’s nothing more atmospheric than an open flame, but if you don’t have room for a fire pit, these mini tabletop options can give a similar effect. The Mesa tabletop fire pit from Solo Stove is smokeless and can be used with wood or pellets, plus it’s compact enough to easily clean and store. Again, these aren’t safe for use on balconies.
Mesa tabletop fire pit
This Cosiscoop lantern has a sleek modern design and is powered by a mini gas canister (not included) that has six hours of burn time.
Cosiscoop portable fire pit
Hang a garden mirror
Adding a mirror to make a room look bigger is the oldest trick in the book. So why not try it in your garden? It will also increase the impact of any greenery reflected in it.
Arched outdoor wall mirror
Rectangular outdoor mirror
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