How to find the best outdoor furniture for your small space

The most important furniture in any outdoor space is the table. This is where you and your friends or family will gather around and eat, drink, and hang out together. Unfortunately, with a small space, your table has to be pretty small.

The Äpplarö table from IKEA is the ideal solution for hosting groups of people while still making the most out of your space. The table has two folding drop-leaves, which when fully extended can comfortably seat six. When both sides are folded down, you can easily store the table on the edge of your space so it's compact and out of the way.

The best part is that this table comes with four chairs that fold up to a basically vertical position, making them easy to stack and store when not in use.

Not only is this set compact and versatile, it's also attractive and modern-looking with a nice deep brown finish. It will look good in almost every outdoor space. There's also an option that includes seat cushions for an extra charge.

A rug isn't essential to an outdoor area, but it does make it feel more homey and put together, plus will do wonders to define the space. When selecting an outdoor rug, think about what's more important to you: style or function. Some rugs focus more on durability and qualities like being waterproof where others might not hold up to the elements as well but have a better look.

This maze cream rug is right in the sweet spot of having a cool look and maintaining structural integrity. It's made from a woven synthetic material, so it won't hurt your feet like a thick braided rug and it won't absorb water and get gross like a pile rug.

The neutral colors of this outdoor rug make it a great addition to any  seating area, and it's super easy to clean — just hose down and let it air dry. 

Don't forget about your trusty tape measure when shopping for a rug. If it's too big, well, you simply can't use it and if it's too small it's going to look weird and not have the desired effect. If you need visualizations for the dimensions of this rug (it has three options), Home Depot has a handy size guide you should check out.

When you're working with a really small outdoor space like a tiny balcony or a garden, sometimes all you can fit is a couple chairs and a compact table. This bistro set is space-saving while still maintaining a modern look.

The seats are sized well enough to lounge comfortably and the table provides space for a couple people to have a drink together and maybe snack on a cheeseboard or some chips.

This metal three-piece set is made up of a durable frame that's water, weather, UV, and rust resistant, making it ready for anything Mother Nature throws at it.

When you have a small area, multifunctional pieces of furniture are lifesavers. This wicker storage bench is the holy grail of multifunctionality. First of all, just from looks, it can double as a bench or a coffee table. But as a bonus, it also opens up for storage.

It's made from a resin wicker, which makes it durable against weather and other outdoor elements. Plus, wicker just has that classic outdoor look. The bench is a little more than 4 feet wide, so it won't take up a ton of room in your outdoor space, but still provides seating and storage.

Keep cushions, outdoor equipment and games, and other miscellaneous items that don't quite have a home stored in this bench. Your space will feel a lot less cluttered.

Keep your area nice and shady with an outdoor umbrella like this 7.5-foot option from Sunnyglade. It provides a nice covering without being too huge. You can also tilt the umbrella to block the sun or let in a little more light. 

The 7.5 feet refers to the diameter of the umbrella's shade, which casts enough of a shadow to cover a table and three to four chairs. You will need an umbrella stand, which is not included, but you can find plenty on Amazon, like this water filled base.

This umbrella comes in a few different color options, so you can match it to your other furniture and cushions. The pole also breaks down to make storage easier when you're not using the umbrella.

When you're chilling outside or hosting a gathering, you want your outdoor seating to actually be comfortable — and look good, too. This wooden bench hits those marks and it has built-in storage.

Don't fret about leaving this bench outside as it's got a weather-resistant finish. Not all outdoor furniture has to be made from plastic in order to withstand the elements. Though, it is suggested to place this bench under a covered area like a gazebo or pergola.

Unlike the bench, pillows and cushions are not meant to be weatherproof, so when not in use, you can open up the seat and store anything you don't want ruined inside. As for sizing, this bench is a little more than 4-feet wide and 2-feet deep and comfortably fits two, though you could probably squeeze three.

Having a small space doesn't mean you're barred from grilling out — you just might have to compromise on size. This charcoal grill from Cuisinart is super compact, easily fitting on a tabletop, while still providing ample enough cooking space.

The grill is about 15 inches every way you measure it and weighs only 2 lbs. It features an ash catcher, so you don't have to worry about messes. It also has latches to secure the lid on, which is great if you happen to accidentally bump into the grill or the surface it's sitting on. Your food might get a little charcoal-y, but you won't have a giant spill on the floor.

Obviously with its compact size, this charcoal grill isn't going to be feeding the masses, but it is really nice for a couple people or a small gathering.

Full-sized lounge chairs don't allow much room for other furniture if your outdoor space is small. But we get it, you still want to lay out and soak up some sun in the summertime. That's where an inflatable lounger comes in.

It's a seat that gets its shape from air — think of it like a bean bag that you can inflate. You're supposed to be able to scoop in air from the wind around you, sort of like you're running with a kite. If that doesn't fill the chair up enough, you can use a fan to get you there.

When you're done using it, just deflate all the air out and fold up the chair into its pouch for easy storage and travel. Though it might seem flimsy, this lounger is actually super durable. It's dirt and moisture repellent, made from a water resistant material, and even has pockets.

Having a fire in a confined space is tricky because you have to take safety precautions — you can't have a giant, raging fire in a tiny area. This 22-inch fire pit is a great solution to have a bonfire in a small yard or on a deck, patio, or porch.

It has a solid steel underside that keeps everything in place, while the grated lid prevents embers and debris from flying all over. You can use charcoal or firewood in this fire pit. 

The tempered steel construction and heat-resistant finish makes this fire pit durable and fit to last through the seasons. Unfortunately, the fire pit is not rust proof, so you might need to store it inside during bad weather.

If you want to get really wild with your outdoor area, get this inflatable hot tub from Intex. It's got a 77-inch diameter, which might make it a snug fit in smaller spaces, but if you've got a little extra room and love a good soak, it's worth the squeeze.

The great thing about an inflatable hot tub is that it doesn't have to permanently take up space because you can deflate and store it when you want room for other stuff. You can only fit up to four people comfortably in this hot tub, but you probably weren't expecting to host a big crowd in your space anyway.

You won't get all the bells and whistles of a regular hot tub, but this inflatable tub does heat up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, has 140 water jets for some nice bubbles, and features a multi-colored LED light. It also comes with a cover for when it's not in use.