So how do you find the perfect balcony furniture for a small outdoor space, and what should you know before making your choice? 

Whether you have a long wraparound balcony or something short and sweet outside your window, the first step in finding your ideal outdoor balcony furniture is measuring. Taking into account every bend, railing, unusable space, door and access point, ensure you accurately measure the space you have available for the furniture pieces you’ll need. 

If you’re shopping for a large, cosy lounge chair, for example, it’s important to remember to leave a gap for getting out of the chair between the back wall and the railing. Similarly when it comes to balcony dining tables and chairs, calculating the ideal gap needed for you and your guests to comfortably slide chairs out from the table to sit on is key to prevent the space feeling cramped and awkward.

The combined width of your balcony furniture should also be a consideration, ensuring that each piece has a large enough gap around it for you to walk around, move between and easily use without bumping into other pieces. Your balcony space is naturally going to be more limited than an interior room or garden, so it’s important to take accurate measurements when browsing. 

Next, consider what your balcony furniture is likely to be used for. For many, the balcony is a place of relaxation, sunbathing, resting and enjoying the fresh air. But for others, the balcony could be a place of entertainment, dining, family time or even productivity for those who work from home. Your small balcony furniture should reflect the purpose of the space, whether it be soft, cosy lounge seats or practical, stylish dining tables. 

For those looking to create a serene haven on their balcony, comfortable two seater sofas and lounge chairs are a great option for building that intimate cosy feel. Pieces such as the BREEZE Two-Seater Sofa, the HARLOW Sofa and the ROPERY Sofa all offer comfortable seating with a slim, minimalist frame - making them perfect for the narrow space of a small balcony.

In terms of lounge chairs, opting for sleek frames is naturally going to give you the most space to work with, without sacrificing on comfort or relaxation. The ISABELA Lounge Chair, for example, is a great example of a stylish, stripped back lounge chair that both meets the need for aesthetic comfort, but won’t feel oversized or cramped on your balcony. We also recommend exploring options such as the OCEAN Lounge Chair for a stackable alternative, and the PUNTA Lounge Chair for a more sophisticated visual style. 

One of the popular uses of our balconies, however, is dreamy late night dining and early morning coffees - the perfect spots to start and end the day. So if you’re looking for the perfect outdoor dining set for your small balcony, it’s important to think about the right kind of table for your space.

With limited space available, a smaller outdoor dining table is desirable, with enough space for everyone to relax comfortably around it. Matching dining sets, such as the BLISS Dining Set, is a cohesive small metal dining table with paired dining chairs - perfectly designed to tuck underneath the table when not in use. The BLISS Dining Table itself measures around 133 cm in length and 81 cm in width, making it one of the smallest outdoor tables we offer, and is a great option for balcony or terrace dining. 

Alternatively, a square dining table can work nicely in narrow spaces, such as the PURE 100 cm x 100 cm Outdoor Dining Table. With equal space on each side, it’s a great option for those looking to create family dining spaces outdoors, or to create a dining nook at one end of a long balcony. 

Another great use of balcony furniture, however, is the concept of desk-working - largely originating from those distant months in lockdown where many of us were working from home. The balcony offers a sheltered and private outdoor workspace for those without a garden or terrace, and one that is typically close enough to the home for access to strong wifi and charging plugs. Setting up a makeshift desk on a balcony dining table allows us to experience summer in style, even in the middle of the workday - making it another factor to consider when planning your furniture.

A dining table with a smooth tabletop material, such as ceramic, sintered stone or aluminum, can be a lot more conducive to laptop working and can convert easily into a temporary workspace, particularly when compared to wooden planks or metal bars. The JOY Outdoor Table, with its smooth aluminium table top, is a good option to consider here. Stability is also important for those looking to work on your balcony furniture, so a table with a solid frame is an important feature to look out for. 

Finally, when it comes to decorating and furnishing a small space, aesthetics matter more than ever. Narrow spaces can feel easily cluttered, cramped and overwhelming if not styled well, so it’s important to consider the colour scheme and visual style of your balcony before buying.

If you’re looking for a more rustic and natural feel, balcony furniture pieces with elements of wood, rattan and cane can help to bring that earthy, woodland element to your balcony - reflecting the outside world surrounding it.

By contrast, for a contemporary and sleek feel, dark metal shades and crisp ceramics can help to build a strong, cohesive style between different furniture pieces, adding luxury and elegance to even the smallest of balcony spaces.

For each different aesthetic vision, it’s also useful to consider any decorative elements you might pair with your balcony furniture - cushions, throws, blankets, plants and mirrors can all make a big difference to the overall look and feel of your balcony; changing it from bohemian and rustic to metropolitan and moody with just a few simple soft furnishings. 

If you’re looking to source the perfect outdoor furniture for your small balcony this season, make sure you take a look at our Outdoor Collection at Milola, or visit our showroom in Blonay to see some of pieces in-person!