10 tiny, inspiring outdoor spaces we love

Having a small space at home can feel restrictive, but not if you decorate it right.

The amazing tiny spaces we’re about to share prove that with a little creative thinking and resourcefulness, even the smallest of spaces can make a big impact.

A garden space with patio furniture

Ever notice how your space can appear to be more spacious than it is once you start filling it with furniture?

That’s exactly what interior designer Myra Hoefer did in this tiny patio space in her backyard. Inspired by the way Parisians turn balconies or pathways into ”poetic spaces for lunch, drinks, or dinner”, Myra Hoefer used this cramped space to her advantage by turning it into a cosy gathering area using a couple of Adirondack chairs, and a marble roundtable.

A space-saving balcony nook

It’s one thing to utilise a tiny space and turn it into a cosy gathering spot. But it’s another thing entirely when you manage to create more space for yourself out of nothing. And that’s exactly what Ryan Phyper did in this tiny outdoor balcony. You can follow his YouTube channel where he outlines the process and the steps needed to create this multifunctional furniture piece.

This wooden piece functions as a seat with a storage compartment, as well as a shelf with enough space to hang things like your plants, lights, and other decorative pieces for your balcony without taking up any unnecessary floor space.

A bar counter along your balcony rail

While we’re still on the subject of creating more useful spaces for our tiny balconies, this nifty shelf which can be mounted on almost any kind of balcony railing helps turn a simple balcony rail into a sturdy bar or countertop that can hold your food and drinks while virtually taking up zero floor space.

This was designed by Arjen and Daan, who are based in Amsterdam. You can find this product and many other balcony friendly furniture pieces on their website.

A wall just for your plants

There’s no such rule that says you need to have a backyard with lots of space in order to have a garden. Which is exactly why we’re in love with the way Ana from  Decora y Vende utilised her tiny space to create a garden wall.

With just a few wall hooks mounted onto her wooden wall panel, along with a few mounted steel planters for her flowers, Ana was able to save herself a ton of space for things like more seats, rugs, and candles for lighting.

A D.I.Y sofa that fits into your space

If you enjoy a little D.I.Y. challenge for yourself, you could always follow Becky’s lead by making your own sofa using wooden shipping pallets and layering them with seat cushions and throw pillows. What you’ll end up with is an inexpensive couch that won’t just look good, but will feel surprisingly comfortable for your space as well.

A space with foldable furniture

This tiny balcony space was transformed into a beautiful reading nook using a few carefully selected furniture pieces that don’t take up any more space than they need to. Designed by Antonia Schmitz, a stylish home decor blogger. Everything from the Acapulco chair with its thin and minimal legs, to the foldable table in the corner that can be stored away when it’s not being used, helps Antonia find the perfect balance between a functional yet stylish balcony space.

A stylish balcony with a touch of privacy

We found this amazing balcony transformation created by interior design blogger Olivon her Instagram feed. Once again, we see how versatile wooden pallets can be when it comes to creating a makeshift sofa set.

In this Boho-chic inspired balcony with its hanging bamboo wind chime and chunky woven rug,  Oliv was even able to add a touch of privacy for her balcony using a roll of budget-friendly reed fencing.

A dedicated space for your pets

Sharing your apartment with a furry friend? Why not turn your tiny outdoor balcony into a puppy-friendly space with these tips from BarkPost Stories. The tips will walk you through everything from building white picket fences, to decorating the space with synthetic turf and a small garden.  

A space with freestanding walls and floor tiles

Just because you live in a rental home, doesn’t mean that you can’t add your own little flair to your space.

That certainly didn’t stop Amanda, a D.I.Y enthusiast and interior design blogger who insisted on redecorating her rental space with the help of some wooden pallets, free-standing walls and floating floor tiles. The most impressive thing about this space? Everything can be easily removed and restored to its initial state when it’s time to move.

A space that looks more spacious than it actually is

One of our favourite tricks to help create the appearance of more space is with the help of mirrors. Mirrors do a fantastic job at opening up the visual space of a room, and that’s exactly what interior designer – Dan Marty did to help expand his small patio space where he usually entertains his friends and family in his apartment in L.A.

You know, you too, could change your current space to look the same?

Turning your indoor sofa more outdoor-friendly is easy – all it takes is a sofa cover for the transformation to happen. Spill-resistant, stain-resistant, mildew-resistant and UV-protected, The Summer Vibes Collection is the ultimate fabric you need for your sofa for this purpose.

We cover models from IKEA, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, West Elm and many more. 

Create your summer outdoor space

Everything you need for a last minute party – all from IKEA

It’s now that time of year where people are coming out of hibernation and are finally spending more of their day being outdoors.

What better way is there to welcome the new season other than throwing a big party with all the friends that you’ve missed over the winter?

It’s time to step up your party game, here’s how you can throw a memorable party. Spoiler alert: they’re all from IKEA.

When it comes to hosting a party, you have to start with the essentials like chairs, tables, food, music, and drinks (Especially that last one).

A standalone drink area

While it makes sense to have your drink area located next to where you get your food, some parties prefer to keep their drinks in a different area of the party altogether.

Keeping your drink area separated from the food area helps avoid overcrowding the food area in a party. While some people might get hungry during a party, other people might just need a simple drink to keep socializing.

And what better way is there to set up your own drink area than with a dedicated drink cart for your party? You’ve probably seen the IKEA RASKOG cart around in some places. They’re a popular IKEA product for their affordability, convenience, and also, they don’t look all that bad. Their wheels make the RASKOG easy to move around, and their deep shelves make tall drink bottles easy to transport without toppling over.

A homemade beverage

If you’re the type of person who likes serving homemade drinks at a party, the FÖRFRISKNING from IKEA will definitely impress your party guests. This drink dispenser is great for serving all sorts of beverages from lemon-infused water, to your own blend of fruit punch.

The FÖRFRISKNING’s size and volume make it great for all kinds of gatherings, especially outdoor ones so that you won’t have to go back and forth replenishing the cooler box every time you run out of drinks.

Use baking cups for small snacks

Although the SOCKERKAKA makes baking a whole lot easier thanks to their oven, dishwasher, and microwave-safe silicone baking cups. They can also be used as tiny snack cups to be served alongside other finger foods during your spring party.

Use some lanterns for some de”light”ful fun.

If it’s getting late, and you find yourself in need of some extra light for your outdoor spring party, the ROTERA lantern from IKEA is something you’ll definitely want to have around your party.

The ROTERA’s nostalgic lamp design will help make any setting look homier and welcoming when it’s lit up with candles — making the ROTERA the “light” of the party. 

These can come in especially handy when there aren’t any outdoor outlets located nearby for actual lights for your party.

Never be without music

What’s a party without music? Probably not a very good one.

With the IKEA ENEBY Bluetooth speaker, you can keep your tunes going without needing to keep your device physically connected to the speaker.

Although the ENEBY Bluetooth speaker itself needs a power source, you can buy a separate battery pack that will power the speaker for up to 10 hours so that you have a fully portable speaker and bring the party wherever you go.

It’s the little things that count

A party is never really complete without some decorations. We’re not just talking about the paper decorations from IKEA’s VISIONAR series, we’re talking about pimping out your spring party to the point where all your party guests will want to take photos of your party and post it on their Instagram feed.

Nothing quite captures the essence of spring better than some bright and vibrant flowering plants. With IKEA’s SMYCKA collection of artificial flowers, you can fool all your party guests with your so-called gardening skills and easily transform your outdoor space into a beautiful spring getaway.

The added benefit of having artificial plants is that you can store them away until you need them again for future spring parties!

With these IKEA products, you can now impress all your guests by hosting the most memorable spring party of the year!

Spring is certainly one of the busier seasons of the year. It’s a time when people are shaking off their winter blues, a time when a lot of wedding are happening, and it’s also a time when people decide to do some spring cleaning and redecorating at home.

If you’ve been thinking of redecorating your space this spring, you’ll find plenty of useful and easy to follow tips to help you with just that in our Timeless Living: How To Design A Classy IKEA- Inspired Home ebook.  

DOWNLOAD IKEA EBOOK


Sofa struggles? We've got you covered.

From pet mishaps to everyday spills, our sofa covers tackle life's little messes effortlessly.

Find the perfect sofa cover
Stuck with a stained sofa?

Stuck with a stained sofa?

Spills happen, but they don't have to stay. Our stain-resistant, machine-washable slipcovers make cleanup effortless.

Find a cover
Need an outdoor-friendly couch cover?

Need an outdoor-friendly couch cover?

Sun, rain, and spills are no match for our UV-protected sofa covers, designed to handle the elements in style.

Upgrade my sofa
Pets love your sofa a little too much?

Pets love your sofa a little too much?

Claws, fur, and accidents won't ruin your space. Our pet-friendly sofa covers are tough, stylish, and easy to clean.

Protect it now
Moving in, but your sofa doesn't fit the space?

Moving in, but your sofa doesn't fit the space?

Update your sofa to match your new home with a sofa cover that changes the style without replacing the frame.

Revive your sofa