With just four feet of space to work with, our shopping expert made it her mission to transform her sad-looking patio into a leafy oasis. Living in London, where outdoor space of any kind is rare, it felt like a sin not to use the little suntrap of an area. But after a year of neglect, she decided it was time to put effort into the outdoor space that many central London apartment dwellers would envy.
The Challenge: A Tiny Patio in Need of Love
The area measured around four feet wide, leaving little room for creativity. After scrolling on Pinterest for 'small patio ideas', she decided to use the area to extend her living room, thanks to double-opening doors. A green colour scheme was chosen to give everything a fresh, leafy feel, flowing from the living room to the patio.
Budget and Key Purchases
With a budget of around £500, she managed to spend just £506, thanks to Argos' Big Red Event sale offering 20% off. The key items were:
- Argos Home Palermo 3 Seater Rattan Effect Garden Sofa Set – on sale for £440
- Habitat Sunbeam 1.6m Garden Parasol - Green & White – on sale for £26
- Homemaker Polypropylene Rectangle Rug – £40
The rattan sofa set was the main feature. Measuring 126cm wide (basically four feet), it was a tight fit, but by separating the two sofa pieces to face each other rather than in the suggested 'L' shape, she managed to fit both onto the patio. The matching table was placed in the middle, and five pillows were arranged on the sofa pieces. The result looked luxe, especially considering many outdoor sofa sets cost well above £700-£800.
Finishing Touches
Once the sofa was built and positioned, it was about playing with furnishings. The Sunbeam Parasol, 1.6m in length, was chosen because it was one of the few not 3m wide, avoiding blocking all light. The retro green stripes gave the area a fun, continuous feel. Finally, the Homemaker Rectangle Rug in green print tied the furniture and parasol together, making the vision come to life.
Top Tips for Styling a Small Outdoor Space
- Measure everything! Check your garden or patio measurements against product pages to avoid buying furniture that is too big.
- Buy a sofa set that splits into parts so you can position pieces to fit your space. It may not look like the product photo, but you might like it even more. Another option is Debenhams' Home Discount 4-seat rattan sofa, on sale for £265.99.
- Don't underestimate an outdoor rug. A weather-proof rug in a bold print can tie an area together and make it feel like an extension of your home.
- Avoid huge parasols that block all natural light. Measure your space and opt for a smaller one if a standard 3m parasol will block the full sky.
- Invest in an outdoor storage box to stash cushions and rug, minimising damage from rain and wildlife.
