Think You Haven’t Got Space For a... Garden Table?
Make room for some outdoor eating with these smart ideas on how to squeeze a dining area into a small garden
Got a wee backyard? That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some alfresco dining. Check out these clever ideas to discover how even the tiniest of outdoor spaces can fit in a place to eat.
Save space with stools
This little courtyard is just big enough for a tiny table and some space-saving log stools. You might not be able to enjoy a long feast at this table, but it’s a pretty spot for some tea and biscuits.
The tree trunks add an interesting natural element to this space, but you could try more comfortable stools or mini pouffes in your own garden.
This little courtyard is just big enough for a tiny table and some space-saving log stools. You might not be able to enjoy a long feast at this table, but it’s a pretty spot for some tea and biscuits.
The tree trunks add an interesting natural element to this space, but you could try more comfortable stools or mini pouffes in your own garden.
Build in some bench seating
A great way to use space efficiently is to build bench seats. These ones fit neatly into a very narrow area and leave enough room for an ample dining table. The beauty of a bench seat is its flexibility, as it allows people to move along to fit in extra guests. A pretty fence surrounds the seating area here, and a high flowerbed and trees make the most of the space vertically.
A great way to use space efficiently is to build bench seats. These ones fit neatly into a very narrow area and leave enough room for an ample dining table. The beauty of a bench seat is its flexibility, as it allows people to move along to fit in extra guests. A pretty fence surrounds the seating area here, and a high flowerbed and trees make the most of the space vertically.
Double up a table
If you don’t need your table all the time, save space by giving it a dual purpose. This circular bistro table is perfect for displaying a pot of pretty flowers, but it can be moved into the centre when needed for dining. Chairs can similarly double up as surfaces for flowerpots, or you could just bring out a couple of dining chairs from inside.
If you don’t need your table all the time, save space by giving it a dual purpose. This circular bistro table is perfect for displaying a pot of pretty flowers, but it can be moved into the centre when needed for dining. Chairs can similarly double up as surfaces for flowerpots, or you could just bring out a couple of dining chairs from inside.
Make a feature of small furniture
Just because your garden can’t accommodate a large table doesn’t mean it can’t be a lovely place for outside eating. This table has plenty of room for two but can also fit a cosy foursome for tea and cakes. The key is to make the most of the room you have. Install the right-sized table for the space, and make a feature of it by painting it a pretty colour, as they’ve done here.
Just because your garden can’t accommodate a large table doesn’t mean it can’t be a lovely place for outside eating. This table has plenty of room for two but can also fit a cosy foursome for tea and cakes. The key is to make the most of the room you have. Install the right-sized table for the space, and make a feature of it by painting it a pretty colour, as they’ve done here.
Create a cosy corner
Got an extremely tiny garden? Instead of trying to make it look bigger, embrace its cosiness and turn it into an outdoor snug. Here, simple cushioned benches and a narrow coffee table take over the whole space. However, the garden hasn’t been compromised as the seating area is surrounded by tall leafy plants. There is plenty of planting here to enjoy, and the seating area will fit a large group of guests.
Looking for more inspiration? Discover these dreamy outdoor dining spots
Got an extremely tiny garden? Instead of trying to make it look bigger, embrace its cosiness and turn it into an outdoor snug. Here, simple cushioned benches and a narrow coffee table take over the whole space. However, the garden hasn’t been compromised as the seating area is surrounded by tall leafy plants. There is plenty of planting here to enjoy, and the seating area will fit a large group of guests.
Looking for more inspiration? Discover these dreamy outdoor dining spots
Embrace the inside-out look
If you’re planning a downstairs renovation, consider installing large glass doors to bring the outdoors in. In this bijou backyard, the huge glazed opening helps to merge the two spaces. The table and chairs straddle the patio and the inside floor, helping to maximise the dining area.
Even if your doors aren’t as huge as these, you can still create the same feeling by ensuring your internal floor and patio are at the same level. For a DIY solution, try decking the terrace to raise it to the same level as your door.
Building a patio? Check out the best flooring for your needs
If you’re planning a downstairs renovation, consider installing large glass doors to bring the outdoors in. In this bijou backyard, the huge glazed opening helps to merge the two spaces. The table and chairs straddle the patio and the inside floor, helping to maximise the dining area.
Even if your doors aren’t as huge as these, you can still create the same feeling by ensuring your internal floor and patio are at the same level. For a DIY solution, try decking the terrace to raise it to the same level as your door.
Building a patio? Check out the best flooring for your needs
Opt for a circular table
The most obvious way to maximise room in a small garden is to choose a round table rather than a rectangular one. It takes up a lot less space and doesn’t have sharp edges you could bang into. A circular table will also give you more flexibility as there’s room for diners to squeeze around its perimeter.
The most obvious way to maximise room in a small garden is to choose a round table rather than a rectangular one. It takes up a lot less space and doesn’t have sharp edges you could bang into. A circular table will also give you more flexibility as there’s room for diners to squeeze around its perimeter.
Set up just two chairs
The owners of this cosy decking area have made the most of the space by positioning their dining furniture at the side. The table is big enough for a few people, but they’ve chosen to keep just two chairs in place. It makes the area less cluttered and is probably ideal for the majority of the time. When more seating is needed, they can pull out a dining chair or extra seats stored elsewhere.
The owners of this cosy decking area have made the most of the space by positioning their dining furniture at the side. The table is big enough for a few people, but they’ve chosen to keep just two chairs in place. It makes the area less cluttered and is probably ideal for the majority of the time. When more seating is needed, they can pull out a dining chair or extra seats stored elsewhere.
Adopt a casual style
Of course, you don’t always have to dine at a table. Why not ditch the formality of a set surface and set up a casual seating area instead? These huge cushions are perfect for informal, picnic-style eating.
When you’re arranging your space, it’s useful to think about what is important to you and your lifestyle. That way you can prioritise what it is you really need. This kind of set-up won’t work for everyone, but for some it’s an ideal compromise.
How have you squeezed a dining area into your small garden? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Of course, you don’t always have to dine at a table. Why not ditch the formality of a set surface and set up a casual seating area instead? These huge cushions are perfect for informal, picnic-style eating.
When you’re arranging your space, it’s useful to think about what is important to you and your lifestyle. That way you can prioritise what it is you really need. This kind of set-up won’t work for everyone, but for some it’s an ideal compromise.
How have you squeezed a dining area into your small garden? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Make room for a large table by ditching the idea of ground-level flowerbeds and containers. Instead, make use of your vertical space with a living wall, as seen here. The table is large enough to seat guests comfortably, but it has taken up the whole space. In order to still include some planting, the owners have grown a vertical garden, and have built small ledges on which to position window boxes and tall bamboo.