Choosing The Size Of Your Outdoor Furniture Setting

Whether you’re working with a two by three metre balcony furniture or a grand yard or patio, there’s an optimal furniture configuration for it. The ideal outdoor furniture setting can mean the difference between a stylish, ideal design and a cluttered and awkward area. An outdoor space is not a room, but many of the same design considerations apply. You may have chosen the perfect outdoor furniture style to suit your space, but you need to also consider the following four tips to help you make the perfect outdoor design furniture size selections for your space:

 

Purpose and Use

Start by determining how exactly you’ll be using the space. Will it be an intimate relaxing area just for you and your family, or will you be entertaining medium to large groups regularly? If groups and parties are in your future, consider measuring indoor spaces that work for similar scale entertaining and plan for outdoor furniture layouts and ratios accordingly.

Balancing Design Elements and Free Space

One helpful rule to remember is that no matter what size area you’re working with, you’ll need adequate space for both the desired furniture pieces plus free space so that guests can circulate around it comfortably. Ideally, there should be at least one metre of space for people to walk around each furniture piece or design element in the space.

Consider Overall Design

Your outdoor design should also relate to and complement your house or apartment. For example, a sprawling outdoor space might look disproportionate to the rest of the property. Consider mirroring design elements of the home and landscaping to ensure that scale is complimentary throughout your property.

That said, a smaller space adjacent to a medium to large home could work fine; just don’t overfill it. A two by three metre terrace or balcony is perfect for a three piece furniture set; however, this space could also be ideal for a sun loungers or chair with an adjacent side table if you’ll be enjoying it mostly solo. You’ll also need to give consideration to the colour of your outdoor furnitureand the outdoor furniture material to ensure it complements the rest of your décor.

Multi-Purpose Options

Multi-purpose spaces are popular as well, especially on rooftop patios and in smaller yard spaces. Areas more than three metres square can benefit fromcorner lounge seating that can be moved to convert the space to allow for a barbecue, firepit, or cocktail lounge area as needed.

While one metre of space minimum for walking around outdoor furniture is a general rule, elements like bench seating can allow for more people to fit comfortably in a smaller space.

Whether you’re creating an outdoor living room, a casual lounge area or a place to have lavish al fresco dinner parties long into the night, there’s an ideal patio setup for you. Use these tips and guidelines to make your furniture selections, and browse the Outdoor Furniture Ideas website to find the perfect pieces for any size space.