Decor Details:
Welcome to my urban oasis, several stories up in the sky! I’m a condo gal! I love condo living for so many reasons and part of this is my small outdoor patio. Everything is on one floor, there is a doorman, I’m only responsible for what is in my unit, there is maintenance onsite, and no yard to take care of. I’m also a product of my environment. When you live somewhere for so long you really adapt to it.
I grew up in the suburbs and had one of the best childhoods imaginable, complete with a pool and swing set out the back door. I moved to downtown Chicago about 15 years ago and fell in love with city living. The whole suburbs vs. city debate is a post for another day, though.
Today I’m talking about my little urban oasis in the city. With city living, my outdoor space is limited to say the least. Some condo buildings don’t even have outdoor space in each unit, but a small balcony was a non-negotiable when we were searching for a condo.
We unofficially kicked off summer this weekend and with that I opened up my urban oasis is up and running. Creating a cute and fun outdoor space was very important for both Mike and I. With Lizzie we aren’t able to get out and enjoy dinner and drinks as much, so our balcony becomes a focal point and a place to escape to in the evenings.
I’ve always dreamed about having a sleeping baby in the house and enjoying wine on a deck with my husband. It sounds like a silly dream, but it’s really, really nice!!! Last year we used the balcony a ton due to the pandemic and this year is off to a great start already!
Creating an urban oasis isn’t hard at all, you just have to be creative and maximize your space. Living in a condo has taught me something important. There is a ton of room everywhere and you may just have to create it. Keep reading to see how I created the ultimate urban oasis and the deals I snagged along the way.
How To Decorate A Small Outdoor Patio
So much goes into decorating a small outdoor patio. My suggestion is to think big, even though it’s a small space. The fuller the space looks the larger the space will actually look. In the winter the balcony looks so small because there is nothing on it. But in the summer I have it full of furniture, tables, pots and flowers. The very first thing you should start with is the furniture. It’s the main space where you will be sitting so you want to plan the space around that.
Furniture
First of all, outdoor furniture is so expensive! I had no idea that a wicker chair that sits outside to get wet and dirty could cost $300+! I was shocked to see the price of some items. With any piece of furniture I am looking for comfort and style. Given my small scale space I also need to factor in size. It was a pretty big challenge!
We opted for a small couch instead of individual pieces. Individual pieces can be bulky and hard to move in a small space. A small couch allows both Mike and I to sit on it and room for Lizzie too! I was beyond excited to see that Target had several options that weren’t going to break the bank. They have an amazing outdoor furniture collection this year.
We went with the Standish Couch and got it during a summer sale and used my Target card for 5% off. It came out to $250, which was a killer deal because it’s actually a knock off of an$800 couch! I’ve never been so proud! My current couch is sold out, however they have similar options here and here.
Quick tip for you on buying small outdoor patio furniture. If you plan on picking it up somewhere get the dimensions of the box. While the actual piece of furniture may fit in your vehicle the box may not. We went to the store to pick up the couch only to discover the box wouldn’t fit. Major fail on our part. We had to wait another week to get it shipped (with free delivery too).
Here are some other great couches for small spaces.
Rug
An outdoor rug really warms up the space. Whether you have concrete or wood, it adds a touch of inside to the outside. Rugs create character and let you feel relaxed while outside. Our balcony is several stories up and concrete. While it’s not very large or appealing the rug really brightens up the space. We actually go shoe-less on our balcony which makes me feel like there is less dirt out there.
To select the perfect rug you will need to measure the space. You will most likely not find the perfect sized rug to cover the whole space. You may need to get two, if your space is large, or a slightly smaller one if you have an odd sized space.
On our balcony we have hardware that connects the railing to the balcony and is elevated, so we had to measure from the end of the hardware instead of the end of the real balcony. Our space is also long and not wide. To combat the length issue we didn’t put the rug completely under the couch, we just put in under the front legs. This lets us use more the of the rug where we would be walking.
We got this one from Wayfair.
Small Outdoor Patio with Grill
Without a doubt you need a grill in your urban oasis. Our last place didn’t have outdoor space so we didn’t have a grill. I missed it so much in the summer. So the first thing we bought in our new place was a grill. It opens you up to so many different meal options in the summer. Because nothing beats a steak on the grill!
We selected our grill based on size and price. If you’re a grill aficionado I’m sure you will want one with bells and whistles. However, we just wanted something to grill on. The Nexgrill is a great option for a tiny urban oasis. It can grill enough for 6 people at a time and has two tiers. The size is perfect as it fits in the corner of the balcony.
Table
Getting creative with space comes into play with tables too. I opted for a small bistro table that will hold a couple drinks and a few odds and ends. Again I picked this up at Target as their outdoor selection was killer this year. I went with a white top to keep it neutral and brought in color into the space with the rug and pots.
If we are going to eat a full meal out on the balcony we use our table in a bag. We usually use this table when we head to a concert in the park, but it comes in handy on the balcony too. You can put it together in minutes and it’s pretty big.
Decor
If you guys follow me on Instagram (if you don’t follow me please head there now and do so, just click here!) you know I’ve been struggling in the decor department. I only have one sad pillow and blanket, but I’m ok with it. I have limited storage so bulky items are out. However I do have tiny statues! It’s the old Italian woman living inside of me that loves outdoor statues. I’ve had these ones with me since my single days and I love them. The rabbit symbolizes prosperity, the frog is my little Prince Charming (see how I found my real life one here) and the hedgehog is just so cute!
Plants
I’ll be the first to admit that I was completely against having any plants on the balcony. For starters, I didn’t want to take care of anything outside of the house. I also didn’t want anything that would attract bugs. I hate bugs and the small chance of them being in the house terrifies me.
Mike on the other hand was dead set on having plants and even fresh herbs on the balcony. I agreed to get them as long as he takes care of them, which he does. I’m so glad I listened to him and got the plants and herbs. It just makes the urban oasis even more inviting!
Rose in my small outdoor patio oasis is a must!
The view from inside looking outside. I love that my urban oasis is an extension of my home. It has it’s own vibe and color scheme too! Check out my reflection in the windows. Photographing a small space has it’s challenges too.
The views from my urban oasis are the best!
Looking for a cocktail to enjoy on your balcony? You can find my easy mint cocktail recipes here.
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