Having a small balcony or patio is better than nothing, but it does mean you have to be very, very selective with the furniture you choose to style on it. Usually, you're restricted to one piece — will it be a bench seat or dining table? Well, with La Redoute's Talia Garden Table-Bench, you can have both.
The French retailer might not be the first place you think of when buying garden furniture, but it should be. Its designs are not only stylish (it is French, after all), but many of its styles come with hidden multi-functional capabilities. And when it comes to small spaces, indoors or out, 'multi-functional' should be a non-negotiable.
"By combining the seating into one fixed structure, it eliminates the need for a formal dining area with multiple chairs," says interior designer Juliette Byrne, when I showed her this clever outdoor table-bench. It's perfect for smaller spaces because "there's no need to allow for extra room for pulling out chairs," she adds.
Dimensions: 126cm wide, 76/88cm high, 96cm deep.
There is way more to this sage green powder-coated steel table than meets the eye. Its tabletop flips to create a comfortable bench backrest in seconds, without tools or fuss. At £519.99, this is an investment piece already, but with La Redoute's spring sale, you can currently get 44% off.
When considering prices of full table and chair sets, this is the affordable solution for outdoor dining and seating. For a small balcony where every centimetre counts, this will utilize your space — and their French designers ensure Parisian bistro style!
Interior designer Juliette Byrne says a piece like this can be a very functional option in outdoor spaces and balconies. "As small outdoor areas can easily seem cluttered, the design of hybrid benches can keep everything neatly aligned, helping a small area feel more organized," she says. "Having fewer loose pieces of furniture allows for more space for movement and adding outdoor greenery, ensuring functionality, yet not compromising on aesthetic."
There's a weather-resilience argument too — something anyone with a blustery city balcony will appreciate. "They won’t shift around your patio when there is a windy day, and make it much easier to maintain a sleek layout as everything stays in place." Juliette adds.
Beyond their practicality, Juliette sees the inherently social nature of a reversible bench. "They can be used as picnic-style seating or a collaborative outdoor workstation, making your outdoor space feel welcoming and social," she says.
And better yet, this isn't the only reversible bench on the market. Below are six other multifunctional outdoor furniture pieces worth considering, in different styles and price ranges.
This acacia wood two-seater bench folds flat when you're done sitting. It has the aesthetics of a classic timber bench seat, and with 4.8/5-stars after 25 reviews, and a super affordable price, what's not to love?
This piece is made from weather-resistant polystyrene simulated wood with a powder-coated steel frame for extra durability. It also converts from a bench to a table without any tools. It seats 2 to 3 people, but you could buy a pair and push them together if you aren't so strapped for space.
If you love the La Redoute Interieurs table bench, but want the warmth of natural wood over metal, try this option instead. The solid acacia wood brings the same mechanisms but in a richer, warmer material.
This is such a sweet loveseat-style spin on the convertible bench, with two seats and a central side table that can fold down into a third seat. Made from fir wood, it's only 68cm deep, so it works well for narrow balconies, too.
This is where the convertible concept thrives! It doesn't just flip, it transforms from a 2-seat bench into a proper bistro set complete with 2 stools and a coffee table. And at 13kg it's light enough to manoeuvre whenever!
This outdoor bench seat doesn't convert per se, but it conceals loads of storage, which means it ticks the multi-functional box. Plus, storage is even more important in small outdoor spaces.
When it comes to outdoor furniture ideas for small spaces, you don't have to forgo aesthetics, but functionality becomes even more important. And if you're working with an even smaller footprint, you might want to consider a balcony table, which cleverly hangs over your balustrade.
For more clever interior ideas, make sure you're subscribed to Livingetc's newsletter.
