Did you know there’s a whole green world of teeny-tiny, only-a-few-square-feet patios (and balconies and terraces) out there? And you don’t even need to have one to feel rejuvenated by their verdant charm.
I can attest. I recently spent a whole afternoon scrolling through little green spaces on Instagram. A quick search for the hashtags #pocketpatio, #tinybalcony, or #tinypatio, and my feed was suddenly green and grown-over with leaves and tiny budding flowers—here or there, a little wrought-iron chair or mini table barely visible behind trailing vines...with just enough space for a morning cup of coffee.
A wedge of outdoor space feels more important than ever these days. Each of these tiny outdoor spots is no bigger than a postage stamp—some are just big enough for one person to stand in—but, with some creativity, they offer plenty of space to grow a few herbs, flowers, tomatoes, and leafy plants on railings and floors and walls, in pots and from hooks.
So whether you’re thinking of creating your own teeny outdoor space or just need a little green on your screen today, here are 9 tiny sanctuaries that prove you only need a few feet to create an oasis.
A tiny balcony, spotted via @allezeitderwelt, gets plenty of light. Not enough space for two chairs? All you really need is one for a sunny place to sit out with a book. (Bonus if it can fold away when not in use.)
A narrow gravel path leads to the smallest of garden hideaways, via @emmaavram. The takeaway? Growing plants upwards—up trellises and along rails—can create privacy and seclusion, even the feeling of green outdoor “rooms,” no matter how small the space.
On the teeny balcony of Instagrammer @masha_kindjer, a clever wall-mounted table pops up for breakfasts and mini happy hours—and stows flat against the wall when not in use.
A flower-filled balcony, spotted via @pottinginthecity, makes a quiet spot for a cup of tea (or lemonade).
Spotted in South Pasadena, via @tinyporch.la: a delightfully wild, miniature jungle of plants in a corner of porch. We like the way potted plants crouch on every surface (on the floor, raised up on cinderblocks) and can be moved around as needed.
A wire chair and folding table are just barely visible behind layers of plants in this mini patio by @the_planters_daughter. Note also the hooks on the wall, which keep gardening tools handy but ensure they don’t take up any valuable real estate.
It’s no surprise Igor Josifovic of Urban Jungle Bloggers has an extremely charming balcony, with hanging plants over the doorway and a diminutive mosaic-top table topped with, yes, more plants. (P.S. You can see more of his balcony, and others, in the new book Tiny Balcony.)
This miniature terrace in Cambridge, UK, measures just 3.5 by 2.5 meters—about the size of an 8x11 rug. Still, there’s a lot squeezed in—hanging lights, clusters of well-worn terracotta pots, and plenty of English charm.
And an itty-bitty balcony in Morocco in enviable shades of pink, via @Shkoon_Shop. Make use of even the tiniest nook by adding a bench, a few pillows, and a pea-sized table in a vibrant color, and presto: a breakfast nook.
Do you have an itty-bitty outdoor sanctuary of your own? Go on, make us jealous.
Written by: Annie Quigley
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