5 Reliable Items I Used to Decorate My Tiny Outdoor Space

Caroline Utz editor's picks. — Product: Wayfair; Graphic: MyDomaine

Our editors are all homebodies, that's for certain. As resident lovers of all things home and design, they have tried a lot of home products in their day—and they're letting you in on their favorites. As part of our series, Happy at Home, our editors take the stage to share some of their personal favorite products in their homes and accompanying stories they carry.

Living in New York City for the past five years, I had resigned myself to the fact that I would likely never have any outdoor space. NYC is an expensive city, and outdoor balconies and porches can be hard to find and even harder to afford. My first apartment looked directly into another building and only got sunlight from 11:00AM to noon. An outdoor space that wasn't a fire escape did not seem likely.

When I started my latest apartment hunt last summer, I had a short list of needs. One bedroom, space for my desk, a decent kitchen, and natural light. When I stumbled upon the rear apartment of an old Brooklyn brownstone and it had a tiny outdoor porch (!!), I knew I found my next home.

Though my outdoor space would hardly be considered a deck by most American standards, it's still big enough to fit a daybed and some other fun finds. Below, I share my favorite small space outdoor décor pieces that made my porch feel like home.

Wayfair

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Though my outdoor space is small, it was important to me to have a spot to lounge. This daybed may take up most of my deck, but there's no better spot for lounging and reading a book or catching up over a glass of wine. The cushions are water-resistant, so no need to worry about them getting ruined from a little light rain. With a few outdoor pillows, this is the ideal perch for porch napping.

View On Target

Every living area needs to have plenty of surface space, even if it's tiny. This patio accent table is the perfect place to rest a cup of coffee or a cocktail and nestles right next to my daybed. It's not very large, but feels like a statement piece with its ridged teardrop shape and grainy wood design.

Wayfair

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In order to make an outdoor space feel homey, a rug is required. Our wooden deck is painted in a gorgeous deep blue-gray shade, so I wanted to make sure I chose a rug that didn't try to compete with that color. I love the subtle pattern in this pick; it's not stealing the show, but it's adding plenty of interest to the space. And for outdoor living, there's no better material than jute. It can really hold up to the elements.

Greyleigh Fidelia 20' Outdoor LED 10 - Bulb Globe String Light

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I know we've all seen string lights 1,000 times over, but there's really no better way to create ambiance than with a little warm light after sunset. These string lights instantly create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, perfect for enjoying dinner on the porch or hanging with friends. Plus this outdoor version is solar-powered, so you don't need to worry about finding a nearby outlet.

9 Outdoor String Lights That Will Turn Your Patio Into a Paradise

Terrain

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We were lucky enough that a previous tenant left a vertical planter behind with plenty of room for us to grow a few small plants. Right now, we just have some flowers and some (dare-I-say, thriving?) basil, but a garden of any size requires a great watering can. I love this gift set—the mint green can is gorgeous enough to leave out as a design statement while the gold plant mister takes care of all of my indoor succulents. Chic and practical!

5 Things You Need for Your Outdoor Space According to Nate Berkus