How to Style a Small Garden: Skagerak’s Specialty
Do you struggle with the characteristics of the Great British Small Garden? Tiny balconies, minute patios, and limited green space, especially in London and other cities, make it hard to know how to dress your outside space in a premium way.
Choose furniture that is too large, and the space feels claustrophobic; choose pieces that are too flimsy, and you lose the sense of luxury that an outdoor sanctuary should provide. Even the best pieces can feel cluttering and clunky in a limited garden space, and this is where Skagerak comes in as a solution.
Skagerak – Functionalism in Small Gardens
The Danish design house has spent decades perfecting the art of “functionalism”. Their aesthetic is a gift for the urban gardener – light, airy, and incredibly durable.
In this blog, you will find out how to turn a small garden footprint into a high-design sanctuary using Skagerak’s signature Scandinavian utility.
Collapsable Luxury Brings Flexibility
In a compact space, flexibility is your best friend. How often do you eat outside in Britain? Do you want to devote your entire outside space to an outdoor dining experience you can only use a few times a year? Enter collapsable furniture. The goal is to have a high-end dining experience without committing your entire floor plan to it 24/7.
The Vendia Series is the gold standard here. Skagerak’s Vendia Chair and matching Table are masterclasses in the “bistro” style. Unlike cheap folding chairs that feel unstable, the Vendia is crafted from premium teak with curved slats. It provides a comfortable sit but can be folded and leant against a wall in seconds, so you can reclaim your patio for yoga, gardening, or just breathing room.
Similarly, Skagerak’s foldable Selandia Dining Chair offers a more classic, romantic silhouette. It brings a touch of “country estate” to a city balcony, yet it remains perfectly stowable.
Slatted Furniture to Trick the Eye
One of the biggest mistakes in small-space styling is choosing solid, heavy furniture that blocks the line of sight. This makes the boundaries of the garden feel closer and more restrictive.
Skagerak’s Cutter Bench is the perfect antidote. The slatted design allows light and air to pass through the piece. This “transparency” tricks the eye into seeing the floor space beneath and behind the bench, making the area feel larger.
Pro Tip: Use the Cutter Folding Seat for the narrowest of spots. Mounted directly to a wall or fence, it provides a perch for a morning coffee and vanishes entirely when you’re done.
Add a Hero Piece to your Small Outside Space
It is a common myth that you should only put small furniture in a small garden. Actually, a cluster of many tiny items can make a space look cluttered and “fussy”.
Often, the better approach is to choose one “hero” piece that provides maximum comfort. Skagerak’s Virkelyst Two Seater Sofa is designed with clean, minimalist lines that don’t overwhelm a terrace. By placing one high-quality, comfortable sofa against a focal wall, you create a defined “outdoor living room” that feels intentional and sophisticated.
Because Skagerak uses weather-resistant outdoor fabrics, you don’t have to worry about the sudden British drizzle ruining your investment.
Reflecting Light and Space with Skagerak
If your garden feels like a box, use the oldest trick in the interior designer’s handbook: mirrors.
The Georg Mirror is a rare example of a design-led mirror that feels right at home outdoors. Placing a mirror on a garden wall or at the end of a side return doesn’t just bounce light into those shaded British corners; it creates the illusion of a “secret garden” beyond the wall, effectively doubling the visual depth of your space.
Choose Quality Over Quantity in a Small Garden
In a small garden, every single detail is under the microscope. There is nowhere for poor craftsmanship to hide.
Investing in Skagerak means choosing materials like FSC-certified teak and oak that are designed to endure the UK climate. As the wood develops its signature silver-grey patina over time, it blends into the natural surroundings, further softening the edges of your garden.
Are you ready to transform your small outdoor space? Choose pieces that convey light, movement, and multi-functionality to make your garden your new favourite room in the house.
Browse the full Skagerak Collection at Olson & Baker here.
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