Decorating a city balcony or deck can be a daunting exercise when it comes to outdoor decor ideas. Don’t stress! Grab a measuring tape, pencil, and pad of paper and do a little planning before heading out to the stores. Also, be sure to employ a couple of my favorite design tricks.

1. Layer the ambient lighting with an over head source like an outdoor chandelier or decorative string lights, beautiful table lighting like candles in hurricane glass, and ground lighting using solar powered pathway lights.
2. Decorate up! The sky is the limit, literally, so don’t forget to attach outdoor decor on walls, hang outdoor curtains, or affix balcony planters to add some foliage and color.

RST Brands has this advice for getting the look you want in the space you have.

Survey the Space

The best thing you can do to begin is to clear the area completely, removing any furniture that might already be present, or any items you’re currently storing there. Once empty, you can get a good idea of what you’re working with. Stand in the space and look at it from different angles—sometimes changing your perspective is just what you need to get inspiration. It is important at this time to measure the area so you know exactly how much room you have. The last thing you want is to fall in love with a piece of outdoor furniture, only to bring it home and find it doesn’t fit.

Endless possibilities are available with the Deco 4 Piece Sectional and Table Set. Stunning and comfortable, it’s perfect for gathering friends, solo afternoons spent curled up with a book, or whatever your imagination can throw its way.

Know What You Want
It’s beneficial to have an idea of the purpose you want this outdoor space to serve. Are you looking for a comfortable place to relax after a long day at work, or one that is meant for hosting friends and family for dinner parties and other gatherings. Browse through decorating magazines and look around online. Keep track of anything that catches your eye. Knowing what direction you want to go in will prevent you from blindly wandering through a store and feeling overwhelmed by all of the options available, or purchasing something you will regret.

Perfect for smaller nooks, the folding café table set is a great addition to your outdoor space for hosting parties and other events. The chairs fold up for easy storage, and makes a great solution for parties and gatherings. A portable addition to your patio furniture that doesn’t sacrifice on durability or comfort. Materials are made to withstand the elements and require little maintenance, but never compromise on long-lasting quality.

Choose Multipurpose Pieces
If you’re working with a small space, finding furniture pieces that can serve double duty is essential. Ottomans are wonderful for offering seating, a place for storage, and also an extra place to set food or drinks.

Stay Sleek and Simple
It’s easy to get caught up in the beauty of a nine-piece dining set that could comfortably accommodate you and all of your closest friends, but you might want to consider steering clear of these larger pieces. That’s because a large set could actually make your backyard feel cramped. The simpler the piece of furniture, the less space it will take up, ultimately making your space appear larger, and giving you more room for other items. Consider purchasing a few bar tables that can be pushed together and surrounded by as many bar stools as needed.

Think Outside the Box
The best thing you can do when working with a small outdoor space is to think outside the box. If you can’t find furniture that fits your needs in the store, look at the items you already have in your backyard and see if you can repurpose them to fit your needs. A tree stump or large stone could serve as seating, for example.

There’s Always Pinterest
When in need of ideas, you can always turn to Pinterest for inspiration!

Finding furniture to fit a small outdoor space can be difficult, but once you find the perfect pieces, it will all be worth it. Now that you know what to do, get busy and turn that space you previously thought was unusable into something amazing!

For further inspiration, check out RST Brands’ selection of patio furniture and take advantage of the Father’s Day Sale! Get up to 30% off from Flowwall.com from June 9-13. Use coupon code: FWDAD16

Do you have big plans to share your small space with Dad for Father’s Day this weekend? Tell us about it in the comments below or on Facebookhttp://www.rstbrands.com/.