Small Balcony Ideas: 6 Setups for Two Recliners and a Table
Small-space ideas · Published by Outdoor Nook, which makes and sells the recliners shown
A small balcony doesn't mean folding chairs. Two full-size recliners and a table fit in just over 6 feet. Here are six setups owners use, with the width each needs, so you can measure tonight and know which one fits.
It is part of our Small Patios & Balconies guide.
“We have a small lanai and these big beautiful chairs are oddly a smaller profile than many others we have shopped.”
Small-space owners mostly buy two seats. Of 38 reviews that mention a small patio, balcony, porch or lanai, 11 describe a pair, 4 a bistro set and 2 a loveseat. Of the 9 who bought a single, at least 3 later added a second.
The six setups at a glance
Widths add up the overall widths on our size charts, pieces touching. They are estimates, not product specs, so leave a little breathing room.
| Setup | Suits | Width needed (computed) | Start with |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Side by side, table between | Couples who want a spot for coffee | 73.1 in (Keywest); 75.5 in (Huntington) | Keywest Bistro Set |
| 2. Corner angle | Square balconies and corners | About 45.55 in along each wall | Keywest Bistro Set |
| 3. Facing the view | Long, narrow balconies | 55.1 in (Keywest); 64.4 in (Malibu II) | Pair of Keywest |
| 4. Loveseat on the wall | Couples who sit close | 53 in (Keywest); 56.7 in (Malibu II, Newport) | Keywest Reclining Loveseat |
| 5. Fire table bistro | Patios where flames are allowed | 55.1 in plus the table | Keywest Firepit Bistro Set |
| 6. One chair, then two | Solo now, a pair later | 45.55 in now; 73.1 in later | Keywest recliner |
Width is only half of it. Each recliner needs 64.5–67 inches front to back when fully reclined, plus room behind. Our guide to how much space an outdoor recliner needs covers clearance behind, beside and in front of the chair.
1. Side by side with a table between
The setup most small-space owners land on: two recliners facing the same way, a side table between them for a mug or a book. Five reviews praise a side table that fits between two chairs.
- Keywest: 27.55 + 18 + 27.55 = 73.1 in, a little over 6 ft.
- Huntington with its 20.5 in aluminum table: 75.5 in.
- Shoreline with its 20.2 in table: 78.0 in.
Who it suits: couples, and anyone who wants both chairs aimed at the view or the TV.
“a perfect fit between our chairs”
2. The corner angle: let the swivel aim the chairs
If your balcony is closer to square than long, put one chair along each wall and the side table in the corner. Every recliner swivels 360 degrees, so the pair can angle in for conversation, then turn back to the view.
The angle makes this one hard to calculate. As an estimate, allow about 45.55 inches along each wall (one Keywest at 27.55 in plus the 18 in table), and about 67 inches out from each wall so both chairs can recline fully without the footrests meeting. Tape it out on the floor before you order.
Who it suits: square balconies, lanai corners and face-to-face talkers. The bistro set covers it.
3. A pair facing the view
On a long, narrow balcony, line both chairs up facing the railing, with no table between them. It is the narrowest two-recliner setup.
- Two Keywests touching: 55.1 in. Two Huntingtons: 55.0 in.
- Two Newports: 61.4 in. Two Malibu IIs: 64.4 in.
- Depth: fully reclined, the Keywest and Malibu II need 67 in front to back, the Huntington and Shoreline 64.5 in.
Who it suits: narrow balconies, rooftop decks and front porches with something worth watching.
“They aren't too large, a perfect size for our porch”
4. A reclining loveseat against the wall
If you sit close and don't need a table between you, a reclining loveseat is the narrowest way to seat two. The Keywest loveseat is 53 inches wide and the Huntington 53.1 inches. The Malibu II and Newport loveseats are 56.7 inches.
Each seat reclines independently, so one of you can stretch out while the other sits up. Plan on it staying put, unlike our swivel recliners, so set it facing what you want to look at. It still needs recline room: fully reclined, the Keywest loveseat measures 65 inches front to back.
Who it suits: couples with a clear wall. The Keywest loveseat is $1,745, close to the $1,728 Keywest pair. Our reclining loveseat vs. two recliners comparison lays the trade-offs side by side. Shop the Keywest Reclining Loveseat.
5. A bistro set with a fire table, where rules allow
Where open flames are allowed, a firepit bistro set puts two recliners beside a fire table. Our wicker firepit tables run at 50,000 BTU on a propane tank (not included). That is more than many apartment and condo balconies allow.
Check your HOA or building rules on open flames, furniture and weight before you buy. Our post on fire pits for small patios and balconies explains what is usually possible.
Width: two Keywest recliners take 55.1 inches on their own. Add the fire table width from the size chart on the product page. The Keywest Firepit Bistro Set is $2,527.
6. One recliner and a reading nook that grows into a pair
Not sure you need two? Start with one recliner and a side table. With the Keywest, that is 45.55 inches wide (27.55 + 18). That is a reading corner for one.
When you want company, add a second chair on the other side of the table and you are at the 73.1-inch layout from setup 1. Owners do exactly that:
“two more were ordered in October for the new balcony”
“doesn't every sunroom deserve a matching pair of recliners!”
Before you pick a setup
- Tape out the fully reclined footprint, 64.5–67 in front to back, not just the upright chair.
- Keep about 3 ft clear where you walk, such as to the door. That is our rule of thumb, not a product spec.
- Check your HOA or building rules on open flames, furniture and weight.
- Plan the trip upstairs. Each recliner arrives in its own box, and the boxes are heavy. Plan on two people or a dolly.
“Know that they are big… my feet don't touch the floor”
For floor plans by patio size, see Small Patio Layouts by Size: 6×8, 8×10 and 10×12 Floor Plans, and for the measuring basics, 5 Rules for Fitting Outdoor Recliners.
“unfortunately too large for our tiny patio”
Good to know before you order
- Delivery is free. Orders are processed and handed to FedEx within 1–2 business days, then FedEx transit typically takes 5–8 business days to the 48 contiguous states. Delivery is to your doorstep or curbside, and each recliner ships in its own box. Assembly is minimal and needs no tools.
- You get a 14-day return window. Return an item in clean, original condition within 14 days of delivery for a full refund. After that, returns are accepted up to 90 days with a 20% restocking fee. See our returns policy.
- The frame carries a 5-year limited warranty and the cushions 2 years, against defects in materials and workmanship, for the original buyer. Read the full warranty.
Choose your recliner
Pick your setup, then the chair that fits it.
Questions before you order? Call 1-800-296-0232 or email cs@outdoornook.com.
Quick answers
How wide does a balcony need to be for two recliners and a table?
What's the narrowest way to seat two?
Can I put a fire table on my balcony?
Can I start with one recliner and add a second later?
Sources. Reviews: REVIEWS.io, 654 product and company reviews, retrieved October 2026, quoted as written; excerpts are marked. Widths and depths are computed from the size charts on our product pages and are estimates, not specs. Prices and specifications are from our product pages as of October 2026.
