This Brilliant Bistro Table Hack Is Perfect for Small Patios, Gardens, and Apartments

Who doesn’t love the experience of sitting at a café — espresso in hand, croissant in front of you — and watching the world go by? I wanted to recreate that magic at home on my small balcony, with just enough room for two bistro chairs and a bistro table. 

The problem was, I didn’t really have room for a true bistro table. The height seemed to throw off the proportions of the space, and even a table that came in at just 22” across overwhelmed my petite outdoor oasis. 

I’d committed to the idea of creating the café aesthetic, though, so I was determined to make it work — regardless of my space constraints. I found the perfect French-inspired bistro chairs, with a sleek armless silhouette that wouldn’t take up an inch more than necessary. All I needed was a small table to nestle into the space.

After trying multiple true dining tables-for-two that were all wrong, I found a small marble and iron side table sitting inconspicuously outside one of my favorite antique stores in Richmond, Virginia. Both too low and too small to be a true bistro table or dining table, it might not have been the obvious choice to place between two dining chairs. But I had found myself in a Goldilocks situation, and this was the answer.

Using a side table rather than a dining table means settling for a smaller diameter. But if all you have in mind is a cup of coffee, maybe an appetizer plate, and perhaps a book, then it’s just the right size. I can easily fit two drinks and a bowl of crunchy snacks (plus, my potted plant!) to enjoy while I sit out there with a friend. And because side tables are often meant for cocktails or snacks, typically, they won’t be awkwardly short either. 

The brilliant thing about my table is because it’s marble and iron, it looks like a bistro table — even though it’s much more petite. So if you want to pull off this look, I’d suggest looking for something with similar materials. Even if the style you choose is meant for indoors, stone and metal do patina nicely — particularly if the metal is powder-coated.   

My table is vintage, so definitely keep your eyes open at flea markets, thrift stores, and antique malls. And you can find plenty of similar options at big-box stores. 

Joanna Gaines has created a version for her Hearth & Hand with Magnolia line that bears some resemblance to my table. You can also search online boutiques. Four Hands makes a version with a funky twisted base. 

Curiously, the lower height of my table actually makes my balcony feel more relaxed than it might with a standard bistro style. There’s no sitting up straight at the table, as if I’ve gathered for formal tea. Instead I’m relaxed while I lounge and take in the day — just as I’d envisioned when I first set out to re-create the café vibe in my tiny outdoor retreat.