Outdoor furniture for renters: pieces you can take when you move

If you rent, your outdoor furniture has to do two things: fit the balcony or patio you have now, and come with you when you move. Here is what to look for so you are not buying twice.

No drilling, no damage

Most leases do not allow screws in walls, decks or ceilings. That rules out ceiling hooks for hanging chairs and wall-mounted tables. Look for pieces that stand on their own or clamp on:

• A hanging egg chair that comes with its own stand gives you the hanging-chair feel without a ceiling hook. It needs about 4.5 × 4.5 ft of floor.
• A railing table hangs on the rail with brackets. Ask your landlord or HOA first, since some buildings do not allow anything on the railing.

Pieces that fold or come apart

Moving is easier when furniture folds flat or breaks down into parts that fit in a car. The side table in our wood rocking chair set folds, and our 6 ft folding picnic table folds in half with a carry handle. A double folding picnic chair works on a balcony now and at the park later.

Check the weight and the doorway

Before you buy, look at two numbers on the product page: the assembled size and the weight. Then measure the narrowest doorway between the street and your balcony, including elevators and stair turns. Lighter pieces in steel, aluminum or poly are easier to move than solid wood sets.

Pick materials that survive storage

Between apartments, furniture often ends up in a garage or storage unit. Poly lumber and powder-coated steel handle that better than untreated wood. Our materials guide compares how much care each one needs.

Buy for the next space too

If you expect to move to a place with a bigger patio, choose pieces that work in both. A bistro set fits a balcony now and adds extra seating on a patio later. A large conversation set may not fit your next balcony at all.

Questions about a specific piece? Send us a message with your space's measurements.