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I used wicker indoor/outdoor furniture very happily when I was a grad student, but it certainly shouted "grad student." And the sidechair broke before I finished my degree...

Most patio furniture looks like patio furniture, with good reason. But if you find stuff you like, and it's solidly made, I say use it.

Would it function as a place to sit? Sure.

Is it the best choice I've seen for small-space living? No.

If you want to bring the outdoors in, I'd suggest teak, rattan, wicker, woven seagrass, etc.

There's plenty of indoor furniture that's smaller in scale - the Ikea Klippan sofa and Tullsta armchair come to mind...

If you're set on the idea of outdoor furniture, I'd heed bepsf's advice and steer away from the wrought iron. Ikea also has some nice-looking teak patio furniture that I think might work indoors with seat and back cushions.

I bought a 3 piece patio set (2 chairs and a table) that I use as my dining set. It's accacia wood and small scale and it works great. But, this set was for indoor/outdoor use. I don't personally like the set in the picture, but it you do, go for it!

I have a fantastic set from the 1940s, it's a racetrack shape with custom glass and gorgeous ivory white wrought iron with 4 matching chairs. It has a nice elegant feeling without the heviness you get with a solid wood table.It does not really fit in my place since I got my huge sofa. I was going to post it on Apartment Therapy but if you think it would be of interest let me know in a posting reply and we can figure something out. I live in San Francisco.

Good Questions: Patio Furniture Used Indoors?
NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!

I'd do it, but it'd have to be the right furniture, and I wouldn't buy a full set. Just a chair here or a loveseat or coffee table there.

I purchased two "outdoor" chairs from Smith and Hawken's Target line and use them as side chairs. The upholstery is similar to my sofa and the frame is wood. No one has ever noticed, and I use the same type of throw pillows that are on my couch. I'm not sure if a metal set would blend as well, but I've been very happy with my mix.

It's not going to look good - it's going to scream college student. But hey it's your place.

I have a couple of patio pieces inside. I love them, they don't look like they should be outside though. :D

If you like them why not put them inside?

Eek. I would say, look for a small scale interior furniture instead. I have seen a loveseat and 2 chairs, look fantastic in the place of a sofa (same arrangement as above) You definitely do not need a full size sofa, but going to patio furniture is a bit extreme. There are indoor options in that same size.

for practical reasons, i think this set would be a bad option in a small space. there's a lot of metal all around, which could result in pain each time you accidentally brush/knock/stub your toe into the side of one of these pieces in your small space.

i do have some outdoor furniture indoors - a coffee table. but it doesn't look like it is meant to be outdoors, and i don't think that i would have purchased it if it did look like outdoors furniture.