This Is the One Double-Duty Piece of Furniture Every Tiny Patio Needs

As peak backyard season approaches in many parts of the world, I personally want to spend all the time outside. If your outdoor area is on the smaller side, though, you know that getting creative with your space is the key to getting the most out of it. In tight quarters, double-duty furniture is always a good idea. Multifunctional outdoor pieces can be trickier to come by, but thankfully Amazon has an ingenious twofer: this picnic table that easily transforms into a bench, which is perfect for even the teeniest of patios or balconies. 

This space-saving piece comfortably seats four adults, with a handy tabletop surface in between for serving food and drinks. When it’s just you or your immediate family hanging out, turn it back into a bench for two, and it’s the ideal perch to hang out, enjoy your morning coffee, or read a favorite book. 

Made of natural wood, this bench-table hybrid will seamlessly blend into any outside space. That said, it’s also easily transformable with paint or wood stain, if you want to add your own personal flair. The bench-table comes umbrella-ready as well, with a hole in the tabletop designed to fit most standard-sized patio umbrellas. This small-yet-thoughtful addition means you can use your outdoor space even on scorching-hot days or during light summer rain showers. 

Another major pro of this outdoor piece is that switching from table to bench and back is a breeze, according to Amazon reviewers. “Like that it is easy to assemble, and it transforms from table to bench and vice versa so easily,” one shopper wrote while another commented: “Easy to transform from a bench to seating. I highly recommend it to anyone that’s trying to save space in their backyard.” 

If you’re working with a tight spot outside — or a fairly small budget — I’d recommend channeling what you can spend on a multitasking table-bench like this. It’ll bring a little 007 flair to any outdoor setup, and for $160, it’s a sturdy, super-useful steal, considering what separate but comparable items would cost altogether.