Just because you have a small apartment, doesn't mean you have to get rid of the things that you enjoy most in life. If you enjoy barbecues with friends and family, you can set up a small barbecue area despite having only a small patio space. Here are some ways that you can set up a tiny, yet wonderful, barbecue area. 

Purchase a big green egg

With a small barbecue area, you need a machine that will perform a number of functions at once. A big green egg, such as from Hearth and Patio, will allow you to barbecue over charcoals, plus smoke food and even bake food. Everything that can be steamed, such as rice and vegetables, can also be placed inside to steam cook along with your barbecue meats.There is a big green egg that will permit you the option to cook a variety of foods. There are barbecues that are just over a foot tall and will only take up about as much space as one chair to cook anything that you may want. After you clean the egg, you can keep any of the cooking utensils on the inside of the egg in the name of saving space. 

Drop down table

Instead of keeping up a table that will be difficult to navigate around, create a drop down table for your patio area. Permanently latch one end of the table to your patio railing. Get a table with fold down legs that you can fold up to stay stationery when you are at the table, and to fold down to lay flat against the railing when the table is not in use. This will allow you and your family more space to walk around and barbecue until you are ready to eat or otherwise use the patio table. Once the table is folded down, you can place the chairs up against the table area to clear out a walking path. 

String white lights to your patio railing

Often balconies and patios will have harsh lighting that can be too bright if you already live in the city. If you want nice, soft lighting that adds the perfect backdrop to your balcony, string lights on the railing. Wrapping lights around the railing, then plugging them in as necessary will emit light so that you can see all throughout your small balcony area. You can use less electricity by using these small lights and you won't disrupt any of your neighbors if the default lighting in your apartment patio is a harsh, bright yellow.