11 Elements You Need to Style Your Small Balcony
Take a cue from these small yet stylish 'corners in the sky' to make your balcony a space you'd love to chill out in
It always seems too hot and inconvenient to hang out at the balcony in our year-round tropical climate. Although it usually rains in the late afternoon, making the evenings just perfect for sunset cocktails, our balconies are rarely set up for the moment – they might have a laundry rack waiting to be unloaded, or random plants that needed repotting months ago. Why not make it ready with these easy fixes, for alfresco downtime or meals?
2. A shelf for a variety of potted plants
Especially for a small space, the shelf heights allow for more pots within the same floor area. Having them at different heights also adds visual interest.
Especially for a small space, the shelf heights allow for more pots within the same floor area. Having them at different heights also adds visual interest.
3. Foldable table for two
Just like the Europeans do; none of those clunky plastic pieces, please. A foldable set is easy to stash away when you need to clean the balcony, and easy to set up when you want to hang out.
Just like the Europeans do; none of those clunky plastic pieces, please. A foldable set is easy to stash away when you need to clean the balcony, and easy to set up when you want to hang out.
4. String lights (or fairy lights)
Another European must-have, string lights add whimsical, romantic ambience in the evening.
Another European must-have, string lights add whimsical, romantic ambience in the evening.
5. Hurricane lamps
Hurricane lamps allow you to have candles – another source of romantic, ambient light! – and be safe. They also exude a resort appeal – modern, as in this photo, they give a luxurious, contemporary look; rustic, and they’ll exude a tropical resort vibe.
Hurricane lamps allow you to have candles – another source of romantic, ambient light! – and be safe. They also exude a resort appeal – modern, as in this photo, they give a luxurious, contemporary look; rustic, and they’ll exude a tropical resort vibe.
6. Soft furnishings: cushions and throw plus outdoor rug
Cushions and a throw can be brought in and out of the house at any time; an outdoor rug can stay there always.
Cushions and a throw can be brought in and out of the house at any time; an outdoor rug can stay there always.
An outdoor rug in this tiny balcony really makes it a cheerful space!
7. Outdoor floor finish such as wood decking…
A different flooring finish changes the feel of a space, and when you have outdoor flooring even for the narrow strip that your balcony is, you change how you relate to the space (i.e., you think of it as ‘outdoors’).
A different flooring finish changes the feel of a space, and when you have outdoor flooring even for the narrow strip that your balcony is, you change how you relate to the space (i.e., you think of it as ‘outdoors’).
… artificial turf …
… or low-maintenance flooring such as a concrete-patterned ceramic tile.
8. Something to sit luxuriously in, such as a sun lounger, if you have the space
Think about the cosmopolitan-city things you can do: getting a staycation tan in the confines of your private ‘roof deck’, losing yourself in a good book as you laze around with a pitcher of iced mint tea, or snuggling with your pet in your tiny patch of green.
Think about the cosmopolitan-city things you can do: getting a staycation tan in the confines of your private ‘roof deck’, losing yourself in a good book as you laze around with a pitcher of iced mint tea, or snuggling with your pet in your tiny patch of green.
… or a swing chair.
9. A metal screen
This doubles as a privacy screen and surface to hang air plants or small pots of ivy from.
This doubles as a privacy screen and surface to hang air plants or small pots of ivy from.
10. A green, living wall
It’s outdoor artwork that freshens up the air in your balcony, repel insects (if you have citronella or chrysanthemum), and doesn’t clutter your valuable, limited floor area.
It’s outdoor artwork that freshens up the air in your balcony, repel insects (if you have citronella or chrysanthemum), and doesn’t clutter your valuable, limited floor area.
11. Personal effects (such as a hat)
Bring in your personal style by decorating with some summery outdoor accessories such as a hat, beach bag, etc.
TELL US
How have you decorated your small balcony? Share a photo in the Comments section.
MORE
Style Inspiration from Small Balconies Around the World
See balcony design photos
Bring in your personal style by decorating with some summery outdoor accessories such as a hat, beach bag, etc.
TELL US
How have you decorated your small balcony? Share a photo in the Comments section.
MORE
Style Inspiration from Small Balconies Around the World
See balcony design photos
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Not only do they soften the hardscape of the balcony, but plants can refresh you. And if you want them to be even more useful, grow edible and aroma-therapeutic ones!