Style Inspiration from Small Balconies Around the World
Don't let the tiny space you have stop you from enjoying your balcony. Take a tip from these stylish examples
Some of these balconies will make you do a double-take because they’re about the same size as a typical Singapore apartment balcony. They are, however, oh-so-cosy, and packed with personality and style.
Style: Urban Scandi
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Here’s another small and narrow Swedish balcony, albeit with a more lush and charming view.
The key to fitting in balcony furniture and plants in this small space is to use slim-lined wire-style pieces – see chairs and rail-hung planters.
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Here’s another small and narrow Swedish balcony, albeit with a more lush and charming view.
The key to fitting in balcony furniture and plants in this small space is to use slim-lined wire-style pieces – see chairs and rail-hung planters.
Style: Whimsical Scandi
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
A ceiling-hung cocoon chair makes this small Swedish balcony feel luxurious. A weathered metal tray table gives height to a potted plant and a cluster of candles, while a low coffee table (that also could be a tray table) is ever-ready for a spot of fika.
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Location: Stockholm, Sweden
A ceiling-hung cocoon chair makes this small Swedish balcony feel luxurious. A weathered metal tray table gives height to a potted plant and a cluster of candles, while a low coffee table (that also could be a tray table) is ever-ready for a spot of fika.
Browse more balcony design photos
Style: Danish hygge
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Hygge is defined as “creating a nice, warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people around you”. As humble as the pieces in this balcony are, they certainly fulfil that definition. A pair of folding chairs, sweet hurricane lamps and potted blooms – not to mention that view – and all you need is someone to share a glass of wine with to live out hygge.
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Hygge is defined as “creating a nice, warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people around you”. As humble as the pieces in this balcony are, they certainly fulfil that definition. A pair of folding chairs, sweet hurricane lamps and potted blooms – not to mention that view – and all you need is someone to share a glass of wine with to live out hygge.
Style: Fun, French twist
Location: Paris, France
We usually think of Parisian balconies as tiny but sophisticated and sexy. This sunny, colourful balcony has a bit more space to play with, so there’s a cosy loveseat in addition to the standard outdoor set-for-two, and the potted plants.
Location: Paris, France
We usually think of Parisian balconies as tiny but sophisticated and sexy. This sunny, colourful balcony has a bit more space to play with, so there’s a cosy loveseat in addition to the standard outdoor set-for-two, and the potted plants.
Style: Parisian Minimalist
Location: Paris, France
Just like their philosophy in Parisian chic (i.e. luxurious wardrobe basics), this little balcony looks simple with its folding set-for-two, but feels utterly indulgent. It embodies the French je ne sais quoi perfectly.
Location: Paris, France
Just like their philosophy in Parisian chic (i.e. luxurious wardrobe basics), this little balcony looks simple with its folding set-for-two, but feels utterly indulgent. It embodies the French je ne sais quoi perfectly.
Style: Vibrant Spanish flair
Location: Malaga, Spain
Here’s another balcony with a view of high-density housing. Its boxy white architecture is punctuated by vibrant colours and intricately patterned tiles of religious icons. Imagine this with Peranakan tiles!
Location: Malaga, Spain
Here’s another balcony with a view of high-density housing. Its boxy white architecture is punctuated by vibrant colours and intricately patterned tiles of religious icons. Imagine this with Peranakan tiles!
Style: Rustic charm
Location: Berlin, Germany
Country meets city in this little Berlin balcony. It has a view of faraway, old houses as well as train tracks; its little planter box is lush with greens while its fun furniture is smart in its sleek lines.
Location: Berlin, Germany
Country meets city in this little Berlin balcony. It has a view of faraway, old houses as well as train tracks; its little planter box is lush with greens while its fun furniture is smart in its sleek lines.
Style: Colourfully country
Location: New York, USA
A bold splash of blue paint on these outdoor rockers enlivens this narrow New York balcony. The wood plank material of the decking as well as the chairs adds a contrasting country charm to the city view.
Location: New York, USA
A bold splash of blue paint on these outdoor rockers enlivens this narrow New York balcony. The wood plank material of the decking as well as the chairs adds a contrasting country charm to the city view.
Style: Sleek minimalist
Location: Brazil
Low-slung outdoor seats make it hard to resist sitting and taking in the lush green view of this Brazilian balcony.
Location: Brazil
Low-slung outdoor seats make it hard to resist sitting and taking in the lush green view of this Brazilian balcony.
Style: Hanging minimalism
Location: Brisbane, Australia
A good trick to making a narrow balcony feel large: Don’t clutter its floor area with pots and furniture legs. Instead, hang them from the ceiling!
Location: Brisbane, Australia
A good trick to making a narrow balcony feel large: Don’t clutter its floor area with pots and furniture legs. Instead, hang them from the ceiling!
Style: Urban living room extension
Location: Toronto, Canada
When you have an interior space that’s just as small – this is a one-bedroom apartment – utilise the balcony! A small sectional sofa almost overpowers this balcony, but it maximises the space by making sure it’s used for evening drinks all the time (and why not, with that skyline view?).
Location: Toronto, Canada
When you have an interior space that’s just as small – this is a one-bedroom apartment – utilise the balcony! A small sectional sofa almost overpowers this balcony, but it maximises the space by making sure it’s used for evening drinks all the time (and why not, with that skyline view?).
Style: Pocket of resort style
Location: London, UK
Acapulco chairs and timber decking all over make this little apartment balcony feel like a green, sunny escape from the city.
Get to know the Acapulco chair
Location: London, UK
Acapulco chairs and timber decking all over make this little apartment balcony feel like a green, sunny escape from the city.
Get to know the Acapulco chair
Style: Designer name-dropping
Location: Mumbai, India
Luxury outdoor furniture brand Driade’s Pavo Real chairs by Patricia Urquiola and Nemo chair by Fabio Novembre grace this modestly-sized balcony in Mumbai, adding a grand flourish to its clean lines.
Location: Mumbai, India
Luxury outdoor furniture brand Driade’s Pavo Real chairs by Patricia Urquiola and Nemo chair by Fabio Novembre grace this modestly-sized balcony in Mumbai, adding a grand flourish to its clean lines.
Style: Monochromatic chic
Location: Hong Kong
Slim-lined, all-white furniture complement the white pebble-finish flooring and white grille work of this Hong Kong apartment, letting the skyline view take centre stage.
Location: Hong Kong
Slim-lined, all-white furniture complement the white pebble-finish flooring and white grille work of this Hong Kong apartment, letting the skyline view take centre stage.
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Location: Stockholm, Sweden
With its stark simplicity – and its view of high-density housing – this could be a HDB balcony in the heartlands of Singapore! However… you won’t find a Singapore balcony indulging itself with an outdoor rug and snuggly throws on the metal-framed armchairs. This is a decorating and lifestyle tip from the Swedes: whatever the space, make it hemtrevliga (homely) and ombonade (snuggly).
Read about these buzzwords of Scandinavian style