Most apartment complexes have shared outdoor spaces like a communal park or grassy area, but not all have balconies included with each apartment. When you’re lucky enough to live in an apartment with a balcony, you want to optimize your space and make the most of it. Even if you have a tiny outdoor space, there are ways to decorate it and we’re here to give you a variety of small balcony ideas.
Easy small balcony ideas for your apartment
Regardless of size, your apartment patio can become your private oasis instead of unused space. If you’re looking for small apartment balcony ideas and balcony furniture ideas, we’ve got you covered.
These 10 small balcony ideas will spruce up your space making it the place where you spend all your time on warm summer evenings.
1. Add more seating options
When thinking about balcony furniture ideas, consider the tone you want to set for your patio. Do you want a traditional seating area where you can invite friends over for dinner and drinks? Or, are you envisioning a Bohemian rooftop patio?
Whether you opt for a traditional patio table and chairs or a blow-up mattress covered in plush pillows and blankets, you need to include seating options as part of your balcony décor.
2. Accessorize with blankets and pillows
To make your balcony as comfortable as possible, you’ll want to decorate with some outdoor blankets and pillows. Pillows are both functional and decorative as you can relax on them and use them as a splash of color.
Blankets are great for cool summer evenings as you can place them on your lap during dinner or while watching the sunset. And they don’t take up too much room so they’re great for decorating your small balcony.
3. Use a table as your focal point
Tables come in all shapes and sizes, and depending on how much room you have on your small balcony, you can size up or down. If space is tight, considering a folding table that can be opened when you need it and folded and placed aside to save on space. If your balcony is spacious enough for a large table, the table itself can be the main focal point.
4. Soften the space with rugs
Looking for small apartment balcony ideas? Consider adding a rug to your patio floor. Rugs soften up the space and can be used as a decorative element. Find yourself a rug specifically made for outdoors or go to your local thrift store and purchase an inexpensive rug that won’t be ruined in the outdoor elements. Adding a rug to your balcony makes it feel cozier and appealing. Plus, you can go outdoors barefoot with a soft rug underfoot.
5. Relax with a hammock
Hammocks are great because they’re both comfortable and space-saving. You can enjoy a relaxing seating option but also have the option to fold it up and put it away when you need more space to entertain.
6. Go green with plants
Choose a variety of potted plants, herbs, flowers or succulents to decorate your small apartment balcony. Plants add life and color to any space and don’t take up too much room. If you’re tight on space, consider hanging your plants from the wall or ceiling to save on space. Or, you can line your window sills with potted plants.
7. Set the mood with string lights
Lights add an ethereal element to any balcony. And they take up very little room. Take strands of white lights and hang them around the patio. When dusk sets in, you’ll have a magical twinkle surrounding your little outdoor space.
8. Decorate with art
You may not have thought to hang art or wall décor from your balcony, but it’s a great decorative small balcony idea. You can choose a piece of framed art, a fun sign or even a planter’s box and attach it to the wall of your balcony. Again, this is a space-saving tactic and an easy way to decorate your patio.
9. Create extra shelf space with a ladder
Ladders are a great tool to decorate with. You can prop them against the wall or hang them on the ceiling and hang things from them. If you prop a ladder against the wall, you can use the shelves as decorating space and place votives, lanterns or plants on them. If you hang the ladder from the ceiling, you can use it to hang additional lights or trinkets.
10. Use a bar cart for your drinks
If you have the space, consider decorating with a bar cart. Not only will you use this when entertaining guests, it can be a way to make the patio look appealing. Add a collection of cocktails, mixers and glasses and you’ll be the toast of the town.
How do you make a small balcony look bigger?
Depending on how much space you have, not all of these small balcony ideas may be feasible. However, there are easy ways to make a small balcony look bigger.
- Go vertical: When you don’t have a lot of space to spread out, spread up. Decorate with tall pieces of furniture, hang your plants and extend the space by making it taller not wider.
- Find what fits: You may have found the perfect six-piece matching patio set, but on a small balcony, that simply won’t fit. When decorating a balcony and trying to make it look bigger, the key is to find furniture that’ll fit the current space. This will make it so you don’t have an over-crowded, chaotic patio.
- Less is more: Choose a few key items for space that you’ll really use. If you don’t drink, skip the bar cart. If you love playing cards or board games, opt for a few chairs and patio table. Simplify and optimize for your taste and you’ll love your small balcony this year.
Make the most of your small balcony ideas
You don’t need a massive outdoor space complete with a pool and pool house to enjoy the outdoors and balcony in your apartment. A few pieces of well-placed and well-sized furniture can turn a small outdoor space into your place of luxury and retreat.
