Adding your own personal touch to your balcony is important to make it feel like part of your home. If your balcony is on the smaller side, it may seem like a particularly difficult challenge to accessorize without making huge sacrifices in what you want.
But, you can still decorate without making it feel cramped or cluttered or letting go of your hobbies.
For a small balcony, there are some must-have balcony accessories you should consider having around. In this article, I will walk you through each of these cute and practical items that you can use to save on space but still have a well-furnished balcony.
Also, we will touch on things you should do before you go out shopping for these incredible balcony accessories.
Railing Planters & Vertical Planters
If you have a smaller than average balcony, it will be difficult to find floor space to keep plants. Instead of taking up your already limited floor space, use your balcony rail space as a planter.
In order to do this, you can either use a pot that is designed to sit on top of the rail or hang from the side of the railing. Railing planters can be found at any major home improvement store with a variety of colors to choose from. If you want to customize your planter, these are not too difficult to make yourself.
If you want to use your floor space for your plants, you can use a vertical planter instead (Amazon link).
A vertical planter is basically a vertical stack of plants. This way you can care for a larger volume of plants without taking up too much space. This is also a great option for people who keep home gardens for things you can use in the kitchen.
Railing planters are relatively inexpensive and you can find one (or some) that fits your balcony’s aesthetic here on Amazon.
Balcony bar table
Balcony bar tables are our top choice for balcony accessories (after planters and flowers). Installing a balcony bar table on your balcony only takes a few minutes, and then you’ll have a place to enjoy drinks, coffee, and even space for your laptop, should you want to get some work done outdoors!
There is a wide range of balcony bar tables available and we have reviewed the top 5 options!
Handrail BBQ Grills
Full-sized grills are not a space-conserving option for someone with a small balcony. Not only does it take up space in general, but you won’t be able to relax and enjoy your meal on your balcony with it in the way. Traditional grills can also be a security concern.
Handrail grills can be mounted on your balcony railing leaving plenty of room for a table and chairs. You can also install this grill on your wall if you want to keep your handrail clear or already using it for something else. Electric grills tend to be safer than charcoal grills, these can therefore be a great option.
Make sure you comply with regional laws and building rules concerning grills on your balcony, as these can be a safety issue. Be very careful at all times using grills!
Folding Table and Chairs
If you are looking for a way to optimize your floor space without sacrificing having a coffee table and chairs, this is the perfect solution for you (if you don’t like the idea of a balcony bar previously mentioned…).
Folding furniture gives the freedom to use your balcony for whatever you want. If you decide you want space for yoga in the morning and dinner with a view in the evening, you can pack up your balcony table and chairs until you’re ready to use them again.
Now, if the rickety, old metal table and chairs that people use for bake sales or bingo come to mind, don’t panic. You can find some sleek and chic folding tables and chairs on Amazon that save you space and look great.
Perimeter Benches
This is another seating arrangement that is perfect for saving space. Just like the name suggests, perimeter benches (Amazon) are seats that line the walls of your balcony so that you have the center space clear.
In addition to serving as convenient and space-conserving seating, there are perimeter benches that also double as extra storage. So if, for example, you decide to use your balcony as a gardening space, you can store any tools or mulch in the benches to keep them from taking up space outside or inside your apartment.
Hammocks
As summertime rolls around, more and more people are looking for ways to enjoy the outdoors. One way to do this is by adding a hammock to your balcony.
Hammocks are a great way to relax and enjoy some peace and quiet. They’re perfect for reading a book or taking a nap.
Here’s a guide to balcony hammocks we created with all the info you’ll need before buying one.
Hanging String Lights
String lights are the perfect way to add a touch of romance and style to any outdoor space, and what could be more perfect for transforming a balcony into a cozy oasis than hanging string lights?
Whether you go for a vintage look with Edison bulbs or something more modern with LED lights, string lights can instantly brighten up any drab balcony and create an inviting space for relaxation and entertaining.
Here is another article on string lights, how to hang them, and our top choices included.
Birdfeeders
Birds are lovely creatures that can bring a lot of happiness to a person’s life. For people who love birds, having a birdfeeder on their balcony is the perfect way to enjoy these creatures up close.
There are a few things to consider before purchasing and setting up a birdfeeder on your balcony. Here’s a collection of the best birdfeeders for your balcony and the pros of having one.
Fake Grass Turfs
There are many reasons why you should opt for installing fake/artificial grass on your balcony. Here are some of the benefits of using fake grass on your balcony:
1. Fake grass is low-maintenance and easy to clean. You don’t have to water it, fertilize it, or mow it.
2. Easy to install. You can install fake grass yourself in a matter of minutes.
3. Fake grass is also very inexpensive compared to real grass.
4. Very durable. Fake grass is made of high-quality synthetic materials, which are very durable and long-lasting.
Use our guide on the best artificial grass for balconies to find the most suitable option for your balcony.
Drying and Storage Rack
If you don’t have any extra space for clothes or shoes to air dry in your apartment, a drying and storage rack attachment for your balcony rail is a useful accessory for you to have.
Not only can you dry your clothes with this rack, but you can also use it as extra display space for decorations like potted plants. Again, Amazon has a variety of great drying racks.
What to do Before You Decorate Your Balcony
To ensure that you don’t waste any of your time or money, you need to have a game plan for how you want to go about decorating your balcony.
Take Measurements and Pictures of Your Balcony
Before you go crazy buying many balcony accessories, you need to have a concrete idea of how much space you have to decorate. This way you won’t buy decorations that you don’t have space for.
Measure the length, width, and height of your balcony so you have numbers to compare with the measurements of larger accessories. For example, if you want to include something like a small table or a large plant, you need to know how wide of a table or how tall of a plant your balcony can accommodate.
You also need to measure how high the railing of your balcony is, so you know how much space you have to hang any decoration from your railing.
The pictures are so that you always have an accurate visual of what your balcony looks like. This way you won’t run the risk of buying an accessory that doesn’t flatter the colors of the walls and floor of your balcony.
Make a Plan for How You want to Decorate Your Balcony
When you make your plan, you do not have to list out everything that you want individually before you go shopping. You may not know exactly what you want when you decide to decorate your balcony. It is also entirely possible that while you’re shopping you will come across an accessory that inspires you to decorate in a completely new way.
A broader plan may include:
- Measurements
- Height
- Width
- Length
- Railing Height
- Colors
- Walls
- Floor
- Door
- Railings
- Accessory colors
- Balcony accessories Needed
- Plants (including sizes)
- Rug/fake grass dimensions
- Doormat
- Chair(s)
- Side Table(s)
- Lights
If you are someone who would rather make a detailed list of everything you want before you go shopping, go for it! An itemized list is a great way to keep yourself from buying extra balcony accessories that you don’t need and to keep track of how much you are spending.
However, you may come across something while shopping that you’ll feel compelled to incorporate into your balcony decorations. There is no problem with sticking to a plan, but don’t be afraid to have an open mind.
Make a Budget
Aside from recording the measurements, making a budget for your spending is the most important thing to do before you buy everything you need for your balcony. You need to be aware of how much everything is going to cost, so you are still able to cover your living expenses once your balcony is finished.
Once you have planned out how you want to decorate your balcony and how much you want to spend decorating, consider adding the above-mentioned essential balcony accessories.
Making the Most of a Small Balcony or Terrace
Having a small balcony does not have to limit your creativity, design ideas, and vision when it comes to decorating. There are plenty of balcony accessories that are modified or designed to accommodate smaller spaces. As long as you have a plan, you can still have an amazing balcony.
PS. You can also find lots of great accessories, ideas, and inspiration as regards your balcony or patio, on Instagram. People around the world love to share their balcony ideas, decor, ornaments, etc.
