20 Apartment Balcony Decorating Ideas to Create Your Dream Outdoor Escape

That apartment hunt anxiety is real – will it be another tiny white box with no connection to the outside?

If you’re lucky enough to snag a spot with a balcony, you’ve struck gold!

But turning that outdoor perch into a true extension of your living space takes a little know-how.

That’s where we come in.

We’ve gathered 20 fantastic tips to help you make the most of your balcony, no matter its size or view.

Get ready to transform your little slice of the outdoors into a happy haven!

Embrace the Scene

PinRicardo Labougle

When your balcony boasts a beautiful view let that be the leading principle in its decoration.

Here in a villa in Menorca, Spain, interior designer Lorenzo Castillo pulled the blues of the sky and sea into the upholstery on comfy outdoor seating.

Even the railings are in the shape of waves!

Make One!

PinJames Merrell

No balcony? Make one! Lucia Silvestri, creative director at Bulgari, turned the courtyard of her 17th-century Puglian escape into a blissful outdoor space that feels perched high in the sky.

(Her home is in fact perched atop a hill, so naturally had birds nest vibes.) “I like to have an aperitif in the courtyard and gaze at the star-filled sky and the lights in the valley below,” she says.

A retractable awning shades the space and planters by Enza Fasano bridge the gap between the surrounding landscape and the courtyard itself.

Emphasize the Entry

PinSylvie Becquet

Sometimes a balcony can bring joy when you’re not even on it.

In Bill Brockschmidt’s Sicilian palazzo, the designer had the doorframes of his balcony hand-painted in Federal Blue by the Old-Fashioned Milk Paint Company.

The effect is surreal, like a picture frame framing the picturesque stepped hills beyond.

Face the View

PinSerena Eller Vainicher

If your city abode is anywhere near a historical monument, forget everything you thought you wanted on your balcony.

It’s not about you…it’s about the view, honey! Alvisi Kirimoto kept the balcony on this top-floor Roman apartment super simple, so that the artist couple who live there could better appreciate their iconic neighbor—the Colosseum.

The only decor besides the fragrant climbing jasmine is a flower-shaped table by Victoria Episcopo with Maarten Baas chairs.

Work with Wicker

PinFrancesco Dolfo

Wicker—usually reserved for the heaving wraparound porches of Victorian homes or a coastal abode—can make a lot of sense in the modern light of day…if done right.

Update your wicker with a lick of paint, or incorporate a modern wicker interpretation like the rippling bowl atop this Saarinen-esque table.

Play with Planters

PinRicardo Labougle

Plants on your balcony are a no brainer, whether they climb, hang, or stand. What can take you that extra mile is an eye catching planter.

On this spacious balcony in Savannah, Georgia, rocking chairs reign supreme, creating what at first seems like a perfectly peaceful, straightforward outdoor space.

It’s only after that first glance that you notice a clever little interloper—the octopus wrapped ceramic planter in the foreground—injecting surrealism and surprise in the most functional of balcony items.

For the antique-heads searching for majolica at auction will get you where you need to go, but the contemporary girlies will always swear by a Francesca DiMattio or Katie Stout.

Create an herb garden.

If you’re dreaming of being an herbalist or a small-scale gardener but you’re working with a small balcony, take a tip from San Diego residents Melissa Padilla and her partner.

They used a wall panel from IKEA to create their very own vertical herb garden. 

Hang Some Fabric

Pin @S.U.S.A.P / Instagram

Shield yourself from wind, sun, and prying eyes with a solid privacy screen such as this red one seen on this balcony from S.U.S.A.P.

A simple cloth draped over the structure can ensure some extra privacy without having to break the bank.

Channel Palm Beach Style

Pin Design by Caitlin Higgins for EHD / Photo by Sara Liggoria-Tramp

Caitlin Higgins wasn’t a massive fan of her tiny outdoor space, so she decided to revamp it—and the results are stunning.

She added a set of pinstripe curtains that provide just the right amount of lighting—not too sheer, but not blackout either.

The reflective brass table adds a layer of elegance, while the set of black chairs helps ground the space and adds some serious contrast.

Accent With Plants

Pin @tanjasovulj / Instagram

Tanja Sovulj knows how to strategically place plants in her balcony space.

The hanging plant boxes on the wrought iron fence, small potted plants on the table and in the corner, and a simple hanging structure that looks stylish and functional to showcase even more greenery.

Add a Planter Wall

Pin @coffee_home_bea / Instagram

A planter wall sets the tone for this lovely balcony by Coffee Home Bea. Vibrant florals add a festive touch.

Wicker furniture and green astroturf create a decorative haven to retreat to when you want to unwind and relax.

Erect a Privacy Screen

Pin @_allezeitderwelt_ / Instagram

Who doesn’t love simple projects that add function and style to spaces? Case in point: this super affordable privacy screen idea by Yeri at Allezeitderwelt.

A simple addition of a half-privacy screen made of thin bamboo strands still allows for a view without giving onlookers a full view of the space.

The cozy fabric palette on the ground is nestled in the perfect spot for some relaxation in a refreshing atmosphere.

Add Style and Function

Pin @vidyaamberkerinteriors / Instagram

It’s important to incorporate options that are both stylish and functional—like these plant stands on this balcony from Vidya Amberker Interiors.

The various heights allow all the different plants to be seen, and it adds a decorative aspect as opposed to solely keeping the plants on the ground.

Channel Parisian Style

Pin Design by Jessica Bunge for EHD / Photo by Sara Liggoria-Tramp

Jessica Bunge from Emily Henderson Design took her extremely narrow balcony and turned it into a Parisian-style dream.

The alternating deck tiles from IKEA were the result of a DIY project she took on to turn a concrete floor into something much more aesthetic.

The vintage dining set was initially a set of four that she split with a friend—also known as friendship furniture.

This concept works remarkably well for small apartment balconies that don’t have the space to accommodate a larger number of chairs.

Try an Egg-Shaped Chair

Pin @kodikkaasti / Instagram

Rather than sticking with an average set of chairs, it doesn’t hurt to add in something a bit more whimsical—like an egg-shaped chair.

This chair takes up the perfect amount of space—without being too overwhelming— on this balcony from Kodikkaasti.

The stacked flower baskets in the corner and the paper lantern above add a stunning decorative element that ties things together.

Thrift and Repurpose

Pin @forgottencharmthrift / Instagram

Adriana from Forgotten Charm Thrift on Instagram found a wood pallet sectional frame on the side of the road and repurposed it for her balcony.

She knew she would need some outdoor cushions to make this a viable seating option, so she turned to Etsy and ordered cushions that were specifically made to fit wood pallets, adding in some thrifted pillows.

Make It an Extension

Pin @myhousemydecor10 / Instagram

To create your perfect balcony with a limited footprint, consider treating the balcony like an extension of your home.

Opening up the doors and windows—like My House My Decor 10 did here—and keeping a similar theme between rooms can help make a smaller balcony feel more expansive.

A Little Urban Jungle

Pin @gomes_höeppner_balkon / Instagram

Indulge your green thumb by turning your balcony into a little urban jungle.

This lovely outdoor space from F.R. Gomes-Hoppner is covered with beautiful greenery and seasonal flowers.

Covering the railing are flower boxes.The tiny accent table and chair is a perfect space for one, overlooking the view of the city.

The large umbrella brings the perfect amount of shade to protect from the sun’s harsh rays.

Make It Pet-Friendly

Pin @sad.fat.cat / Instagram

Got a pet? Then take note of this balcony setup from Sad Fat Cat on Instagram on how to turn your balcony into a pet-friendly space.

The typical white fence wouldn’t be quite enough to keep your furry friend inside, but adding a surround of thin wire mesh can do this trick.

To keep things from feeling too contained, use that added mesh to help support more decor—like these whimsical and colorful paper lanterns of various shapes and sizes.

Add Personal Touches

Pin @mishys_arrtsy_home / Instagram

When designing a balcony, naturally there will be common factors between your and others’ spaces—a table and chairs, plants, and lighting.

However, you shouldn’t feel as though you have to make a carbon copy of other spaces to have a stylish balcony—it should reflect some of your personal taste as well.

This balcony from Mishy’s Arrtsy Home is a great example. The small table is draped with a vintage-style tablecloth, and there are plenty of plants and string lights for atmosphere.

The wall is styled with colorful decorative plates, a mirror, and other small decor items that she hand-picked herself to create an eclectic, tasteful space.

Keep Things Simple

Pin Design by Caitlin Higgins for EHD / Photograph by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

When decorating a space, sometimes the best results can come from keeping things simple.

This portion of Caitlin Higgin’s balcony is absolutely charming.

A two-seat rattan bench she found online is covered with a comfy white cushion and decorative pillows for personality.

Work With a Color Scheme

Pin Dazey Den

Trying to discover how to decorate any space—particularly smaller ones—can start by figuring out a color scheme to work with.

This peachy dream from Dazey Den uses the pinkish hue on the surrounding fence, as well as the table and chairs.

Small pops of blue on the table create a nice contrast that is welcoming and vibrant.

Tile the Floor

Pin @diydoctorat49 / Instagram

If you are looking for a permanent way to cover up an unattractive balcony floor, consider tile suited for outdoor use. 

Sophia of DIY Doctorat 49 realized the previous owner of her place had used indoor tiles on the outdoor balcony—so she decided to give the terrace a refresh with new, outdoor tiles.

The blue and white geometric pattern add a striking pop to the whole space, proving how much tile can truly make a difference.

Make It Bold and Bright

Pin Dazey Den

Working with a small balcony doesn’t mean you can’t go all out with color.

This space from Dazey Den is all about incorporating pink.

The colors along with the large cactus and small surrounding succulents make this a playful space to hang out and entertain.