20 Apartment Balcony Decorating Ideas For Cozy Outdoor Escape

Apartment balconies can become much more than a place to step outside, whether the space has a sweeping view or only room for a chair and a few plants. Use layered greenery, privacy screens, colorful textiles, practical seating, and thoughtful flooring to shape a balcony that feels connected to the home while still reflecting personal style.

Embrace the Scene

PinRicardo Labougle

Allow a breathtaking vista to guide your balcony’s design when you have one.

In a Menorca villa in Spain, interior designer Lorenzo Castillo incorporated the sky and sea’s blue hues into the comfortable outdoor seating upholstery.

The railings even feature wave inspired shapes!

Make One!

PinJames Merrell

If a balcony is absent, simply create your own! Lucia Silvestri, Bulgari’s creative director, transformed the courtyard of her 17th-century Puglian retreat into a serene outdoor area that gives the impression of being high above the ground.

Her residence truly sits on a hill, creating a natural bird’s nest ambiance. She enjoys relaxing in the courtyard, sipping an aperitif, and admiring the starry sky and the valley lights below.

A retractable awning provides shade for the area, and Enza Fasano’s planters seamlessly connect the surrounding scenery with the courtyard itself.

Emphasize the Entry

PinSylvie Becquet

Even from a distance, a balcony can offer delight.

At Bill Brockschmidt’s Sicilian palazzo, the balcony doorframes were hand painted in Federal Blue by the Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company.

This creates a dreamlike effect, as if a picture frame is showcasing the beautiful stepped hills in the distance.

Face the View

PinSerena Eller Vainicher

When your urban dwelling is close to a historic landmark, let that be the focus of your balcony design.

The primary element becomes the view. Alvisi Kirimoto designed the balcony of this Roman apartment’s top floor with extreme simplicity, allowing the resident artist couple to fully enjoy their iconic neighbor, the Colosseum.

Beyond the aromatic climbing jasmine, the only embellishments are a flower shaped table by Victoria Episcopo and Maarten Baas chairs.

Work with Wicker

PinFrancesco Dolfo

Wicker, often found on expansive Victorian porches or in seaside homes, can be perfectly suited for contemporary settings when styled thoughtfully.

Give your wicker a fresh coat of paint, or introduce a modern interpretation, such as the textured bowl on this Saarinen style table.

Play with Planters

PinRicardo Labougle

Including plants on your balcony is a natural choice, whether they are climbing, hanging, or freestanding. An eye catching planter can elevate the entire look.

This generous balcony in Savannah, Georgia, features rocking chairs, creating an initial impression of a completely serene outdoor area.

Upon closer inspection, a clever detail emerges: the octopus adorned ceramic planter in the foreground introduces a touch of surrealism and unexpected charm to an otherwise practical balcony item.

Those fond of antiques can find majolica at auction, while enthusiasts of modern design often favor pieces by Francesca DiMattio or Katie Stout.

Create an herb garden.

SAVE IT

For those aspiring to be herbalists or small scale gardeners on a compact balcony, consider an idea from Melissa Padilla and her partner in San Diego.

They utilized an IKEA wall panel to establish a unique vertical herb garden.

Hang Some Fabric

Pin @S.U.S.A.P / Instagram

Protect your space from wind, sun, and curious glances with a sturdy privacy screen, like the red one displayed on this balcony by S.U.S.A.P.

Draping a simple fabric over the framework provides additional privacy without a significant expense.

Channel Palm Beach Style

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

Caitlin Higgins was less than thrilled with her small outdoor area, so she chose to revitalize it, and the transformation is remarkable.

She installed pinstripe curtains, which offer ideal illumination, being neither excessively sheer nor completely opaque.

A gleaming brass table introduces a touch of sophistication, and the black chairs anchor the area, providing a striking visual contrast.

Accent With Plants

Pin @tanjasovulj / Instagram

Tanja Sovulj demonstrates expert placement of plants within her balcony environment.

Hanging plant boxes adorn the wrought iron fence, small potted plants rest on the table and in the corner, and a straightforward hanging framework provides a fashionable and practical way to display additional greenery.

Add a Planter Wall

Pin @coffee_home_bea / Instagram

A planter wall establishes the mood for this charming balcony designed by Coffee Home Bea. Bright flowers infuse a celebratory feel.

Wicker furnishings and green astroturf combine to form a pleasant sanctuary for relaxation and winding down.

Erect a Privacy Screen

Pin @_allezeitderwelt_ / Instagram

Everyone appreciates straightforward projects that enhance both functionality and aesthetics. Consider this very economical privacy screen concept by Yeri at Allezeitderwelt.

Adding a simple half privacy screen crafted from slender bamboo still permits a view while preventing a complete sightline into the area.

The inviting fabric arrangement on the floor is ideally positioned for unwinding in a pleasant setting.

Add Style and Function

Pin @vidyaamberkerinteriors / Instagram

Incorporating elements that are both elegant and practical is essential. An excellent example includes the plant stands seen on this balcony by Vidya Amberker Interiors.

Their differing heights ensure visibility for all the various plants, and this arrangement contributes a decorative flair rather than merely placing plants on the floor.

Channel Parisian Style

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

Jessica Bunge of Emily Henderson Design transformed her very narrow balcony into a Parisian inspired retreat.

She undertook a do it yourself project to install alternating IKEA deck tiles, converting a concrete floor into a more attractive surface.

The vintage dining set, originally a four piece collection, was shared with a friend, creating what is affectionately known as friendship furniture.

This approach is notably effective for compact apartment balconies where space for numerous chairs is limited.

Try an Egg Shaped Chair

Pin @kodikkaasti / Instagram

Instead of standard seating, consider introducing a more playful element, such as an egg shaped chair.

This particular chair occupies an ideal amount of space on Kodikkaasti’s balcony, avoiding any sense of overcrowding.

The layered flower baskets in the corner and the overhead paper lantern contribute a beautiful decorative touch, unifying the overall design.

Thrift and Repurpose

Pin @forgottencharmthrift / Instagram

Adriana from Forgotten Charm Thrift on Instagram discovered a wood pallet sectional frame discarded by the roadside and ingeniously reused it for her balcony.

Recognizing the need for outdoor cushions to create a comfortable seating arrangement, she sourced custom made cushions from Etsy designed for wood pallets, then enhanced the look with preowned pillows.

Make It an Extension

Pin @myhousemydecor10 / Instagram

To design an ideal balcony within a confined area, envision it as a seamless continuation of your indoor living space.

By opening doors and windows, as demonstrated by My House My Decor 10, and maintaining a consistent style across connected rooms, a compact balcony can achieve a more expansive feel.

A Little Urban Jungle

Pin @gomes_höeppner_balkon / Instagram

Let your gardening passion flourish by transforming your balcony into a miniature urban jungle.

This delightful outdoor area by F.R. Gomes Hoppner overflows with lush foliage and vibrant seasonal blossoms.

Flower boxes line the railing. A small accent table and chair offer an ideal spot for an individual to enjoy the city panorama.

A generously sized umbrella provides ample shade, shielding from intense sunlight.

Make It Pet Friendly

Pin @sad.fat.cat / Instagram

If you have a pet, observe this balcony arrangement from Sad Fat Cat on Instagram for ideas on creating a pet welcoming space.

A standard white fence might not suffice to keep your animal companion secure, but installing a perimeter of fine wire mesh can effectively address this.

To prevent the area from appearing overly enclosed, utilize the mesh to suspend additional decorations, such as the playful and vibrant paper lanterns in various forms and dimensions.

Add Personal Touches

Pin @mishys_arrtsy_home / Instagram

When styling a balcony, certain elements, like a table, chairs, plants, and lighting, will naturally appear across different designs.

However, there is no need to replicate other spaces to achieve a chic balcony; it should also showcase your individual preferences.

Mishy’s Arrtsy Home presents a wonderful illustration of this principle. The modest table is adorned with a classic style tablecloth, and abundant plants and string lights enhance the ambiance.

The wall features vibrant decorative plates, a mirror, and other small accents personally selected to fashion an eclectic and elegant environment.

Keep Things Simple

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

Achieving outstanding decorating results can sometimes involve a minimalist approach.

This segment of Caitlin Higgins’ balcony exudes complete charm.

A two person rattan bench, discovered online, features a plush white cushion and ornamental pillows, adding character to the setting.

Work With a Color Scheme

Pin Dazey Den

When decorating any area, especially compact ones, identifying a color palette is an excellent starting point.

This delightful peach themed space by Dazey Den features the rosy shade on the surrounding fence, as well as on the table and chairs.

Subtle touches of blue on the table introduce a pleasant, lively contrast.

Tile the Floor

Pin @diydoctorat49 / Instagram

For a lasting solution to conceal an unappealing balcony floor, explore outdoor appropriate tile options.

Sophia of DIY Doctorat 49 discovered that her residence’s previous owner had installed indoor tiles on the exterior balcony. Consequently, she chose to revitalize the terrace with new, outdoor specific tiles.

The blue and white geometric design introduces a noticeable visual impact to the entire area, showcasing the transformative power of tiling.

Make It Bold and Bright

Pin Dazey Den

A compact balcony does not restrict your ability to infuse it with vibrant color.

This area by Dazey Den prominently features pink throughout.

The chosen hues, alongside a sizable cactus and surrounding small succulents, create an inviting and lively setting for socializing and enjoyment.