London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Oct 21, 2025

6 Simple Ways to Turn Your Balcony into an Outdoor Oasis

6 Simple Ways to Turn Your Balcony into an Outdoor Oasis

A balcony is a prized amenity for apartment dwellers. These balcony decorating ideas will help you create a cozy outdoor hangout, no matter how small your space.

For anyone living in an apartment or condo, having a balcony is a major perk. Although it's not as luxurious as a sprawling backyard, even a tiny balcony provides a private outdoor space where you can kick back and take in some fresh air. And with a little extra attention to the design, your balcony can serve as a cozy outdoor hangout that's well equipped for dining, entertaining, gardening, and unwinding. These balcony decorating ideas demonstrate how you can turn even a sliver of space into a relaxing outdoor retreat.



1. Personalize your balcony with pretty accessories.


Bring in color and pattern to transform a lifeless balcony into a stylish oasis. Start by anchoring the space with an outdoor area rug for a large dose of pattern. Pull up a couple of chairs and top them with colorful pillows made from weather-resistant fabric. Plants are another easy way to liven up a small outdoor space; just be sure to choose varieties that are suitable for the light and temperatures on your balcony.



2. Create a balcony entertaining station.


Outfit your balcony with a bar cart that's stocked with the essentials for outdoor entertaining. Along with your favorite cocktail-making ingredients, be sure to include a few accents, such as a potted plant or framed artwork. If you're worried about your dishes taking a tumble, use drinkware that's made of durable, shatter-resistant materials like melamine, plastic, or stainless steel. Choose a cart on wheels that you can easily roll back inside when happy hour is over.

3. Establish privacy on your balcony.


Complete privacy will be difficult to achieve if your balcony butts up to other apartments or opens onto the street, but there are a few simple ways to establish a more private space. Position containers of tall plants along the railing, or hang a row of plants with trailing leaves to screen your balcony. Outdoor curtains are another easy solution that blocks harsh light as well as views from nosy neighbors.



4. Set up a balcony dining area.


A small table and a couple of chairs are all you need to enjoy your morning coffee or a casual meal out on the balcony. Choose a round table shape over a rectangular one to make it easier to navigate around. A small settee or cushioned bench offers seating for multiple people without taking up too much space. Add a centerpiece and a few tabletop accessories to elevate your alfresco meal.



5. Consider scale and durability when choosing furniture.


Furnish your balcony with pieces that match its scale. Trying to squeeze a bunch of bulky furniture onto a minuscule balcony will quickly overwhelm it. Instead, choose options with streamlined, low-profile shapes, such as armless chairs, bistro tables, and petite side tables. Durability is another key consideration when decorating a balcony. Look for furniture and accessories made from materials like aluminum, wrought iron, resin wicker, plastic, or teak that will stand up well to the elements.



6. Carve out zones on a larger balcony.


If you're lucky enough to have a large balcony or even a rooftop terrace, break it up into zones for different activities. Designate areas for entertaining, dining, or relaxing with a book, for example. This outdoor space includes a cozy conversation area situated around a fire table and comfortable seating for solo relaxing. A freestanding patio heater keeps the balcony cozy on cool evenings.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
This Is How the 'Heist of the Century' Was Carried Out at the Louvre in Seven Minutes: France Humiliated as Crown with 2,000 Diamonds Vanishes
China Warns UK of ‘Consequences’ After Delay to London Embassy Approval
France’s Wealthy Shift Billions to Luxembourg and Switzerland Amid Tax and Political Turmoil
"Sniper Position": Observation Post Targeting 'Air Force One' Found Before Trump’s Arrival in Florida
Shouting Match at the White House: 'Trump Cursed, Threw Maps, and Told Zelensky – "Putin Will Destroy You"'
Windows’ Own ‘Siri’ Has Arrived: You Can Now Talk to Your Computer
Thailand and Singapore Investigate Cambodian-Based Prince Group as U.S. and U.K. Sanctions Unfold
‘No Kings’ Protests Inflate Numbers — But History Shows Nations Collapse Without Strong Executive Power
Chinese Tech Giants Halt Stablecoin Launches After Beijing’s Regulatory Intervention
Manhattan Jury Holds BNP Paribas Liable for Enabling Sudanese Government Abuses
Trump Orders Immediate Release of Former Congressman George Santos After Commuting Prison Sentence
S&P Downgrades France’s Credit Rating, Citing Soaring Debt and Political Instability
Ofcom Rules BBC’s Gaza Documentary ‘Materially Misleading’ Over Narrator’s Hamas Ties
Diane Keaton’s Cause of Death Revealed as Pneumonia, Family Confirms
Former Lostprophets Frontman Ian Watkins Stabbed to Death in British Prison
"The Tsunami Is Coming, and It’s Massive": The World’s Richest Man Unveils a New AI Vision
Outsider, Heroine, Trailblazer: Diane Keaton Was Always a Little Strange — and Forever One of a Kind
Dramatic Development in the Death of 'Mango' Founder: Billionaire's Son Suspected of Murder
Two Years of Darkness: The Harrowing Testimonies of Israeli Hostages Emerging From Gaza Captivity
EU Moves to Use Frozen Russian Assets to Buy U.S. Weapons for Ukraine
Europe Emerges as the Biggest Casualty in U.S.-China Rare Earth Rivalry
HSBC Confronts Strategic Crossroads as NAB Seeks Only Retail Arm in Australia Exit
U.S. Chamber Sues Trump Over $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
Shenzhen Expo Spotlights China’s Quantum Step in Semiconductor Self-Reliance
China Accelerates to the Forefront in Global Nuclear Fusion Race
Yachts, Private Jets, and a Picasso Painting: Exposed as 'One of the Largest Frauds in History'
Australia’s Wedgetail Spies Aid NATO Response as Russian MiGs Breach Estonian Airspace
McGowan Urges Chalmers to Cut Spending Over Tax Hike to Close $20 Billion Budget Gap
Victoria Orders Review of Transgender Prison Placement Amid Safety Concerns for Female Inmates
U.S. Treasury Mobilises New $20 Billion Debt Facility to Stabilise Argentina
French Business Leaders Decry Budget as Macron’s Pro-Enterprise Promise Undermined
Trump Claims Modi Pledged India Would End Russian Oil Imports Amid U.S. Tariff Pressure
Surging AI Startup Valuations Fuel Bubble Concerns Among Top Investors
Australian Punter Archie Wilson Tears Up During Nebraska Press Conference, Sparking Conversation on Male Vulnerability
Australia Confirms U.S. Access to Upgraded Submarine Shipyard Under AUKUS Deal
“Firepower” Promised for Ukraine as NATO Ministers Meet — But U.S. Tomahawks Remain Undecided
Brands Confront New Dilemma as Extremists Adopt Fashion Labels
The Sydney Sweeney and Jeans Storm: “The Outcome Surpassed Our Wildest Dreams”
Erika Kirk Delivers Moving Tribute at White House as Trump Awards Charlie Presidential Medal of Freedom
British Food Influencer ‘Big John’ Detained in Australia After Visa Dispute
ScamBodia: The Chinese Fraud Empire Shielded by Cambodia’s Ruling Elite
French PM Suspends Macron’s Pension Reform Until After 2027 in Bid to Stabilize Government
Orange, Bouygues and Free Make €17 Billion Bid for Drahi’s Altice France Telecom Assets
Dutch Government Seizes Chipmaker After U.S. Presses for Removal of Chinese CEO
Bessent Accuses China of Dragging Down Global Economy Amid New Trade Curbs
U.S. Revokes Visas of Foreign Nationals Who ‘Celebrated’ Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
AI and Cybersecurity at Forefront as GITEX Global 2025 Kicks Off in Dubai
DJI Loses Appeal to Remove Pentagon’s ‘Chinese Military Company’ Label
EU Deploys New Biometric Entry/Exit System: What Non-EU Travelers Must Know
Australian Prime Minister’s Private Number Exposed Through AI Contact Scraper
×