How To Create A Balcony

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31 Balcony Decorating Ideas That Will Make The Most of Your Outdoor Space

Who needs a backyard?

Matt Albiani for Gary McBournie

The weather is finally warming up, which means you want to spend more time outside on your balcony. And if you want to do it in style, you're in the right place, because we've rounded up dozens of balcony decorating ideas. Not to be dramatic or anything, but these chic outdoor spaces are more romantic than the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet. So to set a scene of Shakespearean proportions—except a little more modern and a lot less tragic—get inspired by these ideas and tips. Now we just need to find a Romeo...

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Bring It to Life With Blooms

Window boxes are your friends! Balcony blooms like these on a balcony by Gary McBournie will beautify an entire neighborhood. They can be even more stunning than a ground-level alternative, as the vertical perspective brings in an interesting, unexpected dimension. Plus, it's one of the easiest balcony-decorating ideas around.

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Treat It Like a Living Room

Use a living room design formula like this one by Marguerite Rodgers on your balcony to ensure it's a place you'll actually want to spend time. Translation: Add some armchairs or a comfy couch, a coffee table, some mood lighting via candles, and a throw blanket. Since it's an outdoor area, weathered pieces, flea-market finds, or outdoor-grade fabrics will fit right in.

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Break It Into Zones

If your balcony has enough space, carve out two separate areas to double the functionality. This spacious L-shaped balcony designed by Keesha Franklin of Halden Interiors features a separate lounge and eating area for both an outdoor living room and dining room that overlook the cityscape.

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Secure Mirrors

Instead of classic wall art, secure a mosaic of mirrors to the back wall like Erin Martin did here. Not only will the pattern create more dimension, it will also further accentuate a nice view. Bonus: This way, no one will fight over seating arrangements since you'll be able to see the view from all directions.

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Opt for Glass Doors

Opt for architectural bones that accentuate adjacent outdoor living space. Kathleen McCormick chose grand floor-to-ceiling steel-and-glass doors in her home office, which leads to a minimalist balcony, to make it feel like she's working outside while at her desk inside.

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Choose Paint Wisely

Go camo and paint the railings a subtle color that blends into the surroundings so as not to obstruct the natural views. Decorator Amanda Lindroth chose this sneaky shade of green paint, a pretty pastel that's so soft your eye may just skip over it and focus on the beautiful landscape view instead.

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Hang Plants

If you don't have a ton of space on your balcony, fill it with the coziest items you can find without overcrowding it. This deck area by Malcolm Simmons features hanging plants, comfortable throws, and layered outdoor rugs, making it seem like the ideal spot to sit with a cup of coffee and a new book.

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Repurpose Gardening Tools

An old wagon becomes a gardening display on this dreamy balcony overlooking the ocean designed by Kim Dempster and Erin Martin. You could also turn a wheelbarrow into a bar cart.

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Say a Lot with Less

For something affordable and stylish, set up a seating area using a pair of antique heart-shaped chairs, like these on a balcony designed by Tamsin Johnson Interiors. Vintage patio furniture is great because all it takes is a cushion upgrade for them to feel fresh next season, and you don't have to be too precious about protecting them from the elements because their aged look accounts for most of their charm.

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Create a Sense of Privacy

Don't let a shared space thwart your designer instincts. A room divider can create the illusion of privacy if your outdoor area abuts a neighbor's—as well as make for a dramatic backdrop to a homey seating areas. Instead a sofa or loveseat, opt for a slim bench and a side chair; the airy configuration takes up less space but can be just as cozy if you add a cushion, throw pillows, and a blanket. Joshua Greene also included a console table to dress things up, as well as plenty of plants and even a storage basket for blankets and towels.

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Make It a Focal Point

Take advantage of a postcard-worthy view by arranging the head of your bed so that it looks out onto the balcony. If your terrace is narrow or it's just a Juliette balcony, don't load it up with furniture and décor that'll block the view, and keep your window treatments minimal. A bare bedroom balcony is more romantic, as exemplified in this Romanek Studio–designed space.

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Mimic Your Interiors

If your formal sitting room or guest room opens onto a balcony, make sure the style and palette of your patio furniture mirrors the aesthetic on display in the interiors. On this balcony designed by Lee Stanton, the traditional-meets-rustic furniture speaks to the laidback ranch-style Montecito, California, design featured inside the home.

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Install a Swing

Swing benches aren't just for porches, you know. If your balcony has an overhang, secure a swing so you can relax and look at the view from a greater height. Just add some throw pillows for comfort.

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Take Advantage of Good Views

If your balcony is big enough, turn it into an outdoor dining room. Here, instead of a sitting area, there's a casual dining nook for alfresco meals. Looking out at the sea ahead and draped in a canopy of tropical plants, this balcony features minimal decor, allowing us to focus on the natural environment.

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Add a Cover

Cover your balcony to create shade and protection from the elements. You don't have to build a permanent overhead structure though. Instead, secure outdoor fabric or a tarp to corner pillars for a bohemian look.

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Choose Bright Furniture

Opt for ottomans instead of a coffee table so it can double as a foot rest, as Anna Spiro Design did here. This way, you'll be able to lounge and get comfortable or use it as a coffee table by adding a serving tray.

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Use Space-Saving Furniture

You don't need to have an expansive balcony to put it to good use. Opt for space-saving furniture, like this rugged wood bench. Then make it cozy and inviting with a sheepskin throw, add color and pattern with a runner, and place a plant in the corner.

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Hang a Bold Pendant Light

A bold metallic pendant light is a great way to jazz up your exteriors. But this isn't your living room, so to put it in the right context, incorporate nature-inspired materials such as burled wood, ceramics, and anything rattan. Take inspiration from this space by Commune if you need some pointers.

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Draw the Eye Outside

If you have a great view and your living room opens right out onto the balcony, draw the eye outward with strategic furniture placement. In this example by Arent & Pyke, the sculptural chairs introduce a pop of red and direct our eye to the view, but they still share the same lines as the oval blush ottoman and rounded coffee table.

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Set Up Alfresco Dining

Here's another example brought to us by Arent & Pyke. If you use your balcony as an outdoor dining room, create some shade—and bring in some style—with an awe-inspiring awning like this one. The bright yellow stripes add a cheerful edge. We love the primary color scheme with a blue bowl and red vase—they make the dining table pop.

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Start a Plant Collection

Now's the time to let your inner plant parent shine. If you don't have space for a full-blown rooftop garden, your balcony is a great alternative.

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Don't Hold Back

Just because your balcony is outside doesn't mean you can't channel your inner maximalist. On this balcony, Commune Design upholstered the chair cushions in a fun color and painted the trim in a contrasting tone. Follow suit and hang drapes to make this outdoor space feel as put together as your interiors.

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Whip Out Some String Lights

To set an intimate scene on the balcony when the sun goes down, wrap some string lights around the railing. And of course, don't forget the staples: A runner, throw pillows, and a small stool or side table for your drink of choice.

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Install An Eye-Catching Awning

Large-scale planters and a statement-making chair are all you need for a modern balcony oasis like this one by Arent & Pyke. A graphic black and white striped awning, terrazzo tile floors, and sleek white sconce that blends into the exterior wall won't hurt either.

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Give It a Vacation Vibe

If your balcony is large enough, opt for some lounge chairs for reading and sunning instead of classic patio furniture. Then hang a hammock for open air naps.

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Enhance Architectural Details

If you have a wrap-around balcony, accentuate that architectural detail by decorating your anchor pieces around the corner view. In this example, the striking dining room vignette is designed to lead our gaze outside to the balcony. And light pink sheers blowing in the wind have an undeniable appeal, not to mention the soft blush glow they emit throughout the entire space.

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Make a Grand First Impression

So you think your entryway is the only place to make a killer first impression? Not if you set up little console table for a design moment outside. Your guests will see this balcony sanctuary before they even step foot inside.

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Light Some Candles

Line up some large candles for a romantic atmosphere. Just make sure you don't put them too close to the edge. Then slide a papasan chair into the corner for bohemian style and comfort.

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Create Flow From Inside Out

To make your balcony feel like a natural extension of your living space, place a planter in right inside the door. Opt for something a little dressier and more impactful than the pots you use for your outdoor plants.

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Set Up an Herb Garden

If you love to cook as much as you love the outdoors, set up a mini garden and start growing your own herbs to cook with. It's the perfect place to do so if you don't have a big garden out front. And this way, you don't have to invest in any balcony décor—the plants speak for themselves.

Hadley Mendelsohn Senior Editor Hadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's senior editor, and when she's not busy obsessing over all things decor-related, you can find her scouring vintage stores, reading, or stumbling about because she probably lost her glasses again.

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