When the weather is nice, we all want to spend more time outside. Adding a balcony or patio is an easy way to increase the amount of outdoor space in your home. Whether you have a large third-floor loft with a small terrace or a tiny apartment with access to a common rooftop, adding an outdoor space can be one of the best ways to expand your living space and enjoy the great outdoors year-round. 

To make sure that you get the most out of your new outdoor area, you must furnish it properly so that you end up using it as much as possible. Choosing the right outdoor furniture for your balcony is essential. You want something compact, comfortable and able to house as many people as possible. 

There are plenty of options when it comes to patio furniture but not all of them will suit your needs. To help you decide on the best set of outdoor furniture for your balcony, we’ve put together this handy list of pointers:

1. Decide which functions you want your balcony to serve

Before you go furniture shopping, take a minute to think about the things you want your balcony to do for you. Is it going to be used as a dining area? Is it going to be a place where you can lounge and read a book? Is it an entryway to the rest of the house, or is it a screened-in space? Your balcony’s function will help you determine what type of furniture will work best there.

If your balcony is the first thing people see when they come into your home, it’s important that it be well-decorated and inviting. If guests are going to be walking through your balcony to get to the rest of the house, make sure it’s well-lit and that there’s enough room for people to walk through. If your balcony is screened-in, you can add plants and decorations to create a beautiful indoor-outdoor space that will feel like part of your home.

2. Determine the size of your space

The size of your balcony will determine the types of furniture that will fit. If you have a large balcony, you have a lot more options and can experiment with different styles and arrangements. You may want to create a more intimate space, you can use a mix of large and small pieces of furniture. With a large balcony, you can add seating, a dining table, plants, and lights.

Small balconies can be used, but you’ll have to be more selective about the furniture you choose. Think about how the furniture will impact the space. Will it create a cluttered look? If you have a small balcony, you may want to avoid large pieces of furniture. Your best option is to stick to smaller pieces of furniture, like a small table and chairs, a plant stand, or a coffee table. 

3. Know the restrictions and limitations of your space

Before you start shopping for furniture, you should know what restrictions and limitations your space has. Is there a roof you have to avoid? Are there any zoning laws in your area that affect what furniture you can put on your balcony? How much sunlight does your balcony get? 

If you’re on a lower floor, there may be a height restriction. If you’re on a ground-level balcony, you need to make sure you don’t add furniture that is too big and blocks the door. All of these things will help you decide which pieces of furniture are right for your balcony. 

If you know that there are height restrictions in your area, you can avoid adding oversized pieces of furniture. If there are zoning laws that restrict what you can put on your balcony, make sure you’re following them. If your balcony doesn’t get much natural light, you can avoid adding plants and opt for furniture that doesn’t require a lot of sunlight.

4. Research before you buy

If you’re serious about making your balcony look nice, you’ll want to do your research before you buy anything. Take a look at what’s available at different retailers, and think about how you want to use your outdoor space. Are you mostly using it for dining or entertaining? Do you want chairs that are comfortable for lounging too? What kind of vibe are you hoping to create with your balcony décor? 

If you’re not quite sure what you want, ask yourself these questions: What do I already have on my balcony? What do I need? What type of furniture do I like? What colour scheme do I want? What style of furniture do I like? What kind of environment do I live in (e.g. Are there kids or pets in the home, or is my balcony located in a high-traffic area?) How much space do I have?

5. Choose furniture that blends in with your environment

When you’re choosing furniture for your balcony, it must blend in with the environment around it. If you have a modern apartment and you put traditional furniture on your balcony, you’ll end up with a look that feels out of place. Similarly, if you have a traditional house and you put modern pieces on your balcony, it will look out of place. 

Choose furniture that blends in with your environment. You can do this by choosing furniture with neutral colours, or by adding items like throw blankets and pillows that can add pops of colour. You can also build an outdoor room around a theme that you love, like sports or gardening.

6. Avoid furniture that blocks the door

If you have a door leading out to your balcony, you’ll want to make sure that you don’t block it with furniture. If you’re using a table, try to find a table that has open ends or use a folding table instead. If you want to use chairs, make sure that they’re not too big or you’ll end up with a difficult-to-navigate obstacle course every time you want to go through the door. 

Similarly, if you have rooftop access and you want to add chairs or a table, make sure you don’t block the stairs leading back inside. You may also want to consider adding a railing or a handrail to your rooftop area to make it safer to use.

7. Choose lounging furniture that feels comfortable to sit on

When choosing furniture for your balcony, you’ll want to make sure that you have enough seating for everyone, but you’ll also want to make sure that it feels comfortable to sit on. 

While you can choose sturdier and less comfortable furniture for areas that you plan to use often, such as a dining area, you may want to add more comfortable furniture to your lounge area. 

For example, you can add a couch or a daybed to your balcony to turn it into a comfy getaway. If you want to add a couch, make sure that you place it where it won’t block the door. You may also want to consider adding a rug to help the furniture sit a bit more comfortably.

8. Espresso, light or dark wood?

If you want the best patio furniture for your balcony, you’ll want to pay attention to wood types. Most outdoor furniture is made from wood, and the type you select will affect both its appearance and durability. 

Heavy, dense woods like teak and cedar naturally fend off pests and rot, so they’re great for outdoor furniture. Other popular patio furniture woods include pine, oak, and mahogany. You’ll also have the option of lighter woods like ash, maple, and hickory — especially if you’re trying to keep your balcony décor on the lighter side. 

You should also keep in mind that different wood types have different finishes. For example, teak is typically treated with oil, while cedar is typically treated with sealant. Whether you go for dark or light wood, you’ll want to make sure it’s well-maintained so it lasts for years to come.

9. Bright and colourful patio furniture

If you want to go for a bright and colourful look on your balcony, go for it! Just make sure to select pieces that are made with weather-resistant materials. 

No matter what colour scheme you’re going for, it’s smart to incorporate neutral colours into the mix as well. This will help unify your space and prevent it from feeling overly chaotic. And if you’re going for a neon-coloured look, be sure to keep curtains, tablecloths, and other décor items in the same colour family. This will help create a cohesive look while keeping your space safe from the sun.

10. Direction your balcony face

Depending on which direction your balcony faces, you’ll want to add different types of furniture. For example, if your balcony faces west, you’ll get plenty of sun, so you may want to choose darker-coloured furniture that’s easy to clean and won’t collect dust as quickly. 

If your balcony faces north or east, you’ll get less sunlight, so you may want to prefer lighter-coloured, more brightly-coloured furniture. 

If you’re unsure which way your balcony faces or you want to add a bit of flexibility to your outdoor space, you can use furniture that’s neutral or that has a neutral colour palette. This way, you can change the look of your space by rotating the furniture to face different ways.

11. Add a fireplace

One of the best ways to add warmth to your balcony is to add a fireplace. Fireplaces are highly versatile, allowing you to create a traditional fireplace look or something more modern, depending on your tastes and the rest of your home. 

If you’re considering a fireplace, you have a few different options. The first choice you’ll have to make is whether you want gas or real fireplaces. Real fireplaces are more aesthetically pleasing, but they also have their own set of challenges – they’re messy, they’re difficult to clean, and they’re a bit expensive to maintain. On the other hand, gas fireplaces are much easier to maintain, cheaper, and just as aesthetically pleasing.

12. Don’t forget the umbrellas

You might not think of umbrellas as part of the patio furniture family, but they certainly belong on a balcony. Although the sun is a welcome addition to our lives during most of the year, it’s always good to have a few different options when it comes to blocking it out when necessary. 

You can choose from different types of umbrellas. Traditional crank-style umbrellas, if you want to go for a classic look, crank umbrellas are what you need. These are great for covering a large area, but they can be difficult to open and close. 

Wrap-around umbrellas are a more modern option, wrap-around umbrellas are easy to open and close and provide maximum protection from the sun.

13. Add a hammock or daybed

If your balcony is large enough, adding a hammock or a daybed is a great way to turn your balcony into a relaxation space. Hammocks are perfect for patios and balconies because they don’t take up much space and they don’t require any installation. Daybeds, on the other hand, are perfect for large balconies that are designed to be lounging areas. If you want to add a hammock or daybed, you’ll want to make sure that you have a strong enough structure to hold it. Otherwise, you risk damaging your balcony. While a hammock can be hung from any railing, you’ll want to make sure that a daybed is supported by beams.

14. Durability and resilience of acrylic furniture

One of the main benefits of acrylic furniture is that it’s extremely durable, making it a good choice for outdoor use. It’s also water-resistant and UV-resistant, which makes it a good choice for outdoor environments. Acrylic patio furniture is sturdy and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. It’s also easy to clean and maintain, so you can keep it looking nice between deep cleanings.

15. Add an outdoor dining area

If you have a balcony that gets a lot of light during the day, you can add an outdoor dining area to your balcony so that you can enjoy your balcony at any time of the day or night. This is especially great if you have a large balcony or if you have friends over a lot so that you can all sit outside together. 

There are many different ways to add an outdoor dining area to your balcony. You can place a table and chairs on your balcony as is or you can build an outdoor table. You can also add an outdoor bar to your balcony, complete with stools and a table. If you want, you can also bring plants or flowers onto your balcony so that it feels more like a living room than a patio.

Final thoughts

Choosing the right furniture for your balcony is important if you want to make the most out of your new outdoor space. While almost any balcony can be furnished, the best balconies have furniture that enhances the space in terms of design and function. That way, you can enjoy your balcony at any time of the day or night and with any number of people.