6 Top Tips for Decorating your Balcony

Last update: 30 December, 2018

Decorating a balcony is one of the most difficult tasks when decorating your home.

This is because they’re normally small, and we often use them as extra storage space.

It’s also difficult because balconies are outside, and so they need certain furniture.

We also generally put plants on balconies, which we have to care for and protect from adverse weather conditions, which is why choosing the right ones is so important.

In this article, we’ll give you 6 tips for decorating your balcony.

1. Cleaning

We’ve already mentioned that we often use balconies as storage spaces. You can use them to store anything from bicycles to cleaning products, to things you simply don’t need anymore.

So, before you start decorating, you’ll need to give your balcony a deep clean.

Cleaning it first will allow you to decorate it properly. It’s also important to have a thorough clear out, because, as it’s outside, it could have infestations of pests like spiders or wasps.

2. The floor

Once you’ve cleared out and cleaned your balcony, it’s time to decide what kind of flooring you want.

Usually, the floors are made of tiles, but if you want to give your balcony a full makeover, there are several other options to choose from:

  • Laminate flooring: there are many different types, but you should choose a resistant flooring specially designed for exteriors. It’s easy to lay and you don’t need to take out the original flooring first.
  • Vinyl flooring: as the name suggests, this is a type of vinyl designed for floors, the same as you can buy for kitchens. It’s ideal for exteriors and really easy to clean. Plus, one of the main advantages is that you can find really realistic faux wood, stone and grass types of vinyl.
  • Carpet: this is also an option for balconies, however, it can be a real pain to clean. Look for a light carpet rather than one made from warm fabrics to bring a sense of freshness to your balcony.
An artificial lawn is one of the best options for balcony floors.

One of the most popular options is an artificial lawn. This is a really great option, as it mimics a natural element that will add a natural touch to your balcony, even in the middle of the city.

3. Space

To be able to successfully decorate your balcony, you need to know it like the back of your hand. Measuring is really important so that you know which furniture you’ll be able to fit in your space.

One of the most fundamental aspects is what you’re actually going to use your balcony for: to while away a summer afternoon or simply because you want a neater, better-decorated room to match the rest of your house?

The most important thing is that you don’t overfill the space. If you’re going to be using it every day, you’ll need to calculate the amount of space everything will take up, like the table, chairs and so on.

Remember, it’s important that you have an area where you can really enjoy the summer.

4. Plants

What’s a balcony without plants? Plants are an essential element for decorating.

There are lots of different aspects to consider:

  • What you’re going to display them in: plant pots, window boxes, hanging baskets.
  • The type of plant you’re going to include: for this, you’ll need to take into account the climate in your city and the amount of sunlight.

There are many different plant varieties, and not all of them can withstand high summer temperatures.

A balcony is nothing without some beautiful plants.

One trend that has become popular in the last few years is incorporating a vertical orchard into your balcony as well as plants.

Because conventional balconies are generally lacking in space, we’d recommend a vertical garden.

People usually use aromatic plants like: cilantro, rosemary, peppermint etc.

On balconies with more space, you can also include vegetables.

5. Balcony furniture

A fundamental part of decorating any balcony is choosing the right furniture.

It’s essential to choose practical, and indeed, multi-functional furniture. This is because of the general lack of space we usually find with balconies.

To make the very most of the space, we recommend that you use furniture that is smaller in size, like for example round tables and folding chairs.

You could also include a bench that you can use yourself, or guests, or even for displaying plant pots.

6. Balcony accessories 

Decorative elements and accessories are just as important when it comes to decorating your balcony. Making sure you choose the right decorations will ensure your balcony’s makeover is a success.

Lanterns and candles will make an evening on your balcony relaxing.

You can include extra elements like hammocks even on a small balcony.

One element that is really practical for balconies is a small serving cart, which you can use to bring out dinner or snacks from the kitchen. You can also use it to put flower pots on.

Conclusion

Decorating a balcony is a really interesting project. All you need is a bit of imagination and inspiration to create a really unique space you can use for whatever you want.

Remember, because it is an exterior space, you need to take into consideration things such as weather conditions. In summer, there will be storms too, so you’ll need to have plastic covers for your furniture so nothing gets ruined or goes moldy.