1. Green Up Your Balcony Railings
Fed up with looking out on bare metal railings when enjoying time on your small balcony? Well invest in some clever outdoor planters and let a mix of colorful balcony plants transform your space.
Metal railing planter
Made from high-quality iron in a classic black finish, this stylish balcony railing planter is a smart way to introduce your favorite flowers to your space. It comes as a set of two, and each planter has a pre-drilled drainage hole and plug in the bottom.
Balconissima Planter Box
With a built-in water reservoir, this railing planter makes it easy to give your plants all the moisture they need. The indicator will even show you when it needs to be refilled. Comes with two hanging brackets for attaching it to your balcony railings.
Hanging railing planter
This metal railing planter is ideal for injecting some vibrant color into your space. There's no need to permanently attach it to your balcony either as the curved hooks simply slot over your railings. The hooks can also be removed if you want to use it as a floorstanding planter in the future.
5. Combine Storage And Display To Maximize Space
Having space outside to stash gardening paraphernalia, lanterns and seasonal accessories out of sight can be hugely important, particularly in a small area that is used in many different ways.
6. Create A Compact Yet Cozy Dining Space
Adding a table to a tiny balcony can seem counterintuitive, as they take up so much space, but choose wisely and it will soon win you over. It all comes down to clever design and with careful positioning it can become a display feature as well as a work space or casual outdoor dining spot. Look for tables with a compact footprint and the option of foldout side or front leaves. These often have a gateleg style support so altering the surface area is quick and easy, but extendable arms and gas strut supports are also used.
7. Encourage Wildlife To Visit
Even the smallest balconies can attract birds and wildlife if they offer the right plants and habitat. Boosting wellbeing and lowering stress-levels, these compact spaces can become hugely beneficial and a soothing retreat.
8. Choose Space-Saving Modular Seating
No small balcony or roof garden should be without comfortable seating, particularly if you are looking to ramp up the cozy factor. If space allows, a weatherproof couch with water-resistant cushions makes the perfect space to relax with a good book, enjoy coffee with friends or simply take in the view.
9. Add A Rug To Cozy Up Underfoot
Adding an outdoor rug to a balcony space is a quick and easy way to make it feel like an extension of the home, but it can also elevate the space with color and pattern. Be sure to use a weatherproof design specifically made for outdoor areas. This way, you can simply wipe it down with a mild cleaning solution if it gets dirty, making it easy to keep your small balcony space looking its best.
Safavieh Naomi Aztec outdoor rug
Made from polypropylene, this black and white design is fully waterproof for outdoor use. Easy to clean, it can be vacuumed or spot cleaned to remove any dirt. Available in a range of sizes and colors – price is for a 2ft 7in x 5ft design.
Safavieh Martha Stewart outdoor rug
It's hard to beat the classic appeal of a blue and white color scheme, and this hardwearing buy would make the perfect finishing touch to your space. It's available in five different sizes (price shown is for an 8 x 10ft design) and you can spot clean it with mild detergent.
Genimo Outdoor Rug
Super durable and easy to clean thanks to its tightly woven plastic design, this bold geometric pattern will add some instant coziness to your space. It has a UV coating to protect it from sun damage, and can be entirely recycled at the end of its life too.
13. Choose Flexible Folding Furniture
When furnishing a small balcony, 'choose items that can extend, stack or fold to save space when not in use,' advises Kimberly Kronberger, Ikea US business leader. Folding or stackable chairs are great space-saving solutions that can be easily stored away in winter to make way for extra pots to brighten the balcony on grey days.
14. Go For Seating With An Airy Open Frame
Seating is a vital part of creating a cozy, comfortable balcony space, but when space is at a premium it's important to select a style wisely, particularly if you're hoping to make a small garden look bigger.
15. Use The Balcony Walls As Extra Planting Space
'One of the best ways to make a small balcony feel cozy is with plants. Even a few small potted plants can warm up the space and make it feel more peaceful and lived-in,' says interior designer Sarah Barnard.
16. Make A Feature Of The Floor On A Small Balcony
Tiling the floor is another excellent way to add personality to a small balcony. Large format porcelain tiles are hard to beat when it comes to good looks and practicality. Not only does the generous tile size mean fewer joins and grout lines, but they visually help to expand the space too.
17. Include A Mix Of Cozy Mood Lighting
Whether it’s a string of solar fairy lights, a floorstanding light or table lamp, introducing ambient outdoor lighting to a small balcony will instantly transform it.
Stargazer Garden Lights
Suitable for use on a covered balcony, this set of 21 LED bulbs features tiny lights glowing inside each bulb to create a magical effect at night. The price is for the bulbs only as the light strand is sold separately.
LumaBase outdoor lantern
Make it easy to move your lighting to where you need it most on your balcony with this LED candle lantern. Solar powered, it will provide 6-7 hours of lighting on a single charge. The hanging hook means it can be attached to the wall or railings.
Solar String Lights
Once fully charged, these solar lights will give you up to 8 hours of light each night. With a smart pewter finish, they are ideal for hanging along a railing or against a balcony wall. As long as the solar panel is in the sun, your lights can be placed in the shade.
21. Add An Awning
Awnings are a great addition to a small balcony as they provide privacy and shelter whilst also protecting furniture from weathering explains interior designer Sarah Barnard. 'Lighter-colored fabrics may let in some light to the balcony while offering protection from more direct sunlight.