Why go on holiday when things can be just as nice on your own balcony? The size of the balcony or your wallet isn’t important, because there are great and inexpensive design ideas even for compact outdoor areas.
We’ll give you a few tricks on how to design your balcony - so you’ll feel really comfortable there!
Balcony ideas for all directions
First of all: Not every balcony is the same. If you want to give your outdoor area a new look, you should first pay attention to its orientation. Because depending on how many hours of sun the balcony gets, there are different usage and design options.
· South-facing balcony
This one is for sun worshipers! A south-facing balcony is ideal for soaking up the sun and offers potential for a spacious sunbed. However, it can get very hot there, especially in summer, so don't forget a parasol or an awning. The plants should also tolerate a lot of sun here and of course should be watered sufficiently. Lavender, hibiscus or an olive tree are particularly suitable.
· East or west-facing balcony
The hours of sunshine on these balconies are not quite as intense, which creates a pleasant atmosphere. Breakfast with morning sun rays is possible on an east-facing balcony, so a small table with matching chairs is definitely a good investment there. On west-facing balcony, however, you can enjoy the evening sun, so a larger dining table or lounge furniture is ideal for outdoor dining.
· North-facing balcony
During summer heat waves, this shady balcony is a wonderful retreat. However, when buying the furniture, please note it will get little sun and won't dry quickly. So the furniture should be made with a fabric that is as quick-drying if possible. Weatherproof outdoor furniture made of fabric that copes well with bad weather is particularly good here. As an alternative, rattan furniture is also possible - it’s robust, but the upholstery should be put away in bad weather. On a north-facing balcony, also choose plants that like to be in the shade, such as ferns, hydrangeas or fuchsias.
Designing a balcony: the floor
Before you set up your balcony, start with the floor. Wood is a particularly suitable material here. It’s cosy and feels pleasant when you go barefoot on the balcony, as it doesn’t get too hot in the sun. The balcony doesn’t have to be completely renovated. Even with a balcony in a rental, clickable wooden tiles can beautify the surface in no time. Natural stone, on the other hand, provides rustic elegance but can heat up quite a bit in intense sunlight.
So-called outdoor carpets are another option. They are simply rolled out and can decorate the balcony a bit. Since the carpets are available in different colours and patterns, you can easily and inexpensively give your balcony your own personal touch.
Designing a large balcony
Now it's time to design your balcony! Large balconies in particular can be transformed into real wellness oases with the right design. An expansive lounger with soft cushions invites you to relax and dream and also offers an ideal venue for meetings with friends.
An outdoor lounger made of weatherproof fabric is a perfect choice because it doesn’t have to be put away and is particularly robust and durable. Nevertheless, always make sure that the furniture is not too heavy; after all, it has to be on a balcony. A stylish piece of furniture made of light polyrattan is ideal for this. Depending on the size of the balcony, beach chairs or sun loungers can be placed there as well as a comfortable hammock.
Larger potted plants such as palm trees or shrubs also cut a good figure on an expansive balcony. But always make sure you follow a uniform style throughout the interior so the balcony doesn’t look untidy!
Set up a small balcony: Designing a balcony
A uniform style is important for small-area balconies, otherwise the balcony will quickly become restless. So think about an overall concept beforehand when you design the balcony - should it look pure, modern, rustic or playful?
Which balcony furniture should you use for a small balcony?
Large furniture unfortunately has no space here, but it's also not necessary! Smaller lounge chairs or folding furniture are very space-saving and just as cosy. It's recommended you place the furniture on the walls and, for example, find a corner bench. That means that the furniture can also be folded up and visually more space is created. If the space is particularly narrow, folding tables can be attached to the wall, which can simply be folded down if necessary.
How can I design a narrow balcony?
Even a small balcony provides enough room for individual design. Always create a visual order and concentrate on a few different colours to create multidimensionality. Hanging plants or flower pots that are attached to the wall don’t take up much space and make the balcony a little greener. The decor can be rounded off atmospherically with light accents such as fairy lights or candles.
Designing a balcony with just a little money: how to do it
If you want to set up your balcony, you don’t have to spend a lot. After all, there are elegant solutions for your own outdoor area even for little money. Outdoor beanbags, for example, don’t cost an arm and a leg and are also extremely flexible. They can be moved easily and offer wonderful comfort. Even the decorations don't necessarily have to burden your wallet, as you can easily make them yourself.
Make your balcony ideas yourself
- Versatile packaging: Various packaging can get a second life on your balcony. An old wine box can become an herb bed, painted cans become flower pots and wooden pallets become racks for plants. That way you don’t have to spend a lot of money on decorations and you can also reuse old packaging.
- DIY with jam jars: The next time you have a jam jar, be sure to keep it because it’s a true all-rounder in balcony design. It can serve as a flower vase, for example, or equipped with a tea light can make a great lantern.
- Your own mini pond: A pond is too expensive? No problem, with a large metal bucket you can easily make your own mini pond for the balcony. With a few pond plants and floating candles, it’s an inexpensive, but still pretty alternative. If you paint the bucket in your favourite colour, the whole thing will look even more stylish.
Pretty balcony decoration: So you can beautify your balcony and use it nicely
Your balcony is already set up, but you have the feeling that it still lacks that certain something? You can spice it up a bit with the right accessories! A harmonious decoration can catch the eye and contribute significantly to making the balcony more inviting and homely. Colour accents in the form of colourful pillows or matching candles can make a decisive difference. But there are also a lot of other ideas that will make your own outdoor area more beautiful.
Balcony lighting, candles etc.
If you want to make your balcony romantic, you can play with light a little. Soft light is particularly atmospheric, which is why candles on balconies are so popular. A chain of lights is also a real eye-catcher and is also extremely atmospheric. Lanterns always create a nice atmosphere, but fire bowls, oil lamps and lanterns also make a difference. There are no limits to your creativity here!
Plants on the balcony: Ideas
A balcony without plants is only half as beautiful. A little green lifts the mood and gives the balcony a relaxing natural look. When choosing the plants, always keep the orientation of the balcony in mind so that the plants can be coordinated with the sunshine. Evergreen plants can also serve as a privacy screen on balconies. For example, bamboo, small cypresses or tendrils such as ivy or hydrangeas are great.
Urban gardening trend
In addition to planting pretty flowers, a balcony can also be used to grow herbs and vegetables. With urban gardening, you can use the smallest space to build your own garden. So you can easily go to your own balcony to the harvest fresh herbs, carrots, tomatoes, radishes and other vegetables. A raised bed can also act as a room divider and divide the outdoor area into different areas. It’s a fun trend!
With just a few tricks, it isn’t difficult to make your balcony cosy, even if it’s small. Cosy outdoor furniture for the balcony lounge, a few plants, the right decorations - let your creativity run free and transform your balcony into your personal oasis of wellbeing!
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