My first apartment balcony was a 4 by 8 foot slab of concrete with a metal railing and a view of a parking lot. I put a folding chair out there, used it twice, and gave up. The space felt too small, too ugly, and too exposed to be worth spending time in. Five apartments later, I have learned that almost any balcony, no matter how small or unappealing, can become a genuine outdoor living space. The key is treating it like a room, not an afterthought, and doing it all without making permanent changes that your landlord will charge you for.
This is a guide for renters who want to transform a small balcony into usable outdoor space. Every suggestion here is removable, reversible, and rental friendly. No drilling into walls, no permanent construction, no lease violations.
Start With the Floor
The fastest way to make a balcony feel like a space rather than a leftover slab is to cover the floor. Concrete and composite decking are the standard balcony surfaces, and neither is inviting. Covering the floor changes the entire feeling of the space.
Interlocking Deck Tiles
These are the single best rental balcony upgrade. Deck tiles are square tiles (usually 12×12 inches) that snap together with interlocking plastic bases. They come in wood (acacia, teak, eucalyptus), composite, and plastic. You lay them directly on the existing floor, and they stay in place by their own weight and interlock. No adhesive, no tools, no permanent installation.
Wood deck tiles look the best and feel warm underfoot. Acacia is the most affordable wood option (about 2 to 3 dollars per tile) and develops a nice patina. Teak is more expensive (4 to 6 dollars per tile) but lasts longer. Wood tiles need annual oiling to maintain their color, otherwise they turn gray. Some renters are fine with the gray look, which is natural and weathered.
Composite deck tiles are maintenance free and come in various colors. They cost 3 to 5 dollars per tile and will not rot, fade, or warp. They look slightly less natural than wood but are more practical for a low maintenance rental.
Plastic deck tiles are the cheapest option (1 to 2 dollars per tile) and come in patterns that mimic wood or stone. They look plasticky up close but are acceptable from a distance. They are also the lightest, which matters if you need to carry them up several flights of stairs.
To cover a 4×8 foot balcony, you need 32 tiles. At 3 dollars per tile, that is about 100 dollars. The transformation is dramatic. The floor goes from cold concrete to a warm deck surface that makes the space feel intentional.
Outdoor Rugs
If deck tiles are too expensive or you want a softer surface, an outdoor rug is a good alternative. Outdoor rugs are made from polypropylene or recycled plastic, which makes them waterproof, UV resistant, and easy to clean with a hose.
Choose a rug that fits the balcony with 2 to 4 inches of margin on each side. A rug that is too small makes the space feel disconnected. A rug that is too big bunches up against the walls and railing.
An outdoor rug costs 30 to 80 dollars for a small balcony size (4×6 or 5×7 feet). It will not last forever (expect 2 to 3 seasons of daily sun exposure) but it is an affordable way to add color and define the space.
Combining Tiles and Rugs
For the best look, use deck tiles as the base layer and add a smaller rug on top for color and pattern. The tiles provide structure and warmth, and the rug adds personality. This combination costs 130 to 180 dollars total but creates the most polished look.
Furniture for Small Spaces
Balcony furniture must do three things: fit the space, fold or stack for storage, and withstand weather. Most apartment balconies are 4 to 6 feet wide and 8 to 10 feet long. That is not a lot of room, and every piece of furniture must earn its place.
The Bistro Set
A bistro set (a small round table and two chairs) is the classic balcony furniture choice for good reason. It provides a surface for eating or drinking and seating for two people, all in a compact footprint. A typical bistro set takes up about 3×3 feet, leaving room to walk past it.
Folding bistro sets are ideal for renters because they can be collapsed and stored when not in use. If your balcony is so small that furniture blocks the sliding door, a folding set that you set up when you need it and store against the wall when you do not is the solution.
Materials: Aluminum frames with UV resistant seats are the most durable and lowest maintenance. Powder coated steel is cheaper but rusts if the coating is scratched. Wood (eucalyptus or acacia) looks great but needs oiling. Resin wicker is attractive but collects dust.
A folding bistro set costs 80 to 200 dollars depending on material. The table should be 24 to 30 inches in diameter for a small balcony.
Folding Chairs
If a full bistro set is too much, two folding chairs with a small side table between them is a more flexible arrangement. The chairs can be folded and stored, and the table can be a simple tray or stool that does double duty as seating.
Folding chairs come in wood, metal, and resin. For a balcony, I prefer wood (acacia or eucalyptus) because it looks warmer and more intentional than metal camping chairs. A pair of folding wood chairs costs 60 to 120 dollars.
Floor Cushions and Poufs
For a casual, bohemian balcony, skip traditional furniture entirely and use floor cushions. Large, weather resistant floor cushions (24×24 inches or larger) create a lounge atmosphere and can be stacked and stored in a closet when not in use. Add a low tray table for drinks and food, and you have a comfortable seating area that takes up minimal vertical space.
Floor cushions are especially good for very small balconies where standard furniture feels cramped. Sitting on the floor makes a 4 foot wide balcony feel spacious because your head is below the railing line.
The Storage Bench
A storage bench is the most versatile piece of balcony furniture. It provides seating for one or two people, storage for cushions and supplies inside, and a surface for a tray or plant. Look for a resin or rattan look storage bench that is weather resistant.
The bench doubles as a coffee table when you add a tray on top. Put cushions inside when it rains. Store gardening supplies, extra candles, or outdoor dinnerware inside. A 40 to 50 gallon storage bench costs 100 to 200 dollars and serves more functions than any other single piece.
Furniture Sizing Rules
- Leave at least 18 inches of clearance for walking. If your balcony is 4 feet wide, your furniture should be no more than 24 to 30 inches deep.
- Choose furniture with open frames (slats, mesh, open sides) rather than solid pieces. Open frames feel lighter and less bulky in a small space.
- Avoid furniture with arms, which add 6 to 10 inches of width per seat. Armless chairs or stools are more space efficient.
- The table should be at chair seat height (16 to 18 inches) for a casual balcony, or counter height (28 to 30 inches) for dining. Do not mix heights in a small space.
Privacy Screens and Wind Blocks
The biggest complaint about apartment balconies is lack of privacy. You are visible to neighbors above, beside, and sometimes below. Creating privacy without permanent construction is one of the most impactful balcony upgrades.
Bamboo Roll Up Screens
Bamboo screens are the most popular balcony privacy solution because they are cheap, easy to install, and effective. A roll of bamboo screening (typically 6 feet tall and 8 to 16 feet long) costs 20 to 50 dollars. You attach it to the railing with zip ties or wire ties.
Bamboo screens block visual sight lines while still allowing air and some light through. They look natural and warm. The downside is that they are somewhat fragile in wind and can unravel after a season or two. Expect to replace bamboo screening every 1 to 2 years.
Privacy Screen Panels
Freestanding privacy screen panels are fabric or resin panels on a frame that stand on the balcony floor. They do not attach to the railing, which is important if your lease prohibits attaching anything to the railing. Position the panel to block the sight line from the most visible neighbor.
Privacy panels come in various heights (4 to 6 feet) and widths (3 to 5 feet). They cost 40 to 120 dollars. Look for panels with a weighted base or the ability to fill the base with sand or water for wind resistance.
Outdoor Curtains
If your balcony has a roof or overhead structure, you can install a tension rod or command hook wire and hang outdoor curtains. Curtains provide the most complete privacy and can be opened or closed as needed. Use outdoor rated fabric (polyester or olefin) that resists fading and moisture.
Outdoor curtains cost 15 to 40 dollars per panel. You need 2 to 4 panels depending on the width of your balcony. The tension rod or wire system costs 15 to 30 dollars. This is one of the most attractive privacy solutions, but it only works if you have something overhead to hang from.
Artificial Hedge Panels
Artificial hedge panels are squares of realistic looking artificial foliage (usually boxwood or ivy) that attach to the railing with zip ties. They provide privacy and a green, garden like appearance without any maintenance. Each panel is typically 20×20 inches and costs 10 to 20 dollars.
These panels are surprisingly realistic at a distance. Up close, you can tell they are artificial, but from a neighbor’s perspective, they look like a green wall. They do not fade for 2 to 3 years and require zero maintenance. The downside is cost: covering a 4×6 foot railing section requires about 7 panels, costing 70 to 140 dollars.
Plants: The Living Element
Plants are what turn a balcony from a furnished slab into a garden. Even a few well chosen plants make the space feel alive and cared for. The challenge on a balcony is limited floor space, so most plants need to go vertical.
Rail Planters
Rail planters are containers designed to clip onto a balcony railing, taking up zero floor space. They come in sizes that fit standard railings (2×2 inch, 2×4 inch, and round rails). A rail planter holds 1 to 3 plants and costs 15 to 40 dollars.
Position rail planters on the outside of the railing if your lease allows it (some buildings prohibit exterior hanging items for safety reasons). If not, place them on the inside. Fill them with trailing plants that spill over the edge: petunias, calibrachoa, sweet potato vine, or trailing rosemary.
Vertical Gardens
A vertical garden is a wall mounted or freestanding structure that holds multiple plants in a small footprint. Options for renters:
Fabric pocket planters hang from the railing or a tension rod and have pockets for individual plants. They are lightweight, cheap (20 to 40 dollars), and hold 6 to 12 plants. Fill them with herbs, lettuce, or small flowers. The fabric dries out fast, so you need to water frequently.
Freestanding plant shelves are multi tier shelving units designed for outdoor use. A 3 tier shelf holds 6 to 9 potted plants in about 2 square feet of floor space. Resin or metal shelves cost 30 to 80 dollars. This is the most flexible vertical gardening option because you can use any pots you want and rearrange them easily.
Ladder plant stands lean against the wall and hold plants on each rung. They have a casual, garden feel and take up minimal space. A wooden ladder plant stand costs 40 to 80 dollars.
Plant Selection for Balconies
Choose plants based on your balcony’s sun exposure:
Full sun (6+ hours of direct sun): Geraniums, petunias, marigolds, herbs (rosemary, thyme, basil, oregano), cherry tomatoes (in a large pot), succulents
Part sun (3 to 6 hours): Calibrachoa, begonias, fuchsia, lettuce, spinach, mint
Shade (under 3 hours): Ferns, caladiums, impatiens, hostas (in pots), coleus
Wind is a factor on high balconies. Tall plants with large leaves get battered by wind and need staking. Choose low growing, sturdy plants for windy balconies. Avoid plants with delicate flowers that tear in wind.
Self Watering Planters
Balcony plants dry out fast because they are in small pots exposed to sun and wind on all sides. Self watering planters have a reservoir in the base that keeps the soil moist for several days between waterings. They cost a few dollars more than standard pots but dramatically reduce the watering chore, which is important if you travel or sometimes forget.
Lighting: Making the Balcony Usable at Night
Lighting transforms a balcony from a daytime space into an evening space. Without lighting, the balcony is useless after sunset. With lighting, it becomes a place for dinner, drinks, or reading.
String Lights
String lights are the most popular balcony lighting for good reason. They are cheap, easy to install, and create a warm, inviting atmosphere. A 25 foot string of outdoor rated lights costs 15 to 30 dollars.
Installation without drilling: Use outdoor command hooks (rated for outdoor use and the weight of the lights) to hang string lights along the railing, overhead, or in a zigzag pattern. You can also weave string lights through the railing slats without any hardware.
Bulb type: Choose warm white LED bulbs (2700K) for a cozy feel. Avoid cool white, which looks harsh and institutional. The larger G40 or G50 bulb styles look better than tiny fairy lights for a balcony.
Power source: If your balcony has an outdoor outlet, plug in standard string lights. If it does not, use solar powered string lights with a small solar panel mounted on the railing. Solar lights are less reliable (they need sun to charge and do not run all night) but they are the only option for balconies without power.
Solar Lanterns and Table Lamps
Solar charged lanterns and table lamps provide task lighting for eating or reading. Place them on the table or floor, and they charge during the day and light up at night. Most have an automatic on/off sensor.
A set of 2 to 4 solar lanterns costs 25 to 60 dollars. Look for models with replaceable batteries, because the integrated batteries typically fail after 1 to 2 years and the whole unit becomes useless without replacement batteries.
Flameless Candles
Flameless candles (LED candles in wax or plastic housings) provide the ambiance of real candles without the fire risk. Most apartment leases prohibit open flames on balconies, so flameless candles are the safe alternative.
Group 3 to 5 flameless candles of varying heights on the table or a shelf for a warm glow. A set costs 15 to 30 dollars. Choose models with a remote control so you can turn them all on at once without leaning over the railing or reaching across the table.
Creating Shade on a Small Balcony
If your balcony gets direct sun, you need shade to use it during the day. Standard shade solutions (pergolas, large umbrellas) do not work on a small balcony, but there are balcony specific options.
Balcony Umbrellas
A half umbrella (flat on one side) is designed to sit flush against the balcony wall or railing. It provides shade without the central pole and base that take up floor space. A 2 meter half umbrella costs 40 to 80 dollars and clamps to the railing or sits on a half base.
A traditional patio umbrella also works if your balcony is large enough for a base. A 7.5 foot umbrella with a 30 pound base costs 60 to 120 dollars and provides enough shade for two people and a small table.
Shade Sails and Canopies
A small shade sail can be attached to the balcony railing on two sides and to the building wall on one or two sides using command hooks or tension rods. This creates an overhead canopy without any permanent installation. A 9 foot triangle shade sail costs 25 to 50 dollars.
The challenge is creating enough tension to keep the sail from sagging. Use turnbuckles (available in the hardware section for a few dollars each) to tighten the sail. If the sail is not taut, it will catch wind, flap, and collect water in rain.
Outdoor Blinds
If your balcony has a roof, outdoor roll up blinds can be hung from the front edge to block sun and wind. The blinds roll down when you need shade and roll up when you do not. They attach with tension rods or command hooks. Outdoor blinds cost 30 to 80 dollars per panel and come in bamboo, fabric, and resin slat options.
The Multipurpose Balcony
Small balconies cannot be everything at once. If your balcony is under 50 square feet, choose one primary function and design around it.
The Dining Balcony
If you want to eat outside, make the balcony a dining space. Bistro table and two chairs, small rail planter with herbs, string lights overhead. Keep everything else off the balcony so the table and chairs have room.
The Lounge Balcony
If you want to relax outside, make the balcony a lounge. Storage bench or floor cushions, side table for drinks, lots of plants, privacy screen, soft lighting. No dining table, because it takes up too much room.
The Garden Balcony
If your priority is growing plants, make the balcony a garden. Vertical plant shelves, rail planters, hanging baskets, a small stool for tending plants. Minimal furniture, because the plants are the point.
The Work From Home Balcony
If you want to work outside, make the balcony a mini office. A small folding table at the right height, a comfortable chair, shade for your laptop screen, and a power solution (extension cord through the door or a solar charger). This became popular during the shift to remote work, and a balcony office is a genuine quality of life improvement.
Budget Breakdown for a Full Balcony Makeover
Here is what a complete balcony transformation costs, using mid range options:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Deck tiles (32 tiles for 4×8 foot balcony) | 100 dollars |
| Folding bistro set (table and 2 chairs) | 120 dollars |
| Bamboo privacy screen (6×8 foot roll) | 35 dollars |
| 3 rail planters with plants | 75 dollars |
| String lights (solar powered, 25 feet) | 25 dollars |
| 2 solar table lanterns | 30 dollars |
| Outdoor rug (4×6 feet) | 35 dollars |
| Storage bench | 130 dollars |
| 3 potted plants for the floor | 45 dollars |
| Total | 595 dollars |
This is a complete transformation for under 600 dollars. Every item is removable and can move with you to your next apartment. Spread the purchases over a few months if the total is too much at once. Start with the floor and furniture, then add plants, privacy, and lighting as budget allows.
What Not to Do
Do not attach anything permanently. No screws into the railing, no nails into the wall, no adhesive that will damage the surface when removed. Zip ties, command hooks, and tension rods are your tools. If you cannot remove it in 10 minutes without tools, do not install it.
Do not overload the balcony. Balconies have weight limits. A typical apartment balcony is rated for 100 pounds per square foot, which sounds like a lot until you add up deck tiles, furniture, planters full of wet soil, and people. Large planters with soil are surprisingly heavy (a 16 inch pot with wet soil weighs 50+ pounds). Distribute weight evenly and avoid clustering heavy items in one corner.
Do not hang items over the outside of the railing. Many leases prohibit this for safety and aesthetic reasons. Even if your lease does not mention it, items that fall from a balcony are a hazard to people below. Keep everything on the inside of the railing.
Do not use real candles or open flames. Most leases prohibit them, and they are a genuine fire hazard on a small balcony surrounded by combustible materials. Use flameless alternatives.
Do not block the door. The balcony door is a fire exit. Do not put furniture or planters in front of it that prevent the door from opening fully. You need to be able to exit quickly in an emergency.
My Current Balcony
I currently rent an apartment with a 5 by 9 foot balcony that faces west. My setup: acacia deck tiles on the floor, a folding bistro table and two chairs that lean against the wall when not in use, a bamboo screen on the south side for privacy from the neighboring building, three rail planters with trailing flowers, a solar string light along the railing, a small resin storage bench that holds my gardening tools and a spare cushion, and a small outdoor rug under the table.
Total cost was about 450 dollars, assembled over three months. I use the balcony for morning coffee, evening reading, and the occasional dinner. It is small, but it is mine, it is comfortable, and when I move out, everything comes with me.
A rental balcony is a temporary space, but temporary does not mean it cannot be great. With removable flooring, foldable furniture, vertical plants, and creative privacy solutions, even the smallest balcony can become the best seat in your apartment.
