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7 Easy Ideas to Make the Most of Your Small Patio or Apartment Balcony

Holly Honeycutt

By Holly Honeycutt
Updated March 15, 2024

You don’t have to sacrifice style in a small space. We’ll show you how to transform your small outdoor space in a weekend with furniture and accessories. These updates create a beautiful, welcoming environment and make the most of your space.

A patio egg chair on a stone deck along with a small table and an outdoor garden umbrella.

1. Create a Comfortable Outdoor Seating

Bistro Sets

A bistro set of patio chair and table on a small patio.

The first look is a town house patio. A bistro set provides comfortable seating and a place to dine outside when the weather is nice. Complementary planters frame the patio set on a blue Moroccan outdoor area rug, while coral pillows add a bright touch that livens up this small space.

Patio Conversation Sets

Wicker chairs with a matching steel end table on the patio of a deck.

Natural materials are more popular than ever. You can find rattan and wicker patio furniture for small spaces, and you’ll also see those materials in lighting, planters and more. These oval all-weather wicker chairs with a matching steel end table create a stylish conversation set for your small space.

Balcony Dining

A small balcony set up with patio furniture and a garden umbrella.

If you live in an apartment, we have small balcony furniture that’ll fit right in. Chairs with gray cushions and colorful, geometric pillows combine with a penny tile table to create a comfortable and cozy space. Add some shade with a half-round umbrella that has a tropical pattern. A blue and green rug anchors the space, and plants add touches of color to make this small balcony a welcoming dining destination.

2. Surround Your Space With Plants

Foldable patio chairs and table on a patio with lots of container plants.

Plants and planters aren’t just attractive accents to an outdoor space. They can be a focal point or even help a small space blend in with the surroundings, as on this balcony. Container plants can be especially useful in an urban setting where there’s not much space for gardens. This mixture of planter and plant types and shapes gives the balcony a variety of living colors. Don’t be afraid to go big with large planters and plants.

With vertical gardening you can incorporate more greenery because of a small footprint. By adding lattice or a trellis and a privacy wall, you can hang potted herbs, plants or even climbing roses.

3. Create a Cozy Retreat With Outdoor Curtains or Screens

An apartment balcony with white cushioned patio chairs, a pouf and a plant.

Outdoor curtains create much-needed privacy in a small backyard or on a balcony and offer the added benefits of noise reduction and shade. Choose from lighter curtains that filter the sun or a heavier material, such as these dark red panels that block sunlight almost entirely. Nowhere to hang curtains? Create a similar effect with a freestanding outdoor privacy screen.

4. Add Shade With a Patio Umbrella

A wooden deck with patio chairs and a table under a garden umbrella.

The easiest way to add shade to your small patio or apartment balcony is with a patio umbrella. It’s also easy to stow it away when not in use. Available in multiple styles, canopy shapes and materials, you can find the perfect one to fit your space and budget. If you already have one, you can pick accessories to update the look.

5. String Lights Create an Inviting Ambience

A stone deck with cushioned patio chairs and plants under a garden umbrella.

Don’t forget about outdoor lighting. White, multicolor or color-changing string lights are the perfect solution to keep the mood festive or simply create a warm glow. On a balcony, hang them overhead or wrap them on the railing. On a patio, you can use string lights to decorate sturdier container plants or suspend them over the space. Plus, you can add path lights to outline the patio and guide friends and family to your outdoor space when the sun goes down.

6. Get Your Outdoors Ready for All Seasons

An outdoor seating area with cushioned patio chairs and a fire table.

Whether you want to start spring early or like to extend the outdoor season into the fall, you can still enjoy your patio. Combine these deeply cushioned motion chairs with a fire table, fire pit or chiminea to make cool evenings on a small patio warm, cozy and inviting.

Once summer arrives, don’t let the heat drive you indoors. Shade your space with an umbrella and add anindoor/outdoor ceiling fan or a misting system to make the outdoors more pleasant.

7. Complete the Look with Outdoor Décor

A green and blue bird feeder hanging outside the house.

Even a small patio or balcony will benefit from some finishing touches. The right outdoor décor dresses up your space and makes it even more enjoyable. A nearby bird feeder or hummingbird feeder can bring life, color and motion to your space. Add a small fountain for soft, relaxing background sounds and hang wind chimes to convert cool breezes into music.