Apartment Balcony Ideas: How to Make It Worth Using
Most apartment balconies are underused. They become a place for storage, a drying rack, or an occasional chair that nobody sits on. The balcony is often one of the most valuable square meters of an apartment, and also the most neglected.
Making a balcony functional is not about spending a lot of money. It is about treating it as a room — with a purpose, appropriate furniture, and some basic comfort considerations.
Practical ideas for apartment balconies of different sizes, from a narrow 3sqm strip to a generous 12sqm terrace.
Define what you want the balcony to do
Before choosing furniture or plants, decide on one primary use: outdoor dining, a reading and relaxation spot, a place to grow plants, a home office extension. A balcony that is designed around one clear purpose works better than one that tries to do everything and ends up doing nothing well.
Small balconies (under 5sqm)
Two chairs and a small table
A small folding table and two stacking or folding chairs is the highest-value configuration for a tiny balcony. This allows for morning coffee or an evening drink for two without cluttering the space. Wall-mounted fold-down tables free up floor space when not in use.
Vertical planting
When floor space is limited, the walls and railing become the planting surface. Railing planters, wall-mounted pocket planters, and a few vertical shelves allow for significant planting without taking any floor area.
Privacy from neighbors
A balcony that feels exposed is rarely used. Bamboo screens, outdoor curtains, or a taller planter with bushy plants creates a sense of enclosure without requiring permanent structures. Privacy makes the balcony feel like a room rather than a ledge.
Medium balconies (5–10sqm)
A real outdoor seating area
At 5sqm+, a small bistro table for two or a loveseat with a low table becomes viable. Choose weather-resistant materials — metal, teak, or outdoor-rated wicker. Folding furniture that can be stored inside in winter extends the usable season.
Outdoor lighting
String lights or a simple outdoor lamp transform a balcony into a usable space in the evening. Without lighting, the balcony is only usable during daylight hours, which dramatically limits how often it gets used.
A herb garden
A medium balcony with sun exposure is ideal for a kitchen herb garden. Basil, mint, rosemary, and parsley grow well in balcony conditions and provide fresh herbs that genuinely get used in cooking. This is one of the most practical and satisfying balcony uses.
Large balconies and terraces (10sqm+)
A large balcony can function as a genuine outdoor room. A full dining set for 4–6, a sofa arrangement, or even an outdoor rug that defines different zones. Weather-resistant outdoor rugs help define the space and make it feel more interior-like. A pergola or shade sail addresses the sun issue that makes large west-facing balconies unusable in summer afternoons.
The enclosure question
Enclosing a balcony with glass converts it into additional interior square meters and makes it year-round usable. This is a significant renovation with cost and building permission implications. In Israel, balcony enclosures are common but require building permit approval. The result adds usable area but removes the outdoor nature of the space. It is worth considering whether you want outdoor space or additional interior space — they are different things.
Balcony use and renovation is a regular topic on Floorlyst — how to use the space, whether to enclose it, what furniture works in a small balcony. If you are thinking through your own balcony, the discussions there are a useful resource.
Explore floor plans on Floorlyst →Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a small balcony more useful?
Start with privacy — a balcony that feels exposed does not get used. Then choose one primary function and furnish for it specifically. Folding furniture that stores inside when not needed maximizes flexibility in a small space.
What furniture works on a small balcony?
Folding chairs and a small folding table, or two stacking chairs with a wall-mounted fold-down table. Look for furniture that can be brought inside or stacked when not in use. Avoid large pieces that take the full floor area.
How do I create privacy on an apartment balcony?
Bamboo or reed screens attached to the railing, tall planters with bushy plants, or outdoor curtains on a ceiling-mounted rod. These create privacy without permanent construction and are generally allowed even where permanent structures are not.
Should I enclose my balcony?
It depends on whether you want outdoor space or additional interior area. Enclosure creates usable space year-round but removes the outdoor experience. Check local building regulations — enclosures often require permits.
What plants are best for an apartment balcony?
Herbs (basil, mint, rosemary) for a sunny balcony, ferns and shade-tolerant plants for a north-facing one. Hardy succulents work for low-maintenance balconies. Check your sun exposure first — most flowering plants need 4+ hours of direct sun.
How do I furnish a balcony on a budget?
A simple folding bistro set is inexpensive and effective. String lights from a hardware store make a significant difference for evening use at low cost. Railing planters with herbs are practical and affordable. You do not need expensive outdoor furniture to make a balcony usable.