How to Decorate a Small Patio or Apartment Balcony

With the days getting longer and warmer I’m finding myself wanting to spend as much time outside as possible. Since we live in an upper-level apartment, we do not have a yard of our own to hang out in so making our balcony feel comfortable and inviting is a must! Compared to our previous apartment, our current balcony is huge but it’s definitely still a small space to work with. Since last summer I have slowly purchased the necessities and minimal décor to make this space both practical and cozy. I’m so excited to share this post with you and lay out a few easy steps for decorating an apartment balcony or small patio space.

Pick a Style and Color Palette

An outdoor space is similar to any room inside and can have various styles and overall vibes. Maybe you want to go with a fun boho theme that includes tons of textures and bright colors. Or perhaps you want your space to be inspired by the beach with a more coastal vibe. I personally wanted our balcony to have a slightly modern feel with natural elements and neutral colors. 

Select Conversational Seating

I think the key to making a small outdoor space feel inviting is having comfortable seating which is why I invested in these beautiful wicker chairs with high-quality cushions. They are large enough to relax in without overpowering the space. I knew I would love these chairs while living in our apartment as well as continue to use them once we have a house, so they were worth splurging for. I purchased these chairs last summer but have linked some similar chairs and seating options below.

Click on any image throughout this post to shop for revamping your own outdoor space.

USE PILLOWS & CUSHIONS FOR EXTRA COMFORT

Pillows are by far my favorite thing to pick out for any area of a home and a patio is no exception. Stores like Target carry so many cute, outdoor pillows that will hold up in the weather and make your seating even more enjoyable. 

ADD A TABLE OR OTTOMAN

Whether it’s a coffee table like mine or a small end table, you will definitely want something to place a cold drink on while you are relaxing outdoors. I really loved the idea of having a table we could prop our legs up with or even use to play board games.

DON’T FORGET A RUG

Whether you place a rug at the doorway or under the furniture, it can really help to ground the space and make it feel cohesive. Rugs also help to keep dirt from coming inside if you are on the ground level.

TIE IN THE OUTDOORS WITH POTTED PLANTS

Real or faux plants can really bring the space to life. Plants are also awesome because they complement any design style or theme and can be styled with various types of planters. 

COMPLETE THE SPACE WITH LIGHTING

Lighting can be used to enjoy the space at night and add another element of interest. Keep bugs away with citronella tea candles or ops for faux candles to decorate the table. In my option, there’s nothing that says summer quite like cute string lights. 

When decorating your small patio or balcony space, remember to keep it simple. It won’t take much to fill and trying to fit in too many objects could take away from the beauty and comfort. Have fun and enjoy your time relaxing in the fresh, summer air!