A balcony is often the only outdoor space you have, which is exactly why every square metre counts. With a good layout, furniture in the right size and a few mood-makers, even a narrow city balcony can become a place where you drink your coffee in the morning and stay sitting out in the evening. In this guide you'll read how to measure your balcony, which layout suits your type of balcony, which furniture and parasols work and which mistakes are best avoided. With examples from our range and a short quiz.
In short: measure your balcony first, including the swing radius of the door, and keep roughly 60 cm of walking space clear. Choose one main function: breakfast, dining or lounging. On a narrow balcony a bistro set works best, on a spacious balcony a lounge set for two fits well. Use the railing and the wall for shade, privacy and plants, and watch the weight, the wind and the rules of your VvE.
Measuring your balcony in 5 steps
The most common mistake when furnishing a balcony is ordering furniture that just doesn't fit. Grab a tape measure and take a quarter of an hour.
Measure the floor from the façade to the railing and from wall to wall. Depth in particular determines what fits: on a balcony less than a metre deep, you have room for a small table and chairs along the wall, not for a lounge set.
If the balcony door opens outwards, that strip of floor is lost. Measure how far the door swings open and keep that zone clear, otherwise you won't be able to get onto your balcony later.
Think of a drain, an outdoor tap, a power socket, the air-conditioning unit or the washing line. A drain also needs to stay accessible.
On a south-facing balcony you need shade, on a north-facing one you're more likely to want warmth and light. Also check where the wind comes from: the higher you live, the more wind you usually get.
Mark the dimensions of the furniture you have in mind on the floor with masking tape. Walk past it a few times with the door open. That way you can see straight away whether a walking route of roughly 60 cm remains.
If you're working with loose chairs, also allow for the space needed to pull them back. You can read more about dimensions in buying a balcony set: what to look out for.
What kind of balcony do you have?
No two balconies are the same. A narrow city balcony calls for a different approach than a roof terrace on the fourth floor. Find your situation in the table:
| Balcony type | Smart solution | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Narrow, less than 1 m deep | Bistro set, round table | Door swing radius |
| Long and shallow | Furniture along the wall | Keeping a walking route clear |
| Spacious, from 1.5 m deep | Balcony set or lounge for 2 | Room to pull out chairs |
| Roof terrace or high balcony | Sturdy furniture, balcony screen | Wind and weight |
| Facing south | Narrow parasol, balcony screen | Heat on the floor |
| Facing north | Light colours, cushions, rug | Damp and moss |
Is your balcony bigger than you thought, or do you have a small garden? Then also take a look at the best lounge set for a small garden or balcony.
Quiz: which layout suits your balcony?
Answer three questions and see which layout best suits your balcony and your habits.
Which balcony layout suits your balcony?
How deep is your balcony, from façade to railing?
- Less than a metre
- Around one to one and a half metres
- A good one and a half metres or more
- Narrow, but usually there's only one person
What do you most often do on your balcony?
- Quickly have a cup of coffee in the morning sun
- Have breakfast or a meal together
- Sit around for a long time with a drink
- Just read or sit in the sun for a while
What else needs to fit on your balcony alongside the furniture?
- A lot: the washing line, plants, sometimes the bike
- A few pots of herbs
- Not much, the balcony is mainly for sitting
- One large plant and otherwise calm
A compact bistro set A round table with two chairs takes up little space and leaves enough floor for everything else. Choose a set you can put away when you need the room.
A fixed dining set for two You really use your balcony as a place to eat. A balcony set with a sturdy tabletop and a normal seat height is the most comfortable for dining.
A lounge corner for two You have the space to relax properly. Two lounge chairs with a side table turn your balcony into an outdoor room.
One relaxing chair with a side table Why give space to a second chair you'll never use? One comfortable chair and a small table for your coffee or book are plenty.
Still torn between very different types of furniture? The selection guide will help you on your way with a few questions.
Balcony furniture that works
On a balcony you want furniture that is compact, light enough to move and able to withstand weather and wind. Below you'll find four examples from our range, from a small bistro set to a lounge corner. You can see the current prices on the cards.
Alfa: small bistro set for the narrow balcony
The Alfa balcony set consists of two chairs and a round table measuring Ø60 cm and 72 cm high. The chairs measure 51.5 x 42 x 84 cm, have a seat height of 43 cm and a textileen covering, which dries quickly. According to the product description, the table and chairs are foldable; the specifications aren't clear on this, so check with the shop if folding away is important to you.
Alfa 3-piece balcony set taupe
Why: a 60 cm table is just the right size for two cups and a breakfast plate, and it also fits on a shallow balcony.
Terni: fixed dining set in aluminium
If you really want to eat at the table, the Terni is a sturdy choice. The frame and tabletop are aluminium in carbon black, and the seats have a PE covering in sand. With a seat height of 47 cm you sit upright at the table, and the four cushions are 5 cm thick. This set is not foldable, so it needs a permanent place.
Terni aluminium balcony set
Why: aluminium doesn't rust and is lightweight, so you can easily move the set when you want to sweep or rearrange the corner.
Talara: lounge corner for two
If you have a spacious balcony, the Talara lets you turn it into an outdoor room. The set consists of two lounge chairs measuring 87 x 80 x 68.5 cm and a round side table measuring Ø51.5 cm with a white terrazzo top. The frame is made of FSC-certified acacia wood in white wash, with a taupe rope covering and cushions 13 cm thick.
Talara 3-piece lounge set
Please note: two chairs with an 87 cm depth really need a spacious balcony. According to the manufacturer, you should treat acacia wood once a year with teak oil or a wood care product.
Danzig: one relaxing chair for a reading nook
If you mostly sit outside on your own, one good chair will serve you better than a set. The Danzig relaxing chair is 75 cm wide and 93.5 cm deep, with a seat height of 36 cm. The aluminium frame has a powder coating, the seat is textileen and a thick cushion is included.
Danzig relaxing chair taupe / valley sand
Place a small side table next to it; for that, have a look at the balcony tables.
You'll find more models in the bistro and balcony sets, the balcony garden sets and the lounge sets for 2 people. You can read what a bistro set actually is and what to look out for in buying a bistro set: what to look out for.
Shade and privacy
A balcony facing south or west soon gets too hot in the afternoon. A large round parasol with a heavy base usually doesn't work there: it takes up too much floor space and overhangs the railing. A narrow, rectangular parasol provides shade along your seating area without filling the whole balcony.
Madison Sun Wave: narrow parasol with balcony clamp
The Sun Wave has a canopy measuring 270x150 cm with UPF 50+, a base included, and it tilts backwards. At 7.5 kg it's easy to move a little. If you don't want a base on the floor, you can attach it to the railing with the separately sold Madison balcony clamp.
Sun Wave parasol 270x150 cm
Madison balcony clamp for Sun Wave
View clamp →
Lisboa 210x150, split pole
View parasol →
All rectangular parasols
View all →The Platinum Lisboa measuring 210x150 cm is tiltable and height-adjustable, and thanks to its split pole it's easy to store in a shed or cupboard. For where exactly to place a parasol, read where do you put a parasol?
First check when you actually sit on your balcony, and only then look at the parasol. If you only have breakfast on a east-facing balcony, you often don't need a parasol at all, but you do need a spot out of the wind.
Privacy with a balcony screen
If you live close to neighbours or passers-by can see in, a balcony screen along the railing is the simplest solution. The Platinum Coolfit balcony screen measuring 500x80 cm is made of HDPE at 285 g/m2 with an open structure. It lets wind through, according to the manufacturer blocks up to 95% of UV radiation and provides privacy. There is an eyelet every 50 cm, and you attach it to the railing with the included cable ties.
Coolfit balcony screen 500x80 cm
If you'd rather stretch a larger canopy above your seating area, have a look at the shade sails. A comparison of wind and privacy screens can be found in windbreaks and privacy screens for garden and balcony.
Atmosphere: rug, cushions, lighting and plants
Furniture alone won't make a balcony cosy. The atmosphere comes from the things around it.
- An outdoor rug instantly makes a bare concrete floor warmer. Choose a rug that is smaller than your balcony, so there is floor visible all around. The Condor outdoor rug measuring 120 x 170 cm is weather-resistant and fits on many balconies.
- Cushions and a throw make compact chairs more comfortable. Choose decorative cushions in two or three colours that go well together, and take them indoors when it rains.
- Lighting makes the difference between a balcony for daytime and a place for the evening. A fairy light along the railing, lanterns with LED candles or solar-powered decorative lighting are enough.
- Plants should be chosen for the spot. In full sun lavender, rosemary and succulents do well; in shade, ferns and hostas. On a windy balcony, ornamental grasses hold up better than plants with large leaves.
Work upwards
Floor space is scarce, but the wall and the railing are often still empty. Hang boxes on the railing, place pots at different heights and use a narrow shelf on the wall. This way you get plenty of greenery without the floor getting crowded.
Storage on a small balcony
On a small balcony, clutter is the biggest problem. Cushions, a watering can, a throw and the parasol cover can quickly take up a corner between them. A few clever choices help:
- Keep cushions indoors. A cupboard or basket close to the balcony door is often more practical than a box outside. You can read more options in storing garden cushions.
- Only use a cushion box if there's room. A box like the Primo cushion box measuring 146.4 x 61 cm keeps everything dry, but on a balcony it takes up quite a bit of floor. Measure first. You'll find other sizes in the storage boxes.
- Choose furniture you can put away. A set you can fold up, or a parasol with a split pole, fits in a shed over winter.
Common mistakes
Underestimating the weight
A balcony can't carry unlimited weight, and what's allowed differs from building to building. Large planters with wet soil, a water tank or heavy paving slabs add up quickly. Place heavy items against the façade rather than at the edge, and if you're unsure, check what your balcony is allowed to carry.
Forgetting the wind
The higher you live, the harder it often blows. An open parasol, a loose cushion or a light chair can blow off the balcony. Close the parasol when you leave or when the wind picks up, and secure light items or bring them indoors. Want to know more? Read which parasol handles the wind best.
Not checking what the VvE allows
In many apartment buildings there are rules about what you may hang on the railing or façade, whether you may drill, and whether you may use a barbecue. Read the house rules of your VvE or ask your landlord before you hang a screen, clamp or lamp.
Blocking the door
A chair that sits just within the swing radius of the balcony door means you have to move it aside every time. Always keep that zone clear.
Too many small things
Ten small pots and three types of cushion make a balcony feel restless. Choose a few larger plants and stick to two or three colours.
Checklist
Tick off what you've already sorted; your browser remembers your progress.
- Length, depth and door swing radius measured
- Chosen what you mainly use the balcony for
- Furniture sized to fit, with roughly 60 cm of walking space
- Shade sorted: a narrow parasol or a shade sail
- Privacy where needed, for example with a balcony screen
- An outdoor rug, cushions and mood lighting
- VvE or landlord rules checked
- A dry place for cushions and parasol
How to keep your balcony looking good
- Choose aluminium or textileen if you want low maintenance
- Store cushions dry when it rains and over winter
- Close the parasol in wind and when you leave
- Keep a fixed walking route clear, even when you have guests
Frequently asked questions
How do you set up a small balcony?
Start by measuring the length, depth and the space the balcony door needs. Then choose one main function, such as breakfast, dining or lounging, and look for furniture that suits it. On a narrow balcony, a bistro set with a round table works best. Keep a walkway of around 60 cm clear and use the railing and wall for plants, lighting and shade.
Which furniture fits on a narrow balcony?
On a narrow balcony, compact pieces with a small footprint work best: a bistro set with a round table of around 60 cm, loose chairs you can put away, or a single reclining chair with a side table. A round table is easier to walk around than an angular one. Lightweight materials such as aluminium are a good choice, as you can move everything around easily.
Which parasol can you use on a balcony?
A narrow rectangular parasol works better on a balcony than a large round one. The Madison Sun Wave in 270x150 cm comes with a base included, and with the separate Madison balcony clamp you can attach it to the railing without a base on the floor. The Platinum Lisboa in 210x150 cm has a split pole, making it easy to store. Always close a parasol on a balcony when it's windy.
How can you get more privacy on your balcony?
A balcony screen fixed along the railing blocks views in without making the balcony dark. The Platinum Coolfit balcony screen in 500x80 cm has an eyelet every 50 cm and is attached to the railing with cable ties. Tall plants in large pots also provide shelter. If you live in a flat, first check what your VvE (owners' association) or landlord allows on the railing.
How much weight can a balcony take?
This varies from building to building, so there is no fixed figure. Large planters with wet soil, water containers and heavy paving slabs add up quickly. Keep heavy items against the façade rather than right at the edge, and if in doubt, ask your VvE, landlord or building manager what your balcony can support.
Can balcony furniture stay outside?
Furniture with a powder-coated aluminium frame can stay outdoors, ideally under a cover if you won't be using it for a long time. Store cushions somewhere dry when it rains and over winter. Acacia wood, as used in the Talara, should be treated once a year with teak oil or a wood care product, according to the manufacturer.
