Ideas for furnishing a balcony or terrace

Owners of a balcony or terrace are very lucky. They can enjoy plenty of fresh air and sunshine, and if they are inventive, they can turn their balcony or terrace into an oasis of calm. Because of the layout, however, furnishing a balcony or terrace can be a little more difficult. Here are a few ideas that will come in handy when furnishing it.

Easy-care flooring

Most balconies and terraces are open. A lot of dust settles on them, and in general they collect more dirt from outside. Balcony flooring should therefore be made of a material that is easy to maintain. We recommend choosing tiles or outdoor wooden flooring. You can also get artificial grass, which will make you feel as if you are sitting in a park, even in the city centre.

Make full use of the walls

Are you disappointed that your balcony is only a few square metres in size, with no room to grow herbs or put garden furniture? Maybe you can’t even do yoga there? How about using the walls as a vertical garden? It will make the space cosier and save room at the same time. You can also cleverly hang chairs on such a wall. You can also make use of the balcony railing. This is especially useful on small balconies or terraces. For example, hang planters on the outside of it, wrap it with string lights or hang a folding table on it, which again saves space.

Furniture for a balcony or terrace

When choosing balcony furniture, focus above all on the material. It needs to be more durable because of the demanding outdoor conditions.  If you long for solid wood furniture, make sure it has been properly treated. Metal is also a durable material, but it needs protection against corrosion. Plastic, on the other hand, is not suitable for extreme conditions, but otherwise it can withstand any load. Synthetic rattan also looks really beautiful!

We also have help for those of you who don’t have a spacious balcony or terrace, where seating can be a problem. Cushions, stools or beanbags that you simply place on the floor can be a clever solution. They are very comfortable to sit on and take up almost no space. Or hang a hammock! But pay attention to the material. What the individual parts are made of is important. With long exposure to the sun, some fabrics can fade or become damaged. If they are not water-resistant, bring them inside when it looks like rain.

Because most balconies are not very large, try to look for furniture that has its own storage space. Benches or sofas of various kinds will help you save space on your balcony or terrace, and you can store things inside them, such as fabric seat cushions, which will be protected from the rain.

What about pesky insects?

Get citronella torches for your balcony. They look lovely, smell nice and repel mosquitoes, flies, wasps and other insects that can make time on the balcony rather unpleasant. Citronella is also available in smaller candles, including tealights, which you can put in a hanging lantern. This decoration is not only useful but also very original. It costs nothing to try, so also give lavender a go, as insects particularly dislike it. If fruit flies are bothering you at home, take a look at our article.

Prying eyes

And what else should balcony or terrace owners not forget? Get an awning or a parasol for your balcony and you will solve the problem of people looking in. You can partly avoid being seen from the street if you cover the railing. Try draping a pretty, colourful screen over it or lining it with flower pots. Flowers in general will also give you protection from unwanted views from outside. Greenery will give your balcony a fresh look. A big plus is that thanks to the flowers, you will feel as if you are sitting in the middle of a beautiful garden.

First, however, find out where and how strongly the sun shines on your balcony during the day, and place your flowers and plants accordingly. In the shade, for example, put begonias or fuchsias. On the other hand, there are many kinds of flowers that do not mind direct sun on a balcony or terrace at all.

Before you furnish everything you need on your balcony or terrace, take a look at our other articles, for example tips and tricks for a modern studio flat or what natural antibiotics there are.