Designing a small balcony optimally – 6 ideas

Optimize Your Small Balcony – 6 Ideas

Designing small balconies can be challenging when it comes to transforming a small space into a cozy outdoor oasis. With our six ideas, you can transform your small balcony into a new favorite spot in no time – regardless of whether your balcony is 5 square meters or smaller. Be inspired by our balcony design ideas!

ELEO Lucca balcony railing in powder-coated anthracite for edging a small balcony

Foldable balcony furniture such as bistro chairs and a matching small table are ideal for a small balcony. Pictured: Lucca railing in powder-coated anthracite © ELEO Express

Tip 1: Save space with folding furniture

Quickly at hand when needed and quickly stowed away again: With folding furniture, you save space on your balcony, as chairs and a table can be stored in a corner when not in use. This allows you to use the balcony for other purposes, even when you don't want to use it as a seating area.

You can find a wide selection of folding furniture in stores – made of wood, plastic, or steel, for example. Folding furniture is a great way to decorate a narrow balcony.

Tip: Small folding tables that can be mounted on the balcony railing are currently trending. These can be folded out and back in with a single movement.

ELEO Lucca fence uncoated covered with purple clematis

What's special about the uncoated ELEO Zaun Lucca works, even with balcony railings: Climbing plants like clematis find secure support here. ©ELEO

Tip 2: Create vertical gardens

Vertical gardens are ideal for designing a small balcony – this means you use the vertical surfaces of your balcony for space-saving greenery. You can attach herbs, flowers, or even vegetables to the wall or balcony railing and trellis, making optimal use of limited space.

The following plants, for example, are suitable for vertical gardens:

Plant	Special Features	Location
Ivy	Evergreen and easy-care, fast-growing	Sunny to shady
Basil	Perfect for hanging pots, pleasantly fragrant, versatile usable	Sunny and dry
Nasturtium	Insect-friendly, colorfully blooming, edible, fast-growing	Sunny and dry
Strawberries	Available as a climbing plant or in a hanging pot, insect-friendly, delicious fruits	Sunny to partially shaded

Tip 3: Multifunctional furniture for limited space

Multifunctional furniture is especially valuable for the practical design of small balconies. This furniture serves multiple purposes. For example, you can use a bench with integrated storage space to store pillows, blankets, or other items. Equally practical is a balcony table with an integrated flower box, which you can plant as you wish.

Small balcony decorated with fairy lights on the balcony railing

Atmospheric fairy lights transform any small balcony into a cozy outdoor oasis.
Image source: unsplash.com, Ed Orozco

Tip 4: Use light sources cleverly

When used cleverly, the right lighting can make a small balcony appear larger and more cozy. LED lights, spotlights, or fairy lights are particularly suitable here. Hanging lamps and solar lights on the balcony railing are ideal for keeping the limited space on the balcony clear.

A privacy screen—like the ELEO Roya Privacy Screen made of Corten steel—stylishly shields prying eyes from the balcony. © ELEO

Tip 5: Integrate a privacy screen

A privacy screen or privacy railing provides more privacy and undisturbed moments on a small balcony. Choose a model made of weather-resistant metal or Corten steel, which can easily remain on the balcony year-round.

Tip: At ELEO Express, you'll find metal privacy screens in various modern designs. Measuring 158 x 60 cm, the privacy panels are ideal for decorating small balconies.