25 Balcony Ideas for Apartments (Small Balcony Garden Looks)

Long planter boxes that hook over the railing add a full garden row without using any floor space, which matters on a balcony only 3 or 4 feet deep. Hang them on the inside of the rail so nothing can fall to the street or the balcony below. Many buildings ban outward-facing planters for that reason. Geraniums, trailing bacopa, thyme and compact herbs all fit a 6 to 8 inch deep box.

A north-facing or covered balcony is no reason to give up on plants. Boston ferns, begonias, impatiens and coral bells (heuchera) all handle bright shade, and their leaves stay interesting even when flowers fade. Group them on the floor and a low stand so the pots shade each other's roots and hold moisture.

If there's a ceiling above you, use it. One or two hanging baskets of trailing calibrachoa or petunias put flowers at eye level and leave the floor free for a chair. Ask your landlord before drilling, or use a hook that clamps to an existing beam or light fixture bracket if your lease allows it.

Upper floors get stronger wind, which dries soil and snaps soft stems. Mediterranean herbs like lavender and rosemary, plus low sedums, handle wind and strong sun well. Use heavy terracotta or ceramic pots, group them against the wall, and skip tall, top-heavy plants that can tip.

A narrow two- or three-tier metal stand holds six or more pots in about one square foot of floor, which is the best trade on a tight balcony. Put sun lovers like basil and thyme on the top shelf, where they get the most light, and shade-tolerant herbs like parsley and mint on the lower ones. A stand also lifts pots off the floor so water drains and air moves underneath, which helps prevent soggy roots and stained concrete.

Wall shelves or a leaning ladder shelf against the building wall turn vertical space into planting space without touching the floor. Trailing ivy, creeping thyme or strawberries spill over the edges and soften a bare wall, while upright herbs fill the back of each shelf. Keep the heaviest pots on the lowest shelf so the unit stays stable, and choose metal or treated wood that can handle rain.

A small round table with two folding chairs is the classic small balcony setup for a reason. It takes about 2 by 4 feet when open and folds flat against the wall when you need the space. Wood looks warm; powder-coated metal handles rain better.

Bare concrete makes a balcony feel like a ledge. An outdoor rug instantly makes it feel like a room, and it's kinder to bare feet. Polypropylene rugs dry quickly and can be hosed off. Measure the floor and leave a few inches of bare edge so water can drain.

Warm white solar lights wrapped along the railing make the balcony usable after dark, with no outlet or extension cord. The small panel clips to the rail and charges during the day. Wrap them loosely so they don't crush railing planters.

A slatted outdoor storage bench gives you a seat and a place to hide the watering can, gloves, potting mix and cushions. Put it against the wall in the corner so it acts as a backrest too. Pick one with a lid that lifts easily and gaps or a liner that keep rain out.

On the tiniest balconies, two outdoor floor cushions and a low wooden crate take up less room than any chair and still give you a place to sit with a coffee. The crate doubles as a side table and a spot for a small potted herb. Choose cushions with water-resistant covers, and stack them just inside the door when rain is on the way so they last more than one season.

A wall-mounted drop-leaf table folds flat against the wall when you need the floor and opens into a coffee or laptop spot when you don't. It works well on balconies too narrow for a bistro set. Install one only where your lease allows drilling. If it doesn't, choose a table that hangs over the inside of the railing instead, which gives the same fold-away effect with no holes.

A long, tall planter of ornamental grasses along one side of the balcony blocks the view without feeling like a wall. Grasses move in the wind and catch evening light. Feather reed grass and similar upright types stay narrow. Use a lightweight planter with a fiberglass or resin shell to keep weight down.

A roll of reed or bamboo fencing attached to the inside of the railing with zip ties gives instant privacy and cuts wind. It comes off in minutes when you move out. Check your building rules first, since some buildings limit what can cover the railing.

A floor-to-ceiling tension pole on a covered balcony becomes a trellis with no drilling. Grow scarlet runner beans, sweet peas or a climbing nasturtium up it from a large pot, and you get a green screen that also flowers. The pole needs a solid ceiling to press against.

Snap-together deck tiles cover a concrete floor in an afternoon and lift up again when you move. Wood looks warm; composite and plastic tiles need less care. The open base lets water drain underneath.

On a balcony with a ceiling, outdoor curtains hung from a tension rod or ceiling hooks add privacy from neighbors and shade on hot afternoons. Pull them closed when the sun is strongest and tie them back in the evening. Choose solution-dyed outdoor fabric, which holds its color in sun and dries quickly after rain. Light colors keep the space feeling bigger on a small balcony.

If your cat likes to come outside, clear balcony netting attached with tension poles or the railing keeps them from jumping or falling without blocking your view. It also stops them from reaching railing planters. Ask your landlord before installing anything, and check that there are no gaps at the corners or floor. Then review the pet notes in the bonus section below, since some common balcony plants are toxic to cats.

Put your herbs right beside the door so you can grab a handful while cooking. A small two-tier stand with basil, parsley, chives, rosemary and thyme, plus scissors on a hook, makes picking easy. For more layouts, see our herb garden ideas for small spaces.

Lettuce, arugula and spinach have shallow roots and grow well in a 6-inch-deep box on a railing or table. Sow a short row every couple of weeks and cut leaves from the outside so the plants keep producing. They prefer cool weather, so they suit spring and fall on a sunny balcony and summer on a shady one, where full sun would make them bolt.

Strawberries grow happily in small pockets of soil and trail nicely from a hanging pocket planter or a wall planter, which keeps the fruit off the floor and away from slugs. Everbearing types give small harvests over a longer stretch of summer rather than one big crop. Give them at least 6 hours of sun and water often, since pocket planters dry out quickly in heat.

Compact pepper plants love heat and steady moisture, which makes a sunny, sheltered balcony a good home for them. A self-watering container keeps the soil evenly moist between busy days, and a 3- to 5-gallon size gives roots enough room. Look for varieties sold as patio or container peppers, and give each plant a short stake once fruit starts to set.

A balcony doesn't have to sit empty from November to March. Dwarf evergreens like Alberta spruce and boxwood in large frost-proof pots stay green all winter, and ornamental kale adds color into early winter. Add string lights and a wool throw and the balcony still looks lived-in. Bring tender herbs indoors; our indoor herb garden guide covers winter light.

When frost is on the way, move rosemary, thyme and parsley indoors to your sunniest window, preferably one facing south or west. Check the pots for insects before they come inside and trim any leggy stems. Water less in winter, since growth slows in short days. Our kitchen herb garden ideas show which kitchen spots keep herbs growing until spring.