BALCONY DECOR  |  OUTDOOR LIVING  |  SMALL OUTDOOR SPACE

By Style & Spaces   •   Balcony & Outdoor Decor   •   6 min read   •   Updated June 2026

Most balconies are one of the most wasted spaces in any home. A bare concrete floor, a single plastic chair, and maybe a forgotten plant that has seen better days -- that is the reality for most apartment balconies. Yet with a few clever additions, that same space can become your favourite spot in the entire home: a morning coffee retreat, an evening reading nook, or a tiny garden that brings you genuine joy every single day.

I transformed my own small balcony -- just 2 metres by 3 metres -- into a proper outdoor living room for under $150. No drilling, no permanent changes, completely renter-friendly. Here are the 9 ideas I used, all affiliate-linked so you can shop them directly and create your own outdoor retreat this weekend.

Before You Start:

Measure your balcony carefully before buying any furniture. Note the length, width, and the position of the door, railing, and any drainage points. Small balconies need furniture that is proportional -- oversized pieces will make the space feel impossibly cramped. A tape measure and 10 minutes of planning will save you from expensive returns.

1. Add Outdoor String Lights ($12-$25)

String lights are the single most transformative addition to any balcony -- and the most photographed. They turn an ordinary outdoor space into something magical the moment the sun goes down, and they look beautiful even during the day draped along a railing or overhead. This is always the first thing I add to any outdoor space because the impact is immediate and enormous.

The best way to hang string lights on a balcony without drilling: use outdoor Command hooks rated for exterior use along the top of the railing or wall edge, then drape the lights in a zigzag or canopy pattern overhead. Solar-powered string lights are the most convenient -- no cables, no plugs, they charge during the day and turn on automatically at dusk. Choose warm white (2700K) for the cosiest, most photograph-friendly glow. 

2. Choose the Right Outdoor Seating ($35-$80)

The most common balcony mistake is choosing furniture that is too large. A four-seat dining set on a 2x3 metre balcony leaves no room to move and makes the space feel smaller, not larger. The sweet spot for small balconies is a bistro set -- one small round table and two folding or stackable chairs. This gives you a functional seating area while keeping enough floor space to feel comfortable.

For an even smaller balcony or one where you want more flexibility, floor cushions or a small loveseat hammock are excellent alternatives. Floor cushions create a relaxed, bohemian feel that photographs beautifully on Pinterest, and they can be brought inside when not in use. For a reading nook vibe, a single egg chair or hanging cocoon chair turns even a tiny corner into a destination.

3. Create a Vertical Plant Wall ($20-$50)

Floor space on a small balcony is precious -- so take your greenery vertical. A vertical plant wall, a tiered plant stand, or a railing planter system turns your balcony into a lush, green oasis without using a single square foot of floor space. This is also the most Pinterest-friendly balcony upgrade because green walls photograph spectacularly and consistently go viral on the platform.

Three ways to go vertical with plants on a balcony:

1. Railing planters: long, narrow planters that clip directly onto the balcony railing. Fill with trailing plants like petunias or ivy so they cascade down the outside of the railing for a stunning visual effect

2. Wall-mounted pocket planters: fabric or felt pocket planters that hang on a wall or door. Fill each pocket with herbs (mint, basil, coriander) for a beautiful and practical kitchen garden

3. Tiered plant stand: a floor-standing three or four tier shelf for pots. Takes up only 40x40cm of floor space but displays six to eight plants at once

4. Lay Outdoor Flooring or a Balcony Mat ($25-$60)

Bare concrete or plain tiles are the number one thing that makes a balcony feel unfinished and uninviting. Covering the floor -- even partially -- instantly transforms the space from a utility area into a room. The easiest and most renter-friendly solution is an outdoor rug or interlocking deck tiles that sit directly on top of the existing floor with no adhesive or tools required.

Outdoor rugs are the most popular choice on Pinterest because they bring colour, texture, and pattern to the floor in the same way an indoor rug does. Choose a flat-weave design in a weather-resistant material (polypropylene is the best -- it handles rain, sun, and foot traffic equally well). Interlocking wood-effect deck tiles give a more permanent-looking finish and make even a plain concrete balcony look like a proper outdoor terrace.

5. Add Privacy Screening ($20-$45)

If your balcony overlooks a busy street or neighbouring windows, a lack of privacy stops you from truly relaxing outdoors. Privacy screening solves this instantly and -- done well -- also becomes a beautiful design feature in its own right. It creates the feeling of an enclosed garden room rather than an exposed concrete ledge.

The most Pinterest-friendly privacy screening options for small balconies:

⦁ Bamboo roll screening: rolls of natural bamboo that attach to railings with cable ties. Looks beautiful, eco-friendly, and gives excellent privacy. Very popular aesthetic on Pinterest right now

⦁ Outdoor fabric panels: weather-resistant canvas panels in neutral or striped colours that attach to railings. Give a more designed, intentional look than bamboo

⦁ Trellis with climbing plants: a simple wooden or metal trellis panel attached to the railing with zip ties, with a climbing plant (jasmine, passion flower, or ivy) trained up it over time. The most beautiful long-term solution

6. Create a Herb and Vegetable Garden ($10-$30)

A balcony herb garden is one of the most practical and most photographed small outdoor projects on Pinterest. It combines beautiful greenery with genuine daily usefulness -- fresh herbs for cooking, grown on your own balcony, completely organically if you choose. And it is far easier than most people think.

The herbs that grow best in pots on a sunny balcony with minimal care:

⦁ Mint: grows aggressively, needs no attention, and smells wonderful. Keep it in its own pot as it takes over if mixed with others

⦁ Basil: loves heat and sun. Perfect for a Pakistani climate. Pick leaves regularly to encourage bushier growth

⦁ Coriander (dhania): essential in Pakistani cooking and incredibly easy to grow from seed in a pot

⦁ Spring onions: grow in just 3-4 weeks from seed. Plant a new batch every month for a continuous supply

⦁ Chillies: perfect for sunny Pakistani balconies -- they love heat and produce abundantly in pots

Pakistani Balcony Gardening Tip:

Pakistan's hot summers mean most herbs need partial shade and daily watering from May to August. Move pots to morning sun only (6am-11am) during peak summer. In spring and autumn, your balcony garden will absolutely thrive with minimal effort. These seasons are the best time to start.

7. Add Outdoor Cushions and Textiles ($20-$40)

Cushions are to outdoor spaces what curtains are to indoor rooms -- they add softness, colour, and comfort in a way that hard furniture never can. A plain metal bistro chair with a beautiful cushion on it immediately looks more inviting, more designed, and more photographable. And outdoor cushions have come a long way -- modern versions are genuinely weather-resistant, fade-proof, and easy to bring inside when it rains.

For a cohesive balcony look, choose cushions and textiles in the same colour family -- one neutral base (cream, grey, or natural linen), one accent colour (terracotta, dusty blue, sage green), and one pattern (stripes or a simple geometric). If you have two chairs, use matching cushions on the seats and one patterned lumbar cushion on each for the layered, styled look you see on Pinterest.

8. Set Up a Balcony Drinks Station ($15-$35)

A dedicated drinks or snack station on your balcony turns it from a place you pass through into a destination you actually spend time in. This does not need to be complicated or expensive -- a small folding side table, a tray, and a few beautiful outdoor cups or glasses is all it takes. The drinks station idea consistently goes viral on Pinterest because it is aspirational and immediately actionable.

Here is how to create the perfect balcony drinks station:

1. Place a small folding side table or plant stand beside your seating

2. Put a tray on top to anchor the station and keep items organised

3. Add a small insulated jug or carafe filled with cold water or a drink

4. Place 2 outdoor tumblers or glasses on the tray

5. Add a small plant or a candle beside the tray for styling

6. Photograph it from above (flat lay) for a Pinterest pin that will perform extremely well

9. Add Scent With Outdoor Candles or Incense ($8-$20)

The final touch that makes a balcony feel truly special is scent. Citronella candles serve double duty -- they smell wonderful and keep mosquitoes away, which is absolutely essential for evening outdoor time in Pakistan. Outdoor lanterns with candles also look beautiful on a balcony floor or railing and give a warm, flickering glow that string lights alone cannot replicate.

For a Pakistani balcony, incense sticks (agarbatti) in a beautiful ceramic or brass holder are an excellent and very affordable option -- they smell wonderful, last a long time, and fit perfectly into the outdoor aesthetic. Sandalwood and rose are the most popular scents for outdoor use. A single incense holder costs under $5 and immediately adds a sensory dimension to the balcony experience that photographs beautifully.

Complete Balcony Makeover Cost Breakdown

Here is everything you need with costs and priority levels -- you can create a beautiful balcony for under $80 starting with just the Must Have items:

Upgrade Cost Priority

Outdoor solar string lights $19 Must Have

Bistro set or outdoor cushions $35-$65 Must Have

Railing planters + tiered plant stand $28-$60 Must Have

Outdoor rug or deck tiles $30-$39 High Impact

Bamboo privacy screen $25 High Impact

Herb garden starter kit $23 High Impact

Outdoor cushions and throw blanket $29-$49 High Impact

Drinks station -- side table + tumblers $22-$39 Optional

Outdoor lanterns + citronella candle $14-$23 Optional

TOTAL (all 9 upgrades) ~$225 max Must Have total: ~$82

Your Outdoor Retreat Is Waiting

Your balcony does not need to be large to be beautiful. Even the smallest outdoor space -- a 2 metre wide concrete ledge -- can become the most loved spot in your home with the right additions. String lights, a few plants, comfortable seating, and a sense of intention are all it takes. The result is a private outdoor room that belongs entirely to you: a place to have morning chai, to read in the evening, to watch the sunset, or simply to breathe.

Start with the string lights and one plant this weekend -- those two things alone will change how you feel about your balcony. Take your before photo now. I promise that one month from today, looking at that photo, you will not be able to believe the transformation. Share your balcony makeover in the comments -- I would love to see what you create.

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