Apartment Balcony Ideas on a Budget

Small balcony décor ideas
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Apartment balconies serve as a living space extension. Whether it’s winter or summer, city dwellers would truly love to enjoy fresh air within their personal space, and what better space is that than a balcony? Moreover, as more people begin to work remotely, having a comfortable and good-looking outdoor living space in the city can be a true blessing.

If you’re getting your entire apartment remodeled, then you probably don’t want to spend much on your balcony. However, fortunately, there are a few budget-friendly ways to spruce up your apartment balcony.

Small Balcony Ideas on a Budget

Here are some small-budget balcony ideas to improve the aesthetics and functionality of your apartment balcony.

Recycle Cans as Planters

Adding some greenery to your balcony is given. After all, every space can benefit from a touch of nature. When considering adding plants, the first place your mind goes to is probably investing in planters. However, planters can be expensive and can also take up a lot of room. So, a better, budget-friendlier idea is to recycle old cans and turn them into hanging pot plants.

All you have to do for this DIY project is to dip and soak the cans in warm water to get the labels off. Once that’s done, purchase some funky rust-proof paint colors and paint your planters. You will have to drill a few holes at the bottom of the can to let the water drain. Head down to a thrift store to get your hands on some beautiful woven hanging strings, where you can put your planters in and hang them. If you don’t want to spend too much time creating planters, rush to a nearby plant store and purchase string plants to tie around your balcony railings.

Read also: 9 Practical Balcony Privacy Ideas

Protect Yourself from Weird Neighbors

It can be pretty challenging to take a backseat and relax on your balcony when your neighbor’s balcony looks directly over yours. Trying to read a book within a potentially weird zone with someone peeking at you can be incredibly annoying. Also, you don’t want your neighbors to pry on you all the time. In this case, deciding what to do can be quite a dilemma since you obviously don’t want to block out the sun by putting up a huge fence. So, the best way to tackle this situation is to install bamboo sticks around your balcony that will let light in and look cool, all while establishing your privacy.

Make it Practical

Being short on space gives you all the more reason to search for practical remodeling or decorative solutions for your balcony. If your apartment balcony is too small, then opting for folding furniture could be the best idea. A folding chair and furniture provide you with the freedom to create more space on your balcony. Moreover, it serves multiple purposes! When you’re not using it on your balcony, you can always set up your folding furniture inside your home.

Add Some Lighting

Lighting is the most important element that ultimately defines the look and feel of your space. Fluorescent lighting can be pretty unflattering, especially if you intend to make your balcony as cozy as possible. On the other hand, Warm lighting is an excellent option that can instantly make a place feel welcoming and happy. Although there are various lighting fixture options, including sconces, chandeliers, and wall lights, they can be a little pricey. So, the best option, in this case, is fairy lights. Not only do they offer you floor space, but they are also surprisingly elegant.

Steps to Decorate a Small Balcony on a Budget

Once you’ve planned your balcony layout and functionality and have made your purchases, it’s time to start decorating your space. Always remember to start from the floor and work your way up to make the process easier and more organized.

Add New Flooring or Get a Rug

If your balcony flooring is good enough, then all you need to do is clear out the floor clutter and search for the perfect space to lay down your rug. However, if you’re opting for a complete remodel, remember to start with the flooring. Whether you opt for tiles, hardwood, or faux grass, lay down the flooring before proceeding any further.

Furniture Arrangement

Move around your outdoor sofas, tables, chairs, and other furniture until you find the perfect placement for them. Balcony ideas generally center on a staple furniture piece for seating.

Top Off with Accessories

Once you’re done with the walls, flooring, and furniture, it’s time to add a few finishing touches. Invest in some reasonable balcony accessories and decorations, including cushions, wall hangings, plants, and fairy lights, to create a more cozy and homely vibe.

Where to Buy Affordable Balcony Decorations

The prices of balcony decorations can vary according to their quality and the vendor you’re purchasing them from. Don’t worry if your budget can’t accommodate a designer accessory; there are plenty of other reasonably-priced places, such as thrift stores, flea markets, and yard sales, where you can find affordable outdoor furniture and accessories from.

Additionally, if you prefer shopping online rather than in person, in that case, you can find an abundance of budget-friendly online stores with a terrific outdoor accessory collection, including IKEA, Target, and Amazon.

You should also consider looking around your own apartment to see what items and pieces you could repurpose to employ in your outdoor living space. Many times, you might be surprised to find that a completely useless thing for you actually turns out to be amazing. For instance, you can repurpose a lone chair thrown into your storage by painting it a vivid color.  

The Bottom Line

There are many cheap ideas to transform your apartment balcony into a space you love without breaking the bank. We hope the ideas we’ve shade with you are good enough to help you give your small balcony a much-needed upgrade, turning it into a warm and welcoming extension of your home.

Read also: 11 Ways to Make the Most of Your Small Apartment Balcony