UPDATED MARCH 2023
Last summer I shared this post filled with inspiration for decorating a small outdoor balcony, and I’m FINALLY here with my apartment balcony reveal! If I’m telling the complete truth I did pretty much finish decorating my balcony at the end of last summer. However, by that time it wasn’t really relevant anymore to share it so I figured I’d save the reveal for this year.
My Apartment Balcony Reveal + More Affordable Outdoor Inspiration
Let me start off my saying I’m SO SO SO incredibly grateful to have a little bit of my own outdoor space available to me in 2020. When I rented my first apartment in 2013 having a balcony wasn’t too high on my “must-have” list. However, I ended up moving into one with a balcony. So, having one landed itself on my “must-have” list when I was looking to buy an apartment by myself. I moved into my apartment in November (not ideal patio weather). Also, I didn’t really get a chance to start decorating the space until the following Summer. But since it took me almost a year to decide what I actually wanted to do with it let’s just say it was a while before I actually got to enjoy it.
I knew I wanted to make it functional with some sort of storage unit, but also cozy and comfortable and pretty (obviously). Right away I knew I didn’t want a traditional table and chairs, I wanted it to be more of an outdoor living room. Once I found the palm print carpet it set the tone for the entire space. Everything else came together pretty quickly. I was eyeing the chairs for a while, but wanted to see them in person before buying them and I was NOT disappointed! For the price they are SUCH high quality, they even come in a loveseat if you’re interested in that in addition to or instead of chairs. Then I slowly filled with the space with tables, lights and planters.
(2023 UPDATE: MY EXACT CHAIRS ARE LINKED, BUT THE NEW CUSHIONS ARE MORE OF A NEUTRAL BEIGE THEN THE BRIGHT WHITE CUSHIONS THAT CAME WITH MINE)
The last challenge was finding a storage unit that was functional, large and wasn’t an eyesore! I searched for MONTHS, thankfully I ended up finding this one that checked off all the boxes and couldn’t be happier. It fits perfectly in the corner and it doesn’t scream “plastic storage container” which I’m so grateful for!
As I say with all the other spaces in my home, this one isn’t necessarily “complete”. I’d love to get a few more plants. 2020 definitely turned me into a plant lady and I don’t hate it. Also, I would love to cover the remainder of the exposed floor with 2 smaller natural jute rugs. I’d also love to get some sort of bench. Maybe even a small scale chair to sit closer to the window. I still have a good amount of space over there and since I spend a lot of the summer hanging on my balcony with friends I’d love to have 1 more seat!
Shop my Apartment Balcony Decor:
Pin my Apartment Balcony Inspiration for later:
Shop my Apartment Balcony Decor:
I purchased a lot of my apartment balcony decor a few years. Some items are out of stock I figured I’d also include similar items you can shop!
If you haven’t checked out The Best Decorated Small Outdoor Balconies on Pinterest you don’t want to miss it (it’s one of my best performing blog posts of ALL time, if that doesn’t prove to you that it’s a good one I don’t know what will!)
Check out more posts about my Apartment Décor & Renovation here:
Before & After: Feminine Chic Bedroom Renovation
Before & After: My New York Apartment Kitchen Renovation
5+ Practical Tips for Designing a Small Bathroom
My Entire Apartment Renovation AFTER Photos!
I’m Officially a Homeowner + My New Apartment BEFORE Photos
Follow me on Instagram for more updates.
Lee says
oo I love this!! We’re redoing our balcony right now too and I can’t wait to finish it!
Lee | LegalLee Blonde
Jackie Giardina says
Yay!!! Can’t wait to see it!
L says
Wow, this looks so cozy. I love the lights! How did you hang them?
I live in an apartment and would love to try something like that but can’t screw into the walls (so crossing my fingers your method doesn’t involve those).
Margaret says
How did you hang the lights to the brick?