27 Ideas For Summer Balcony Maximization

Jan 21, 2024

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

Don't let square footage be the thing that stops you from soaking up the sun.

BuzzFeed Contributor

A set of patio lights you don't have to spend time and energy hanging. Just clip these onto your balcony railing to really set the mood.

A set of outdoor lights to start patio season off on an aesthetic foot. Create your own backyard bistro for hosting friends or just enjoying an after-hours glass of wine.

A mosquito-repellent candle that offers a more natural solution to keeping bugs from ruining your summer. Reviewers love the scent of these and swear by the results!

Promising review: "I absolutely love this set! It looks like I purchased it at a high-end retailer and is so durable! I was worried that my XXL husband would not be able to sit on the chairs, but they hold him and he is very comfortable! Excellent value for the money." —Marleysmommy

Get it from Target for $475.

Promising review: "I’m obsessed with these plates! They have the cutest prints but I also love that they won't shatter on me either. These are perfect for indoor/outdoor gatherings. They are dishwasher safe which is amazing as well. Highly recommend!" —Bobbianne

Get it from Amazon for $16.96 (available in 11 colors).

Promising review: "Such a fan of these lights that I’ve ordered them three times. No, nothing has been wrong with them to have had to order more — in fact they’ve held up really well. The only issue I have is that when I saw everyone loves them I mean everyone, including squirrels. Do yourself a favor and add some critter repellent to your order too. Otherwise, they’re perfect." —K Richey

Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in four sizes and colors).

Pair it with mismatched bright color patio chairs for a very on-trend look.

Get it from Urban Outfitters for $299 (also available in orange).

Promising review: "This little cart has become indispensable in our grilling area. It is EXACTLY as the picture shows and after a year of use has held up perfectly — no chips, rust etc. Worth the money!" —SC Mom

Get it from Target for $110.99 (available in four colors).

Promising review: "this set is so cute! the chairs go completely under the table for storage when the cushions are removed. the dark tempered glass top is beautiful. it's quite small so look at the measurements before you buy. i absolutely love it!!" —Teresa Delatorre

Get it from Amazon for $189.99+ (available in two colors).

Promising review: "We always worry about glass breaking on the patio, so they glasses are exactly what we were looking for. They wash up beautifully, and can be used again and again. Great purchase!" —Ann M

Get it on Amazon for $13.05+ (available in two sizes and sets of two, four, six, and eight).

Promising review: "For the price I was skeptical on how the quality of this table would be. Once the table arrived I realized it was actually a high quality heavy table, not something flimsy and cheap. Even when we left it out in a rain storm it looks exactly the same. The table was very easy to set up as we just pulled it out of the box and opened each piece. I love the red color as it as vibrant as depicted in the listing. We use this table almost every day now! Would reccomend this table to anyone for a nice cute bistro vibe!!!" —Sneha

Get it from Amazon for $119.99 (available in three colors).

Promising review: "Developed a garden on the apartment patio, and wanted to add some lights along the railing to give it some character. These solar lights are not too bright and were easy to install. All lights work, which is great. Better than could have hoped for. 👍" —KMF

Get a set of 16 on Amazon for $39.99 (available in three colors and also in sets of 20).

Promising review: "I love this product. I installed them around a portion of my deck and I absolutely love the look. Best of all I can remove them, close them back down and store away for the winter." —David

Get it from Amazon for $38.99+ (available in five colors and also in sets of two).

Promising review: "My family spends a LOT of time outside this time of year but my youngest gets bad reactions from mosquito and black fly bites. We keep this in our gazebo and it's cut down on the bugs by about 80%! We can't believe how well it's working." —Jessie902

Get it from Target for $35.99.

Promising review: "Took my portable firepit on vacation to Oceanside this past week and it was a hit!! Made s’mores and it lit up our our patio perfectly. It's clean and best of all it's smokeless!! It will certainly be traveling with us everywhere we go!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $38.75+ (available in three colors).

Promising review: "I have always loved the look of an outdoor rug. Yet I have never owned one — I felt it was sort of a waste to spend so much money on a rug that would get dirty and worn and then be thrown out.

Until I found this one!!!!! I got the 5x8 and the price was incredible! It was delivered folded- – I was shocked at how light it is! It's also not the kind of material (yarn) that gets dirty quickly. Immediately put it on my patio. It elevates the look outside so unbelievably, I was blown away!! I could not be happier!!! Love love love!!! Fingers crossed I love the new cushions half as much!" —T Lynn

Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in five sizes and colors).

Promising review: "I wanted an outdoor chair I could snuggle up in and read a book for hours. This chair is perfect for that! It's super comfy. I can curl up in it comfortably for hours. It's very spacious." —Kelly

Get it from Walmart for $297 (originally $347; available in four colors).

Promising review: "I have two balconies for my building, one of which I rarely ever use because it's so small. I wanted to maximize the space and this table was the perfect fit! It didn't fit around the railings as much as I'd hoped just due to the spacing of the balcony rails--easy fix, I just used a few zip ties to lock it in. I live in a highrise in Chicago and it gets very windy and I leave the table open instead of folded up at all times. I have never had an issue with it folding in or handling the wind. Great purchase and may buy another for my second balcony!" —Taylor Hazel Braun

Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in three sizes and as a set of two).

Promising review: "Faux plants are really hit or miss but this one is a winner. If you’re not paying attention it looks pretty real. Friends had no idea it was fake (from a bit of a distance of course). I might get more! I’d highly recommend this brand." —Lori S.

Get it from Amazon for $57.46.

Promising review: "Looks more expensive than it is. Not the tacky shiny waterproof covers that are out there. No pillow comes with it so buy a larger size. Bought 20" cover so bought 22" pillow. Perfect." —Scott A.

Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in six sizes and 15 colors).

Promising review: "The sound quality is amazing. It has excellent bass and on max volume, it can easily fill up a huge room. I used it for around 8 hours and it still had about 25% of charge so the battery life is great as well. It charges fast. The bass can be heard even in low volumes and pretty much every genre sounds great with these. It is lightweight and can be used horizontally or vertically. I highly recommend if you are looking for a speaker with great sound quality that isn't too expensive." —Johnny Rajan

Get it from Amazon for $99.95+ (available in eight colors).

Promising review: "Pretty easy to put together. I carried the box up to my third-floor apt and did the assembly all by myself. Great quality and comfortable. Perfect for my tiny balcony." —Christine E. Johnson

Get it from Amazon for $199.99+ (available in two colors).

Promising review: "I recently moved and have a small front patio. The rules of the complex are neutral as far as furniture is concerned. And so I spent forever looking for some thing that would fit the color scheme plus be cute plus be comfortable. I am so so happy with this purchase. The table and chairs are not only a good size, but they are tall! I myself am almost 6 foot tall, and to not have to lean over with a patio set is really cool. The cushions are very comfortable and the set up was extremely easy. Highly recommend." —Ashley k

Get it from Amazon for $124.99+ (available in three colors).

Promising review: "Searched all over for a planter small enough to fit on my porch. I’m so happy I came across this one. There really isn't anything out there right now that's 1. This size and 2. This price.

It's exactly what I was looking for and I was able to plant 6 herbs in it.

Assembly was easy but it helps if you have an extra hand to hold the pieces together. It's made out of metal and feels very sturdy. It has a drain hole which is a plus.

Highly recommend, especially if you are limited on space. I.e. balcony. But they do have a larger size if you want something bigger." —Christine

Get it from Amazon for $43.99+ (available in three styles).

Promising review: "So comfy, did not fade in the Miami sun. Kept outside on my balcony which is not covered and gets direct sunlight. Also was rained on and water never got through the cover. The cover even became stained from rust leaking off my roof and it came out with no problem after just washing the cover in the washing machine. Great product." —Ashlyn

Get it from Wayfair for $163.59+ (originaally $239.99+, available in three colors).

Promising review: "Super easy install. What truly made me feel like this was a great investment was the ability to put additional zip ties through the product, as it was a weaved fabric. It can get windy sometimes and I was able to secure additional zip ties where needed." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in a variety of sizes and nine colors).

Promising review: "I’m so happy with this side table. It is super light, was easy to put together, and inside you can lock the height wherever you want. So in addition to being a cooler, I can adjust the table to set my computer on and zoom outside or type in my iPad (of which I’ve done both). I love it. It came fast.

There is a seam in the middle where the top and bottom pieces connect and secure together but that doesn't bother me. I’m very happy with my purchase and 10/10 recommend" —PartyOnTheEdge

Get it from Amazon for $83.96 (available in two colors).

Promising review: "I have an outdoor art studio that is plagued by mosquitoes in the summer. I wanted a more natural product, and this does the trick! It lasts a long time and is effective. I also use the bug spray by the same company, which also works." —Weigle Ceramics

Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (also available in a set of two or six).

Promising review: "I am very happy with these 10 cheerful, colorful little metal flower pots, which have a removable hook. I filled them today (Memorial Day) and the flat metal piece was easy to hook on the balcony and bend a bit by hand, so they won't come off. There is a little hold in the bottom, to keep water from pooling, the metal is coated with enamel paint inside and out, and the fit a 4" plant very nicely. They were inexpensive and arrived very quickly. Thanks!" —Irene

Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in three colors).

Promising review: "We live in a small apartment and this has been great on our patio! Wish there was an option to add a small propane tank but this is still great!" —Hannah Sullivan

Get it from Amazon for $149+ (available in five colors).

The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.