Comment décorer un balcon

Guide written by:

Pauline, Self-taught handyman, Leeds

80 guides

Turning your balcony into a pleasant and cozy place is just a matter of finding the right method. Properly decorating your balcony can depend on different elements, from the choice of furniture, to the various available floor types and the many decor accessories that are at your disposal. Flowers, garden dining set, mood lighting: here's a quick guide on successfully decorating your balcony!

Important features

Style
Planning
Plant
Lighting

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Focus on the different decorative styles of balconies

Engaging in any type of balcony decorating necessarily implies selecting the right material and colors. A balcony's main feature is the garden furniture. It is the piece that sets the tone of your decor, depending on whether it is exotic wood (like teak), wrought iron, woven plastic or metal. Using basic elements such as tables and chairs, your unique balcony's theme can start to be established.

Modern

Furniture with modern and sharp lines, LEDs or spotlights to illuminate evening meals, with geometrical patterned linen.

Family style

With wrought iron, linen cushions (natural colors, white, burgundy), antique-style dishes such as pitchers, available in most flea markets or plates with decorated edges to provide relief.

Sea side

Light furniture (white preferably), natural decorations made of driftwood or shells, a string of colorful cotton balls in shades of blue, gray and white.

Zen decor

Wooden furniture, bamboo shoots, a pile of pebbles in the corner, a small stone fountain, and a golden Buddha to sit proudly on a chest.

Ethnic

Dark wood or wrought-iron furniture, colorful cushions, an Indian rosewood mirror placed delicately in a corner, a multicolored Indian-embroidered tapestry hung on a wall, the list could go further.

The trend in this decor is to mix and match. In practice, we choose different elements and mix them to create a colorful and unique universe. To decorate your balcony "in style", you can associate mismatched chairs (bistro and plastic chair a la Philippe Stark) around a wooden and marble table, then tie it all together with colorful cushions and accessories (table sets, candle holders, etc.).

What floor to choose for a nice balcony?

To decorate your balcony, one needs to determine if the floor will remain natural or dressed up. The nature of your balcony's floor will depend on the level of investment you are willing to engage in and your commitment to regular maintenance (or not). The most common materials used on balconies are:

Untreated concrete;

Duckboard (wood);

Tiles;

Synthetic grass.

For all you renters, you are of course limited in the scope of your possibilities. In that case, it's better to use freestanding materials which, once removed, make it possible to restore the balcony to it's intial configuration.

When it comes to maintenance, untreated raw concrete has the advantage of requiring only scrubbing once or twice a year and a regular sweeping. Synthetic grass adds a touch of greenery to your balcony is certainly aesthetically friendly but is difficult to vacuum or wash. For information, as turf gets more and more similar to actual grass (with thin, soft blades), it also gets more and more expensive, measured per m².

Tiles are an excellent option to obtain a glossy finish for your balcony, provided it is cleaned in regular intervals and un-damaged by falling objects.

Want an idea that combines decoration and simplicity? Maybe it's best to consider a fringe-less carpet or vegetable fibers to cover the floor. It will normally last you for one season and should be cleaned and stored in the winter months.

Duckboard is a perfect seaside decor and has the advantage of being easy to install.

What about cladding for the balcony's walls?

Want to create a unique balcony? Your walls can be transformed in no time to bring new life to a room, in relation to your personal tastes. One of the more common solutions is to create a plant wall with climbing plants.

Wall stickers with scriptures or set letters are a good alternative for getting the right style.

Install a large glass-style mirror on the balcony: an innovative idea to give the space more depth.

Create a wall decoration with hanging plants (by affixing open boxes) to accommodate perennials in pots, candles, or other decorative elements.

Run some string lights around the door or suspending them vertically.

Finally, go bold and use balcony planters, pendants or chimes. Another great accessory, a rectangular parasol or a shade sail, is ideal to enjoy a quick vacation every time you have a coffee or meal on your balcony.

How about you? What is your favorite balcony decoration? Let us know in the comments!

More Information

A well-prepared balcony is an invaluable resource to relax and relief stress. For a few other ideas for your balcony, deck or garden, follow the links below for gardening-related accessories, advice from our editors and more helpful guides:

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Guide written by:

Pauline, Self-taught handyman, Leeds 80 guides écrits

I'm a dog trainer by profession, but every weekend I put the whistle down and pick up a tool. The trainer mindset is not so easy to set aside - whether with four-legged or two-legged friends, I love giving advice!

I've been a huge DIY enthusiast for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a house where the whir of the sander was the soundtrack to my weekends - not very relaxing, but always satisfying! DIY challenges our brains as well as our brawn. I've worked hard to teach myself the basics of DIY, decorating and customising furniture. That said, I love what I do. DIY is a way of life, and the tools you learn aren't just the ones you can hold in your hands.

I'm as passionate about animals as I am about DIY, and it's my goal to pass that passion on to others. I know that for some, understanding animal behaviour is as much of a puzzle as figuring out which tool is best for the job. That's why I offer guidance to pet owners specifically - because home is where the heart is for humans and animals alike!

So now that I've introduced myself, it's time to do some DIY - dog or cat sidekick optional!