Jennifer Sheahan: Ideas for beautiful balconies this summer

Eat your heart out, Romeo and Juliet

Choose balcony furniture that's comfortable yet can withstand the elements. File picture

It's been a hot and muggy summer so far, and apartment living is on the rise, so I assume a good number of readers will have spent time cooling off on their balconies this year. They’re tricky creatures, balconies, because they’re highly desirable but often tiny and overlooked.

There are usually strict rules dictating what you can and can’t do out there, and it can be hard to know how to make the most of them. But if there’s one woman who knows how to get the best out of a tiny space, it’s me.

Here are some ideas to help you enjoy your balcony — within the bounds of regulations.

Those pesky rules

If you own an apartment in Ireland, you might think you can do whatever you want with the balcony that came with it. Not so. In most cases, your balcony is not actually yours in the traditional sense.

Under the leasehold agreements that govern most apartment buildings in Ireland, balconies are usually classified as common areas — meaning the structural responsibility lies with the owners’ management company (OMC), which can set the rules. Check your contract, whether you’ve bought or you’re renting, to be sure what’s covered.

The downside to this is that your management company is perfectly within their rights to send you a sharp letter when you hang your washing out on your balcony or try to install something it doesn’t like the look of.

The upside is that it’s generally the company’s responsibility to fix anything that goes wrong.

What are we not allowed to do?

The most common restrictions you’ll encounter are: No hanging of washing or clothes; no permanent fixtures or structural additions; no barbecues or open flames (fire safety); and sometimes there are even restrictions on the size or type of furniture allowed.

Søstrene Grene's bamboo balcony table.

If you’re a renter rather than an owner, your landlord may have their own rules on top of all of that. No structural additions may mean no adding fencing or similar privacy measures around your balcony.

If you’re a homeowner and you’re thinking about adding a balcony to a house extension, or converting a flat roof into a usable outdoor space, you will need planning permission.

The primary concerns for planning authorities are safety, overlooking neighbours, and blocking light, so any application would need to address those issues.

OK, so what can we do?

None of this is meant to put you off. You absolutely can create a beautiful balcony — you just need to work within the rules. Read your lease or contract and check the rules.

Ask your landlord or management company if you’re unsure about something specific. Then get creative within those parameters.

Here are some ideas. Make very sure that anything you put on your balcony is heavy enough not to blow away in a strong wind if you leave it out.

Start with the floor

Most balcony floors are concrete or tile — utilitarian and cold-looking. One of the quickest and most transformative things you can do is lay outdoor decking tiles over the existing surface.

These click together like a jigsaw, require no tools and no permanent fixing, and can be lifted and taken with you when you move. Make sure any tiles you choose are specifically rated for outdoor use, that they’re slip-resistant when wet, and that they’re light enough not to add significant load to the balcony structure.

If you’re not ready to commit to tiles, an outdoor rug is the next best thing and is by far the most affordable option. It instantly makes a balcony feel cosier.

Folding chairs are ideal for small balconies.

Look for outdoor rugs, specifically designed to handle moisture and UV. Kukoon has a nice range online, as do Woodies and Ikea, and Lidl and Aldi often stock some really nice ones in the middle aisle.

Balcony furniture

You want something that looks good, feels comfortable, holds up to our elements — and ideally that can be stored away easily when the weather turns, though not everyone will have the indoor space for that. As always, start with how you want to use the space.

Ikea's Tarno outdoor table and two chairs, black and light brown, €70.

Powder-coated metal furniture is hard to beat for durability in the Irish climate. It resists rust, needs minimal maintenance, and lasts for years.

Teak and other hardwoods hold up nicely outdoors but require some maintenance in the form of oiling.

Rattan or wicker is popular, but synthetic rattan (all-weather wicker) holds up better in Ireland.

Avoid untreated wood and steer clear of cushioned sets unless the cushions are specifically rated for outdoor use and you’re willing to bring them inside regularly.

For small balconies, a bistro set — two chairs and a small round table — is often the most practical choice. Fermob’s Bistro collection, my long-standing favourite, is made from powder-coated steel and is available in a beautiful range of colours.

Ikea’s Tarno set offers a more affordable entry point and is perfectly decent. Sklum is also worth a browse.

Fermob Bistro Romarin Carbone. 

If your balcony is very narrow, a railing table is worth considering. These hook directly onto the balcony railing, folding out when needed and away when not, creating a surface without using any floor space at all — ideal for a morning coffee perch or somewhere to rest a glass in the evenings. I’ve seen nice ones on Sklum, Ikea, and Amazon.

Privacy options

Lack of privacy is a big issue for most people with balconies. Outdoor privacy screens — freestanding panels in bamboo or rattan weave — can be positioned on the balcony to block sightlines without being fixed to anything. They’re widely available, come in every size, and start at a very affordable price point. Usually, they come in rolls, so they’re easy to put away at the end of a day, before any strongly worded letters are sent.

Tall potted plants are another excellent option: Bamboo, olive trees, and bay laurel all work well in large containers and provide both greenery and a good degree of privacy. Most management companies and landlords do not mind plants on balconies.

Privacy is key when enjoying your balcony. File picture

Hanging outdoor curtain panels from hooks or a tension rod fitted between the walls is another approach, as it is easy to take down at the end of the day if needed.

You won’t necessarily require planning permission or management company approval for these, as nothing is being fixed to the building. However, as with laundry, they might ask you to take something down if they feel it affects the general appearance of the building.

Plants

Plants transform a balcony. The right plants will depend on your aspect, so it’s worth doing some research before buying. Self-watering pots or devices are an excellent investment on a breezy balcony where pots tend to dry out. For trailing and climbing plants, railing planters that hook onto the balustrade are ideal as they take up no floor space.

If you have a wall to work with, a vertical planter is one of the best space-saving solutions available.

Felt pocket planters are inexpensive and easy to install on a plywood panel, and they create an instant green-wall effect that makes the space feel lush. I have this in my tiny courtyard garden, and it makes all the difference in the world.

Lighting

Lighting is such an easy and inexpensive way to transform a balcony, and it looks good from the inside, too.

Solar-powered fairy lights or festoon lights are the obvious choice on a balcony because they require no wiring, and they are abundantly available.

Rechargeable LED lanterns are another excellent option — they can be charged inside and brought out when needed, and some of them are very handsome.

Use lighting to transform the mood. File picture

Candle lanterns with a glass surround are a safer option than open candles on a breezy balcony, and there are quite convincing LED candle options now if you don’t want to manage flames at all.

The final touches

Don’t underestimate the power of cushions and throws, picnic blankets, small trays, and little decorative touches. All can be easily stored away when finished.