A guide to balcony-scaping: Clever ideas for compact, contemporary outdoor living

Often overlooked, a compact balcony has so much hidden potential. You don’t need a large garden to enjoy a little fresh air. In fact, even the snuggest of balconies can be turned into your own private retreat, becoming one of your favourite corners of the house - especially as we enter the summer season. 

With the right outdoor furniture and some clever space-saving tricks, balconies can offer the perfect place to relax, unwind, and make so many memories. 

In this expert styling guide, we’ll show you how to curate a beautiful balcony space using a balcony bistro set. We’ll also share some of our top tips on the best balcony layouts and how to accessorise your bistro table to create a cosy outdoor nook. 

Why garden bistro sets are perfect for balconies 

Just because your balcony is a little on the small side doesn’t mean you can’t fit any furniture onto it. If you ask us, an outdoor bistro set is the ideal fit. Small, comfy, and with enough room for two people to sit, a round bistro table and chairs set makes for the ultimate balcony seating arrangement. 

How to choose the right bistro table and chairs for your balcony 

The key considerations you need to keep in mind when choosing the right balcony bistro set are:

• Size and shape: First and foremost, it’d be a good idea to measure the space that you’re working with. There’s nothing more disappointing than bringing a new piece of furniture home and realising it doesn’t fit your desired space. Make sure to leave enough room around your bistro set so you can get in and out of the chairs easily.

• Material: Different materials suit different scenarios. Our sturdy outdoor rope collection is hand-crafted with strong aluminium frames, making it incredibly hardwearing and weather-resistant, ideal for balconies battling UK weather. 

• Style: Now, the fun part. What kind of aesthetic do you envision for your balcony? Sleek and contemporary or sophisticated and preppy? If you like the curved furniture trend, something like our Mason Bistro Table Travertine Finish is a great choice. Or, if you prefer a more rustic look, our vintage-inspired Lauren 2 Seat Bistro Set with green lattice weaving has an effortlessly retro feel. 

 Smart layout ideas for your balcony bistro table

When decorating a balcony, every inch of space matters. Let’s explore the best balcony layouts for different sizes and shapes…

Compact, corner placement

If you’re lucky enough to have a fairly large balcony, it may be a good idea to arrange your outdoor bistro set neatly in the corner of your balcony. This stops you from wasting any unused space and can even create the illusion of a bigger balcony. Now, you can add other outdoor accessories like plant pots, floor lanterns, or even a pizza oven! A little creativity goes a long way. 

Front-and-centre

Not much wiggle room? No problem. Make your garden bistro set the centrepiece! Place your table and chairs in the centre of your balcony to create an inviting seating area. Not only does this anchor your balcony space, but it keeps the layout feeling nice and uncluttered. 

Out-of-sight

If your patio is exceptionally small, it’d be advisable to choose a garden bistro table and chairs set that can be folded or stacked (such as our super chic and stackable Gabriela 2 Seat Bistro Set. This way, you can tidy them away to the side or even inside your home when not in use. Now, you can make the most of your standing space all the time, and easily set up your bistro set whenever you wish. 

Styling tips for your balcony bistro set

Now, let’s explore some of our best-kept styling tips for your balcony bistro set…

1. Layer cosy cushions and blankets

When curating a cosy outdoor space, texture is everything. If your bistro chairs don’t have any seat cushions, it may be a good idea to add some for comfortable seating and arrange some scatter cushions for added style. Don’t forget to have some spare blankets to hand, so you can stay nice and toasty as the long summer evenings roll in. 

Top tip: Make sure all of your textiles are coordinated for a truly cohesive look. 

2. Add some balcony planters

Gardening in a compact space can be challenging, but not impossible. If you love having a bit of greenery in your home, consider adding an innovative balcony planter. This is a brilliant way of saving precious floor space by hanging your plant pots directly off your balcony railing and letting flowers bloom. Just make sure they’re nice and secure before you add the soil, and ensure you can easily access them to regularly water your plants. 

Low-maintenance balcony flowers

• Fuscia

• Geraniums

• Lavender

• Marigolds

• Trailing Ivy

Top tip: Make sure to work out which way your balcony faces to see how much direct sunlight or shade you receive! Some plants thrive on neglect, whilst others may need a little more TLC… 

3. Bring some ambience with outdoor lighting 

An excellent way to decorate your balcony is by hanging up some gorgeous outdoor lighting. String lights work particularly well in this case, and they can be hung or wrapped around your balcony railing. We love our Indoor/Outdoor Connectable Festoon Lights, which feature antique bulbs for a charming retro look. Their yellow bulbs will bring a warm glow to your balcony, meaning you can sit out long after nightfall.

4. Bring an indoor-outdoor feel with a rug

Finally, to really elevate your balcony space, consider adding a stylish outdoor rug. As well as adding softness and texture, a rug on your balcony can help to seamlessly blend your outside space with the indoors, helping to make your small balcony feel like a true extension of your home. 

Gone are the days of bland balconies. With a beautiful balcony bistro set and some strategic garden styling, you can transform your small outdoor space into a luxurious, open-air retreat. 

Feeling inspired? Shop Atkin and Thyme’s full collection of contemporary garden bistro sets: