A few square meters are enough to create a balcony where you truly want to hang out. Suitable furniture, well-chosen plants, a polished atmosphere: here is how to go about it without falling into classic mistakes.
We all tend to underestimate our balconies. Too small, too exposed, too cluttered with storage we don't want inside. And yet, it's often the only place where we can get some fresh air without leaving home. We might as well make the most of it.
Setting up a balcony doesn't require a large budget or special skills. It mainly requires starting in the right order and avoiding a few mistakes that almost everyone makes at least once.
Start by defining the usage, not by buying
This is the step that most people skip. You see a pretty chair on Instagram, you order it, and three weeks later it's getting rained on in a corner because it doesn't really fit the space or doesn't match what you actually do on that balcony.
Before any purchase, it is better to answer one simple question: what is the primary use of this balcony? A place to eat for two? A morning reading nook? An urban garden with herbs and cherry tomatoes? Each answer leads to very different choices.
On a small balcony, wanting to do everything at once leads directly to clutter. One well-thought-out primary use is better than three uses that get in each other's way.
Furniture: compact, durable, and something you actually want to use
Balcony furniture has two main enemies: size (often too large for the space) and weather (which wears out cheap materials in two seasons). On both points, it is really worth being careful before buying.
For small surfaces, a few approaches work well: tables that hang from the railing, which free up all the space when not in use. Stackable or folding chairs that last a long time outdoors. Versatile stools that also serve as a coffee table or storage.
It is with this logic that Extra Terrasse created the Balconie: a table that hangs directly on the railing, clears the floor entirely, and stays outside all year round. It is often the solution that changes everything.
As for materials, powder-coated steel ages well outdoors. Untreated wood and non-waterproof cushions need to be brought inside in the autumn, which few people actually do.
Plants: adding greenery without saturating the space
Plants transform a balcony better than any decorative accessory. They bring volume, movement, and sometimes even a bit of privacy from neighbors. But in a compact space, a pot on the floor can quickly eat up the few centimeters that were left.
The golden rule: use height and verticality. Railings, walls, trellises—anything that allows you to add greenery without reducing the usable floor area.
The Balconnières from Extra Terrasse were designed to meet this exact need: they hook onto the railing. Rosemary, thyme, trailing ivy, petunias: the railing becomes a hanging garden without sacrificing anything on the ground.
For beginners: rosemary, thyme, and lavender are virtually indestructible outdoors. Mint grows fast—too fast—so it's better to keep it in a separate pot so it doesn't take over the rest.
Color consistency: a detail that changes everything
A balcony that works visually isn't necessarily a heavily decorated one. It is often a balcony where the colors are consistent with each other. Too many different materials and shades create a cluttered impression, even with quality furniture.
The Extra Terrasse Balconie comes in eight colors in the large size (sage green, gentian blue, ochre, anthracite grey, ruby red, garnet red, Parisian green, steel blue) and in four colors in the small size. The Balconnières are available in six colors. Several shades are common to both products, which makes it easy to coordinate planters and the table on the same railing for an effortless, cohesive look.
Lighting: what transforms a balcony after 7 p.m.
This is probably the most neglected element in balcony design, yet it determines whether you will stay for another hour after sunset or go back inside.
No need for wiring or an electrician. A solar LED string light hung along the railing, votives or lanterns with LED candles, a small solar table lamp placed in a corner: that is enough to create a dim atmosphere that makes you want to stay outside.
The finishing touches that make it look like you thought of everything
It's often the little details that make the difference between a functional balcony and a balcony where you want to invite people. A braided polypropylene outdoor rug to define the living area, waterproof cushions on the seats, a small wall shelf to set things down without cluttering the table.
In summary
Setting up your balcony works well when you start in the right direction: first the usage, then the furniture, then the plants, then the details. A well-thought-out balcony is not a full balcony. It is a balcony where every element has its place and its reason for being.