Whether it’s your only outdoor space in a city or an easy way to get outside straight from your bedroom, balconies should serve as an escape. Balcony design is challenging, though, given the often-small footprint and exposure to the elements. To help you meet this challenge, we spoke to designers for expert tips on layout, furniture selection, the best plants for your balcony, and more.

1. Decide The Balcony’s Function

There’s no right way to use a balcony, but many people will buy some outdoor furniture and never set foot in the space again. To design a balcony you’ll actually use, get specific about the purpose. As designer Lonnie Paul says, “The first step is understanding the function: Is it meant for morning coffee, entertaining, dining, reading, or simply creating a visual escape from inside the home?” When you know how you want to use the balcony, you can be more judicious in your design selections.

You might just want a place to enjoy nature and journal. In this case, a single comfortable chair and a lap desk might be enough furniture for your balcony. If you plan to host often, you’ll need more seating and to think carefully about furniture size and layout. Some people just want a place to hone their green thumb. In this case, save most of the balcony space for plants, and keep some folding chairs or floor cushions tucked away if needed.

Defining your balcony’s purpose might seem like an unnecessary step, but when you’re short on space, it’s critical to be thoughtful. Otherwise, the balcony is likely to become crowded and little-used.

2. Choose Furniture Carefully

It’s a given that you should choose durable, weatherproof fabrics and surfaces for your balcony. Selecting the right furniture for your style, balcony size, and setting requires more consideration.

“A balcony that gets strong afternoon sun might need umbrellas, shade solutions, or heat-resistant materials,” Paul says. “High-rise balconies often require heavier furniture that won’t shift in the wind.”

You also need to plan for maneuverability on a small balcony. When choosing furniture, make sure that there’s enough room to move around and to open and close the door fully. However, this doesn’t mean you should choose tiny furniture for its own sake. If lounging is part of your balcony’s purpose, choose the largest, most comfortable furniture you can find while still allowing easy movement.

3. Design Around Your Style

The designers we spoke with agree: You’ll be more excited to spend time in a space that feels like you. “Your balcony should reflect you, your lifestyle, and your story, so it’s as one-of-a-kind as the rest of your home,” says principal designer Martin Horner.

To balance style and practicality, take your time when choosing outdoor furniture. If you’re a maximalist, look for outdoor fabrics in bold prints or indoor-outdoor velvets, and utilize an outdoor rug for added color and texture. You might also want to browse secondhand markets for vintage pieces, such as wrought iron bistro sets and colorful loungers.

Those with a more modern style will find many options for outdoor furniture, but you’ll need to be on the hunt for the right-sized pieces. By accumulating slowly, you’ll be able to find furniture that’s the right scale and the right style.

4. Consider Storage

One lesser thought-of tip is to include storage in your layout plan. Horner says clients use and enjoy their balconies more when there’s convenient, elegant storage on the balcony or near its entrance. Think about where you’ll store cushions if it’s windy or rainy, and where to keep frequently used items, such as blankets, candles, or gardening tools. You might want to stock up on wipes or rags so you can quickly clean your space and make it more inviting.

“Being intentional from the get-go about where items will be kept goes a long way toward making your balcony a welcoming space, rather than an inconvenient one,” says Horner.

5. Add Plants

Plants will beautify your balcony, and caring for them will give you a daily reason to head outside. Plants also improve the view from inside your home by blurring the edges of balcony furniture and the view beyond.

You’ll need to focus on container gardening; the species you can grow in containers are almost endless, including vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Depending on your balcony’s size, prioritizing hanging baskets or planter boxes that attach to your railing can save floor space.

You can also use plants strategically to increase balcony privacy. “Tall planters with ornamental grasses or layered plants can provide privacy without making the balcony feel closed off,” Paul says. Similarly, dense plants can act as hedges and also provide great privacy.

5 Designer-Approved Tips for Creating A Balcony You’ll Actually Use (and Love) by Abby Wolner | Better Homes & Gardens