Pumpkin season is officially here, and it's time to give your balcony some autumn cheer! An apartment balcony or small patio can be a challenge to decorate without over-crowding. But I’ve got some simple tips to make your balcony fall ready!
What do you like to do most on your balcony in the fall? Sip tea and read? Converse with friends? Or dine outdoors? If your balcony is small, focus on one of these activities for fall either creating a cozy seating nook or a small dining area. Invest in furniture that is versatile like garden stools, which can double as a stand or seating.
For larger spaces, you may be able to do both. You want to be sure and choose furniture that is proportional to the space. So think in terms of compact but comfy chairs, small side tables, and round café tables. Remember that you need about 30 inches of clearance to push back a chair comfortably, so stick with a 30 – 42-inch table. There are also a lot of options for folding tables and chairs that are great for easy storage.
Fill a pretty basket with fall decorations. You can use pumpkins, gourds, acorns, cotton, and/or leaves — anything that suggests the autumn harvest. Set the basket on your dining table as a centerpiece or use it on a side table for added fall cheer.
This is also a great technique if your balcony is uncovered. You can easily take the basket inside during rainy weather.
Need some ideas for the display? Try these.
Fall is all about getting cozy as temperatures start cooling down. Make your outdoor space cozy and inviting. Add soft pillows and fuzzy throw blankets to your balcony seating. Use textures and patterns reminiscent of autumn like plaid, gingham, knitted wool, and faux fur.
Don’t forget to create a cozy atmosphere with lighting. Use pretty candles and lanterns to get that warm glow. A fall scent like sandalwood or pumpkin spice will add to the cozy feeling too!
If you have room for a dining table, set it with more rustic, natural elements. Use rattan or wooden plate chargers, linen napkins, and gourds. Play up fall’s inherently rustic feel.
Centralize your fall decorating efforts to one focal point and create a fall vignette there. This will have a greater impact than pumpkins scattered all over the balcony floor. Use a corner that furniture won’t fit in to make efficient use of your space.
Try to use varied decorative elements in your fall vignettes like pumpkins, mums, apple crates, lanterns, and baskets. Layer texture with straw, colored leaves, or burlap.
By using these tips, you add some autumn cheer to your apartment balcony or patio. Happy fall decorating!
Katherine is a historian by trade who is passionate about art and antiques. By day she manages the treasures of an international auction house and by night she indulges in her love of writing and decorating with her Southern lifestyle blog Pender & Peony. At P&P, Katherine inspires readers to decorate, entertain and navigate the South with grace, charm and gumption.