Congratulations on getting that dreamy Phoenix apartment! Here are 13 ways to transform your balcony into an intentional hangout space.
Not all Phoenix balconies are created equal, but almost any balcony can become a cozy hangout space with a little imagination and a few well-placed items. From furniture and games to a barbecue, your balcony can become distinctly yours.
Just be sure to check your apartment complex, HOA, or property management guidelines before adding anything, especially items that attach to railings, walls, and ceilings. A good rule of thumb: If it leaves a permanent mark, double-check. Unless you prefer to ask forgiveness instead of permission—but that philosophy can get costly.
What to add
You might have an idea of how you want your space to feel—soothing, fun, whimsical, cozy, inviting. There are several different items that can cater to the vibe you’re after.
Small gas grill
The most controversial item on this list is also one of the easiest ways to make a balcony feel more like an expansive backyard. Small gas grills make a big impact, regardless of your space’s vibe.
Even if the common areas have a communal barbecue, a compact gas grill makes it easy to grill a few burgers, chicken tenders, or even tri-tip while adding that smoky, backyard aroma. There’s something inherently intimate about making dinner for yourself and a few friends while everyone lounges around your apartment. It is also convenient: You only have to run into the kitchen for spices instead of carrying everything down to the large communal space. It may not be the same as barbecuing poolside with the whole family, but using a small gas grill gives you a taste of that experience.
Of course, check your complex’s rules and local fire regulations before purchasing one. There are ordinances about distances between dwellings and grills, as well as floor types. For example, if your patio has a wooden floor, grills are unlikely to be permitted. If grills are permitted, look for a compact model designed for small outdoor spaces.
Outdoor rug
An outdoor rug is one of the easiest ways to add personality to a balcony, covering plain concrete or gravel with a pop of color and design. The best part? It adds style without causing any damage! Outdoor rugs, though, aren’t as simple as bringing out that old carpet or kitchen floor mat. Instead, these floor coverings are designed to withstand the elements, with many being water-resistant and able to handle the occasional Phoenix monsoon.
These come in several sizes and are generally lightweight and easy to clean—which I learned the hard way when my pup confused my green rug for turf and went for relief. Modern options are also often fade-resistant, which is a must in the Phoenix sun.
Fur friend tip: If you have a pet, another option is strategically placing a piece of artificial turf in one corner. It can give your pet a designated outdoor relief area while leaving the rest of the balcony available for lounging. Also, my FIL swears by OdoBan for removing pet-urine smells if you go this route. You can order outdoor rugs and artificial turf online, but you can also find them in the garden section of a major retailer or hardware store.
Chairs and a table
If you don’t already have chairs or a small table on your patio, get them!
One option is metal bistro tables and chairs, paired with seasonal chair cushions, to create an aesthetic, practical place to enjoy coffee, wine, and quiet mornings reading. A slightly pricier, more timeless option is acacia wood furniture, but be warned: Wood exposed to the elements requires regular oiling and upkeep for longevity. The metal sets are considerably easier to maintain. Every few years, just add a layer of Rust-Oleum to keep the seating looking fresh. If choosing plastic furniture, be warned that these are the most likely to crack from sun exposure, even if the option offers the least up-front spending.
If you are looking for a bargain or multipurpose option—which is often key to comfortable small-space living—invest in folding camp chairs. You can bring folding chairs inside when you’re not using them to avoid prolonged exposure to the elements, then pack them up and take them with you when you’re enjoying the great outdoors beyond the patio.
Fur friend tip: Animal parents can get in on the fun, too. Waterproof dog beds and elevated food and water dishes can create a dedicated space for pets, while a tiny catio or cat tree can turn a balcony into an outdoor retreat for a feline. These, too, can become dual-purpose and travel on camping trips.
Hanging hammock chairs
If your patio has a sturdy overhang, hammock chairs are a whimsical way to elevate the hangout space to—quite literally—a fun place to hang.
Many are made with steel frames and macramé material, providing sturdy yet comfortable seating. Others are made from soft cloth and rated for light swinging, which is great for light sensory stimulation. Some can even double as camping gear when you head into the woods—just shop the camping section.
For a small balcony, the biggest benefit of a hanging hammock chair is that it shrinks out of the way when you don’t need it. Just make sure any hanging chair is attached only to a structure specifically rated to support it. A balcony isn’t the place to experiment with questionable structural integrity.
Planters
Depending on your balcony’s layout, you can choose from plenty of planters to create a cohesive container garden.
Railing planters are great for herbs or flowers and can add a line of greenery around the space, enhancing the illusion of privacy. Hanging planters can showcase succulents or annuals, while a plant stand can turn one corner into a miniature container garden. If you love gardening, you may just want to choose all three! All of a sudden, that patio becomes your own personal Secret Garden sanctuary.
Note that most complexes allow some form of greenery, but it is best to double-check whether you are allowed to drill holes to accommodate a hanging or railing planter. Fortunately, many railing planters simply hang over the railing using gravity and hooks rather than requiring holes. This makes for an easy option for renters who want greenery without permanently altering the property.
Cornhole
This is a big game in the Grand Canyon State, which I’m sure you already know.
While most balconies aren’t large enough for a traditional two-team game of cornhole, a well-designed single cornhole board—or a custom one if you’re handy—can still add a fun element to the space. The key is portability. A smaller board can be set up when friends come over, then packed away when you need more room. It can also travel with you to the park, a tailgate, or a family gathering. In other words, it does double duty—exactly what you want when square footage is at a premium.
Tabletop fire pit
Do you like roasting marshmallows or unwinding beside a fire? Simple citronella candles can create a peaceful open flame, but they’re not the same as a fire pit.
As tiny living and smaller outdoor spaces grow in popularity, so do the inventions designed to fit that lifestyle. Tabletop fire pits that use propane or other fuel sources offer a small-scale campfire experience, letting you gather with friends around a fire while staying in your urban oasis.
Simply choose one appropriately sized for your table and use it according to the manufacturer’s instructions and local regulations. Before bringing any open-flame appliance onto a balcony, check the rules for your apartment complex, along with county fire restrictions. Usually, gas-powered flames are a-ok. Then, when conditions allow, get ready for those romanticized fall evenings with open flames right on your balcony. You may not get the color-changing leaves, but you can have some dancing flames.
String lights
Few things can transform a balcony as quickly as string lights. A simple strand along the railing, around a doorway, or overhead can make even a basic apartment balcony feel intentional and inviting once the sun goes down.
Look for outdoor-rated lights designed to withstand heat and weather, and consider solar-powered options if you don’t have an accessible outdoor outlet. The best part? String lights take up virtually no floor space, leaving room for the heavier hitter items you may choose.
Air hockey table with plywood topper
One Christmas, my in-laws gifted the kids a full-sized air hockey table. It was a generous gift—and also a bulky one. To make it work for our space, we cut a piece of plywood to match the top. It can be removed when the kids want to play air hockey, then replaced when we need additional surface space for crafting or even hosting Thanksgiving.
Obviously, this only works if your patio is large enough to accommodate the table in the first place (air hockey tables do come in various sizes). If your space can accommodate it, the solution creates both hosting and play space without requiring two separate pieces of furniture. Sometimes the best balcony furniture is simply the furniture that can create two vibes—in this case, both fun and inviting!
Sun shade
Not every balcony comes with shade, but that doesn’t mean you have to abandon the space during the hottest parts of the day.
There are several ways to add shade. If your balcony doesn’t get particularly windy, a sturdy umbrella base and outdoor umbrella can be an easy option. It provides shade while you are outside and can be taken down when a monsoon or dust storm rolls in. Outdoor umbrella patterns also allow for personality and color.
Sunshades attached with hooks between the roofline and the top of the banister are another option, though they may require permission from the apartment complex—or extremely sturdy sticky hooks. (Please let me know if you find these.) Sunshades can also be trickier to remove when severe weather approaches.
A third option is a roll-down shade you can pull out while you are outside and roll back up when you are finished. When we lived in a townhouse, a neighbor had a thick roll-down shade that doubled as an outdoor movie screen. Once a week, they would project a movie for their children and the neighborhood kids, turning the patio into a tiny outdoor theater. It was such a fun outdoor experience—particularly considering the lack of drive-in theaters in Arizona.
Style tips
A good idea can quickly become cluttered without a little thought. The goal isn’t to cram every possible amenity onto a balcony, but to create a space that feels intentional and, ideally, makes you want to spend time there. Pick a vibe, and lean into it. Here are a few ways to do that.
Choose a color palette
Choose a few core colors and build around them. Contrasting colors can create interesting visual appeal—yellow and blue, for example—while a more monochromatic palette can make a small space feel cohesive. Texture, pattern, and material matter just as much. A woven chair, patterned outdoor rug, wooden table, and leafy plants can create visual interest without requiring a dozen decorative objects.
Less is usually more
It can be tempting to add everything you want. Resist the urge. A couple of standout pieces will generally have more impact than 10 smaller items competing for attention. This is particularly important on an apartment balcony, where every square foot has a purpose. If you have a great chair, a beautiful rug, a few plants, and one memorable decorative element, you may not need much else.
Give the space a theme
Themes matter, particularly if you are trying to make a small space feel intentional.
My aunt loved cherubs, so she used two stone angels and a stepping stone featuring a cherub as focal points in her outdoor decor. She kept the rest of the design relatively simple, using wire planters that let the cherubs stay the stars of the show. You can do the same with gnomes, chicken figurines, farm-chic decor, Roman styling, Southwestern elements, sunflowers, or whatever happens to make you happy.
Parting thoughts
The point isn’t to create a balcony worthy of a furniture catalog. It’s to create your balcony.
A Phoenix apartment balcony may never be a sprawling backyard, but it can still be where you drink your morning coffee, grow a few herbs, play a game, host friends, watch a movie, woo your date, or simply sit outside and enjoy the evening.
With a little creativity—and a willingness to work within your rental’s rules—even a few hundred square feet can become a space worth staying home for.
