Best balcony furniture for 2024: compact chairs, tables and accessories
The Evening Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
In a city of some nine million residents, having access to any kind of private space in London is a joy.
Whether you’re working with a modest balcony or you’re fortunate enough to have a garden with a patio, when the sun comes out, it’s a haven to enjoy far from the crowds at the local park.
To enjoy it as you should, dressing the space purposefully is key. Outdoor furniture that works for your oasis and your aesthetic means you’re more likely to want to get out there and use it. With the right pieces, it can function as an extra room in the house - and who couldn’t do with more space to relax in?
It’s not just the obvious stuff like bistro sets and sun loungers, although they are essential for warm-weather lounging. Extra details such as lanterns, parasols, portable lamps, storage benches and outdoor rugs can be transformative when put together, creating a real inside-out look.
Planters can also make balconies feel more homely, and if you sow fruit, veg or herbs, they have the added bonus of functioning as a source of free food too.
If you’re looking at your tired balcony that’s in desperate need of a lift for the season ahead, don’t despair. We’ve rounded up the nicest pieces to shop now, for spaces of all sizes. From natty breakfast sets and cool rocking chairs to weather-resistant rugs and solar-powered ideas to illuminate the area, there’s plenty to inspire in our curated edit.
Shop now
Lights4Fun Black Wicker Solar Lantern Bundle
Enjoy your balcony long into the night with these smart lanterns from Lights4Fun.
Wrapped in a contemporary wicker-look design, the set of two comprises a matching floor and table lantern to bring a gentle glow to your space.
Habitat Teka Metal Rocking Garden Chair - Cream
Watch the world go by from Habitat's rocking chair, perfect for balconies that can take its H78.5 x W62 x D84.5cm dimensions. The modern black frame is fitted with a white comfort seat and finished with a padded headrest.
Ruggable Outdoor Fontaine Delft Blue Rug
Love the tiled look but don't want the expense or the faff? Choose the right outdoor rug and you can mimic mosaics without the building work.
Ruggable offers a selection of outdoor rugs, ready to take your outside space to the next level. This floral theme feels particularly fitting and comes in a selection of shapes and sizes to fit your space perfectly. Crafted to stand up to high-traffic areas and fade, mould and mildew resistant, we had no idea garden rugs could look this good.
Hay Weekday Bench W111 plank pinewood bench 111cm x 45cm
Do you have a slim porch? No matter, there are still many seating options available. Take Hay's weekday bench, for example. The slim seater from the Scandi brand is made from pinewood and painted sky blue (a green version is available too). It'll add a jolt of colour to small spaces and can double as a compact coffee table too.
Anthropologie Mabel Indoor/Outdoor Side Table
A beautiful table like this is for more than just snacks. The colour, design and glazed earthware finish creates a focal point too; hard to achieve on balconies. It's made to withstand the outdoors, but should be brought in during inclement weather.
Habitat Folding Wooden Garden Deck Chair - Black & White
Spot the difference in your balcony once you've set up this deck chair to catch the best of the rays. Rendered in a foolproof palette of black and white on a moisture-resistant Eucalyptus wood frame, it's a lightweight design that can be carried for trips away too.
Gallery Direct Sassano Garden Lounge Chair & Footstool, Orange
Is your balcony crying out for a pop of colour? Turn up the heat, even on grey days, with this lounge chair and footstool set in bright orange. Sold with a one-year guarantee.
SELETTI Industry cast aluminium table 74cm x 70cm
Hold the tablecloth; you won't want to cover up the beauty of this Seletti table. The luxury piece is made from hard-wearing aluminium and makes the perfect setting for everything from afternoon tea to sundowner cocktails. The bright blue offers a welcome pop of colour compared to the typical earthy palettes usually found in garden furniture.
La Redoute Bianca Low Garden Armchair
Enhance the corners of your deck with a low-seated armchair to curl up in. Showcasing a funky green, mustard and pink checked print, La Redoute’s Bianca armchair comes complete with a solid, attractive teak construction and a mid-century silhouette primed for weekend chilling.
Blue Elephant Solid Wood Bench
Channelling a modern farmhouse, this beautiful black bench is ideal for adding style to your outside space. The tall spindles add height to the backrest, giving extra support to the lucky souls who get to sit there. A few cushions and a throw will make it a lovely place to sit and smell the roses.
Keter Eden Bench 265L Garden Storage Box – Grey
Loyal readers will know by now that here at ES Best we have a thing for furniture with storage.
When space is scarce, it pays to invest in items that work harder for your money. In the garden, that means a bench that doubles up as a storage bench. Simply add squishy outdoor cushions to this bench for additional seating, storing plant pots, gardening tools or even picnicware underneath, ready to whip out when you need it.
The weather-resistant wood-look panel design is lockable and can hold up to 265L within.
Cotswold Company Aldsworth Bench
A cosy bench is the perfect place for long-awaited catch-ups with friends or to unwind with your latest page-turner. This 98 x 133 x 63cm design is crafted from open-weave grey rattan and comes with showerproof cushions for extra comfort. Chuck a blanket on to see off chills in the evening.
Mrs. Alice Alexandra Rattan Scalloped Bench
Doing nothing to help our scalloped homeware obsession is this rattan bench from Mrs. Alice. The whimsical design is best placed under a covered area to help prolong its lifespan.