January 25, 2026, 4:36 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Especially during the summer months, there are often objects on a balcony that are not really needed. Some not only harm people and nature, but they also take up valuable space. An interior designer explains what you should get rid of.
If you want to enjoy your outdoor living room for as long as possible and create a pleasant space for people and nature, you need to clear it out. Find out here what tips you should follow when furnishing your balcony.
It’s Better to Avoid Plastic Products When Furnishing Your Balcony
When it became hip to furnish the balcony in the same modern way as your own living room, plastic products increasingly found their way into outdoor areas. From flower boxes and chairs to parasols, many things are made of plastic. Not entirely without (practical) reason: the material is weather-resistant. After a short summer downpour, outdoor furniture can be quickly wiped dry and used again immediately. However, in times of climate crisis, plastic products with a poor eco-balance should no longer be in demand when furnishing the balcony. The market has already responded to this and offers a wide range of more environmentally friendly outdoor furniture, made from FSC-certified wood, for example.
The Balcony is Not a Junk Room
When furnishing the balcony, the same rules often don’t apply as indoors. That’s why chaos often reigns here. It’s particularly common to see a second fridge for all the food that can’t be stored in the kitchen, shoe cupboards for all non-seasonal footwear, and waste garbage cans—including empties, storage. In this way, however, the balcony no longer serves as a place to relax in the fresh air, but mutates into a junk room. If there is a lack of storage space, it is better to move to the cellar or attic, or to clear out at regular intervals.
Furnishing Your Balcony: Less Decoration Is More
As a rule, you want to furnish your balcony as comfortably as your interior. However, this often leads to over-decorating the balcony. In a small space, the ceiling, walls, floor, and even the balcony railing are wildly decorated. A wind chime from above, mood lighting on the sides, full balcony boxes on the railing, and plant pots and other decorative objects on the floor. This quickly creates a chaotic look in an area of just a few square meters.
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Installing Good Birdhouses
A birdhouse is a good idea for the balcony. However, you should also buy a sensible “house” for the animals or build one yourself. Birdhouses with an integrated silo are recommended, as this prevents food and droppings from mixing together as the birds strut around. The food is also optimally protected from precipitation and cannot go bad.
Banish Harmful Barbecue Gadgets
When barbecuing, it is worth paying attention to sustainable gadgets and not using barbecue lighters such as methylated spirits, disposable plastic tableware, or charcoal from tropical deforestation. Instead, it would be better to use local charcoal, wax as a firefighter, and crockery from the kitchen cupboard.