A Tour of the Balcony — Part One

I spent the past month cleaning the balcony and tackling a series of DIY projects to make it both functional and beautiful. It took time, but everything is finally coming together. This is the first part of the balcony tour — the space is large, so I’m breaking the tour into two posts.

To see Part Two of the balcony tour, click here: Part Two.

Creating Privacy and a Backdrop

Over the past few years the balcony has evolved. Our house sits on a busy street with neighboring homes close by, so we needed a solution to improve privacy and reduce noise. Our first attempt was a simple plywood screen that blocked the view from across the street and helped cut down sound — it worked well as a starting point.

Because the original bamboo fence wasn’t enough, we added two more pieces of plywood and covered them with vinyl. The result is an outdoor “room” that provides privacy and doubles as a neutral backdrop for photographing projects. For details on our initial privacy project, see: A Little More Privacy, Please.

Shaded Corner and Repurposed Pieces

One end of the balcony holds some tall plants that, surprisingly, keep thriving despite my inconsistent care. To reduce heat and glare, I added an umbrella there. A repurposed milk crate turned into a stool sits in front, providing a casual seat or side surface. You can see what this corner looked like last year for comparison: A Corner of My Balcony.

Planters, Lanterns, and Shade

I repurposed a nautical lantern and placed it on top of a planter once holding a living plant — when that plant died, the planter became a decorative stand. I continued the rock motif in another planter for texture and contrast. The blue fabric behind the planters is actually a shower curtain I repurposed to reduce the harsh sun and add a pop of color.

Hanging from the umbrella is a versatile saucer that holds tealights — a creative repurpose of a grill part that provides soft evening light.

Seating and Dining Area

The white metal bistro table is paired with two chairs that I reupholstered using the same fabric as the balcony screen to create a cohesive look. A simple arrangement of dried flowers and small decorative items adds charm, while a basket with jars keeps essentials organized and tidy.

Sunny Corner and Sea Breezes

Here you can see the corner where the sun pours in through glass doors. While the doors are attractive, they act like a greenhouse in summer, so shade solutions are important. Thankfully, the balcony usually benefits from a cooling breeze, which helps keep the space comfortable even on hot days.

Repurposed Accent Pieces

An olive oil barrel that I refreshed last year serves as a handy side table and adds character to the seating area. Small upcycled elements like this bring personality without breaking the budget: Revamped Olive Oil Barrels.

Daybed and Cozy Corner

The daybed is actually a folding cot that I covered with a duvet and secured one end on the window sill by tucking a piece of wood under the fabric. It’s a simple, comfortable spot to nap or read outdoors. Colorful pillows add seasonal flair and make the space inviting.

Views and Finishing Touches

Looking down the length of the balcony you can see the bay and mountains across the water — a view like that makes everything else worth it. With a scenic backdrop, any small imperfections, like a few tired plants, are easily forgiven.

Small Upcycles and Summer Styling

My milk crate table is dressed up for summer with a few small accents and a lantern to set the mood. Fresh seasonal fruit — in this case, cherry plums from the farm — pairs perfectly with fresh flowers for an effortless table vignette.

Final Thoughts

Using simple, repurposed items from storage and a few targeted DIY updates, I created a cheerful and practical outdoor space. One detail I didn’t mention earlier is that the balcony wraps around three sides of the house — in the next post I’ll show you the remaining areas and more spectacular views.

I hope you enjoyed this summer tour of the balcony. What was your favorite part?