3 Easy Ways to Decorate and Brighten a Balcony with Lights

Co-authored by Karen Parziale and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: September 16, 2021 References

A balcony is your own little corner of the world—a place where you can relax and unwind while enjoying some fresh air. Good lighting can make a difference in transforming your outdoor space from a simple balcony to a cozy paradise. There are plenty of different lighting possibilities to choose from, whether you’re decorating an apartment balcony or something larger. Experiment with different kinds of lighting and see what kind of special haven you can create for yourself!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

String Lights

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Drape strings of lights above your balcony for a cozy feel.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Karen Parziale
Home Stager & Interior Designer
Expert Interview. 21 April 2020} Look for a ceiling or support system above your balcony that can hold up your string lights. Attach the strings to the ceiling or rafters and let them drape in a slight curve over your balcony. Then, reattach the other side of the string lights to another section of the balcony ceiling, or another support on your balcony.^{[2]
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- For instance, you can drape the string lights across opposite edges of the ceiling.^{[3]
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- If you don’t have a lot of space in your balcony, you can drape the lights from the ceiling to another support, like a balcony railing.
- You can hang up string lights over 1 wall, multiple walls, or around the perimeter of your balcony! It all depends on how much space you have.
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Display string lights on the wall as an easy lighting solution. Spread a section of string lights along 1 end of the wall, using glue, adhesive hooks, or something similar to hold your string lights in place.^{[4]
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Research source} Create a really dynamic look by zig-zagging the string of lights back and forth along the wall, which makes a cool lighting effect.^{[5]
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- You can clip pictures to your string lights to give it a personal touch.
- For a more minimalistic look, hang up a single string of chunky lights behind a piece of furniture, like a couch.^{[6]
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Create a festive look with colorful fairy lights. Hang up multicolored strings of fairy lights all over your balcony, giving the space a friendly, vibrant glow. Display these lights along the upper edges of the walls, and drape them around your balcony door frame for an extra-special effect. Loop some fairy lights around your balcony railing to really go the extra mile.^{[7]
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- For instance, you can line your walls and doors with multi-colored lights during the holiday season.
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Twist string lights around any columns or trees near your balcony. Loop the lights around the base of the trunk or column, leaving about 2 in (5.1 cm) or so between each row of lights. Plug your lights into a nearby outlet or extension cord to create a cozy glow.^{[8]
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- This lighting style looks great with smaller string lights.
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Wrap string lights around your railing for a long-lasting glow. Railings are a great, hassle-free way to display your lights without leaving any nail marks around your balcony. Grab your favorite string lights and loop them around the length of your railing, which creates a nice, even glow around your outdoor space.^{[9]
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- If you’re using electric-powered lights, see if there’s a wall outlet near your railing. If not, you can always use an extension cord.
- Battery-powered lights are a great option, too.
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Pair string lanterns with a bamboo screen to give yourself some privacy. Shop online or at a home goods store for bamboo screens that you can prop up in front of your railing. Drape a string of lanterns along the top edge of the screen, which gives your balcony a cozy glow.^{[10]
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- The bamboo screen completely covers the openings in your railings, which helps your balcony feel a bit more private.
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Keep things simple with battery-powered string lights. Look for a special kind of lighting that’s attached to a battery canister, which saves you the trouble of scrambling for a wall outlet. Drape these from the ceiling, wrap them around railings, or hang them wherever you’d like. Once the lights start fading, replace the batteries for an easy fix.^{[11]
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Play around with different types of string lights for a dynamic look. Shop for string lights with lanterns or larger bulbs, which can provide an entirely different feel to your balcony. You may also like starburst globe lights, or light bulbs with several string lights stuck in the glass. Experiment with different styles until you find a set of string lights that really fits your aesthetic.^{[12]
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- For instance, Edison-style string lights are larger and longer, and give your balcony a vintage feel.
- For a more simplistic look, you might play around with smaller, rounded bulbs instead.^{[13]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Ways to Attach String Lights

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Display your string lights with screw eyes as a sturdy option. Climb a ladder so you can get a good look at the structural supports of your balcony, which is a great option for hanging and draping your string lights. Mark the anchor points, or places where you’ll be draping the lights, in pencil, then pre-drill a hole into each pencil mark. Insert a screw eye into each anchor point, which will give your string lights some extra support. Connect a light to the screw eye with a metal carabiner clip to finish your set-up.^{[14]
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- It might be easier to install the light bulbs after the string is set up. If possible, unscrew your bulbs beforehand and install them after your strings are in place.
- Don’t plug in the lights until they’re hung up already.
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Glue your lights in place for a quick solution. Squeeze a dot of hot glue beneath any strings or wires before displaying your string lights on the wall. This can save you from the hassle of unwanted nail marks, and is easy to take off if you ever want to switch things up.^{[15]
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- Hold the string in place for several seconds until the glue dries completely, or else your lights may fall off.
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Hang up your lights with adhesive hooks as a temporary option. Press adhesive hooks along the walls and supports of your balcony, which offer a handy, nail-free way to show off your lights. Drape your lights over the hooks instead of nailing them in place around your outdoor space. Once you’re ready to take down the lights, just pull the adhesive strips off the wall.^{[16]
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- You can find these strips at most stores, or find them online.
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Display your lights with a special hook if your balcony is beneath a gutter. Visit your hardware store for gutter hooks, or S-shaped hooks that loop over the edge of your gutter.^{[17]
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Research source} Attach one side of the “S” over the curved edge of the gutter, and use the other half of the hook to display your lights.^{[18]
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Method 3

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Lamps and Lanterns

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Light up your balcony with a simple plug-in lamp. Stick a plug-in lantern into any of the wall outlets around your porch to add a nice burst of light. You can use just 1 for a minimalistic look, or plug multiple lamps into the wall sockets around your balcony.
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Pick out a battery-powered lantern for a minimalist look. Shop for a rechargeable or battery-powered lamp that doesn’t need a wall outlet to keep your balcony lit up. Set your lantern somewhere in the middle of your outdoor area, like on a coffee table, for maximum effect.^{[19]
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- You can find these types of lanterns online, or in most home goods stores.
- For example, place your battery-powered lantern on a central coffee table or nightstand, where it can give off a subtle glow around the entire balcony.
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Think outside of the box with oil lamps. Oil lamps are smaller, rounded lamps that offer a tiny flame of light, similar to a lighter. Space these lamps around your balcony to give the outdoor area a quaint, minimalist glow in your living area.^{[20]
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- You can find oil lamps online, or in some home supply stores.
- Place these oil lamps just about anywhere you’d like, such as a flat coffee table, nightstand, or another piece of flat furniture lying around your balcony.
- Don’t leave oil lamps unattended, or else they can become a fire hazard.
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Stay connected with a Bluetooth speaker lamp. Shop for lamps that can connect with your phone or tablet. Turn on the lamp to give your balcony an extra glow, then put on your favorite tunes to really define the ambiance.^{[21]
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- Some lamps will let you control the brightness settings from your phone.
- For example, you can place this lamp around the center of the balcony so everyone can hear the music.
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Place tasteful candle lanterns all around your balcony area. Pick up candle lanterns from your local home goods store—these provide a decorative touch while also minimizing the risk of a fire hazard. Stick a candle into the decorative lantern and place it anywhere around your balcony, like on a nightstand, table, or even on the floor.^{[22]
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- Choose candles in your favorite scents to really give the cozy ambiance a boost.
- You can place your lanterns on tables and nightstands, or leave them on the floor for a more subtle glow.
- Oversized candles can make great balcony decor, as well!^{[23]
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- Never leave candles unattended, even if they’re placed in a candle lantern. If the candle lantern breaks, a fire can start and spread through your balcony.
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Decorate with solar lamps if you live in a sunny area. Shop online for solar-powered lamps, which you can hang up in any area that gets a lot of direct sunlight. After a sunny day, your lamps will keep your balcony lit, electricity- and outlet-free!^{[24]
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- For instance, you can hang your solar lamps near your balcony railing, where the sun first enters the space.
- You can also shop for other types of solar lights, like solar string lights and lanterns.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I make a small balcony feel cozy?

Karen Parziale
Home Stager & Interior Designer
Karen Parziale is a Home Stager, Home Organizer, and the Founder of The Real Estate Staging Studio based in Hoboken, New Jersey. Karen has over 15 years of home staging and decorating experience and has staged over 5,000 homes. She specializes in project management, space planning, material selections, and builder, architect, and client relationships.

Karen Parziale

Home Stager & Interior Designer

Expert Answer

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Put down an area rug and add a bistro set with a small table and two chairs. Then, decorate the space with beautiful plants in containers, large candles, and string lights to create your own oasis.