Thanks for the thoughts! I found these items on sale and think I am going for it. It usually just myself and one other friend sitting on my balcony.

I found all of these items on massive sale and think I am going to pull the plug.

Same as above but not black

So the furniture items are only 378. That is tough to beat! Plus I have the cushions already on my loveseat. That saves me a lot! I personally think I will use the loveseat a lot.

I am also considering the exact same rug as above but with navy instead of teal.

Great choices. With the lights and plants it will be a wonderful space!

that second loveseat is so cute!! i do think it looks more comfortable. I also love garden stools as side tables.

PS: we love our outdoor rugs and i am in the humid south. We”ve had no problems at all with ours.

The hard part is

A. Cleaning out my balcony!

B. Assembling it all

I think I will get the rug, chair and loveseat and see how it all looks and go from there with lighting, plants and tables... plus few other things! I want it to be an oasis.

I like your 2.0 a lot. I like the bench and have a not that different one we picked up at Home Goods. I like it and sit on it, but it is not in a location where you would usually sit a long time. And it doesn't have nearly the same vibe as your inspiration photos. The loveseat does. And the lighter color chairs are better for that feel also. Either rug would work -- navy is never bad in my book (I'm finishing up painting that dresser today -- I hope it will be finished. LOL). Great start!

ETA: The teal rug is probably lower contrast and that will have a softer feel like your inspiration photos. Navy will go crip.

Well, I pulled the trigger and ordered the loveseat and the chair recently posted and the teal and gray rug. It cost me 450. Not bad!

Thanks for all or your thoughts. I hoe it all comes to together and that I like it.

I kept thinking I would be moving but it has been over 3 years and I like it here so I finally decided to make the patio look nice and feel nice.

It is going to be fun! I have not decorated in years. That is sad as I like it so much.

I will keep you posted!

Las, looking forward to photos!

Good for you! The time to most enjoy it is right around the corner and if you should wind up moving, there is nothing there that is unlikely to find a home in a new place. Look forward to seeing it come together.

I wish I had taken before photos. If I find an old photo of the boys' bedrooms, I will see if they show up. Otherwise, imagine painted white with a paint that didn't fully cooperate but got us through kid years and these clown-like oversized round pulls painted deep royal/bright navy blue. Hold that image and I'll post the after. LOL

I like your second choices a lot, especially the chairs. Looking forward to photos once you get it all together. We found good deals on odd tables, outdoor rugs and cute pots for plants at Home Depot or Lowe’s too, so don't rule them out if you need to shop for other items.

Akt, I can’t believe it’s been over three years already. Love everything you have picked.

Benches with curves like park benches are fairly comfortable to sit on.

My sister found this inexpensive lightweight patio set on Amazon - it's very comfortable seating:

https://www.amazon.com/Kozyard-Outdoor-Conversation-Breathable-Textilence/dp/B08Y3Q3LMG/ref=sr_1_35?crid=SMF104TMXVMG&keywords=metal+patio+set&qid=1641071756&sprefix=metal+patio+set%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-35

Can’t wait to see everything when you get it!

I love a balcony view and am looking forward to seeing the result!

Love those choices and love your inspiration pics. Can't wait to see it done up.

I think you’ll love it — it will feel like you’ve added a new room!

Hey guys! I am slowly receiving all of the furniture I ordered etc. I have a pretty good idea as to what I will do with one of the walls of my balcony. The other as you can see above is an ugly brown door. I am not quite sure how to tackle it. Perhaps just hang a wreath and call it good?

This is my plan for the other side of the balcony where it is just a plain wall. This is where my loveseat will live.

This is super inexpensive and yes, the greenery will be fake (bc there is no way in which I can keep it alive.

Any and ALL thoughts or suggestions are welcome and I am one to really think outside the box.

Amy

That ivy idea will look great!

I do think a wreath is a good idea for that door, yes. Or an old stained glass window … or maybe a boho style divider in front of it … or a group of baskets …

But if you need frequent access, a wreath or other light decor would work best.

I never open that door. I was kind of thinking of some minimal outdoor curtain to sort of hide a door a bit and then add a wreath. I also think a lantern or two on the floor would look nice.

I have to wait and see what I am allowed to do given my apartment complex rules. Fingers crossed they will let me do these few things. I mean there is an outlet on my balcony so it would seem I could use some safe outdoor lighting.

Your balcony will be so nice with the new furniture and decor. My granddaughter hung these vines on a non-descript wall in her room. They look fabulous.

I wouldn't ask, just read your lease. If it's not forbidden in the lease you are good to go. If you ask, they can say no, even it's it's not in the lease.

It's easier to get forgiveness than permission...

Hi Allison. I did ask and they said ok to all of the things I wanted to do! I am really excited. I just do not know how to somehow hide my hideous storage room door. I thought about adding a blind and curtains to make it look like a window but not sure about that. I don't want to use a divider as it will take up some real estate and I do not have any to spare.

Any suggestions are much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Maybe some sort of trellis flat up on that wall? Ignore the pots here …

https://balconyboss.com/how-to-and-diy/how-to-make-your-own-balcony-trellis/

I’m wanting a balcony now. :D

https://balconyboss.com

Thanks Jinx. I was planning on doing that on my my wall. I thought I should do something different on my wall with the door. I am on a tight budget.

If you could get a tension rod between the walls around the door, you could hang drapes. If not, I'm not sure how this would look that large, but a friend covered a weird cabinet door (which of course was smaller) by making a wood frame and then stapling fabric to it (think fabric canvas). Also I like Jinx's screen - it would be great if you could find a taller one!

Coming in a little late to the party, but just wanted to add that I love the pieces you've chosen and the direction you're going with your pretty patio decor! It's not always an easy space to determine how best to spruce up, but I think you've nailed it and it's going to be an absolutely delightful little area to call your own retreat.

Is that cute loveseat from Wayfair? I am tired of scrolling through ugly loveseats….thanks!!

Spring, I found it for a lot less on this site.

https://gdfstudio.com/products/kaitlyn-outdoor-acacia-wood-loveseat-with-cushions?variant=19923627835454

I ordered in on the 1st of Jan and it arrived on the 8th. I have yet to open the box bc I need to clean off my patio and add the rug and then there is the assembly.

I hope it is comfy and cut once assembled.

Amy, in Texas heat and sun, it may be easier to keep a plant alive than fake ivy looking good. I've left pots on my porch thinking they would die and they just keep going. I think I finally gave that plant away. But it will take less time to get the trellis covered with fake. Look forward to seeing it all come together.

ak, thank you!!!! I am doing my ”lanai”, and I want some seating that does not match what I have. I cannot wait to see it on your patio!!!

Spring, glad I could help! They had a 25% coupon when I purchased the loveseat. I remember I got that and two lovely chairs for 380.

After thinking about everything... I realized with spring coming soon there will be green pollen everywhere. I certainly do not want to add too much that I will have to clean. I think for the door I will just hang a wreath and call it good. I am going to try and set everything up this weekend. At this point I only have the furniture and a rug. I will be able to assess the situation and what I want to add after I get everything situated.

Thanks for all of your help and suggestions!

I like your second photo where the curtains are hung so they enclose the loveseat. I think it's prettier/cozier having a curtain behind the loveseat instead of an ivy screen. A sheer or beaded curtain wouldn't work in front of the brown door but a thick ivy screen could totally hide the door.

Another idea is to use a section of weathered fencing in front of the door and hang a wreath on it. People give away fencing on NextDoor every spring here.

These bamboo beaded curtains are cool.

https://www.worldmarket.com/search.do?query=bamboo+beeded+curtain

oooh fencing is a good idea @Eileen! Easy to move if you ever did need to open that door.

Thanks Eileen. Those are great ideas!

Eileen where would you hang the beaded curtain? Over the door?

No, because it's not solid and the brown door would ruin the effect. Is there a preferred side for the loveseat based on the time of day you're most likely to sit outside?

Probably closer to my apartment. I really am not sure. The tough thing is my balcony faces directly west and in the long hours of the summer it gets boiling. I do have a shade I can use that when pulled down will help a lot.

I assumed you were putting the loveseat on one of the short ends.

Oh... now I understand your question. It will be on one of the short ends and the two chairs across from the loveseat. My patio door opens right in the middle so I have to use the ends. I think it would look better that way regardless.

One more question... what color curtains should I use? I fear using white as they will get dirty so fast (I know my seat cushions will as well). My rug says is a muted teal green and muted lighter grayish. Maybe I could use a lighter gray for my curtains. I would like to stay away from beige as the walls are a yellow type beige.

I really would like to hang some macrame out on my balcony. However, I would probably have to bring it in once and a while due to the elements.

This photo popped up in an ad on my fb page today and made me think of you. I like how they used tall shutters to create a decorative wall in the back . . .

I love the shutter idea. Much better than an old fence section. Hard to find though.

I love that shutter look! You might find shutters like these at an architectural salvage store.

Actually, on Marketplace I found a ton of those. I just need someone with a truck to help me pick them up.

Thanks guys!

Great idea! i always see shutters around here at antique stores and yes, MP.

We had 12 ft. ceilings in the downstairs of the house I grew up in, and 10 ft. windows. My mother got some tall shutters for them, I'm not sure where. They were gorgeous solid wood antique. She was always going to country auctions and estate sales, but now we also have a home building supply used store sponsored by "Habitat for Humanity" where you might find such a thing. Something like that new would be very pricey.

Are they shutters or is it a louvered bifold door?

Target has this - which has removable shelves that might hold plants:

https://www.target.com/p/costway-4-panel-folding-room-divider-screen-w-3-display-shelves-5-6-ft-tall-whitenatural/-/A-83817765?preselect=83817764#lnk=sametab

They have a number of louvered folding screens. It made me kind of mad because they started carrying them after I'd already purchased a woven seagrass screen from another store.