There are many plants that love lower light so go to a good garden center and they will help. As for the rest I need a bit more info as to how you want to use the space .

Just a place to hang out - read a book, visit with a friend, maybe have a meal outside, enjoy the fresh air. Thank you for the tip about a garden center. I live in northern Canada where summers are short but we get almost 24 hour daylight mid May to mid August.

A good hammock on a stand is a great way to get the most serious relaxation out of a condo patio. It is great for napping or sleeping outside. Friends will love it too. You can get ones that come apart easily for winter storage. I recommend ones with the wooden bar that goes across for max chill space and relaxation.

Get small round table to place next to it for a drink or to rest you book. Purchase a very large outdoor rug to cover the concrete look. Get a tall shade plant for in the corner, something that can move in the breeze.

Since your climate isn't friendly to potted plants that will survive year round, I would look at artificial UV protected plants to add a bit or greenery and softness to the balcony.

I was at a local faux/silk plant store last week and they had some nice outdoor/UV rated potted plants. They are pricey, but should last a long time on your balcony.

If you want privacy, you could hang screen panels of fake ivy to block the neighboring condos' view. There are some fake ivy panels that keep their green color very, very well.

I'd put a pair of chairs and a table, to sit out there, facing the greenery If you see yourself eating out there, get a small dining set. There are plenty of plants that do well with little sun, including many houseplants, most of which would enjoy a summer in the open air. If you don't own any tall houseplants, get a planter with an attached trellis and grow a vine to block the view of the neighbors. Ivies are cheap and usually grow fast, although there are flowering options, but I don't know your zone.

Harlem Rooftop Garden with Pergola, Trellis, Swing, and Fiberglass Planters · More Info

The first thing I’d do is create some privacy where you’ll be sitting, so you’re not in a fish bowl. Suggest adding tall evergreens in large containers and you’ll have greenery all year. You could add tiny lights and in summer, add some shade appropriate annuals.

https://deavita.net/gardening-tips/home-garden/tall-shade-plants-balcony-year-round-privacy-screen/?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=organic

Decide on your leisure area and dining needs, based on how many you’d like to accommodate. There are all kinds of articles/ideas on line and tape out to see what and where will work best.

https://goodthingz.co/cozy-balcony/?502&utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=organic

Privacy never crossed my mind as it also blocks out the sense of openess and access to view and nature. I think in apartment living you get used to having less privacy.

Chairs like this are nice because they have a footstool that pulls out if you want to lounge a bit.

Then find a pretty table for 2.

I would be sure to order covers for the furniture if you don't have a storage locker to keep them in over winter.

I'd start by painting the ceiling a very light blue or a White with a blue undertone to lighten the area and help to make the interior feel fresher.

a large outdoor area rug to fill the space or two the same or complimentary.

create a dining space and a sitting/conversation space, just as you would an interior space.

Make it an extension of your interior living space, Especially since you see it from inside.

Furniture to suit each space. Large colorful pots for suitable plants. The end of the season is a great time to buy outdoor furniture.

That would be a great idea but our strata doesn't allow for that unfortunately.

What is or isn’t allowed by the condo association on patios?

+1 to @chispa’s suggestion of artificial plants if its too shady to grow live plants.

Whatever you put on the patio, be sure it is heavy enough or weighted down properly so it stays on your patio.

Oh sorry, I should have been more specific. Painting the patio ceiling is not allowed. Plants, outdoor furniture, etc is allowed.

You would probably not be able to- or even want to- fit ALL of this on your patio. But just some ideas and inspiration:

If you are in Northern Canada, the bird of paradise would definitely need to be faux. ;)

I like the faux plant ideas. But that is a personal thing. I might be able to handle one or two, relatively small, live plants. Some people love taking care of live plants/trees on their balconies, and/or they have people to maintain it. In climates with significant temperature/condition variations, I think it’s potentially more of a task.

What is your plant hardiness zone? You can find it on this map.

Anything you put in a pot needs to be 2 zones lower, in order to survive the winter. For example, if you are in zone 4, potted plants need to be zone 2 or 1 to make it through the winter.

You might like some privacy screening on the side, that looks like plants. Like this one.

We are Zone 1B so I am thinking more 'artificial plants'. We do have a great growing season as we have 24 hour daylight during the summer and warm temps but it is a very short season

I have some faux evergreen type shrubs/trees that I use out on our patio in the winter. They look nice with lights on them during the holidays.

I don't like faux plants - however, from end of April - end of Oct, I have around 25 beautiful containers/pots/hanging baskets out on the patio - and it makes me sad to look out there from Nov - end of April = I decided to find some faux ones that look nice.

If you spend a little extra money on them, it will be worth it. They will look more natural + the sun won't lighten them to a "fake" looking shade of green.

I can't imagine living in Zone 1B 🥶

Zone 1B has issues with real plants too since there is no night in the summer , not all plants do well in that situation but a good garden center can help with choices.. The privacy issue on the right is a bit tricky so probably the best is the idea of tall fake trees along there not a solid wall of them but some. There Is no way to have any real plants survive the no daylight winter so the idea of the lights in the fake trees makes sense to me. I aslo dislike fake but sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. Then maybe a bit of seating either for dining or just relaxing . It would be helpful to know the size of the space

Southwest Florida temps are just right for me, so I also can't imagine living in zone 1B! I really love that I see tropical greenery and flowers year round. I even get my indoor orchids to re-flower outside on my lanai with minimum help from me.

Sounds like you love where you are, which is all that matters!

You will definitely need some privacy. As others have suggested, greenery will help with that.

It doesn’t seem like neighbors are erecting fortresses of greenery, etc.

At least not these nearby neighbors.

I think it’s easy to say from behind our screens you need privacy but it doesn’t seem like q thing others are doing. What are the rules around structures and additions. Some apts are very strict with height, hanging things, visually changing how a patio looks.

Faux grass underfoot, all weather furniture, faux potted plants which you can bring inside when it is freezing, a very warm throw, and if allowed, an electric heater with a IP (Ingress Protection) rating.

Everdentally, where you live really controls what you have for exterior heat. Found this link because I have no idea about any of it : > }

https://www.bromic.ca/outdoor-heaters/

It seems that your visible neighbors have no concerns about their own privacy.
If you prefer to avoid observers when you are relaxing outside you need to consider obscuring the right side of your space.
Are you allowed to hang fabric panels ,gauzy curtains,or bamboo blinds?
You could use a table with attached umbrella and comfy chairs there.
Kendra's suggestion of a sturdy hammock also sounds lovely.
Putting some benches upon which you can set potted plants along that right side may be enough to screen your activities,and help you to determine just how casually or minimally you can clothe yourself!
You may have sufficient light to grow grape or cherry tomatoes,or herbs for the kitchen.
Do show us your updates!

It’s probably not a good idea to run around naked on the balcony.

Short of that: In urban/city type living, and these type of balcony setups- there is often a different sensibility as far as the privacy factor; and people are often too busy living their own lives, to care about what the neighbors are doing.

That said: a couple of well-placed plants, some lights on the railing, if possible (as I showed in my rendering)- these things could be enough to obscure some views- as well as to keep the openness of the space intact.

I like the idea of putting some potted trees out for a bit of privacy.

Yes, @softbrez. Get just one or two potted trees that you really like - and then see if you need any more. l think you will see that you do not need a lot of them. And you don’t want to close in your space and make it feel like a shoe box; it’s not worth it.

for the low light id definitely use ferns in tall black planters since they thrive in the shade. to make it feel more like an extension of your place, you could cover the bare concrete with wood deck tiles and a rug. that gives you a solid base to tuck a sectional against the right wall and leave your view open.

That makes sense, especially keeping the view open while still creating a comfortable seating area

You have a great, expansive view. As I mentioned, I would be seeking to keep the space and views as open as possible; and I also would want to be able to see and enjoy the view...

You mentioned you would like a place to relax, read a book, get some fresh air, maybe have a meal outside, visit with a friend. Something like this could be another possibility- and pretty simple:

You can position trees where and as you need them for privacy. This setup keeps your space very open... Plus, you can see and take in the full view on that side, while relaxing on the chaise. This is also a flexible (very easy to move the pieces around) as well as a relatively cost effective setup.

If you wanted to put a sofa out there, placing the sofa where the chaise is shown would still give you the opportunity to sit sideways on the sofa and relax and take in the view. As I show in this one, that I previously posted.

So, lots of possibilities. :)

Here’s just one more idea. Hope you enjoy being out there.

Sorry can’t get it to post. 🤨

How much wind does your balcony get? Something to consider regarding plants, potting, and the toppling factor.

You have great tall sliders. This outdoor arrangement will read as an extension of your indoor room. Think about how they visually connect both in regard to layout and color.

Also, how and where will you store everything in winter so it is protected from the elements and still looks nice from inside your apartment?

You have a great view inside looking straight out at mostly greenery. I like @Design Interior South’s solution of a long planter with narrowish faux trees for the right side to screen the building/windows on the right. This will also create privacy inside especially at night when the lights are on as you won’t need drapes on the large glass doors.

The planter will keep the trees secure and upright. The trees will look great with small white string lights.