A balcony railing table is an ideal way of making use of tight spaces where you might not want (or need) a permanent table. Although buying one isn’t super complicated, there are various factors to consider if you want the best product for your needs.
On that note, here’s a complete balcony railing table buyer’s guide. By the end, you’ll know everything you could ever need about this piece of furniture!
What is a Balcony Railing Table?
Unsurprisingly, a balcony railing table or (hanging table) is a table that fits onto your balcony railing in some way. Typically, it’ll be a fold-out table, but this isn’t always the case. Its main purpose is to provide you with a table that doesn’t take up floor space, which is often at a premium on a balcony.
As with any other table, its uses can include:
- Dining
- A bar
- Coffee bar
- Office desk
It might seem obvious to point this out, but it’s an important consideration with a balcony railing table. Most fold-out options have specific weight limits, so you might not be able to use them for a full dining setup. As such, the first place to start is to decide what you actually want from your balcony table.
Narrowing Down your Options
Once you have an idea of your table uses, you can move on to thinking about the products on offer. It’s a surprisingly large market, so use the factors below to work out what you want.
Railing type
The type of railing you have will determine the options available for a railing table. Most will hook and/or clamp over your balcony railing, but the adjustable hooks will have a limit. For example, a table that’ll fit on a metal railing probably won’t fit on a concrete wall.
There isn’t much to think about in terms of your railing material. Instead, measure its thickness and use this to work out what tables will fit.
Installation method
Similarly, you’ll need to think about the installation method. Some railing tables (such as this) have clamps that screw through the bars on metal railings. This, of course, won’t be suitable for a concrete or brick wall.
For those, you’ll want a balcony railing table that simply hooks over the top (like this). Bear in mind, though, that it won’t be as secure, so you’ll want to be careful putting anything heavy on it.
Table material
Next, think about the table material. The most common materials are wood, metal, and glass. Wood and glass tables will usually have metal frames for greater security and longevity.
This decision is both practical and visual. Metal lasts longer but doesn’t always look as nice. You’ll find plenty of wood finishes to match all kinds of styles, but you’ll have to think about treatment and care. While these aren’t difficult, you’ll want your table to last as long as possible if you’re paying a lot of money for it.
Size
The size of your balcony railing table will be determined by two factors: your intended use and the size of your balcony. Most are designed as railing bars, meaning they’re not super wide. They’ll hold a few cups of coffee or maybe a plate or two, but not much else.
For an office desk, look for a railing table that’s between 20” and 30” deep. This should be enough to fit most standard laptops.
You’ll probably have a harder time finding a railing table to use for dining. It’ll need to be big enough and sturdy enough to support plates, glasses, cutlery, and anything else for eating. If you want a dining table, look for a large railing table with legs, as this’ll provide enough support.
Of course, if you can’t find one to meet your needs, you could try making a DIY balcony railing table. The instructions linked here are for a railing bar, but they could be easily altered to make a larger dining table.
Examples of Balcony Railing Table Types
Using the points above, you should easily be able to narrow your selection for the most suitable railing table. But to give you some more inspiration, here are some examples of what’s available.
Best all-rounder: Furnikna Balcony Bar
This is a pretty good example of the archetypal balcony railing table. It fits onto narrow railings using bolts, which are width adjustable. The table itself folds down and is 14.6” deep, enough for coffee or drinks.
Best for walls: Interbuild Hanging Balcony Table
As mentioned, something like this table is suitable for walls or wider railings. Rather than bolting through the gaps, it simply hangs over the top of the railing. Of course, it’s slightly less secure, but you can tighten the hooks to clamp it in place.
Best metal table: Ejwox Hanging Table
This balcony table is also hanging and foldable, but it’s metal. This means it’ll last longer and you won’t need to take it down to store it. It looks like half a standard garden table, which may or may not suit your balcony aesthetic.
Best for dining: Fairway Heavy Duty Glass Table
While you might not want a glass table for your balcony, this one is a perfect example of the support leg mentioned above. It locks the table in place when it’s open, and you then fold it away when it’s not in use. A leg like this is a less common design feature, but it’s definitely worth looking for if you want a dining table.
Best for plants: Mairuker Balcony Pot Shelf
If you want a little extra room for your plants, this railing pot shelf would be perfect. Although not a table as such, it fits better into this category than, say, plant pots. It’d be ideal for a small herb garden, succulents, or some trailing plants.
Final Thoughts on Balcony Railing Tables
Hopefully, you should now be able to run out and buy the perfect balcony railing table. Use the guide above to narrow your options and then find one that matches your balcony style. Happy shopping!