Choosing balcony chairs for a small space takes some thought. After all, you need something comfortable but compact enough for you to not lose out on valuable balcony space.
Well, if you need small balcony chairs, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll cover the best types of apartment balcony chairs for small spaces.
Considerations Before Buying Balcony Chairs
While you can jump straight into buying balcony chairs that take your fancy, it’s worth thinking your decision through first. Granted, there aren’t as many considerations as, say, buying a balcony enclosure, but chairs still require some thought.
So, here are the main considerations when buying balcony chairs.
Purpose
Obviously, chairs are for sitting, but not all chairs are created equal. Do you need a dining set, a comfy chair for relaxation, or something in between?
If you want to do away with chairs altogether, you could just make a seating area on the floor with cushions. However, that’s not ideal on a small balcony.
Floor Space
When thinking about small balconies, floor space is at a premium. As such, you’ll want chairs that don’t take up much room on the floor. This could mean opting for a hanging chair if your balcony is covered.
Storage
Similarly, storage is an important point. You might want to store your chairs somewhere during colder months as part of your winter preparations or you might want them out of the way when you’re not sitting.
In these cases, folding chairs are the most obvious choice. But, bean bags could be another good idea because you can put them in a storage box or cupboard when not in use.
Best Apartment Balcony Chairs for Small Spaces
Now that we have a better understanding of what to look for, let’s go over the best balcony chairs. Each has pros and cons, but hopefully these will help you make a more informed decision.
1. Folding Chairs
Folding chairs are the most obvious place to start. They’re super compact, both when in use and when stored. It’s their main selling point for areas short on space.
You won’t be short of options when choosing folding chairs. You’ll find ones made from metal, wood, plastic, or a combination. Better yet, there are hundreds of color options to suit all styles.
But, folding chairs aren’t the most comfortable. They can have backrests at strange angles and hard seats. Plus, they have a tendency to break more quickly than other chairs.
Pros
- Good for dining areas.
- No shortage of style options.
- Budget friendly.
- Easy to store.
Cons
- Not particularly comfortable.
- Not very hardwearing.
2. Lounge Chairs
Also known as sunbeds, lounge chairs are typically long and cushioned. They’re great for lying on and can recline from a sitting position.
You’ll have plenty of options to suit your style and budget. Plus, most outdoor lounge chairs will fold up completely, making them easy to store when not in use.
The main con for small balconies is that lounge chairs need quite a bit of space. If this is an issue, look for models that don’t fully recline into a lying position.
Pros
- Easy to store.
- Plenty of style options.
- Good for reading and relaxing.
Cons
- Can take up lots of room if they fully recline.
3. Swing Chairs
Swing chairs (sometimes known as love seats) are great apartment balcony chairs. Their main selling point is that they don’t take up floor space because you hang them from the ceiling.
However, a chair that moves around could knock things over, so you might not get as much extra space as you think. They are very comfy, though.
The main problem with swing chairs is that you need to hang them from something, meaning you’ll need a covered balcony. Some come with a hanging stand, but this takes up a lot of space.
Pros
- Comfortable.
- Don’t take up floor space.
- Rigid or soft design options.
Cons
- Can be expensive.
- Some styles need hanging from a ceiling (might not be renter-friendly).
4. Stacking Chairs
Another good option for small balcony chairs are ones that stack. You get many of the same benefits as folding chairs, except these ones are rigid.
The main advantage is that they’re usually more comfortable. Look for bucket-style stacking chairs if you want something you can relax in. Add some cushions, and it’ll be ideal as a reading chair.
You’ll find plenty of color and style options, and materials include metal or plastic. The only issue is that, when stacked, they still take up floor space. However, it’s just one chair’s worth, so they’re fairly compact.
Pros
- More comfortable than folding chairs.
- Suitable for dining and relaxing.
- Budget friendly.
- Plenty of style and color choices.
Cons
- Less compact than folding chairs.
5. Adirondack Chairs
An Adirondack chair is typically made from wood or resin and features armrests and a sloping seat. They’re quite popular as lounge chairs in gardens and are great for a relaxing social evening.
But, not all models will be suitable as small balcony chairs. They take up quite a lot of floor space because of their wide legs – the back legs usually stick out at an angle. Some models fold, though, so can at least be stored when not in use.
Because wood ones use teak, cedar, or similar, they’re quite expensive. If budget is a concern and you love these chairs, consider making your own or choosing a resin model instead. They’ll last ages and will be cheaper than wood.
Pros
- Great for lounging and relaxing.
- Hardwearing – whether wood or resin.
- Folding models are easy to store.
Cons
- Can be expensive.
- Take up lots of floor space when in use.
- Not suitable as dining chairs.
6. Rocking Chairs
Rocking chairs might not be classic balcony chairs, but they’re great for relaxing in. Plus, there are plenty of budget-friendly outdoor models.
While you could use a rocking chair as part of a dining set, it’s not ideal. They’re not designed for an upright posture, and rocking and eating isn’t a great combination.
You can get compact rocking chairs that take up no more room than a normal chair. But, you’re limited on storage options, as they’re usually solid chairs. Only opt for a rocking chair if you won’t mind it being there all year.
Pros
- Ideal for relaxing.
- Plenty of outdoor options.
- Budget-friendly models exist.
Cons
- No storage options.
- Not great as dining chairs.
7. Acapulco Chairs
Acapulco chairs are egg-shaped and usually made from strung fibers. There’s plenty of variation, though, so you’ll easily find a design to suit.
They’re great as outdoor chairs because they’re hardwearing and durable. As balcony chairs, you could use them for relaxing or dining. Plus, with the right model, you could store them by stacking.
However, many Acapulco chairs have wide seats, meaning they take up plenty of room. This isn’t always true, though, so shop around for a style that suits your needs.
Pros
- Modern design that’s ideal for outdoor use.
- Can be very budget-friendly.
- Some models can be stacked for storage.
Cons
- Seats are quite wide – compromise floor space.
8. Hammock Chairs
Hammock chairs cross over with swing chairs, except these are hammocks. They still swing, but they’re much more relaxed. With the right positioning, you could use a hammock chair for dining.
As with swing chairs, you’ll need to hang them from the ceiling or a suspension frame. They might not be suitable as small balcony chairs if you need to use a frame because it takes up space.
Either way, they’re a great middle ground between balcony chairs and full hammocks. If you have a boho-style balcony, one of these will be perfect.
Pros
- Very on-trend.
- Comfortable for relaxing and dining.
- Take up little room if hung from the ceiling.
Cons
- Suspension frames take up room.
- Hanging from the ceiling isn’t renter-friendly.
9. Pallet Couch
Pallet couches might not jump out as good small balcony chairs, but you’d be surprised. The biggest advantage, if you make your own, is that you can adjust them to suit your exact size needs.
We’ve previously written about DIY pallet couches, so check that out for instructions.
While you can make pallet couches as small as you want, you obviously can’t store them too easily. It’s a bit of a compromise, but you could use them as both casual and dining seats.
Pros
- You can adjust the size to your needs.
- Inexpensive to build yourself.
- Customizable.
- Suitable for dining and casual seating.
Cons
- You can’t store a pallet couch when not in use.
10. Bench
Benches aren’t what you’d consider to be a traditional chair, but they can be a very functional style of balcony seating, so we’ve included them on this list.
Benches come in all sizes and can be used for a variety of purposes – for seating, for storage or as a general décor accent piece. This versatility makes them ideal for small balconies and narrow spaces.
Pros
- Multi-purpose.
- Relatively inexpensive to purchase and accessorize.
- Easy to move around.
- Allows for storage space (either built-in storage or in space underneath)
- Ideal for tiny spaces.
Cons
- Not as comfortable for lounging as other chairs on this list.
11. Egg Chair
Egg chairs are quite similar to swing chairs in look and feel, but they come with a base and therefore don’t require any installation. This can be particularly appealing if you don’t have a covered balcony or if you’re restricted from hanging anything from your balcony ceiling.
The main drawback, however, when it comes to egg chairs vs swing chairs is that egg chairs are bulky and take up valuable floor space that you might be trying to save on.
Pros
- Comfortable.
- No installation required.
- Rigid or soft design options.
Cons
- Can be expensive.
- Bulky and take up a good amount of floor space.
Final Thoughts on Small Balcony Chairs
Although some of the categories in this article are quite vague, it should be enough information to get you started. Knowing your size requirements and seating functions will help you narrow down your choices.
The bottom line is that apartment balcony chairs must be more functional than patio chairs, as space is a bigger concern. Providing you remember this, it should be easy to make the right selection.