Curtains are perfect for creating a bit of shade on a balcony. Sheer curtains are a pleasant summer option because they’re not too heavy and will still let a bit of breeze in.
Laying a rug on your balcony floor is great for keeping the temperature down. Floor surfaces are either reflective or absorptive, neither of which are great for hot weather.
Unsurprisingly, it produces a thin layer of mist to help keep you cool. The benefit of using a mister is that you can install it around the top of your balcony for ultimate coverage.
If you’ve got tall plants on your balcony, use them as a sun shade. Simply position them between the sun and your seating area for a bit of welcome relief.
An umbrella does a good job, and they have the benefit of not being fixed to anything. However, most of them are pretty big, so might not be suitable for balconies.