Balcony railing table: how to measure your railing and what fits

A balcony railing table hangs on the top rail and gives you a ledge for a drink, a plant or a laptop without using any floor. On a balcony less than 4 feet deep it's often the only table that fits. Here's how to check that one will work on yours.

How wide is a balcony railing table?

Most railing tables have a top about 8 to 14 inches deep and 24 to 40 inches long. That's enough for two drinks and a small plate, or a laptop. Ours has a 12 × 32 inch steel top, about the size of a narrow bar ledge.

How to measure your railing

1. Top rail width. Measure straight across the top of the rail. Wood deck rails are often a 2×4 or 2×6 laid flat (about 3.5 or 5.5 inches). Metal apartment railings are usually narrower, often 1.5 to 2.5 inches.
2. Top rail shape. Flat, round and square rails grip differently. Check that the brackets you're looking at suit your shape.
3. What's under the rail. Glass panels, solid walls and vertical bars can all get in the way of brackets that hook underneath.
4. Height. Most balcony railings are about 36 to 42 inches high, which puts a railing table at bar height. Pair it with bar stools, not dining chairs.

Check your building's rules first

Many apartment buildings and HOAs limit what can hang on or over a railing. Read your lease or ask the building manager before you order. If anything hangs on the outside of the rail, make sure nothing can fall to the balcony or street below.

Using a railing table safely

• Don't lean or sit on it.
• Keep heavy pots and anything breakable on the floor instead.
• Take it in during storms and strong wind.

What to pair it with

A railing table plus two folding stools makes a bar for two on even the narrowest balcony. If you have a little more room, a bar-height balcony bistro set has a 27 inch round table that tucks against the rail. For a full plan, see how to measure a balcony for furniture and browse all furniture for small balconies.