How to Measure Your Balcony for Furniture (and Leave Room to Move)

Most furniture that "didn't fit" actually fit the floor. What it didn't fit was the space around it: the door that swings out, the chair that needs to slide back, the path to the railing. This guide walks through measuring a balcony the way you'll actually use it.

What you need

• A tape measure (a 25 ft one is easiest)
• Painter's tape or a few sheets of newspaper
• Your phone, to note the numbers and snap a photo

Step 1: Measure the floor, wall to railing

Measure the width (side to side) and the depth (building wall to the inside of the railing) at floor level. Measure depth in two or three places. Many balconies are a little shallower at one end, and the shallowest number is the one that counts.

Write both down in inches. A typical apartment balcony is somewhere around 4 to 6 feet deep, but yours is the only one that matters.

Step 2: Subtract what you can't use

• The door swing. If the door opens outward, measure how far it reaches and keep that arc clear. Sliding doors need a clear landing spot right outside the track.
• Drains, vents and AC units. Keep drains uncovered so water can run off, and give AC units the clearance their manual asks for.
• Corners you can't reach. If a corner is blocked by a pipe or a ledge, measure around it.

Step 3: Leave room to move

These are common rules of thumb, not building codes, but they're a good starting point:

• Walkway: about 24 inches of clear path from the door to wherever you'll sit or stand.
• Behind a chair: about 24 inches so you can slide it back and stand up without hitting the railing.
• Around a small table: a hand's width between chair arms and the table edge feels comfortable.

This is why we list a use zone on every piece, not just its size. The use zone is the footprint plus the room you need around it. For example, our bar-height balcony bistro set has a 27 inch table, but you'll want roughly a 5 × 4 ft area to sit at it comfortably.

Step 4: Tape it out

Before you order, mark the use zone on the floor with painter's tape or newspaper. Then walk through it: open the door, pull out an imaginary chair, carry a plate out. Ten minutes of this saves a return.

Step 5: Look up, not just down

• Railing height. If your railing is a solid wall about 40 inches or higher, standard chairs will leave you looking at the wall. Bar-height seating lets you see over it.
• Railing type. If you have a flat or round top rail, a railing table hangs on the rail and uses no floor space at all.
• Overhead. Measure the ceiling or the balcony above before buying an umbrella or a hanging chair with a stand.

Step 6: Check the way in

Most pieces arrive flat-packed, but measure your front door, hallway turns and elevator anyway. Note the weight of the box too, especially if there are stairs.

Step 7: Check your building's rules

Some buildings limit what can go on a balcony (open flames, hanging items, attachments to the railing) or have weight limits. If you rent or have an HOA, a quick look at the rules or an email to the manager is worth it.

Quick reference

Not sure about your numbers? Email us your width, depth and a photo at support@picnicsandpatios.com and we'll tell you honestly what fits.