Winter balcony ideas: how to keep using a small balcony when it's cold

Most small balconies get closed up in November and forgotten until April. You don't have to give up the space. A few changes make it somewhere you'll still step out to for a coffee or ten minutes of air, even when it's cold.

Bring in what won't last

Cushions, fabric and untreated wood suffer most from winter rain and snow. Bring cushions inside or store them in a sealed bag, and move any piece that folds into a closet or under a bed. Our guide on outdoor furniture materials explains which ones can stay out.

Keep one or two pieces out

Leave out one seat and a small table so the balcony still feels usable. Poly lumber, powder-coated steel and aluminum handle winter better than wood or wicker. A folding chair is the easiest choice: the folding sling chair with ottoman folds to 6.5 inches and weighs 18 lb, so it can come in when a storm is forecast and go back out on the next clear day.

Make it warmer to sit in

• Keep a basket of blankets by the balcony door so you don't have to plan ahead.
• Use a seat pad or folded blanket. Metal and plastic seats get cold fast.
• Sit on the sunny side. On a south- or west-facing balcony, the afternoon sun makes a big difference in winter.
• Block the wind. A solid railing or a privacy screen along the windiest side helps more than anything else.

Check your building's rules before bringing any heater onto a balcony. Many leases and fire codes don't allow open flames or propane on balconies.

Add light for short days

In winter it's dark by late afternoon, so a little light makes the balcony usable after work. Battery or solar string lights and lanterns need no outlet and come down easily. Solar lights charge more slowly in winter, so a battery or plug-in option is more reliable from November to February.

Protect the floor

Rugs hold water and can freeze to the floor. Roll them up for winter. Interlocking deck tiles can stay down because water drains through them. See our guide to balcony flooring for renters for the trade-offs.

A simple winter setup

One chair, a small table for a mug, a blanket basket inside the door and one string of lights. That's enough to make a cold balcony a place you'll use. When spring comes, our small balcony ideas show what fits as you set it back up.