How to give spring a head start on your balcony

Spring is around the corner, and your balcony is the perfect place to greet it. See how you can make it work for a range of everyday activities – and easily go between chores and me time.

Sunlit balcony coffee nook formed by folding chairs and a KNAGGLIG crate standing on its side as a small table in between.

Part of a balcony turned into a compact wash house, with washing machine, wall-mounted accessories and hang-drying clothes.

The workspace: laundry with a breath of fresh air

In a different setting, housework can become a new experience altogether. A glass-enclosed balcony combines an outdoor sense with an ideal space for washing clothes. Arrange a corner where you have all you need within reach – including a view.

Balcony with SKRÄLL wall hook holding an octopus-shaped PRESSA hanging dryer, its retractable arms splayed with drying socks.

A wall-mounted helping hand

When every inch counts, space-efficiency is crucial. If a foldaway drying rack isn’t enough, a hanging carousel with retractable arms comes in handy for drying small items. Also, it’s easy to bring inside when needed.

The ceiling of a glass-enclosed balcony fitted with MULIG rails from which rows of drying laundry are hanging.

The built-in dryer above

The ceiling is often overlooked as a functional surface. Fitted with clothes rails, however, its value comes in plain view. Let your laundry hang dry in neat rows, or use textile or curtains to section space off. And when they’re not in use, they’re not in the way.

“

Most balconies have strict space limitations, but a bit of planning combined with flexible furniture make it possible to both have room for storage and easily shift between activities.

”

Maila Halme, IKEA interior designer

Sunlit balcony coffee nook formed by folding chairs and a KNAGGLIG crate placed vertical as a small table in between.

The everyday nook: your pop-up place in the sun

Naturally, a balcony isn’t limited to being a wash house. With foldable or wheeled furniture, you can swiftly arrange for another activity. Like first-row seats when the first days of spring arrive, or a breakfast spot to enjoy the first light of a new day.

Balcony with a minute sideboard created by a chopping board placed on SKRÄLL hooks; tea and a plant pot on it, chairs beside.

The makeshift side table

When space is scarce, a table can inhibit mobility. A pair of hooks can do the job just as well and still double as both laundry hangers and shelf.

Balcony corner with wall-mounted cabinet and pegboard storage arrangement, all of it half covered by a shower curtain.

Make room for more moods

Curtaining off parts of the balcony creates room for different moods. Also, it lets you slide laundry and other chores out of sight in an instant.

Section of balcony with red RISATORP basket packed with a small meal, placed on the seat cushion of an ÄPPLARÖ chair.

Pack a picnic, step outside

Make an event of basking in your personal outdoor spot. A small basket lets you take all you need in one go and helps heighten the moment.

Wheeled trolley with ample storage room filled with plants and gardening accessories and placed on sunlit balcony.

The recreation spot: let a hobby light up your day

By early spring, a balcony can be the most precious place. Don’t stop at laundry and breakfast – make it a hobby corner as well! Set up a sunlit gardening station with a trolley, accessories and plants. Hang some tea towels nearby for easy wipes, and you’re good to go.

Gardening accessories in a wire basket placed on SKRÄLL hooks mounted beneath the windows of a glass-enclosed balcony.

Your mobile plant spa

Set your seedlings off to a good start with some daily attention. A basket with a nurturing kit makes it easy to do the rounds.

Clothes bars fitted on the ceiling of a glass-enclosed balcony. A rolled-up MORUM rug on the bars, tea towels hang below.

Space to create space

With furniture that folds or rolls out of the way, clearing space takes little effort. Also, get the rug out of the way before the home gardener is let loose.

A pair of hands engaged in potting a plant in a NYPON pot, working on a tray atop a BROR trolley placed on balcony.

The trolley and the tray

For an on-and-off activity like gardening, loading everything on a wheeled trolley increases flexibility. An extra tray helps to easily manage run-off soil.

We love to see our customers get creative with our products. Go for it! But please note that altering or modifying IKEA products so they can no longer be re-sold or used for their original purpose, means the IKEA commercial guarantees and your right to return the products will be lost.

Made by
Interior designer: Maila Halme
Photographer: Thommy Bengtsson
Writer: Henrik Annemark