5 ways to extend summer on your balcony

Maximise your outside space so you can enjoy the last of summer in the city even when it gets darker and chillier. Check out our five best tips on how to get your outdoor space autumn-ready.

Looking for some outdoor lighting or some fairy lights to brighten up your al fresco table? IKEA has a wide range of balcony furniture as well as decorative lighting. Choose a light with a soft glow or something with more of a twinkly shine.

Want a protected outdoor seating area for your balcony? Try a clever canopy! IKEA DYNING canopy is made in a fabric that gives very good protection against the sun’s UV rays as it has a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating of 25+.

1. Stay warm (and enjoy some privacy too). Want to spend time outdoors even when the weather turns? Attach a canopy to the walls to protect against wind and rain. Cosy up with cushions and keep throws in a basket with handles that you can use to carry them back inside.

Looking for organisation tips for your balcony? IKEA offers a wide range of balcony storage such as ÄPPLARÖ/TOSTERÖ bench with storage bag. Cosy up on top of it under a soft pure wool throw with a classic herringbone design and detailed edging.

Want ideas for balcony storage? IKEA has a lot of smart balcony furniture such as IKEA ÄPPLARÖ/TOSTERÖ bench with a storage bag inside. Protecting your cushions and pillows in a waterproof storage bag is an easy way to keep them looking new for longer.

2. Get organised with smart storage. Create a cosy reading spot in the late summer sun! Curl up under a soft throw and sink down on a couple of comfortable cushions on the bench. When you’re ready to go indoors, put them in a waterproof storage bag under the seat to keep them protected.

IKEA SOCKER series is inspired by old-fashioned milk jugs, the kind that you still see along small roads in the Swedish countryside. Galvanised steel keeps the products looking beautiful even after years of intensive use.

3. Weatherproof your urban garden. Outsmart Mother Nature by using plants that can withstand a bit of frost. Put them in durable pots — steel ones withstand corrosion and terracotta holds excess water. Keep bigger tubs on plant stands with castors so you can move them into the sun.

Want ideas on how to arrange your balcony furniture into a cooking zone? Try a portable induction hob! Warm some soup and serve it in the IKEA PS 2017 mug with lid. It’s made from durable glass, with a girdle that keeps you from burning your fingers.

4. Prolong your outdoor cooking habit. You don’t need to fire up the barbecue to enjoy an alfresco meal. Bring out a portable induction hob and warm up some ready-made soup. Then sit back and sip away! (A heat resistant mug with a girdle will keep your fingers happy too.)

Get your outdoor seating area bright, light and ready for dinners under the stars! IKEA has a wide range of balcony furniture as well as outdoor decorative lighting. Choose a light with a soft glow or something with more of a twinkly shine.

5. Dine under the moon and stars. When the days get shorter, brighten up your dining area with lights. Hang LED bulbs over the table. Use a lantern so a candle stays lit even if it’s windy. Make your own deco too! Put a battery-operated light chain inside a glass vase for instant cosiness.

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: Elin Stierna
Photographer: Andrea Papini
Writer: Anna Blom

5 ways to extend summer on your balcony

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