If you reside in an apartment with a balcony, then you possess a unique spot. The balcony is your spot to bask in the sunlight, gaze at the moon, and generally unwind outside. It's also a spot that you can embellish to convey your distinctive taste.

An enchanting balcony is one that boasts the allure of splendid lights. However, you might think your apartment balcony offers limited decoration possibilities. Worry not, for the wonder of LED Christmas lights means you have numerous options for infusing new life into your balcony.

christmas decorations for balcony

Let Your Ornaments Speak Volumes

Adorning your area is one of the most expressive ways to showcase yourself and experiment with visual charm. You get the delight of a radiant balcony, and spectators can appreciate the view of your lovely setup. You might even encourage neighbors or others to embellish their spaces too, contributing to a brighter—literally—world!

What finer way to dive into balcony decoration concepts than through the glow of LED lights? Whether you're in an apartment, townhome, or house with a balcony, adorning your balcony is the way to make it reflect you!

Balcony Lighting Now—and All Year Round

Most of these balcony decoration ideas transcend seasonal boundaries—they're perfect for your balcony throughout the year. Plus, we've included a few ideas you'll want to keep in mind for your next Christmas decorating scheme.

Timeless Lights that Add Color to Any Balcony

A classic type of light with a rich history spanning nearly 2,000 years, lantern lights are an appealing lighting choice for the balcony. Ideal for creating a cozy and celebratory ambiance, lantern lights set the mood for any special event. These light sets are great for short-term installations and should be kept away from sunlight and weather elements.

lantern lights for apartment balcony decorating

A Stylish Balcony Classic

Round and traditional bulb lights such as G30s, G40s, G50s, and S14 bulbs have established themselves as some of the best balcony decoration ideas for the summer months. Their sheer adaptability helps them fit into a variety of setups for your apartment balcony.

String these lights around railings or balusters. Hang them high on the walls or even from the ceiling using screw hooks. Zig-zag them back and forth between the building wall and balcony wall. Or run them the width of your balcony by fastening both ends of the line to opposite walls for lower hanging lights.

Multi-functional Wonders

Another versatile type of light set, icicle lights can play numerous roles in your apartment balcony lighting arrangement, from their namesake to stars.

The classic install for icicle lights is always captivating. Simply hang them (or curtain lights) from either the top of your balcony area or along the railing, and you've got a shimmering chain of lights across your space.

icicle lights decorated on balcony

A stunning look for icicle lights is the star-like effect they achieve when in warm white and placed up high. Hang strings of icicle lights from the ceiling for a look that resembles a starry sky.

Christmas on the Railings

This setup doesn't just shout Christmas—it carols it! You have a vast array of choices for lights, from 5mm wide-angle conicals to C9's, in a myriad of colors. And you have two primary methods for installation: wrap around the railing or secure with zip ties for a taut line. All of this amounts to a lot of flexibility in how you decorate your balcony with LED Christmas lights.

The Gift of Greenery

Garlands add a touch of nature to any balcony and can complete the look if your deck is already a sanctuary for greenery. Hang them on the inside of the railing facing you, on the outside for all to see, or get the best of both worlds by wrapping around the railing. Another way to decorate with garland is to line the edges of your windows or doorway.

garland on balcony for the holidays

Enchant the Space

Want your balcony to exude a magical ambiance? Fairy lights provide the allure you're seeking. Wrap or line these twinkling wonders around the balcony railing or illuminate your greenery by wrapping around your plants, planters, or other balcony décor.

Less is More with Low Profile

This low-profile setup keeps your lights hidden from anyone not on your apartment balcony—while still allowing you to enjoy them from the comfort of your space. Place the lights up top behind the upper framing wall of the balcony using hook screws or hang the string on clear command strips affixed to the wall.

Larger bulbs that emit more light, such as C9s or G40s, are suitable for a high position in a low-profile arrangement. And with the size of an apartment or townhome balcony, we suggest light lines with 6” spacing.

lighting ideas for apartment balcony

Summertime Radiance

Complement the summertime vibes with summertime lights. Shapes of flamingos, pineapples, and palm trees offer a refreshing change from traditional lights, introducing a playful feel to your balcony where the mood is about easy living.

shaped lights flamingos pineapples palm tree tropical

Extend Beyond the Balcony

Balcony decorating ideas can extend beyond the balcony itself! Hang lights in your windows or doors (or both) to spread the theme of your lighting arrangement throughout your space. Icicle lights or curtain lights provide a pleasant, familiar glow.

For a vivid spectrum of colors that demands attention, try Twinkly curtains. Set the colors to match any mood or holiday. With a few simple taps on the app, you can create a personalized light show. Enjoy endless possibilities for creativity!

for crafting personalized showcases!

twinkling curtain lights

Crown It with Gleaming Ornaments

Illumination on the Tabletops

An enchanting addition to any dining area adorned with the perfect arrangement of holiday lights, fairy light trees cast a radiant glow that creates a delightful ambiance. For added impact, opt for taller trees and position them on the balcony floor as radiant greenery.

Transform Your Balcony into a Decor Paradise

Suspended decorations pull a detailed setup into a cohesive showcase. Fasten rope light snowflakes to your balcony railing and let them dangle below or integrate them with your string lights. Alternatively, hang LED spheres from the ceiling and immerse yourself in dazzling lights with an ideal touch of style.

Bringing Everything Together

The balcony decoration concepts we've discussed here will enhance your elevated outdoor space like never before. To truly highlight your lights, we advise coordinating thoughtfully—certain lights complement each other more effectively than others. These lighting setups are guaranteed to unite your glow in perfect harmony, all while reflecting your refined taste.

An Enchanting Combination

Fairy lights complement one another beautifully. Wrap a set around the railing, and place a fairy light tree on a table to create an enchanting atmosphere on your balcony.

Any And Every Hue

Embrace a symphony of colors. Lantern lights from Gift All Season come in a colorful array. Twinkling curtains feature a dynamic spectrum that can be personalized to your preference. Blend these lights and watch as the Twinkling lights adjust to match each lantern's hue.

A Joyful Holiday Showcase

This final combination will have you eagerly awaiting the next holiday season (if you aren't already). Adorn your railing with 5mm wide-angle conical lights, and outline the upper edges of your windows or doorframe with garland. Add a few rope light snowflakes to the ceiling or railing, and complete this setup with Twinkly curtain lights draped along the inside of your windows. This is just one way to create the ultimate Christmas light display for your apartment balcony.

Watch this installation video where Jason uses LED spheres and falling snow tubes to decorate an apartment balcony for the holidays:

These balcony decoration suggestions will surely brighten up your balcony. If you find any ideas here that you need assistance with or have your own concepts, we're here to help. Send an email to [email protected] or call 1-800-391-5280 with any questions regarding decorative or holiday lighting.