13 Simple Modern Balcony Lighting Ideas + Design Tips

Your balcony is your sacred space for soaking up the sunshine or hosting dinner parties on warm summer nights. To truly make the most of your balcony, you can incorporate modern balcony lighting ideas for the perfect outdoor lighting experience. Keep reading to find simple modern lighting ideas to transform your balcony into your outdoor living room, study, or dining room. Plus, you’ll see some design tips to take your balcony to the next level.

How can I decorate my balcony with lights?

With balcony lighting, furniture, decor, and accent pieces, you can instantly elevate your surroundings. Dangle some overhead string lights or add glowing orbs that radiate rainbow colors on your end table, and the opportunities are endless.

To decorate your balcony beyond lighting, you just need your imagination. Think about the mood you want to evoke and how you can transition the area from a party atmosphere to a tranquil setting in a snap.

6 simple modern balcony lighting ideas

Here, you’ll find six simple modern balcony lighting ideas to enhance your space – and make your balcony as functional as it is fabulous.

1. Fairy lanterns

For whimsical and decorative lighting that can transform your balcony into an enchanted paradise, try fairy lanterns. Making them can be a simple DIY project that uses a repurposed mason jar as Tinkerbell’s home.

Simply fill the jar with an LED tealight or string lights and paste the cutout of a fairy’s silhouette along the jar’s walls. You can then add moss or twigs to the top of the lid. As you line your balcony railing with these charming lights, you’ll bring magic to your surroundings.

2. Colorful LED lights

To add a colorful effect to your outdoor light display, you can try color-changing LED lights. With the BlissRadia, for example, you can transform your balcony’s mood in the blink of an eye. You can control your glowing light fixture from your phone or via voice control to effortlessly move between every color in the rainbow. With the BlissRadia, your wish is your command.

BlissRadia Smart LED Mood Light

$39.99

From desktop to bedside, light the way to concentration, stimulation, or relaxation.

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3. Table lights

When choosing your lighting, you should consider how you and your guests will use your balcony. For example, let’s say you’re unwinding on your balcony after work with a glass of wine and a good book. In that case, you’ll probably want an end table and a lamp.

For outdoor lighting, you can consider an LED solar-powered table lamp so you can go cordless. It’s that easy to set exactly the right sights on your balcony.

4. Hanging lights

Hanging lights can give you endless possibilities to decorate your balcony. From solar-powered pendant lights to a row of rustic-looking LED light bulbs, you can take your aesthetic anywhere. Any time you dangle lights above the scene you created below, you cultivate a stunning ambiance that feels luxurious and classic. Invite guests over for dinners on your balcony and bathe in your soft mood lighting.

5. Waterfall lights

For lighting that mesmerizes against a dark sky, you can try waterfall lights cascading down the balcony walls. Waterfall lights are just a bunch of string lights joined together vertically to resemble the movement of a waterfall. You can drape these lights over hanging potted plants to enchant your balcony with a natural mystique. This can create a mystical forest effect to delight your guests as you spend hours chatting in your sacred space.

6. Overhead lighting

To shed light on your balcony and set the right ambiance, try overhead lighting made for the outdoors. You can start with LED pendant lamps from your balcony if it’s semi-enclosed. You can also craft statement lighting with a row of paper LED lanterns gliding from end to end of your balcony.

If your balcony isn’t covered, you can attach lights to the roof and railing or place rods throughout to hang appropriate light fixtures. You have all kinds of ways to beautifully illuminate your surroundings.

7 balcony design tips

You can combine the balcony lighting ideas above with the below design tips to make the most of your surroundings.

1. Incorporate greenery

Adding greenery to a space is a classic interior design technique to liven up your home. You can hang plants from your balcony to give them good sunlight – and your balcony environment plenty of great vibes.

When you combine lights with fauna and flora, you can transform your balcony with minimum effort and maximum results. Mix your plants with your waterfall lighting to dazzle your balcony with whimsy.

2. Add seating

To maximize your outdoor space, you’ll want plenty of comfortable seating. First, you should measure your balcony’s dimensions. Then, you can map out the layout to fit a table and chairs, an outdoor couch, or a few armchairs scattered around some end tables. Do it right, and you’ll unlock new dimensions that can take your balcony to the next level.

3. Hang a chair or hammock

For seating that’s fun and different, you can hang a chair or hammock on your balcony. You’re best off trying this on covered balconies so you can easily attach the hammock somewhere. But it also works if you add a standing hammock or drill some hammock hooks into your balcony railing. Lay down in your hammock, peer out at the cosmos, and you just might feel at home with the stars.

4. Bring in a pattern with an outdoor rug

To add a splash of color and elevate your space, add a rug. You can experiment with colors and textures to blend your lighting, furniture, plants, and decor into a beautiful symphony that pleases the eye. Step outside year-round, and you’ll find yourself immersed in a sweeping scene of colors and sights.

5. Put down floor pillows

If you’re looking for a casual and extra cozy way to spend time on your balcony, put down floor pillows for seating. Floor pillows are a great way to add character, color, and comfort to your surroundings too. Plus, they’ll pair nicely with hanging lights or delicate pendant lamps. You can cover the entire floor with pillows or dedicate a section to stargazing and lounging around. All the patterns and colors will open up parts of your balcony you didn't even know were there.

6. Add small tables

Small end tables are the perfect pairing for your seating arrangements. They’re where your guests can keep their relaxing cups of tea as they sit back and relax. They’re also where you can place your lamps and portable light fixtures. Your lighting devices will be out of the way, but still powerful enough to mentally transport you to wherever you need to go.

7. Light up the night with intergalactic sights

During cloudy evenings or on nights when you want a spectacular intergalactic sighting, use a galaxy projector on your balcony. The Sky Lite Evolve can project an entire galaxy on the balcony walls or the sides of your house. You can shine the Evolve in pastel reds, blues, pinks, and purples for an out-of-this-world evening. Just rotate it, point it, and voila – the cosmos will come to life. Plus, you can change your galaxy’s brightness, colors, and effects from your phone or via voice control. You’ll have eternal balcony magic right at your fingertips.

Sky Lite Evolve: Smart Galaxy Projector

$49.99$39.99

The latest evolution in smart galaxy lighting.

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Elevate your balcony with BlissLights