When your ‘backyard’ is actually just a balcony, outdoor entertaining becomes a bit of a spatial negotiation. By the time everyone – which could very well be two people – has a plate in hand, where does your drink go? The lack of surfaces is obvious, but adding another table isn’t exactly, well… on the table.
Or so I thought, until I came across a truly genius, aptly named ‘balcony table’ that delivers all the surface area of an extra table without assuming any inch of square footage. It affixes directly to your railing (fire escape included, if you live in New York like I do) with slide-on brackets or screws for a more permanent backyard setup. This is outdoor furniture that even your small balcony can handle.
Winston Porter
Jaileen Folding Wooden Balcony Table
At just under 28 inches long, this semi-circular, small backyard-friendly, shelf-table hybrid offers a surprisingly generous surface for drinks, books, or a few just-for-fun spring accents. Minimal but mighty, it holds up to 100 pounds – so don’t be afraid to layer on the linens, stacked plates, or even a vase or two.
While an extra surface is always welcome for outdoor entertaining, this fold-down balcony table is just as suited to quieter moments, too – holding a coffee or tea, with room to spare for a small vase and something to nibble.
(Image credit: Wayfair)
By design, it faces outward, which feels distinctly European in a way that I love. You sit, you take in the surroundings, whether that’s a stretch of greenery or, in my case, a steady stream of people passing brownstones. Coffee in the morning, outdoor dining at golden hour, a quiet moment to read, or – more than likely if you’re me – assessing a questionable outfit or two from a discreet bird’s eye.
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And when that Sunday sip, the Saturday night cocktail, or the low-key dinner are over, the best part is that the surface folds away entirely, giving you your space back like nothing ever happened.
Lately, when I picture my hosting life over the next few months, it’s hard not to see this balcony table somewhere in the frame.
How I’d Style It
Here’s how I’d style this ingenious fold-down balcony table so it reads like a proper, four-legged one all summer.
Dwellcozy
Solar LED Outdoor Table Lamp
A patio, porch, or balcony simply isn’t complete without a portable lamp. Most say they’re suited for outdoor, but the fine print suggests otherwise. This one, however, is chic enough for a restaurant table, yet IP44-rated, meaning it can actually handle the elements, from an unexpected drizzle to a weekend of camping.
Longshore Tides
Directors Chair Table
In a small backyard, the art of the fold is everything, which makes this charmingly striped outdoor seating a natural companion to our new favorite fold-down surface. It lends a sturdy, beach club–inspired silhouette when it’s ready to party, then folds flat and disappears when you need the space back.
Abode Homewares
Tarhong Goblets, Set of 6
While you could, in theory, bring your usual stemware outside, we both know – for reasons that need not be named – that’s not the wisest move. Spare yourself the shattered crystal and opt for a set like this instead, made from lightweight polypropylene that mimics the look of traditional wine glasses without the fragility. And that fluted, sea-glass green? Your everyday stemware could never.
You’ve got the balcony table and the outdoor accessories, but to really anchor this alfresco scene, don’t forget an outdoor rug.
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