Balcony Christmas decor – create a festive and twinkling outside space

If you're looking to up your balcony Christmas decor, you've come to the right place. To make the most of every inch of your home, you should treat your balcony as you would any other room and give it plenty of festive attention. This means lights, soft furnishings and decorations aplenty, for a space that beckons you outside, even when it's chilly. 

These outdoor Christmas decor ideas are all you need to transform your space, whether it's a large wrap around balcony or a smaller area. So you'll always be able  step outside, take a breath of fresh air and enjoy a hot glass of mulled wine in a pretty and twinkling space.

Wondering when to put up Christmas decorations? We asked the experts.

Balcony Christmas decor ideas

'A small space can look just as magical when styled up, setting the scene for a memorable dinner or drinks for two to toast the start of the festivities,' says Nadia McCowan Hill Wayfair’s Resident style advisor.

We round up the best ways to make the most of your balcony this holiday season.

1. Pile up cozy soft blankets and cushions 

Treat your balcony like any other room in your home and cozy it up for Christmas with ample cushions and throws. Faux fur, thick wool and a neutral color palette will create a Nordic vibe that'll beckon you to spend time out there. This cozy set up by @s.u.s.a.p is made all the merrier with a mini Christmas tree, fairy lights and candles.

Style consultant and influencer, Rosanna Falconer for OPIHR Spiced Gin, says, 'There’s no point attempting to create a setting reminiscent of Versailles if your balcony is on the bijou side. Instead, take advantage of enclosed space by filling every inch with rugs and textiles - it’s much easier to create a “wow” moment in a small area.'

2. Impress the neighbours with decs on your railings  

Ensure your house looks good from every angle by using your balcony railings as an extra blank canvas to decorate. 

This chunky Christmas garland draped across the rail and this extra large wreath complete with red baubles gives them simple white balcony and statement festive facelift. If you're decorating your wreath yourself, always ensure your baubles are suitable for outdoor use - otherwise you could crack in cold weather.

3. Go for a weather-proof wooden Christmas tree 

Who wouldn't want to huddle up beneath the stars on this balcony? A simple, contemporary Scandi Christmas decorating idea like this tree is an easy way to add some festive cheer to your outside space. This beautiful balcony by @majagugo is brought to life by the hanging star fairy lights for a truly magical feel. 

'You can create a cosy dining set up on your balcony with the addition of a compact bistro table and chairs, plenty of blankets and throws for some extra warmth and a scattering of sparkly outdoor Christmas lighting ideas to cast a magical winter wonderland glow,' explains McCowan Hill.

4. Plant some festive red flowers 

Simple but effective, planting some festive foliage is a great way to add some life and Christmas cheer to your balcony. Whether you've got plant pots or balcony hanging planters, winter flowers in red or white are a subtle way to up your balcony's aesthetics and  lift your spirits as you glimpse out the window.

5. Hang a light-up wreath on your wall

Sometimes bigger is better, so create a statement by hanging a larger than life wreath on the wall of your balcony. You can add extra warmth and magic by adding in Christmas fairy lights too. We love how this wreath is imperfect in shape, creating a rugged and rustic, country style look.

6. Choose elaborate decorative lighting 

Decorative solar lanterns are a high-impact, low-effort way to bring some magical festive cheer to your balcony. Simply leave them outside during the day and they'll create enough energy to shine at night. These Generep solar lanterns from Amazon will cast a decorative pattern all over your balcony for a quick and inexpensive glow up. 

7. Go for a festive berry hanging basket 

If you're tight on space, a hanging basket is ideal for packing in some festive foliage. This pre-lit snowy Christmas hanging basket from Homebase is a really simple way to add some festive vibes to your balcony. The lights are battery powered so you can hang it anywhere without having to worry about charging points. Complete with berries, pinecones and a dusting of snow, this hanging basket has it all. 

8. Maximise space with a wall hung Christmas tree decoration 

Brighten up a blank wall with this indoor outdoor string light tree from Cox & Cox. A unique way to light up your balcony, this alternative Christmas tree comes in a variety of colour ways, including rainbow stripe, for an extra fun and playful look. This could even be a great alternative to a traditional indoor Christmas tree, especially if you're working with a smaller space. 

9. Illuminate your topiary with fairy lights 

A classic idea that'll never go out of style, adding carefully positioned fairy lights to your existing outdoor plants brings instant majesty too your outside space. These topiary net lights from Lights 4 Fun are especially designed nets of light for placing over plants. This means they're so simple to attach and will ensure your lights are perfectly evenly spread. 

How do you put Christmas lights on a balcony? 

When attaching your Christmas lights to your balcony, it's important to fix them as securely as possible, to make sure they can stand up to wind and rain. When attaching string lights, wrap them around your balcony railings for a simple and fail safe solution. If you need to attach Christmas lights to a window, you can buy external Command hooks and strips from Amazon. 

These make the job so much easier, and you can easily remove them after Christmas. Often Christmas lights will require an extension lead, so make sure you buy an external extension lead, rather than using the indoor one you already have, as this will be able to stand up to the elements. 

How can I decorate my balcony at home?

If you're keen for some balcony decor that'll last all year round, there are so many simple things you can do to transform your space. Fairy lights aren't just for Christmas, so some elegant decorative lights on your balcony all year could make a real difference to your space and encourage you to spend more time out there. 

If you're wishing you had a garden because you're green fingered, rethink how you use your space to maximise room for plants. From plant shelves to hanging baskets and living walls, there are many ways you can squeeze maximum greenery into even the smallest of balconies. Soft furnishings are also essential for upping your balcony's cozy factor. Choose outdoor rugs, cushions and throws so they won't get ruined if you accidentally leave them out in the rain.