For most people, apartment living doesn’t strictly come with outdoor space for luxuries like a she-shed or a swimming pool. But if your room comes with a balcony, rejoice!

You’ve got your little slice of the great outdoors to customize exactly how you’d like. A little attention to detail can turn a small, drab balcony into your outdoor oasis.

The first thing you’ll likely want to add is some furniture. But remember, anything you put on your balcony will be exposed to the elements. Materials like resin wicker, wrought iron, teak, and plastic can handle most of what Mother Nature throws.

Next, it’s time to add some items that will help shine your balcony. Plants are great for spicing up space. Flowers like geraniums and begonias, sturdy plants like bamboo, and fresh herbs thrive on a balcony garden.

The list of outdoor plants is long—be mindful of the hardiness zone and how much light your balcony gets before making any decisions.

Finally, consider whether you’re looking for privacy in your outdoor space and how much of it you’d like.

While shared living spaces like condos and apartments can make real privacy challenging, various balcony ideas help you wave goodbye to nosy neighbors and claim more personal space.

Tall plants, climbing vines, and shrubs are significant instant fixes. Weatherproof textiles and fabric hangings are excellent for closing off your space and adding some much-needed shade. You can even buy privacy screens made of everything from metal to bamboo.