Making the Most of a Small Balcony or Veranda

A compact veranda or balcony can still become a proper outdoor room. With a few well-chosen pieces of furniture, some greenery and a bit of imagination, even the narrowest ledge in a Maltese apartment can turn into a spot worth lingering in.

Let shelving do the work vertically

In small outdoor spaces, height is the asset worth using, since floor space is usually in short supply on a Maltese balcony or veranda. IKEA's HYLLIS shelving unit is narrow enough to tuck against a wall without eating into the room, yet it offers plenty of surface to display books, plants and framed prints. Stacked with a mix of greenery and personal objects, it quickly turns a bare corner into something that feels organised and lived in, rather than just a place where things get left.

HYLLIS shelving unit, in/outdoor, 60x27x140 cmHYLLIS shelving unit, in/outdoor, 60x27x74 cmHYLLIS shelving unit in/outdoor, 180x27x74-140 cmHYLLIS shelving units with covers, transparent, 180x27x74 cmHYLLIS shelving units with covers, transparent, 180x27x74-140 cm

Shop IKEA Hyllis

Seating that adapts to the moment

A small veranda works best when the furniture can change role depending on who turns up. Stackable stools such as IKEA's MARIUS stool are easy to tuck away when not needed, and just as easy to pull out as extra seating or a side table when friends come round. Add a cushion on a low shelf or bench and suddenly there is a spot to sit comfortably with a coffee. These small, flexible touches make a compact space feel genuinely sociable rather than cramped.

MARIUS stool, black, 45 cmMARIUS stool, white, 45 cmMARIUS stool, red-brown, 45 cmMARIUS stool, blue, 45 cm

Shop MARIUS

One table, several jobs

A single table can carry a surprising amount of daily life if it is positioned well. Morning coffee, a spot of work during the day, dinner in the evening, and perhaps drinks with friends later on: the same spot by a sunny window or on the balcony can shift easily between all of these. In a maisonette or townhouse where every square metre counts, choosing a table that can take on different roles through the day makes far more sense than furnishing for just one use.

NÄMMARÖ table, outdoor, light brown stained, 75x63 cmTÄRNÖ table, outdoor, black/light brown stained, 55x54 cmNÄMMARÖ table, outdoor, light brown stained, 140x75 cmASKHOLMEN table, outdoor, foldable dark brown, 60x62 cmASKHOLMEN table for wall, outdoor, folding dark brown, 70x44 cmVÄSMAN extendable table, outdoor, light brown stained, 135/190x74 cm

Shop Outdoor dining tables

A touch of greenery on the ledge

As the weather warms up after Malta's mild winter, it is worth refreshing a windowsill or balcony ledge with a few new plants alongside anything that has carried through the colder months. Succulents are a particularly good choice in built-up areas, since they need little watering and help keep the air feeling fresher. Grouping several pots closely together, rather than spacing them out, gives a lovely dense, jungle-like effect that makes even a narrow ledge feel full of life.

ASKHOLMEN plant stand, dark brown, 45x116x32 cmBOYSENBÄR plant pot, in/outdoor light grey, 9 cmBRUNBÄR plant pot with saucer, outdoor terracotta, 15 cmNYPON plant pot, in/outdoor grey, 24 cmASKHOLMEN flower box, dark brown, 62x39 cmBOYSENBÄR plant pot, in/outdoor light grey, 15 cm

Shop Outdoor plant pots

Small outdoor corners have a way of becoming favourite spots once they are furnished thoughtfully. Maltashopper brings IKEA's practical pieces to homes across Malta and Gozo.

More outdoor ideas