Are you struggling to find privacy in your apartment balcony? A lack of privacy can hinder the enjoyment of your balcony. In this post, I’ve listed the several privacy ideas for apartment balcony.
Before selecting a privacy solution, I recommend deciding how much coverage you need for your balcony. For example, you might just need a simple privacy screen to block the view of your neighbor’s balcony. Or maybe you need a full coverage solution to block the entire view of the apartment building across from you.
Whatever is the case for your apartment balcony, I’ve selected several budget solutions. I’ve also listed some products that aren’t privacy screens, but still give a great amount of cover for your balcony. Here are the best small apartment balcony privacy ideas!
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Privacy Ideas For Apartment Balcony
- DearHouse Artificial Ivy Privacy Fence Screen
- DOEWORKS Expandable Fence Privacy Screen
- ZIMO Balcony Privacy Screen
- LOVE STORY Balcony Screen
- NICETOWN Outdoor Curtain
- RYB HOME Patio Curtains
- Radiance Roll-up Reed Shade
- Alion Home Sun Shade
- Sunnyglade Solar LED Lighted Patio Umbrella
Looking for balcony decorating tips? I wrote a post here.
1. DearHouse Artificial Ivy Privacy Fence Screen
- Product Dimensions: 94.5 x 39.4 inches (comes with multiple dimensions)
- Material: Polyester, Plastic
Looking for privacy ideas for apartment balcony? This ivy privacy fence is an effective (and cute!) privacy solution for a balcony. The privacy screen is made of plastic and polyester leaves that look like natural ivy leaves. The wall of leaves makes a beautiful and natural-looking balcony cover.
Although this is a privacy screen, the ivy leaves don’t completely overlap each other so there will be small gaps. Despite this, it still provides a decent amount of privacy and can also block your balcony from sunlight.
I love this solution because no care is needed to maintain the fake ivy. This fence is also easy to customize and rearranged to fit your balcony. In order to attach this screen onto your balcony, you just need zip ties. This easy setup makes it great for rentals, because you don’t need to drill any holes into the balcony.
This product doesn’t come with zip ties so I recommend getting green zip ties (like the one below) to help the ivy screen blend into the balcony.
This is one of the best budget apartment balcony privacy screens that also looks good! I recommend it for plant lovers and people who want a low maintenance solution.
2. DOEWORKS Expandable Fence Privacy Screen
- Product Dimensions: 32.25 x 116 inches when opened (only one dimension)
- Material: Willow (frame), doesn’t state materials for the faux ivy and flowers
I had to add this privacy screen because of how breathtaking it looks. It is a screen that has fake ivy leaves and purple flowers. This privacy screen is similar to the one above except it is expandable, making it easy to store away and transport.
To attach to your balcony, all you need to do is use zip ties. This privacy solution can transform the look of your entire balcony and decorate it with realistic looking flowers all year long. The best part is you don’t have to water them! It’ll also liven up your place with color.
Unlike the product above, you won’t be able to cut and alter the screen to fit your balcony. This fence has a wooden frame, so I recommend measuring the exact size of your space before purchasing.
This is a beautiful privacy screen to create a charming touch of Spring on your apartment balcony. It is one of the best small apartment balcony privacy ideas for people who want to add a touch of nature.
3. ZIMO Balcony Privacy Screen
- Product Dimensions: 3 x 16.4 feet (only one dimension)
- Material: HDPE fabric
- Colors: Multiple
There are many budget and durable balcony screens available. This privacy screen is a great solution for people living in high up apartments and are just looking to block the railing.
In my opinion, this screen is not as pretty as the ivy screen one, but it does come in multiple colors. The material of the fabric is opaque. Therefore, the screen will almost completely hide your balcony and provide you with privacy. Like the ones above, this solution can also help block sunlight.
This is a great apartment balcony privacy screen on a budget that’s also durable and made to last outdoors. It’s definitely one of the more simple privacy ideas for apartment balcony, but highly effectively.
4. LOVE STORY Balcony Screen
- Product Dimensions: 3 x 16 feet (comes in multiple dimensions)
- Material: polyethylene (HDPE)
- Colors: Multiple (pretty striped options)
Looking for more small apartment balcony privacy ideas? This product is another apartment balcony privacy screen for the railing (like the brand above) but comes with multiple designs and colors. They have a lot of stripe-colored options that come in beautiful pigments, so you can customize your balcony based on your taste.
This screen is made out of Polyethylene which is a material that allows wind to past through. It also is durable and weatherproof. Balcony railing screens are wonderful solutions because they are intended to last outdoors and provide a decent amount of privacy from below. All you need to do is to set it up on your balcony and not worry about it again.
They are also easy to attach with zip ties and are rental friendly! Until like the other two screens, this product comes with zip ties!
5. NICETOWN Outdoor Curtain
- Product Dimensions: 53 x 108 inches (comes in multiple dimensions)
- Material: Waterproof Polyester
- Colors: Multiple
Place curtains on your balcony to completely enclose your balcony space from peeping eyes! When lightly swaying against the wind, curtains make any place feel romantic and airy. I recommend purchasing outdoor curtains (instead of regular curtains) because they tend to be more durable and made up of materials intended to last outdoors.
These curtains are waterproof and can also provide protection from sunlight. The fabric is made of a polyester material. Although the cover photo shows two curtains, this listing only comes with one curtain panel.
The advantage of using curtains as privacy screens is that they’ll give you full privacy protection. They’ll shield your balcony from top to bottom. You can also easily pull the curtains back when you don’t need them.
This product comes with detachable tabs that allow you to take out the curtains without removing the rod. This is helpful for whenever you need to throw the curtains into the washing machine.
Before you buy this product, note that you’ll need to purchase an outdoor curtain rod (like the one below) in order to it hang on your balcony. This is one of the best privacy ideas for apartment balcony that looks effortlessly beautiful!
6. RYB HOME Patio Curtains
- Product Dimensions: 52 x 95 inches (comes in multiple dimensions)
- Material: Polyester Blend
- Colors: Multiple
This is another outdoor curtain to check out! Like the one above, it comes with only one curtain panel. This curtain is weather proof and provides sun protection.
Although most outdoor curtains are weatherproof, they don’t tend to be windproof. Therefore, you should always tie down your curtains when you don’t use them. On an overly windy day, these curtains might flap like crazy, so I won’t utilize outdoor curtains if you live in an area that gets a lot of wind.
Otherwise, curtains are great small apartment balcony privacy ideas for people who want a romantic, picturesque touch.
7. Radiance Roll-up Reed Shade
- Product Dimensions: 72 x 72 inches (comes in multiple dimensions)
- Material: Bamboo
- Colors: A few differently hued options
Looking for creative privacy ideas for apartment balcony? This reed shade is a wonderful privacy solution for balconies that already have an enclosed railing. Although this roll-up shade is intended to block sunlight, it makes a great barrier for privacy.
This shade is made up of natural materials and is mostly bamboo. This product is wonderful for people who want to give their balcony a tropical or laid back feeling.
Although you can use this shade outdoors, you’ll have to take care of it to make sure it lasts. For example, you’ll need to roll up the shades when they are not in use to protect them against weather and wind. For regular cleaning, use a duster or hand-held vacuum.
To hang it on your balcony, you’ll need to hang it up with hooks. This product does come with them! The hooks might not be the most rental friendly because you’ll have to drill holes for them. Otherwise, this is a great alternative for an apartment balcony privacy screen.
8. Alion Home Sun Shade
- Product Dimensions: 6 x 4 feet (comes in multiple dimensions)
- Material: Virgin High-Density Polyethylene
- Color: Mocha Brown
Like the product above, this item is also intended to be used as a sun shade. When you are searching for a budget privacy screen, be creative with what you find. Many products are multifunctional. Therefore, you might be able to come up with a privacy solution using an unrelated product.
I highly recommend using shade solutions for your balcony. They are a great way to block the sunlight, as well as, the view of your balcony from other people.
This sun shade is made up of polyethylene which is a breathable material. This makes it great for areas that are windy. The shade is durable and intended to last outdoors. You can leave it up on your balcony and not worry about it. It makes a great permanent privacy solution if you want your balcony to constantly be covered up.
Depending on how you choose to attach it to your balcony, you get as much or as little privacy as you want. The setup is also easy. You just need to hang up the sun shade using ropes or zip ties. This is one of the best small apartment balcony privacy ideas for people who need a more flexible option.
9. Sunnyglade Solar LED Lighted Patio Umbrella
- Product Dimensions: 56 x 6 x 6 inches (only one size)
- Material: Polyester
- Colors: Multiple
This last product is not a privacy screen, but I thought it would be a cute privacy solution for people who just need light privacy. Outdoor umbrellas create a wonderful protection against the sun and rain. Depending on how you angle the umbrella, you can use it to provide a little bit of privacy the next time you hang out on your balcony.
I put this umbrella on the list because not everyone wants or needs a full coverage privacy screen on their balcony. A umbrella is also multi-functional and will provide overhead cover if your balcony doesn’t have a ceiling or another balcony above it!
This outdoor umbrella is a unique find because it has LED lights on the inside! The lights can be turned on and off with a switch and are powered by solar power. This is a umbrella and outdoor light in one! It’ll make a fun cover when you spend time on your balcony at night.
This umbrella is also tilt-able, so you can angle it to give as much privacy as you need. Unfortunately, this product doesn’t come with a separate base. Unless you already have an umbrella stand, you’ll need to purchase one.
To make sure your umbrella lasts, close your umbrella when not in use. This will protect it against harsh weather and wind. This is a wonderful apartment balcony privacy screen alternative for people who only need a little privacy.
Conclusion: Privacy Ideas For Apartment Balcony
Privacy screens are effective solutions to keep your apartment’s balcony secluded and undisturbed. Many screens are inexpensive and can make a huge visual impact on your balcony. I recommend checking out the privacy ideas for apartment balcony I’ve listed above.
If these small apartment balcony privacy ideas don’t fall within your budget, consider DIY-ing your own! To have one that lasts, make sure to use materials that are durable outdoors. You can also consider splurging or saving up money to purchase a more expensive, high quality privacy screen that will last you for years.