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Bare concrete is cold, stained and ugly, and it is what most balconies have. Covering it is the fastest change you can make, because the floor is the largest surface you see.
The good news is that nearly every option below needs no tools and nothing that damages the floor, so a renter can lay it and take it with them.
Check these first
- Drainage. Water has to leave. Never seal the drain or cover its opening, and pick a floor that lets water through or lifts it off the surface.
- Slope. Most balconies slope slightly. Tiles with a raised base cope with it; flat rugs may collect water.
- Area. Measure length and width, and note any posts or the door swing. Use the deck tile calculator to count tiles.
- Weight. Heavy materials like stone add load. Ask the building about limits.
- Rules. Some buildings restrict what can cover the balcony. Ask before you buy.
01Interlocking deck tiles
Snap-together tiles lay in minutes with no glue. A raised base lets water drain under them, and you can lift and take them when you move. Wood-look, stone-look and gray tiles all make a plain floor look planned.
02Outdoor rugs
A rug is the simplest cover. Choose polypropylene or another weatherproof fiber with a flat weave, and one with a back that lets water out. Size it with the outdoor rug size calculator.
03Artificial grass
A roll of turf makes a balcony feel like a small garden. Pick one with drainage holes and cut it to size with a knife. Weigh the edges against wind.
04Rubber or foam tiles
Soft tiles feel good underfoot, suit children and pets, and insulate against cold concrete. They are thin and light.
05Porcelain-look click tiles
Plastic tiles printed to look like stone or ceramic click together on a raised base. They look more like a real floor than rugs do.
06Wooden slats
Wood slat tiles are warm and natural. Choose hardwood or treated wood made for outdoors, and oil them once a year.
07A vinyl or PVC outdoor mat
Vinyl sheets roll out and cut to size, and wipe clean. They suit awkward shapes and are very light.
08Pebble or gravel trays
For a plant corner, trays filled with pebbles give drainage and a garden look without covering the whole floor.
09Painting the concrete
If you own the balcony, use paint made for concrete floors. Clean, prime and apply two coats. Renters should not paint without permission.
10A mix: tiles plus a rug
Lay tiles over the whole floor and a rug under the seats. The tiles give a base and the rug gives softness where you sit.
To furnish what you lay, see small balcony furniture ideas and for the full makeover, small balcony ideas on a budget.
Which one for which situation
- Renter: tiles or a rug. Both lift off.
- Cold concrete: foam tiles or wood tiles.
- Weight limit: vinyl, a rug or turf.
- Pets: turf or foam, with the drain clear.
- Owner: paint or porcelain-look tiles for a lasting finish.
Before you pay
- Measure and add 5 to 10 percent for cuts, as the tile calculator does.
- Leave the drain open.
- Read the product's temperature and sun rating.
- Check the return policy for tiles and rolls.
