Have fun!!!

Thanks everyone for your ideas. What would be the best way to arrange the furniture if I were to get plants/pots, chairs and side tables (have chairs for the table). We do use it quite a lot over summer so I'm keen to utilize the space wisely.

Try to have a BBQ area with the dining room, couple of chairs with a small round table and only buy plants if you really take care of them, they need water, soil, fertilizer, and change after time, try with edibles if your keen, small herbs are always handy. parsley, oregano, basil, goes well after a BBQ pizza Saturday night with a cuppa of red wine. I give you some ideas you put your soul. xx

Lou, are there glass sliding doors the entire width of balcony? What is at the opposite end of balcony, and is there a privacy screen there as well?

Do you BBQ? Monique has excellent suggestion to group table and chairs near where you would BBQ. Would want to work out what location the best smoke ventilation is so it doesn't blacken your ceiling.

Best to keep any plants some distance from BBQ when in use as plants don't like smoke.

An important thing to keep in mind when choosing what type of furniture to have on balcony and where to position it so that it doesn't keep you from enjoying your fabulous views when you are indoors.

Knowing the answers to some of these questions will help invite further comment.

Thanks very much Annb1997

Yes there are sliding doors the full length of the balcony and that is a privacy screen but you can see the view through it at a certain angle. The reason we chose that slim line table was not to take away from the view. So yes I agree with you regarding the type of furniture I will pick. I do like the idea of grouping chairs with a smaller table, to give it a more relaxed feel.

Yes we do bbq and have one down by the pool area but I'm hoping to get one for this balcony. We have another balcony directly underneath this one with daybeds and dining table/chairs. That balcony was easier to furnish as the view is just district as opposed to this view being water as well as district.

I'm just not sure what way to place the current table, its currently extended to seat 12.

Try turning it 90degrees and move it further away from the privacy screen. That way more people will be able to see the views as opposed to some people having their back to the view (the way it is now).

It sounds like this will be main balcony for dining when you are entertaining. Have you even any chairs and side tables that appeal to you for the small grouping?

The area feels quite dark. Prehaps the roof could do with a fresh coat of white paint to lighten things up. I would also be inclined to add fairy lights around the top of the roof so it gives more light at night. The furniture ideas a great and some potted plants. I might jazz it up with some funky coloured pots with plants keep the furniture neutral. Agree with the above commenter about hamptons style furniture, nice comfy wicker furniture you can sit and relax on. Maybe two zones? a bar zone as well with bar table and outdoor kitchen.

I'd also bear in mind 1) relationship to neighbours below or to the side, and 2) aspect. You might want to use shielding plants at ends to keep out inferior views or winds. You might consider acoustic and lighting design measures to reduce noise and lights carrying from your balcony when you're entertaining at night. You may be happy with outsiders seeing everything that happens on the terrace, or you might want roll up blinds or some other partial protection measure.

Ages of users also dictates types of furniture and how safe it will be to place climbable furniture close to the glass surround. Tripping hazards also need to be minimised.