Buying guide
Balcony Privacy and Shade Kit
Updated How we research
Screen out neighbors and harsh sun while adding greenery, turning an exposed balcony into a private, sheltered retreat. The page is split into four sections (Privacy Screens That Block Sightlines; Plant Stands to Build a Green Barrier; Large Planters for Tall Screening Plants; Solar Lanterns for Soft Ambient Light), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 16 picks. Our scores range from 6.6 to 8.6 out of 10, across $$, See on Amazon price bands.
- Best overall:Heyzier Wide Planters Extra Large Round Resin Set of 2 16". Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:Windscreen4less 3'x25' Deck Balcony Privacy Screen Fence Apartment Balcony Mesh Screen with Zip Ties, Brown. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Solid build:QQDETRR 20x20x20 Large Outdoor Heavy Duty Steel Cube Planter. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 7.8/10.
- Feature-rich:OxyLED Solar Garden Lanterns, LED Hanging Retro Metal, Waterproof, 2-Pack. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Privacy Screens That Block Sightlines
- Windscreen4less 3'x25' Deck Balcony Privacy Screen Fence Apartment Balcony Mesh Screen with Zip Ties, BrownOur score8.4/10
- Windscreen4less Balcony Privacy Fence Screen 2.5' x 65' Mesh Windscreen Cover for Apartment Deck Patio RailingOur score7.6/10
- SUNLAX 3'x10' Black Balcony Privacy Screen Fence Windscreen 90% UV BlockOur score7.6/10
- ColourTree Artificial Ivy Expandable Fence Privacy Screen, Retractable Hedge, Faux Trellis (Single-Side LeavesOur score7.6/10
Plant Stands to Build a Green Barrier
- iDavosic.ly Plant Stand Indoor Outdoor, 5 Tier Corner Metal Flower Display ShelfOur score8.2/10
- GEEBOBO 5 Tiered Tall Plant Stand for Indoor, Wood Plant Shelf Corner Display RackOur score7.8/10
- AUGOSTA 3 Tier Plant Stand, Tall Metal Wood Shelf Holder for Indoor OutdoorOur score7.8/10
- Bamworld Plant Stand Indoor Tall Plant Shelf for Multiple Plants Corner TieredOur score7.3/10
Large Planters for Tall Screening Plants
- Heyzier Wide Planters Extra Large Round Resin Set of 2 16"Our score8.6/10
- kubvici 20 Inch Tall Planters Set of 2 with Removable WheelsOur score8.2/10
- QQDETRR 20x20x20 Large Outdoor Heavy Duty Steel Cube PlanterOur score7.8/10
- Outdoor Planters 32" Large Planter Box Raised Garden BedOur score7.3/10
Solar Lanterns for Soft Ambient Light
- OxyLED Solar Garden Lanterns, LED Hanging Retro Metal, Waterproof, 2-PackOur score8.4/10
- Solar Lanterns Outdoor Waterproof Hanging, Retro LED with Handle, 2-Pack BlackOur score7.6/10
- Solar Lantern Outdoor, Hanging Flickering Flameless Candle, Weatherproof, 2-PackOur score7.6/10
- Colorful Sunflower Glow Solar Garden Lantern, Waterproof Hanging LightOur score6.6/10
All 16 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1Heyzier's set of 2 extra large 16" wide round resin planters for outdoor flowers and shrubs.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Resin is much lighter than ceramic or concrete of a similar look
- + Set of 2 creates a matching pair beside a door or bench
- + Wide 16" opening suits bushy plants and mixed arrangements
- - Resin can fade or become brittle after years of strong sun
- - 16" size is large, but still limited for small trees
#2Windscreen4less' brown 3'x25' deck balcony privacy screen mesh with zip ties for apartment railings.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 3' height is sized to cover standard balcony railings
- + Zip Ties are included for fast installation without drilling
- + Brown mesh blends with wood decks and outdoor furniture
- - Mesh blocks views but still lets some light and wind through
- - 25' length may need trimming for shorter balconies
#3OxyLED's 2-Pack of waterproof retro metal solar garden lanterns with hanging LED lights.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Retro Metal body looks more premium than plastic
- + OxyLED is a recognized name in LED lighting
- + Waterproof design suits open balconies exposed to rain
- - Metal body can rust if the protective coating is scratched or damaged
- - Solar panels need direct sun to charge fully
#4iDavosic.ly's 5 Tier corner metal flower display shelf, an indoor and outdoor plant stand.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Metal build handles outdoor humidity better than untreated wood
- + 5 Tier corner rack holds a large pot collection
- + Suitable for balconies as well as indoor corners
- - Metal can scratch tile or deck flooring without pads
- - Corner shelves may be shallow for wide pots over the edges
#5kubvici's set of 2 20 Inch tall planters with removable wheels for moving large plants around a patio.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Removable Wheels make relocating heavy planted pots easy
- + 20 Inch height lifts plants for a more dramatic display
- + Set of 2 frames entrances or balcony corners symmetrically
- - Wheels should be removed or locked on sloped floors
- - Check the planter material if it will sit outside year-round
#6GEEBOBO's 5 Tiered tall wood corner plant stand, an indoor display rack for building a vertical plant wall.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 5 Tiered layout fits many pots into a single unused corner
- + Wood shelves look warm and natural next to foliage
- + Corner shape uses space that flat shelves would waste
- - Designed for indoor use, so wood may weather on open balconies
- - Lower shelves get less light when upper tiers are full
#7AUGOSTA's 3 Tier tall metal and wood plant stand for indoor or outdoor pot displays.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Metal frame with wood shelves combines strength and warmth
- + Indoor Outdoor use suits a covered balcony corner
- + 3 Tier height lifts trailing plants off the floor
- - Wood shelves need protection from standing water under pots
- - Fewer tiers than larger corner racks in this guide
#8QQDETRR's 20x20x20 large heavy duty steel cube planter for statement plants and small trees outdoors.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + 20x20x20 cube offers deep soil for shrubs, grasses or dwarf trees
- + Heavy Duty steel holds its shape under the weight of wet soil
- + Clean cube shape suits modern balconies and entrances
- - Steel walls heat up in sun and can warm the root zone
- - Confirm drainage holes before planting into this cube
#9Windscreen4less' 2.5' x 65' balcony privacy fence screen, a long mesh windscreen for railings and patios.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 65' length covers long or wraparound balconies
- + 2.5' height is a neat fit for lower railings
- + Windscreen mesh reduces gusts on exposed balconies
- - Long roll is more than most small balconies need
- - Check whether zip ties or hardware are included for mounting
#10SUNLAX's 3 by 10 foot black balcony privacy screen is HDPE mesh with an 85 to 90 percent shading rate, double-stitched edges, grommets every 19.68 inches and zip ties included. A short, low-cost length.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Sized for balcony railings at 3 ft high by 10 ft long, so there is far less to trim than a fence roll
- + New HDPE mesh with an 85 to 90 percent shading rate and 95 percent UV protection, per the listing
- + Double-stitched with grommets every 19.68 inches, and zip ties come in the pack
- - A 10 ft length covers one short railing run, so wider balconies need two or more pieces
- - The listing notes a size tolerance of plus or minus 5 inches, and the highlights give no fabric weight
#11ColourTree's artificial ivy expandable fence privacy screen, a retractable faux hedge trellis with single-side leaves.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + Faux ivy adds greenery and privacy without upkeep
- + Expandable trellis stretches to fit different railing widths
- + Budget-friendly way to soften bare balcony railings
- - Single-Side Leaves look sparse from the reverse side
- - Faux leaves may fade in strong sunlight over time
#12A black 2-Pack of waterproof hanging solar lanterns with retro LED design and carry handle.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Solar charging means no cords across the balcony
- + Retro design with handle hangs from hooks or sits on tables
- + 2-Pack lights both ends of a small balcony
- - Brightness depends on daytime sun exposure
- - Solar batteries weaken faster in shaded balcony corners
#13A weatherproof 2-Pack of hanging solar lanterns with flickering flameless candles for ambience.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Flickering flameless candle effect is cozy and safe
- + Weatherproof design is made for hanging outdoors from hooks or railings
- + 2-Pack lets you place a lantern at each end for balanced lighting
- - Flicker effect gives low light output, mostly for ambience
- - Solar charge may be weak in cloudy climates
#14Bamworld's tall tiered corner plant shelf for displaying multiple indoor plants in a compact space.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Tiered corner design stacks multiple plants vertically
- + Bamworld offers many matching plant furniture styles
- + Tall frame turns an empty corner into a green display
- - Check the tier count and shelf material before you buy
- - Corner units only work where a right-angle corner is free
#15A 32" large outdoor planter box that doubles as a raised garden bed for herbs, flowers and small vegetables.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 32" length gives room for a row of herbs or a mixed flower display
- + Planter box format fits neatly along a balcony railing or wall
- + Works as a compact raised bed for renters without garden space
- - Confirm the soil depth suits root vegetables before planting
- - A filled box this size is heavy, so place it before adding soil
#16A colorful sunflower glow solar garden lantern, a waterproof hanging light for cheerful decor.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 7/10
- + Sunflower design adds a playful decorative touch
- + Solar powered, so no wiring or outlets are needed on the balcony
- + Waterproof build handles outdoor weather
- - Decorative focus means less usable light
- - Single lantern listing, so lighting a larger balcony means buying several
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Balcony Garden Picks curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.