All I think you can do is line the railings with plants, preferably in modern, rectangular window boxes (maybe in a dull silvery finish like the rails). Opening the doors will expand your inside room by a few feet, and give it a whole new feeling during the summer months. Don't try to cram furniture into the space--it's just not deep enough.

herbs, flowers, anything alive. I think it's too small to really feel comfortable out there, so make it great and enjoy it from inside the room. Hopefully you have some other space in your home with access to the outdoors!

I would have something like the old drive-in diner trays made.

Using these (with the tray aboue the street and not the balcony) would save space. Add a few bar stools you can dine outside.

yes I think stools would work okay.

a hammock!

Nothing.

Not every last inch of space needs to be decorated, and there's very little room out there as it is.

If I calculated correctly, that's about 76 centimeters - not a lot, but enough to sit at a table with two people. "Foldable" seems to be the magic word to me, but why not? I looked at IKEA for measurements, and the chairs and small tables would definitely fit the width of your balcony.
As for flowers, why not use window boxes, as suggested before? A nice mixture of hanging plants like petunias higher plants would spruce up the view from inside, and if you hang them towards the outside of the railing they wouldn't even take away from the width.
Also, look at gorgeoux London Balcony for more inspiration - that also looks pretty small, but pretty pretty, too ;)

I have two suggestions and the success of both will depend on your own creativity!

1) build or buy slim over-the-railing planter boxes that hang out over the street. Most I've seen are manufactured for a wider rail, but I'm sure something exists for you. You can hang these not just on the top rail, but also on lower rails, perhaps staggered in a pleasing manner. This will provide you more privacy as well--and TONS of gardening space if you're into that.

2) fit your railing with a couple of fold-down seats similar to those on a bus or subway. Shouldn't be too hard to build. They can attach to the railing flipped up flat when not in use, and fold down when needed. I love the drive-in diner tray idea, too. If you have something like that, you can carry snack or a meal out, attach it to the rail, flip down those seats, and VOILA!

Have fun with it!

What a fabulous challenge. For a casual look and feel I would place 2 rectangular planters on each end and pillows or poofs in the middle. During the summer months lots of places sell outdoor pillows that are around 21"square and about 4 - 10" deep. You could stack 2-4 of these together with another on the back against the rail. You could even place a small folding wooden or metal table(s) in between to hold food and drinks or candles for a romatic feel. A fast growing summer vine could be planted and trained to grow around the railing for a bit of added privacy. On the ground you could place teak tile floor mats or stone mats or a simple outside rug. (You could even do a diy project with stone tiles found at home improvemnt places) If the balcony gets a lot of sun you could have an umbrella. Stick some sand in a planter and get a beach umbrella. The railing is great. You can hang candles, lights or planters. Good luck and enjoy your small piece of the outdoors.

There's nothing to do with this space. That's one of the problems with buildings like this: all about the looks, not the functionality. (Plus the garage entrance, which is abhorrent to the urban context.) About all you can do is leave your bike there, but it'll get rained on.

just floor cushions..thats it

I must admit that I LOVE the seating idea provided by inAlaska matched up with the drive-in tray idea of JPK. Also, hang your veggies in custom hanging planter boxes (easily put together DIY!) on the INSIDE small side walls (for easy access), and your flowers on the outside in larger planter boxes. You can string lights if you like, or leave it bare . . but you could have quite a charming multi-functional space out of just a few feet.

Instead of thinking of sitting out there what about making it a green space as earlier mentioned with your choice of herbs, flowers or whatever. The other thing I was thinking of is adding some sort of vine that would climb up a rope to the ceiling of the balcony and give you a green view instead of a parking lot view!

ditto on the floor cushions.

What about a bench?

Or perhaps a vertical garden? Have you seen the succulent walls? They are gorgeous. It would be functional, but it would make for a great view!

someone just didn't think through that design unfortunately.

IF it had double french doors that opened in you could actually make that space usable because with the doors open the inside space would feel like outdoors space. That's how those tiny European balconies function.

But with the sliding door it really isn't very usable unfortunately. You're crated in on both sides if you sit or stand out there. I think some flower boxes and maybe a little standing house plant. I can't imagine sitting out there being very comfortable. even if furniture did fit it wouldn't be functional.

I agree with the idea of hanging plants in planters on the outside of the railing. But to be honest, I think you'd always feel incredibly cramped if you tried to sit in chairs on this balcony. Would you consider floor cushions? The space is so small you could use the railings or the wall/window as a "chair back", and they'd give it a relaxed, informal feel without it looking cluttered, plus they'd give you much more flexibility in terms of one person reading a book, two people having a meal, etc. You could also hang lights on the inside of the railings (Ikea do a string of solar powered chinese-lantern style ones) and maybe some bunting.

You probably can't attach anything to the wall and I think it would be hard to make something sturdy on those bars. Look at the ikea molger line - there is a square ottoman that might fit. Can you move the sliders in to give your self a few inches? you would need to manage drainage.

This reminds me of a typical Greek juliet balcony that is designed for smokers. Especially Greek with the garage underneath in picture 1

Dang that's a skinny space!

I'd probably forgo the seating and hang planters from the railing. I did this 'saddle-bag style' on my balcony with cheap plastic planters, but I love this recent post.

I wouldn't worry about the railing being skinny. If it's designed to keep you from falling in the street, it can handle a few plants ;)

Paris is full of useless balconies like this - they add charm and air flow, so take your inspiration from them.

For sitting you can DIY cushions or a long cushion. and for the herbs you can hang it from the railing or screw them to the walls on the side wall.

SRO - standing room only!

crate and barrel carried a black hanging planters for railings that were really cute last year, I can't find it on their site this year, but I think most gardening stores carry some form of these :). I got it for my deck and I love them! also, if you own the space you might be able to change the doors to french doors, so you can open them up and make a little sitting area :)

What if you got rid of those sliding glass doors and replaced them with some nice French Doors so you could actually open up you space into the apartment? You could then give yourself more arm room and still be on the balcony- just not boob to bottom with a glass door.

Don't be concerned about hanging planters on those skinny rails- there are so many brackets and attachments available out there that I'm sure you won't have any problems. I do agree that this space has not been created with functionality in mind, but who says you can't make it work for you anyway? If it were me there's no way I'd leave it empty. If it's all you've got as an outdoor space then absolutely use it! Plants will add so much color and life to your view. It might be interesting to plant some cascading ferns or vines that will hang low in front of the rails, or if you really are that concerned about hanging the plants then simply place a planter at either end of the balcony. Personally I think that if you have your heart set on being able to sit out there then you should definitely hang your plants on the railings instead of using planters so that you have a little more floor space, and I would agree with the suggestion that very simple bar stools would probably be your best bet. Obviously this will never be a spot for a fancy sit-down dinner, but definitely a great spot to sit and have an ice cream on a summer's night!

I would do either of the 2:

1. Grow floral creepers to cover most of the railing to give it a green, fun look

2. Grow creepers on one side of the balcony and place a layered, modern fountain to another, either facing inwards or sideways.

Use it to make a garden view, with potted plants. But I don't think there's enough room to SIT in this "garden."

The balcony is very small (narrow!) and the view over the garage and across from a parking lot is less than ideal. It's not going to provide the kind of function one would typically experience from a balcony; you won't be chilling there for hours with your peeps. At most, you might stand and enjoy the evening air, finish a glass of wine or sneak smoke. 15-20 mins tops is the functional shelf life.

Given that, I recommend a really cool bench that would fulfill that balcony's limited function but provide a cool wow factor from the street. I love the idea of a pouf! (Primary Pouf from DWR or the rattan pouf from Urban Outfitters). Another option would be 3 zinc vertical planters for growing herbs and flowers. Make sure you have some vines included so you get a cascading green effect. I love nasturtium and the orange blossoms against a zinc planter would be a cool contrast. A water feature would be cool if you have electricity. Keep it simple but tasteful. Just because it's a small space doesn't mean it isn't deserving of some design.

Figure out a way to hang plants on the balcony, preferably ones that trail and can create a little privacy screen around the bars.

Furniture might be too clunky out there. I'd go with a couple of piles of thick, comfy floor cushions (in sturdy, washable fabric) and a folding bed tray for food or drinks (you can use these things inside too). I also think it'd be nice to hang a few solar-powered lanterns for ambiance in the evenings.

How about this: http://cgi.ebay.de/Balkontisch-Klappbar-Balkonh%E4ngetisch-Tisch-Balkonm%F6bel_W0QQitemZ320382390124QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090611?IMSfp=TL090611212001r34670

Or this one: http://cgi.ebay.de/Balkontisch,-Balkon,-Balkonm%F6bel,-Klapptisch,H%E4ngetisch_W0QQitemZ250441799121QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090611?IMSfp=TL090611219001r22227

search balcony hanging table for American websites, but think about getting something from Germany- even with shipping it may be cheaper - $90 US v. 20 euro shipping?

Small space with great potential!

Shield the view from the street - use outdoor-proof plastic-ish fabric that can be woven in between the bars.

Plants - small planters hung on the top rail to the outside. Keep the off the floor. Btw, if the rails can't hold a pounds of plants, it certainly can't hold a person! I'd test it with the plants first.

Stools or "light" chairs without armrests. Stackable is good.

Table - find/make one that hangs of the rails and folds down when not in use. Now that I think of it, you could probably make the seats the same way?!

We have a narrow balcony (though not as narrow as yours) and we have some plants on small metal tables. The tables are to raise the plants up closer to eye level.

NOTHING!

sling a string hammock between the ends, and at either end have your herbs on the floor in individual pots (they like it that way, their own beds, I suggest thyme, rosemary, chive, oregano, mint, sage and FLAT LEAF PARSLEY... you'll never grow enough basil, and I've never had luck with tarragon. I can't live without my herbs..) if you have a party unhook the hammock.

alternatively, the weeniest little folding metal cafe table and folding cafe chair, 2 if you can... mini Paris

a cup of espresso and a pretend cigarette...

as for the cafe table and chairs the more beat up the better to warm up the building's raw newness

You aren't missing anything: that space was never seriously meant to be used. It was simply sales bait/visual trickery designed to lure prospective tenants. In fact, it might have been designed to keep tenants OFF so that the building remains uncluttered looking from the outside.

You don't say whether you rent or own, but if you own you might want to consider something along the lines of Nanawall or other accordion style glass door. This would allow you to take advantage of the full opening to the patio and essentially make the patio and extension of your living room when the doors are open.

http://www.nanawall.com/Gallery/Projectphoto.aspx?id=7412

I have the same type of balcony. I managed to fit a small greenhouse out there, and many planters and such. But as I live much higher up, gusts of wind would overturn my planters and even blew over my greenhouse once or twice. Fearful that things would fall apart, blow off the balcony, and kill someone below, I had to remove everything from my balcony. =/

If you only live on the second floor then this may not be much of a problem for you, and a small greenhouse would probably fit. I got one about 6" tall, 2-3" wide (hence fits in the space between my two sliding glass doors), and about 1-1.5" deep.

I worry that it's not actually a balcony, and that it might not be intended to bear the weight of you and a buddy out there...or even just you.

I do love the idea of growing herbs, though. On warm evenings with the window open your home will smell lovely!

looks condo-ish. check the cc r's... the HOA might not allow anything out there... pots or otherwise.

The sliding doors make that space utterly useless. I'd put a couple of good-sized trees out there in big silvery metal pots, maybe with some ground cover. Enough to provide a bit of privacy and something green to distract from that awful "view".

That's it.

I have tried sitting on the floor on a balcony (one of those tiny Europeans), and I must say, first of all, no longer being a teenager I wouldn't want to sit on the floor for very long, neither reading nor eating.

That being a question of personal preference, I cannot imagine comfortably sitting with the wall or the railing in one's back for anyone, if the width of the balcony is only 77 cm - minus the width of the cushions! That would leave about 60 cm max for you to sit on AND store away your legs - doesn't sound very comfortable for me.

Bar stools, yes - but again, how long are you going to sit on them? And you might sit above the height of the railings, which would feel strange to me.

I'd still get a nice folding table and some chairs, unfold the table if I need it, and if I only want to read I'd use the second chair or a footstool to put up my feet. (Maybe you have one inside you could take outside for this purpose and then back inside, if it's not so often.) Do try out chairs in the shop, though!

Not-folding tables would mean you'd have to squeeze by, but maybe if you don't get up and sit down again all the time that might be acceptable.
A small set of chairs and table like this one could work, if you like the style: http://www.produkte24.com/cy/bauhaus-3111/garten-fruehjahr-sommer-2009-21106/seite-25-gross.html
There are wooden chairs and tables of that size available everywhere here in Germany. The ones to hang onto the railing suggested further up are even available at IKEA (though personally I don't like them, practical as they may be).

As for security, if this were unsafe to step on they wouldn't be allowed to have a door there, basically saying "go out and step on that space". Same about the railings: they'd have to be strong enough to hold a grown-up man, so they won't have problems even with a lot of planters. Just make sure that when you are watering you don't drown people walking below.....

Check out this post: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/flickr-finds/flickr-find-balcony-of-succulents-087262

an old wooden bench (preferably from Greece:-)) against the glass that doesnt move... and plants all around!

Today's AT has a balcony just like yours:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/flickr-finds/flickr-find-balcony-of-succulents-087262

build a fixed bench. It would almost be like an extension to your living area...

If you want to do an herb garden, you probably could hang on the rails - just don't make any pot too heavy. Beyond that, you might have room for a small patio chair on the other end. But that's all you should do since this is an extremely small balcony.

I'd fill the balcony with several planters and grow bamboo trees in them. I'd also put a comfy recliner inside the room, just in front of the balcony doors, and enjoy the nice view onto the green "wall" of bamboo trees, which would give me both some privacy and a pleasant thing to look at, and some fresh breeze when the doors are wide open.

I just want to second (or third, or whatever) the idea of replacing the doors with something that would allow the whole space to open to the room. If not the French doors suggested then perhaps the modern bi-fold doors that accomplish the same thing.

I just saw a post today that might work for seating options on your balcony -- http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/outdoor/smart-design-3inone-planter-stool-and-table-by-phase-087394.

How about one of those Chinese ceramic garden seats that look a bit like a closed flower pot? Put one of those at the opening end of the sliders, and put a similar pot with a small tree or shrub or flowering plant in it at the other end. And that's all. It's too small to do very much with it, it will just look cluttered.

First, find out the weight tolerance for the balcony, some juliettte balconies aren't rated to tolerate any thing. If can handle the weight of a person plus...

Take the legs off this wood-slat single lounger cushions from west elm and set it right on the ground. It looks like you could reach the outside of your balcony by an extension ladder, which might be the easiest way to get the chaise onto it (you also might be able to disassemble it and reassemble it on the balcony). Then go with your plan for a herb garden hanging from the railing.

http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODf001&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&parentId=WE-SH1OUTLOU&retainNav=true&cmsrc=WE-SH1OUTLOU