How to light a balcony without a socket

Start with the evening you want

Before choosing a lamp, picture what you actually enjoy doing on your balcony: dinner for two, a few pages of a book or one last drink. Put the chairs and table in place first. This makes it easier to see where light would help, without crowding a small space.

One thoughtfully placed light is often enough to give the arrangement a focus. Keep the route back indoors clear, including when someone is sitting at the table.

Light the table, give everything else space

Place the lamp on a flat, stable surface, just off-centre so there is still room for glasses and plates. Sit in your usual chair before deciding on its position. The light source should not shine straight into your eyes.

Lune’s fluted glass and Prisma’s lantern shape bring different characters to the same table. Choose the shape that suits your furniture, rather than filling the space with extra objects.

Add texture without adding clutter

A small tablecloth, two cushions suited to outdoor use and a plant can make the corner feel inviting. Repeat a colour from the room beyond the balcony to connect the two spaces. Make sure no fabric covers the lamp and keep anything that could knock it over out of the way.

Plan for dry, sheltered use

Cordless does not mean rainproof. Until a model’s protection rating is confirmed, use it only in dry, sheltered conditions. Avoid exposed ledges, strong wind, splashes and damp surfaces. A covered balcony can still become wet when the weather changes.

Bring the lamp indoors when the evening is over. Recharge it in a dry place, following the instructions and using the equipment specified for that model.

Make it an easy habit

Give the lamp a regular spot inside, near the balcony door. You can take it out when conditions suit and bring it back while clearing the table. Start with one lamp, live with the arrangement, then decide whether a second would be useful.