8 Juliet Balcony Ideas
By: Hannah Warne
Balconies come in many shapes and sizes. But one of the most classic styles of the balcony is also the smallest: The Juliet balcony. Named after Shakespeare’s iconic leading lady, these small-but-mighty balconies add character, natural light, and architectural interest to any home. Explore our favorite Juliet balconies to find inspiration for your own exterior.
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What is a Juliet balcony?
Juliet balconies, also known as balconettes, are a much smaller version of a traditional balcony. Typically accessible via oversized windows or glass doors, this design detail lets in ample natural light and fresh air. The balcony type gets its name from Shakespeare’s renowned play, Romeo and Juliet, as a nod to the balcony Juliet stands on when saying one of her most famous lines: “Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?”
While home architecture has evolved significantly since the play was written in the late 16th century, one thing remains the same — most Juliet balconies are still quite small. At best, they can fit a chair or two, with some balconies barely wide enough for even decorative accents like small planters. As a result, they are often more for aesthetics than function and are often used to enhance a home’s curb appeal.
#1 // Cable railing with wooden accents
This limewash brick home features a Juliet balcony on the second floor above the garage doors. The balcony’s sleek and modern cable railing contrasts with the more traditional architecture of the home, creating an elegant juxtaposition that makes this exterior stand out. While the cable railing and glass doors are rendered in black, the surrounding pillars are finished in Pepper Shaker by Sherwin Williams for a softer feel. The final touch is a walnut-hued wooden handrail that adds warmth to this exterior color palette.
#2 // Glass railing with double doors
While this home has a classic brick and stone exterior, the second-floor Juliet balcony adds an unexpected design element. Double French doors maintain the home’s traditional feel. But the doors open to a modern glass railing, creating a barely-there look that effortlessly blends into the exterior. Benjamin Moore’s Black creates high contrast to complete this striking design.
#3 // Traditional railing with an arched entryway
With a traditional railing and double glass doors, this Juliet balcony blends the best of form and function. With enough space for a few planters and to enjoy the fresh air, this Juliet balcony is the center point of the home’s exterior, making it a natural focal point. Modern bracket sconces frame the balcony to further highlight the beautiful railing and arched doorway. Finally, Sherwin Williams’ Amazing Gray adorns the shutters and balcony railing to add a hint of drama and dimension.
#4 // Classic wrought iron railing
This home’s sleek exterior offers a more modern approach to the Juliet balcony. Tucked above the entryway and surrounded by black paned windows, the balcony features a wrought iron railing with a mix of twisted and basket detailing to add a timeless touch.
The black iron railing is complemented by trim in Sherwin Williams’ Urbane Bronze and brick in Sherwin Williams’ Nuance. Together, these hues create a more modern take on a classic black-and-white palette. The black shingle roof, flagstone driveway, and wooden front door complement the color scheme to ensure the balcony and railing truly pop.
#5 // Cable railing with vertical siding
For a more rustic feel, consider pairing a Juliet balcony with vertical siding. The vertical orientation gives the illusion of added height and contrasts nicely with the cable railing. A wooden handrail completes the balcony, mirroring the warm wooden accents throughout the exterior. From the fencing to the beams, the wooden details create a cohesive, put-together finish.
#6 // Mediterranean balusters with a contrasting pergola
With decorative balusters, a terra cotta tile roof, and a stone exterior, this home epitomizes the Mediterranean aesthetic. With double glass doors and a traditional pergola atop decorative columns, the Juliet balcony above the living space is an eye-catching exterior feature. Adding to the bold look is the high-contrast color palette featuring Urbane Bronze and Dover White by Sherwin Williams.
We always recommend sampling and testing paint colors before committing. Factors such as natural lighting, undertones, and your property’s fixed elements will have a significant impact on how a color will appear on your exterior. Our friends at Samplize offer extra-large 9 x 14.75 inch peel-and-stick paint samples of the colors we love for exteriors. Order your ‘Real Paint, No Mess’ samples from Samplize here.
#7 // Cathedral picket railing with double glass doors
This stately home has a distinctly Southern feel, accentuated by the second-level Juliet balcony. Situated directly above the front door, this balcony features a decorative cathedral picket railing. Double doors, a pair of sconces, and a color palette of Sherwin Williams’ Eider White, Benjamin Moore’s White Dove, and Urbane Bronze complete the classic look.
#8 // Double balconies with woodgrain steel siding
This home gets a classic touch thanks to two Juliet balconies. The first features sleek, double-glass doors framed by narrow windows, creating a stunningly symmetrical look. On the opposite side is a second Juliet balcony framed by floor–to–ceiling windows. Both balconies feature a cable railing with a wooden handrail and woodgrain steel siding to enhance the home’s modern, industrial feel.
Bringing your Juliet balcony to life
Whether you prefer a traditional Mediterranean look or a simple, modern style, there are Juliet balconies for every exterior. Different railing types, color palettes, and accents allow you to transform your home and make your vision a reality.
Want to reimagine your own Juliet balcony? Perhaps you want to update another aspect of your home. With brick&batten, it’s simple to transform your entire exterior. Our team of experts will help you create a stylish combination of finishes, paint colors, and other design elements to bring your dream home to life. Your customized design deliverable will have all the details you need in one place to make the process simple. Get started on your project today!
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