Real estate is always a game of square feet. But in New York City, it can feel more like a game of inches. You’ve probably heard of apartment space savers like spiral staircases and Murphy beds, but what is a Juliet balcony? If you’ve ever been confused about this romantic-sounding amenity, we’ve got you. These shallow balconies take up barely any exterior space. So then, what are the benefits of having a Juliet balcony? And how can you make the most of yours?

Manhattan Rentals With Outdoor Space on StreetEasy Article continues below

East Harlem

245 E 124th Street

$3,055 No Fee

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1

Kips Bay

207 East 30th Street

$3,095 No Fee

Studio |

1

Chelsea

208 West 23rd Street

$3,200 No Fee

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

152 West 140th Street

$2,796 No Fee

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1

Central Harlem

34 West 139th Street

$3,199 No Fee

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1

West Harlem

173 Morningside Avenue

$2,350 No Fee

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1

Financial District

55 Wall Street

$2,979 No Fee

Studio |

1

South Harlem

2216 Frederick Douglass Boulevard

$2,417 No Fee

Studio |

1

South Harlem

268 West 120th Street

$2,513 No Fee

Studio |

1

South Harlem

444 Manhattan Avenue

$2,786 No Fee

Studio |

1

Yorkville

346 East 89th Street

$2,999 No Fee

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1

East Harlem

215 East 124th Street

$2,917 No Fee

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1

What Is a Juliet Balcony, Anyway?

Juliet balconies come in a variety of sizes, but they are typically long and narrow outdoor platforms accessible via glass doors or large windows. By definition, Juliet balconies are not large protuberances. They may only extend a few feet, or even inches. Sometimes there’s enough room to stand on them, and the largest can even fit an outdoor chair or two. But the smallest can’t even hold a plant much less a person, and are really just there to visually open up the apartment. They are always bound by railings or a barrier, for safety. And also for aesthetics — the railings can be quite decorative.

“Typically, Juliet balconies are barely large enough to fit any type of outdoor furniture,” says Gina Castrorao of REAL New York. “They only need to be about a half a foot in order to properly have a solid fixture to secure them.”

As for where you’ll find them, they’re all over the place, says Eric Bottomley of Argo Residential. “You can see them in prewar buildings, you can see them in new construction buildings. They’re common everywhere.”

Why Is It Called a Juliet Balcony?

Remember the famous Romeo and Juliet balcony scene in which Juliet ponders, “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” The shape and size of this structure are reminiscent of the small platform she stands on in the play. So we have Shakespeare to thank for what is now known as a “Juliet balcony.”

Brooklyn Rentals With Outdoor Space on StreetEasy Article continues below

Crown Heights

931 Carroll Street

$2,700 No Fee

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1

Flatbush

1538 New York Avenue

$2,700 No Fee

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1

Flatbush

486 East 28th Street

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

1

Bushwick

82 Jefferson Street

$2,995 No Fee

2 |

1

Brownsville

2061 Union Street

$2,699 No Fee

2 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

27 Albany

$2,895 No Fee

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1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

1202 Bedford Avenue

$2,999 No Fee

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1

Bushwick

201 Himrod Street

$2,500 No Fee

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1

Bushwick

1008 Decatur Street

$2,650 No Fee

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1

Bushwick

951 Madison Street

$2,695 No Fee

2 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

874 Willoughby Avenue

$2,700 No Fee

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1

Crown Heights

301 Sullivan Place

$2,895 No Fee

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1

Do Juliet Balconies Have a Specific Purpose?

Some people consider Juliet balconies to be purely aesthetic features. They can certainly make a building look great from the street. But they also look great from inside! These balconies are usually paired with glass doors — either sliding or French — so that when they’re opened, you have a large, open throughway to the great outdoors.

“Having the ability to open floor-to-ceiling windows or doors has become pretty popular, so it’s caught on with new construction units,” Bottomley says. “People like that outdoor-indoor feel.”

Even when the doors are closed, they provide great natural light, which helps make a small space feel more open. They can often overlook some pretty city vistas, too. As Sheila Trichter of Warburg Realty says, “One can enjoy a breeze if the French doors are kept open. But, opened or closed, they are lovely architectural details.”

From the exterior, a Juliet balcony adds a certain European touch to any property. Their use dates back hundreds of years, and they can be found across historical buildings in NYC. Newer buildings haven’t shied away from using them, either.  

And if you are lucky enough to get a few inches of balcony space to call your own, they can make a great perch for plants. (Say hello to your new herb garden.) “Usually that is what ends up going out there, some sort of decorative piece,” says Bottomley. “Of course, you’d have to make sure that the building allows it first.”

Queens Rentals With Outdoor Space on StreetEasy Article continues below

Astoria

11-24 31 Drive

$2,895 No Fee

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1

Jamaica

147-35 95th Avenue

$2,498 No Fee

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2

Jamaica

147-35 95th Avenue

$2,406 No Fee

Studio |

1

Jamaica

147-35 95th Avenue

$2,475 No Fee

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1

Astoria

30-81 31st Street

$2,995 No Fee

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1

Bayside

47-07 Bell Boulevard

$1,950 No Fee

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1

Sunnyside

41-08 43rd Avenue

$2,150 No Fee

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1

Forest Hills

67-19 Austin Street

$3,000 No Fee

2 |

1

Astoria

11-24 31 Drive

$2,542 No Fee

Studio |

1

Sunnyside

51-01 39th Avenue

$2,250 No Fee

Studio |

1

Forest Hills

110-06 72nd Avenue

$2,390 No Fee

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1

Astoria

25-25 Newtown Avenue

$2,475 No Fee

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1

Can’t You Just Build a Bigger Balcony?

Some might ask why a developer wouldn’t just build larger balconies or terraces instead. There are many reasons, including cost, return on investment, and available air rights. Often, a full-size outdoor space is just not possible — but installing a railing outside a big window is. “Juliet balconies offer the ultimate compromise for buildings and apartments that cannot provide a true balcony for the unit,” said Donald Mayo of REAL New York.

Juliet balconies are small, yes. But private outdoor space is one of the most coveted amenities in all of New York, and some is better than none! Trust us, the difference between opening one small window and opening up a portion of an entire wall is pretty drastic. It’s no small matter in a city where every square inch matters.

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Whether you’re looking to rent or to buy, find your next NYC apartment on StreetEasy.