Most patio furniture is photographed on a lawn and sized for one. On a balcony or a narrow deck, the constraint is not style, it is footprint: whether the set leaves you a walking path, whether you can open the door with it in place, and whether one person can move it to sweep underneath. Everything here is scaled for that.
How much space do you actually need?
Measure the usable rectangle, not the whole balcony, and subtract the door swing. As a rough guide, a two-seat set with a small table wants about 6 by 4 feet to sit comfortably. Below that, a pair of chairs with an 18-inch side table between them works better than trying to fit a loveseat. Leave 18 inches between seating and table so people can get past without shuffling sideways.
Why weight matters more up here
On a balcony you will move furniture more than you expect, to clean, to bring cushions in, or to get a delivery through. Aluminum frames are light enough for one person to lift, which is the practical argument for them over heavier materials in small spaces. The trade-off is wind: on an exposed high balcony, group pieces so they shelter each other, or move the lightest items against the wall before a storm.
What to look for
Pieces that do more than one job earn their footprint. A slat-top coffee table drains rain instead of holding a puddle you have to wipe before anyone sits down. A fire pit table with a lid becomes a dining surface when the flame is off, which on a small patio is the difference between a fire pit you use and one you work around. Cushions you can carry inside in one trip beat cushions you leave out to fade.
Our guide to patio furniture for small balconies goes through the measuring in more detail, and the outdoor furniture buying guide starts from the space rather than the product.
Related collections
If your space is larger than it first looked, patio conversation sets covers the full-size seating groups. Aluminum outdoor furniture is the lightest material range, and front porch furniture suits the same tight footprints at the front of the house.