I will say That's is a pretty good conveniant idea and a good space saver, great so small apartment decks. It could use a little more spiffing up, different colors, even make it out of wood so people could stain it to match their deck/patio.

It's not super attractive, but I like the function it serves!

Because I'm always looking for ways to get more space on my deck, though, I think I'd probably install it so that the table extends off the other side of the railing. That's not as good for showing off the gorgeous foods, perhaps, but every square foot I can reclaim is worthwhile.

Form follows function!

I love it, but don't have any use for it myself.

I had one and an old house and loved it. Perhaps some brown spray paint (specifically for plastic) would help. You could paint the metal parts too, and if you found a color that was close enough to the balcony, it might just blend in perfectly.

solution: use something like brass for the metal, and change the table from plastic to wood.

such a great idea for those wanting to eat outside but having very limited space. very neat!

well, it's pretty unfortunate looking, but function first! what about making a cute, bright oilcloth cover for it, using those cute weights you guys covered last week for outdoor picnic table covers?

Not the prettiest thing I've ever seen, but certainly not the worst

Functional, yes. But it looks like an airplane tray table.

My sister has one. It's very useful for eating, potting plants, entertaining, etc. She painted a neat pattern on it to mimic the mosaic on her other small table and it really blends right in. Try it!

Love it but honestly, it can't be that hard to pretty it up a bit can it?

I think if a planter box would fit in between the two spots where the table hangs in the railing that it might do a world of wonders to help cover things up a bit. It may not be the most attractive object in the world but it's not as though you would have to leave it out all the time either. I wouldn't mind a couple of them to be used as a spot to put buffet items and a bar outside on our mini balcony. You could always put a bit of cloth over the white part to spruce it up like with a tablecloth.

I have one of these from Ikea :)
It was something like $10 and it has little flowers punched out through the table itself. Cute.

I had the IKEA one as well-- very cute-- and I had a metal balcony railing, so it worked. It was especially nice since I didn't have a whole lot of space, so I could fold the table down when I wasn't using it.

I had that table! Loved it. But I had metal railings. My advice? Get some rustoleum and spray paint the whole thing a fun color - like turquoise. Or red. Or black. Or pale green. I think that may help it look less like an airplane tray table and would add a nice pop of color to your balcony.

Most readers probably aren't old enough to remember Lillian Vernon catalogs, but this is what this table reminds me of. You'd always think, "handy!" but the sheer ugliness of the thing would make actually owning it impossible.

Why not just a tiny metal table with a plant on it most days?

Great idea, but it could be fashioned in a much more attractive way. It reminds me of those bathing benches for old folks. :S

How does it fasten to the railing? If it just hooks over or clamps on, then there is no reason that you have to leave it there when you're not using it. Just fold it flat and store it away.

it just needs some tweeking and it's a great idea!! tablecloth wouldn't hurt!!

More imported plastic and tin junk - No thanks.

I'm with bowenthebeard on this one- someone needs to get a copper piping and wood top fold down table manufactured stat. Plastic is just ugly.

I personally love it, great for us who hardly have any space outside!

We're looking at the same sort of solution, but wished a treated wood surface version was available. DIY time!

innovation when in use, eyesore when not (folded down). Easily fixed with a bit of creativity and ambition, as many other comments have already pointed out.

Love the idea, but really hate plastic. Especially a glaring white!
But I might hang them so that the shelf is outside and then put plants on it. I've been wondering how to put plants on the railing that can't be knocked off by squirrels.

The metal would jar, though. So I'd have to find a good spray paint to cover it.

Actually, metal is pretty functional if you want to use it as a mini-potting table and such in between dinners al fresco and so forth. There is much to be said for something that's easy to sponge off. I've got the little Ikea one, too, and like the flowers stamped in it because it means there's never any standing water on it. I'd go with the suggestions above of, if it bothers you, paint it. I think, though, if you paired two crisp white chairs with it, it would look nice and be a nice contrast with the wood deck.

Astur and jamina1, that IKEA table you're talking about sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. Do you know the model name? Is it something you got recently? Thanks!

This is a GREAT idea.

There is a better folding balcony table on the market now. Its called the Terrace Table.

A much more elegant and functional deck railing table or tray is The-DeckMate - at http://www.the-deckmate.com .