You can screen an overlooked balcony without drilling a single hole. The four proven methods are zip-tying hedge panels or ivy rolls to the balustrade, standing freestanding hedges in weighted planters, extending an expandable trellis along the railing line, and grouping planter greenery at sight lines. All four are fully reversible, which is what renters and most HOAs require.
Option 1: Zip-tie panels to the balustrade
If your balcony has open railing, this is the fastest route. Hold the panel against the inside of the balustrade and fix through the rear grid with UV-rated zip ties roughly every 10 to 12 inches, top edge first, then middle and bottom so nothing sags. Use UV-rated ties, not standard hardware-store nylon; ordinary ties go brittle in the sun within a season while UV ties last for years. We stock 10-inch UV zip ties in 100 packs for exactly this job. Ivy rolls from the ivy roll range fix the same way and follow curved railings more easily than rigid panels.
Option 2: Freestanding hedges
Where the balustrade is solid glass or concrete and there is nothing to tie to, a freestanding hedge does the work. Our portable artificial hedges come in 6 ft and 7.5 ft heights and slot into a weighted planter base; the metal planter versions with wheels roll aside when you want the view back. Nothing touches the building fabric at all.
Option 3: Expandable trellis
An expandable faux trellis stretches and contracts like a concertina, so one 72" x 36" unit covers a variable run of railing and ties on at each end. It is the lightest-weight option, useful on balconies with strict load limits.
Wind, weight and HOA notes
Balconies funnel wind. Solid foliage panels catch more of it than open ivy rolls, so on exposed high floors either choose the roll format or add extra ties at the panel corners. Keep everything inside the balustrade line; most HOA rules concern items projecting beyond or above the railing, and greenery mounted on the inside face rarely raises an objection. For choosing foliage styles by scenario, see best artificial hedges for privacy, and find more guides in the Expert Tips and Guides hub.