Ways to successfully transform your balcony

April Kennedy April Kennedy
MANUELA 1.0, NIMIO NIMIO Balcones y terrazas de estilo moderno
Loading admin actions …

Escaping the confines of a small apartment and being out on a balcony, however small, can be a great stress release after a day of work. The fresh air of a small garden and the vista of an open sky have the power to improve our mood, health and sense of inner balance. A great balcony, however small, can also endow a small apartment with a sense of spaciousness and bring natural life into the home.

But balconies are often neglected. Perhaps the seating is inadequate or not suitable for the outdoors, the plants difficult to maintain or perhaps the area has even turned into an unattractive storage place. This often happens because we tend to focus on the immediate functionality of kitchens and bathrooms. Prioritising your balcony is often about taking time out for yourself and your general sense of well-being.

So how can you transform your balcony into a natural retreat without creating too much extra work for yourself? Here are a few tips and photos to get you started.

Seating essentials

Hammocks, hanging seats and comfy wicker chairs all evoke memories of being on holiday, beach weather or long afternoons spent lazing about and reading a favourite book. So why not improve your balcony and enjoy those sensations in your own home?

Whatever seating you choose is heavily dependent on the space available, but unless you have folding chairs, anything permanently out on the balcony will need to be very sturdy. Heavy-weight furniture won't blow away during storms or strong winds. The finishes should also be lacquered and weather-resistant because there's nothing worse than lacquer that peels away under the beating sun.

Folding tables

MANUEL 1.0 RED NIMIO Balcones y terrazas de estilo moderno mesa de balcón, mesita, baldosas hidráulicas, mosaicos, balcón, tabla, repisa, handmade, hecho a mano, madrid, afterwork, balda, barandilla, terraza,Mobiliario

As with seating choices, standing tables should obviously be heavy-weight and with hardy finishes to withstand the elements. But while it's best to be as generous as possible with seating, balcony tables can often be a little smaller. With space so tight in many balconies, a folding table can be great. If the space is really small a wall mounted table that can just fold down when not in use. There are even temporary tables available like this by Nimio that can be mounted or hung from a balcony rail when in use.

Lighting options

Balcony lighting is frequently overlooked. Often a harsh single bulb is the sole source of light and this has a dramatic effect on our enjoyment of a potentially wonderful place. As with indoor lighting, key considerations are lighting zones and the potential for layering your lighting to set the mood. Do you need task-based lighting above a barbecue or small table or can you just get away with beautiful, ethereal accent lighting?

The Point Design have used both here, setting the mysterious mood with the accent lighting buried in the foliage while the powerful task-based light hovers above the table.

No outdoor lighting scheme is complete of course without solar lights. These energy efficient wonders have made a massive splash in recent years and come in all sorts of varieties, from lamps, to string lights and fairy lights.

Plants and hanging gardens

A lush garden oasis is a truly wonderful thing to have. Nothing quite takes you out of the workday world like the scent of plants and the colour and variety that wild nature provides. With balconies often being quite small places, one fantastic option is to create a vertical garden wall. The golden tones of wooden cladding can turn an urban balcony into a natural and stylish space.

Balcony gardens can also be very functional. Hanging plants can also be used to create walls of privacy and even the tiniest balcony can contain a mini-herb garden. But if garden maintenance is a concern, choose hardy plants like bamboo or set up self watering systems so your garden is always lush and healthy.

Cushions for lounging about

Even the smallest and simplest balcony can be transformed by the contrast and colour of a stylish cushion. A key consideration is the quality of the material and padding. The cushions should be firm, softly supportive, but also water and fade resistant. The best cushions will dry minutes after a sun-shower and won't easily flatten over time.

Decorate your balcony

Balconies are a place to enjoy the natural elements, so stone sculptures, wind chimes, a fabulous water feature, tea-lights and railing planters all have a home on the humble balcony. 

Try to avoid filling your balcony with large items and consider gathering up a collection of small and beautiful objects.

Balcony storage tips

Finally, the most common problem with many balconies is that they have been ruined by the need to store ungainly items away from heavy traffic areas inside the home. Bikes, toys, pet accessories and gardening equipment end up cluttering your oasis. This is where outdoor furniture can be multifunctional. Keep it simple. If it's absolutely necessary to store a bike here, install a hanging rack or hook halfway up the wall to avoid blocking a walkway. For everything else, a large wooden box as seen here can act as your table while gathering up all the miscellaneous clutter of the balcony. The key is to keep is simple and out of sight.

Clutter-free, the sound of chimes, the heady scent of plants, fresh air and the open sky will all turn the most humble little balcony into an oasis full of charm.

If you enjoyed this, check out: How can I redecorate my apartment in only one weekend?

¿Necesitas ayuda con tu proyecto?
¡Contáctanos!

Destacados de nuestra revista