Ideas we Love: 29 Cosy, Compact Balconies in the City
Rain or shine, these pockets of outdoor space are a little green, personal escape for urban residences
Sifting through over 14,000 balcony photos on Houzz, looking for the cosiest balconies, some observations stood out:
With that said, let’s start with our own cosy, liveable balconies:
- The Swedes really know how to maximise that tiny space so that it feels more like a living (or lounging) area, despite them having the least number of hours of sunlight to bask in. Spanish and Singaporean homeowners are catching up, however!
- Speaking of countries with little sunlight to bask in: some have harsh weather conditions that demand flexible enclosures such as double glazed glass panels (to protect from wind and snow). While these may seasonally hamper cross-ventilation, these glass panels could also be useful in keeping out rain and dust… and the occasional haze.
- Homeowners are learning to move away from synthetic wicker outdoor furniture (although there are still some, the good ones are accessorised with cushions and throws that give a cosier, more custom feel), and actually treating the balcony as an extension of their interior spaces.
With that said, let’s start with our own cosy, liveable balconies:
2.
Location: Singapore
Why we love it: Not all apartments will have the luxury of marble flooring for both its interior and exterior spaces; this apartment does. This is one of the reasons that the indoor-outdoor transition is seamless, which is why we love this space. Another device that makes the transition seamless is the choice of indoor furniture, particularly the dining chairs. They have a similar silhouette as the outdoor furniture (the rocking chairs) – they’ve both got contemporary curves and skinny legs; and the pastel palette carries from indoors (pale pink) to outdoors (pale blue-grey).
Location: Singapore
Why we love it: Not all apartments will have the luxury of marble flooring for both its interior and exterior spaces; this apartment does. This is one of the reasons that the indoor-outdoor transition is seamless, which is why we love this space. Another device that makes the transition seamless is the choice of indoor furniture, particularly the dining chairs. They have a similar silhouette as the outdoor furniture (the rocking chairs) – they’ve both got contemporary curves and skinny legs; and the pastel palette carries from indoors (pale pink) to outdoors (pale blue-grey).
3.
Location: Singapore
Why we love it: Timber flooring exudes an indoor space feel, or a resort ambience. This balcony benefits by having its bare flooring covered by marine-treated timber planks. If you have qualms about installing timber flooring on your balcony, try out synthetic wood modules first. The foot-feel may not be as cosy, but it’s a lot more comfortable than pebble wash or other outdoor pavement finishes.
Location: Singapore
Why we love it: Timber flooring exudes an indoor space feel, or a resort ambience. This balcony benefits by having its bare flooring covered by marine-treated timber planks. If you have qualms about installing timber flooring on your balcony, try out synthetic wood modules first. The foot-feel may not be as cosy, but it’s a lot more comfortable than pebble wash or other outdoor pavement finishes.
4.
Location: Singapore
Why we love it: To be honest, it’s the location of this balcony that got our attention! Looking out to Orchard Road, it’s got the best of both worlds – the hustle and bustle of being in heart of the commercial district, and the quiet of being high above that traffic (human and otherwise). It also helps that the balcony features a little strip of ‘grass’ (perfect putting green for a golf enthusiast) and is equipped with a sink for outdoor entertaining.
Location: Singapore
Why we love it: To be honest, it’s the location of this balcony that got our attention! Looking out to Orchard Road, it’s got the best of both worlds – the hustle and bustle of being in heart of the commercial district, and the quiet of being high above that traffic (human and otherwise). It also helps that the balcony features a little strip of ‘grass’ (perfect putting green for a golf enthusiast) and is equipped with a sink for outdoor entertaining.
5.
Location: Madrid, Spain
Why we love it: Who says you can’t squeeze lounge furniture into a small balcony? Even if you have to walk sideways to get to the sofa, having a spot to chill and enjoy the skyline – whether it’s with a glass of sangria or a cup of tea – with company is so much better than relegating the space for drying laundry!
Photo by Raul Palma
Location: Madrid, Spain
Why we love it: Who says you can’t squeeze lounge furniture into a small balcony? Even if you have to walk sideways to get to the sofa, having a spot to chill and enjoy the skyline – whether it’s with a glass of sangria or a cup of tea – with company is so much better than relegating the space for drying laundry!
Photo by Raul Palma
6.
Location: California, USA
Why we love it: This Scandi-styled balcony is actually in San Francisco, so there’s more reason to enjoy the outdoors. With a cosy rug underfoot, a small side table to hold your cuppa, and lots of cushions to make the seat comfortable, who wouldn’t want to soak in the California sun all the time?
Location: California, USA
Why we love it: This Scandi-styled balcony is actually in San Francisco, so there’s more reason to enjoy the outdoors. With a cosy rug underfoot, a small side table to hold your cuppa, and lots of cushions to make the seat comfortable, who wouldn’t want to soak in the California sun all the time?
7.
Location: Granada, Spain
Why we love it: How festive is this Spanish balcony? And it’s so easy to replicate: A strip of turf as a little green rug that creates an invitation to picnic, a seat made of cushions over a wooden pallet, wicker ottomans from Ikea, cushions, throws and fairy lights!
Photo by Ángelo Rodríguez
Location: Granada, Spain
Why we love it: How festive is this Spanish balcony? And it’s so easy to replicate: A strip of turf as a little green rug that creates an invitation to picnic, a seat made of cushions over a wooden pallet, wicker ottomans from Ikea, cushions, throws and fairy lights!
Photo by Ángelo Rodríguez
8.
Location: Surat, India
Why we love it: A feature wall of terracotta tiles brings warmth and colour to the balcony; it also echoes the feature walls inside the apartment for a seamless indoor-outdoor feel.
Location: Surat, India
Why we love it: A feature wall of terracotta tiles brings warmth and colour to the balcony; it also echoes the feature walls inside the apartment for a seamless indoor-outdoor feel.
9.
Location: Madrid, Spain
Why we love it: A planter box of bamboo brings contrasting colour and a Zen feel to this balcony’s hot pink sofa.
Take a page from the layout of this compact space: by having the sofa backed against the apartment’s glass walls, there’s more space to kick back and put your feet up on the side tables to watch the sunset.
Location: Madrid, Spain
Why we love it: A planter box of bamboo brings contrasting colour and a Zen feel to this balcony’s hot pink sofa.
Take a page from the layout of this compact space: by having the sofa backed against the apartment’s glass walls, there’s more space to kick back and put your feet up on the side tables to watch the sunset.
10.
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Why we love it: Here’s another balcony where the furniture initially appears to take over the space. That’s OK – what’s more important is that you can access it, and then lounge on it. This looks like a perfect spot to cuddle up with a good book and a tall refreshing drink.
Below is a closer look at how cramped – yet how cosy! – the furniture looks in the corner of the balcony.
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Why we love it: Here’s another balcony where the furniture initially appears to take over the space. That’s OK – what’s more important is that you can access it, and then lounge on it. This looks like a perfect spot to cuddle up with a good book and a tall refreshing drink.
Below is a closer look at how cramped – yet how cosy! – the furniture looks in the corner of the balcony.
11.
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Why we love it: This rooftop escape even has a barbecue!
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Why we love it: This rooftop escape even has a barbecue!
12.
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Why we love it: Here’s another Swedish balcony where the furniture – a modular sofa – extends from end to end, occupying most of the balcony space. Yet, it still offers cosy seating, and is perfect even for entertaining.
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Why we love it: Here’s another Swedish balcony where the furniture – a modular sofa – extends from end to end, occupying most of the balcony space. Yet, it still offers cosy seating, and is perfect even for entertaining.
13.
Location: Hong Kong
Why we love it: I’m not a fan of pebble wash flooring for its foot-feel, but this white-on-white-on-white balcony makes up for it! The lightweight contemporary outdoor furniture gives off a modern Mediterranean resort vibe, while the grillework adds a sleek Art Deco contrast.
Photo by Steven Ko
Location: Hong Kong
Why we love it: I’m not a fan of pebble wash flooring for its foot-feel, but this white-on-white-on-white balcony makes up for it! The lightweight contemporary outdoor furniture gives off a modern Mediterranean resort vibe, while the grillework adds a sleek Art Deco contrast.
Photo by Steven Ko
14.
Location: Delhi, India
Why we love it: This lush balcony with its green walls and floor seats says “Rock the Kasbah” in such a cool way.
Location: Delhi, India
Why we love it: This lush balcony with its green walls and floor seats says “Rock the Kasbah” in such a cool way.
15.
Location: Sydney, Australia
Why we love it: Cosy, comfortable outdoor seating needn’t be chunky or take up a lot of space, as this balcony demonstrates!
Location: Sydney, Australia
Why we love it: Cosy, comfortable outdoor seating needn’t be chunky or take up a lot of space, as this balcony demonstrates!
16.
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Why we love it: This balcony is ready to party – there’s a designer ice box underneath the console, and enough seating for a small group, thanks to the bench and stool-cum-side table. Take a look at the photo below to see how small this little outdoor space is.
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Why we love it: This balcony is ready to party – there’s a designer ice box underneath the console, and enough seating for a small group, thanks to the bench and stool-cum-side table. Take a look at the photo below to see how small this little outdoor space is.
Photos by Tracey Ayton Photography
17.
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Why we love it: Because of its climate-sensitive features, this balcony seems more like an indoor space than an outdoor one. It even has similar flooring as the interior space – although the outdoor decking appears to be synthetic or engineered wood. What gives it a more outdoors feel is the clever use of the fossilised wood sculpture and vase of bare branches flanking the seating.
Photo by Michael Pfeiffer Fotografie
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Why we love it: Because of its climate-sensitive features, this balcony seems more like an indoor space than an outdoor one. It even has similar flooring as the interior space – although the outdoor decking appears to be synthetic or engineered wood. What gives it a more outdoors feel is the clever use of the fossilised wood sculpture and vase of bare branches flanking the seating.
Photo by Michael Pfeiffer Fotografie
18.
Location: Delhi, India
Why we love it: Not all city balconies can have a stunning skyline view, and not all city dwellers enjoy the openness of a balcony. This grilled enclosure is the perfect solution. Its design even allows you to hang potted plants all around it. To keep it from feeling like a bird cage, colourful outdoor furniture, including a swing, have been used.
Location: Delhi, India
Why we love it: Not all city balconies can have a stunning skyline view, and not all city dwellers enjoy the openness of a balcony. This grilled enclosure is the perfect solution. Its design even allows you to hang potted plants all around it. To keep it from feeling like a bird cage, colourful outdoor furniture, including a swing, have been used.
19.
Location: Surgut, Russia
Why we love it: Because there are glass panels to protect this balcony from the harsh elements, it’s easy to place furniture you’d normally only use for the interiors in this space. It’s more a sun room than an outdoor area, and these rocking armchairs are ideal for soaking in the sun.
Location: Surgut, Russia
Why we love it: Because there are glass panels to protect this balcony from the harsh elements, it’s easy to place furniture you’d normally only use for the interiors in this space. It’s more a sun room than an outdoor area, and these rocking armchairs are ideal for soaking in the sun.
20.
Location: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Why we love it: You’ll have to walk sideways to move around this tiny balcony, because priority has been given to providing generously-sized seats. After all, you’ll spend more time in them than in moving around! To brighten things, bold colour has been used on the tiles and the furniture.
Location: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Why we love it: You’ll have to walk sideways to move around this tiny balcony, because priority has been given to providing generously-sized seats. After all, you’ll spend more time in them than in moving around! To brighten things, bold colour has been used on the tiles and the furniture.
21.
Location: Moscow, Russia
Why we love it: Here’s another balcony that seems more like an indoor space because of its climate-sensitive design. Enjoy the view – and your cuppa – on a bubble chair, often used indoors.
Photo by Сорокина Юлия
Location: Moscow, Russia
Why we love it: Here’s another balcony that seems more like an indoor space because of its climate-sensitive design. Enjoy the view – and your cuppa – on a bubble chair, often used indoors.
Photo by Сорокина Юлия
22.
Location: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Why we love it: Most Russian balconies can really function as indoor spaces – here it’s a breakfast area with a bean bag for cuddles with kitty.
Photo by Anna Chernyshova, Ekaterina Titenko
Location: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Why we love it: Most Russian balconies can really function as indoor spaces – here it’s a breakfast area with a bean bag for cuddles with kitty.
Photo by Anna Chernyshova, Ekaterina Titenko
23.
Location: Madrid, Spain
Why we love it: Outdoor furniture doesn’t have to be elbow-deep in cushions to be comfortable. Woven seats like these cradle your body nicely, so you can enjoy the outdoors even in warmer weather. A side table that doubles as a stool can be moved closer if you’re reading a book with your cuppa, or moved away if you have company and want to fit in more people.
Location: Madrid, Spain
Why we love it: Outdoor furniture doesn’t have to be elbow-deep in cushions to be comfortable. Woven seats like these cradle your body nicely, so you can enjoy the outdoors even in warmer weather. A side table that doubles as a stool can be moved closer if you’re reading a book with your cuppa, or moved away if you have company and want to fit in more people.
24.
Location: Madrid, Spain
Why we love it: A metal screen provides a little privacy if you prefer a more intimate balcony setting. It’s even a good feature to hang potted plants or fairy lights from.
Location: Madrid, Spain
Why we love it: A metal screen provides a little privacy if you prefer a more intimate balcony setting. It’s even a good feature to hang potted plants or fairy lights from.
25.
Location: Stochkolm, Sweden
Why we love it: This Swedish balcony is set up with a sun lounger and a little outdoor dining set for two, so you can spend a sunny day ‘out’ without leaving your home. An outdoor rug softens the concrete flooring, and of course, cushions and throws add cosiness.
Location: Stochkolm, Sweden
Why we love it: This Swedish balcony is set up with a sun lounger and a little outdoor dining set for two, so you can spend a sunny day ‘out’ without leaving your home. An outdoor rug softens the concrete flooring, and of course, cushions and throws add cosiness.
26.
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Why we love it: I don’t particularly like beanbags, but these look so stylish and well-paired with the black cladding and railing of this balcony.
Photo by Johan Spinnell
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Why we love it: I don’t particularly like beanbags, but these look so stylish and well-paired with the black cladding and railing of this balcony.
Photo by Johan Spinnell
27.
Location: London, England
Why we love it: Glass louvres protect this balcony from London’s wet weather, but it’s clear that this space is well-used and enjoyed. There are two pockets of seating, with the outdoor lounges on the forefront, and acapulco chairs at back. It’s also nice that this space is decorated like a living room interior, complete with area rug, coffee table and ambient lighting.
Photo by Andy Rose Photography
Location: London, England
Why we love it: Glass louvres protect this balcony from London’s wet weather, but it’s clear that this space is well-used and enjoyed. There are two pockets of seating, with the outdoor lounges on the forefront, and acapulco chairs at back. It’s also nice that this space is decorated like a living room interior, complete with area rug, coffee table and ambient lighting.
Photo by Andy Rose Photography
28.
Location: London, England
Why we love it: Butterfly chairs are great for small balconies because they’re compact, usually washable or made with weatherproof fabric, and lightweight. They might not be comfortable for everyone, but we love their eternal summer vibe anyway.
Photo by Jack Hobhouse
Location: London, England
Why we love it: Butterfly chairs are great for small balconies because they’re compact, usually washable or made with weatherproof fabric, and lightweight. They might not be comfortable for everyone, but we love their eternal summer vibe anyway.
Photo by Jack Hobhouse
29.
Location: London, England
Why we love it: According to this home’s project background, the homeowner wanted it to have a “outside inside feel”, that is, to bring the outdoors in. Thus the furniture indoors is similar to those in the balcony, and there are planter boxers everywhere. This brief also translated to the balcony being set up as a space the homeowner would use often – for dining.
Photo by Adam Letch
TELL US
What do you think of these urban balconies? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Location: London, England
Why we love it: According to this home’s project background, the homeowner wanted it to have a “outside inside feel”, that is, to bring the outdoors in. Thus the furniture indoors is similar to those in the balcony, and there are planter boxers everywhere. This brief also translated to the balcony being set up as a space the homeowner would use often – for dining.
Photo by Adam Letch
TELL US
What do you think of these urban balconies? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Location: Singapore
Why we love it: Outdoor materials such as weatherproof fabrics aside, this balcony has been styled as a living area, with armchairs and a two-seater sofa, and other pockets of seating. It’s rather generously sized for an apartment balcony (as a daybed even fits) but it’s a good lesson to keep in mind when decorating an outdoor space: Treat it as you would an indoor living room, and you’ll use it like a living room. Care has been taken to match the cushions with the rug, to add contrasting colour, and even to supplement the general lighting (overhead) with ambient lighting via hurricane lamps.