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8 Creative Ways to Dress Up a Balcony
Make your outdoor space more functional and comfortable, no matter how limited the footprint
Verlaine Marquez
21 May 2016
Houzz Singapore Contributor. Former editor for a home and design magazine for five years, and now a full-time freelance writer for various online and print publications for the past decade and counting. Part-time crafter, wannabe gardener, and breast cancer thriver.
Houzz Singapore Contributor. Former editor for a home and design magazine for five... More
If you’ve been blessed with a balcony, don’t leave it drab and lacking in style. Think of your balcony as an extension of your indoor space, so it’s important to consider how you want to use it in relation with your interiors. It also serves as a link to the outdoors, so bring in that refreshing outdoor feel as much as you possibly can.
Take advantage of your balcony’s potential to be a small gardening nook, an added entertaining area, or a tiny hideaway where you can relax and rejuvenate. See how you can spruce up and make the most of your little outdoor oasis with these decorating tips.
Take advantage of your balcony’s potential to be a small gardening nook, an added entertaining area, or a tiny hideaway where you can relax and rejuvenate. See how you can spruce up and make the most of your little outdoor oasis with these decorating tips.
1. Transform it into a ‘garden in the sky’
No backyard? No problem. Balcony gardening has become popular in recent years. Grow flowering plants, herbs or evergreen shrubs in pots and planter boxes around a cosy lounging space. For example, designer Kelvin Teo of Space Sense Studio chose natural elements – bricks, real grass, stone pavers and potted plants – to create a relaxing setting in this balcony. The frameless glass parapet around the perimeter also affords the homeowners the best view of the city.
No backyard? No problem. Balcony gardening has become popular in recent years. Grow flowering plants, herbs or evergreen shrubs in pots and planter boxes around a cosy lounging space. For example, designer Kelvin Teo of Space Sense Studio chose natural elements – bricks, real grass, stone pavers and potted plants – to create a relaxing setting in this balcony. The frameless glass parapet around the perimeter also affords the homeowners the best view of the city.
2. Add a patch of green
If you’re daunted by the upkeep of real grass, you can lay a strip of artificial turf instead. This low-maintenance substitute is a great way to bring in some greenery to your space, minus the gardening work.
Designer Clive Tan of Living Gaia Interior divided this balcony into two areas: a garden with artificial turf, and a sitting area on chengal decking. A roof and roller shades were also installed to protect against weather elements.
How to grow a container garden
If you’re daunted by the upkeep of real grass, you can lay a strip of artificial turf instead. This low-maintenance substitute is a great way to bring in some greenery to your space, minus the gardening work.
Designer Clive Tan of Living Gaia Interior divided this balcony into two areas: a garden with artificial turf, and a sitting area on chengal decking. A roof and roller shades were also installed to protect against weather elements.
How to grow a container garden
3. Create double-duty seating with storage
Having a long storage bench not only creates additional stylish entertaining space, but also helps solve your storage woes (because frankly, who doesn’t need more space to stow stuff in?). This Sydney home’s balcony has essentially become another functional yet chic room with its L-shaped bench seat with hinged lids, mismatched pillows, and a centre table with graphic floral print.
A tiny balcony can still fit a smaller storage option, such as a chest. The same rule applies: make it more comfortable by topping it with a seat cushion and/or stacking throw pillows. Add a side table if space still allows for it.
Having a long storage bench not only creates additional stylish entertaining space, but also helps solve your storage woes (because frankly, who doesn’t need more space to stow stuff in?). This Sydney home’s balcony has essentially become another functional yet chic room with its L-shaped bench seat with hinged lids, mismatched pillows, and a centre table with graphic floral print.
A tiny balcony can still fit a smaller storage option, such as a chest. The same rule applies: make it more comfortable by topping it with a seat cushion and/or stacking throw pillows. Add a side table if space still allows for it.
4. Make use of vertical space
There’s no space too small to get growing these days. Utilise a blank wall in your balcony to mount hanging gardens. You can construct a shelving unit from recycled wood pallets, as well as hang plants in tin cans, plastic bottles or small ceramic jars.
There’s no space too small to get growing these days. Utilise a blank wall in your balcony to mount hanging gardens. You can construct a shelving unit from recycled wood pallets, as well as hang plants in tin cans, plastic bottles or small ceramic jars.
Aside from a vertical garden, you can also use walls for added storage. An open shelving unit can serve as both practical storage and display area for accessories. You can close off the shelves with tempered glass or polycarbonate panel doors for added protection.
5. Bring an alfresco vibe to mealtimes
Free up your main living space by locating the dining area in your balcony. Eating with a view will definitely take the dining experience up a notch. In this balcony styled by Arete Culture, the dining set is surrounded by plants to provide a sense of privacy while enhancing the outdoor feel that the homeowners wanted. The soft folds of the white cloth hanging from the ceiling and the rattan lanterns add an ethereal detail to the space, and a cocooning feel especially at night.
Free up your main living space by locating the dining area in your balcony. Eating with a view will definitely take the dining experience up a notch. In this balcony styled by Arete Culture, the dining set is surrounded by plants to provide a sense of privacy while enhancing the outdoor feel that the homeowners wanted. The soft folds of the white cloth hanging from the ceiling and the rattan lanterns add an ethereal detail to the space, and a cocooning feel especially at night.
6. Set up a mini bar
This is another space-saving way to boost your entertaining cred. Make use of the balcony railing to build a bar counter, so you can wine and dine with a great view. To further save on space, place drinks, glasses and other essentials in a mobile cart or shelf.
This is another space-saving way to boost your entertaining cred. Make use of the balcony railing to build a bar counter, so you can wine and dine with a great view. To further save on space, place drinks, glasses and other essentials in a mobile cart or shelf.
7. Go bold and bright
Adding vibrant colours and patterns is a surefire way to jazz up your balcony. This simple arrangement of a bright orange metal glider sofa, a quirky side table and an outdoor rug with big prints enliven this narrow balcony.
Furnishing ideas for your balcony
Adding vibrant colours and patterns is a surefire way to jazz up your balcony. This simple arrangement of a bright orange metal glider sofa, a quirky side table and an outdoor rug with big prints enliven this narrow balcony.
Furnishing ideas for your balcony
8. Choose interesting seating
Sometimes all you need is a single unique piece to turn a compact space into a chill-out haven, especially if you only have room for one chair. This swing chair fits the bill; it’s a great place to curl up in with a book or enjoy an afternoon nap.
TELL US
What do you plan to do with your balcony? Share in the Comments below.
MORE
See refreshing Singapore balconies
Great ideas for tiny balconies
Find a local landscape professional to design your balcony garden
Sometimes all you need is a single unique piece to turn a compact space into a chill-out haven, especially if you only have room for one chair. This swing chair fits the bill; it’s a great place to curl up in with a book or enjoy an afternoon nap.
TELL US
What do you plan to do with your balcony? Share in the Comments below.
MORE
See refreshing Singapore balconies
Great ideas for tiny balconies
Find a local landscape professional to design your balcony garden
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