Dos and Don'ts of Teensy Balconies
The smaller your balcony is, the stricter you must be to ensure it's a practical yet pretty outdoor space
Let’s face it, if your pint-sized balcony doesn’t have the space to swing a handbag, let alone a cat, then you need to think practically about getting the best from this tight spot. Get to know the dos and don’ts of tiny balconies below and find inspiration from the following space-smart schemes.
DO opt for slim, lightweight furniture
There’s nothing worse than feeling enclosed when you’re already in a tight area, so choosing the correct furniture for a teeny balcony that is going to encourage a sense of space and movement is key. Hunt out lightweight chairs with a slim frame that are easy to shift around and won’t clutter the balcony with bulky legs. Using see-through seating, like cane or mesh, is also a handy visual trick for expanding the sense of space.
Browse more inspiring balconies
There’s nothing worse than feeling enclosed when you’re already in a tight area, so choosing the correct furniture for a teeny balcony that is going to encourage a sense of space and movement is key. Hunt out lightweight chairs with a slim frame that are easy to shift around and won’t clutter the balcony with bulky legs. Using see-through seating, like cane or mesh, is also a handy visual trick for expanding the sense of space.
Browse more inspiring balconies
DON’T over clutter the space
Furniture that sacrifices leg room is a no-go. There’s no point feeling squashed and squeezed just so you can have that luxurious corner seating, so drop the romantic ideas and go for a more practical bench that you can team with folding or stackable chairs for guests. You can still pretty the space up with cushions and pots, but stick to furniture that is in proportion to the small-scale area.
Furniture that sacrifices leg room is a no-go. There’s no point feeling squashed and squeezed just so you can have that luxurious corner seating, so drop the romantic ideas and go for a more practical bench that you can team with folding or stackable chairs for guests. You can still pretty the space up with cushions and pots, but stick to furniture that is in proportion to the small-scale area.
DO consider a bench
Admittedly this balcony is not on the incredibly small side, however, it demonstrates how dining furniture can work in a compact area. Benches, instead of dining chairs, are the secret as they can be slipped underneath the table allowing more space to manoeuvre.
Admittedly this balcony is not on the incredibly small side, however, it demonstrates how dining furniture can work in a compact area. Benches, instead of dining chairs, are the secret as they can be slipped underneath the table allowing more space to manoeuvre.
DON’T forget the floor
When you barely have enough space to step outside, you are immediately limited with your options. If there’s no room for any seating, make the flooring the feature. Faux grass is a winner for balconies as it provides a comfy surface for bare feet and doesn’t heat up in the sun like tiled floors. Attach pots to the walls so they don’t take up any valuable floor space, and stick to white walls so the area feels bright and airy.
10 Places Where Artificial Turf Makes Practical Sense
When you barely have enough space to step outside, you are immediately limited with your options. If there’s no room for any seating, make the flooring the feature. Faux grass is a winner for balconies as it provides a comfy surface for bare feet and doesn’t heat up in the sun like tiled floors. Attach pots to the walls so they don’t take up any valuable floor space, and stick to white walls so the area feels bright and airy.
10 Places Where Artificial Turf Makes Practical Sense
Essentially, don’t lose sight of your balcony’s purpose. If you’ve created a cosy reading nook, don’t ruin the tranquility by busying the space with unnecessary decorative items. Leave this for inside where you have the room to enjoy them from a distance.
DO distract with pattern
Rugs or runners most definitely have a place on the balcony as they help to soften the boundaries between inside and out. If you’ve a long, narrow space, stripes are going to elongate and lengthen, while other patterns, such as chevrons or dots, will be an eye-catching distraction from the tight fit.
Rugs or runners most definitely have a place on the balcony as they help to soften the boundaries between inside and out. If you’ve a long, narrow space, stripes are going to elongate and lengthen, while other patterns, such as chevrons or dots, will be an eye-catching distraction from the tight fit.
DON’T go minimalist for the sake of it
Sticking to a bland and empty balcony might send a message that you’re lacking in style ideas, so if you’re going to stick with a minimal vibe, ensure you have at least one standout piece on the balcony that’s going to make it feel like part of your home.
Sticking to a bland and empty balcony might send a message that you’re lacking in style ideas, so if you’re going to stick with a minimal vibe, ensure you have at least one standout piece on the balcony that’s going to make it feel like part of your home.
DO mix up low shrubs with tall plants
Combine low plants with a few taller ones to encourage the focus towards the top of the balcony and beyond. If you’re lucky enough to overlook trees and shrubbery then your own plants will merge with the greenery, blurring the boundaries and making it less obvious where your small space stops and the view begins.
Combine low plants with a few taller ones to encourage the focus towards the top of the balcony and beyond. If you’re lucky enough to overlook trees and shrubbery then your own plants will merge with the greenery, blurring the boundaries and making it less obvious where your small space stops and the view begins.
DO beware the wide legged chair
They might be an iconic design and bang on trend, but the Acapulco chair has a wide, three-legged base that will eat up space from your itsy-bitsy balcony. So unless you’re happy to sacrifice squeezing in anything else, give these chairs a wide berth and opt for a slimmer, more upright style instead.
They might be an iconic design and bang on trend, but the Acapulco chair has a wide, three-legged base that will eat up space from your itsy-bitsy balcony. So unless you’re happy to sacrifice squeezing in anything else, give these chairs a wide berth and opt for a slimmer, more upright style instead.
But if you are adamant on having an iconic piece, consider a Hanging Egg chair so at least the floor space is free and there’s a feeling of room around it. Its see-through design also allows any stunning views to be enjoyed from all angles.
If you do nothing else on your postage stamp of a balcony, pop in a small stool that can double as side table for a cool drink. It’s really all you need to make a petit retreat perfect.
TELL US
How have you made the most of your teeny balcony? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
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TELL US
How have you made the most of your teeny balcony? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
MORE
16 Ways to Take Your Balcony to the Next Level
10 Great Ideas to Dress Up Your Rental Apartment’s Small Balcony
It’s all good trying to squeeze in an alfresco eating area, some luxurious seating or a few pot plants, but if the balcony is cluttered, it’s not going to work as a useable space. So think realistically about how the area is going to function. Could it be a simple reading spot or a perch for a morning coffee? Or maybe you just want to grow some herbs? Defining your balcony’s purpose from the start will help you hone in on what will work and what won’t before you start making any costly purchases you might regret.