While the sweltering temperature outside might urge you to not leave the cool comfort of your home, a well-done balcony can be the perfect space where you can lounge, relax and enjoy a fine summer evening with a good book and a pitcher of lemonade. Extending the theme of your indoor décor or creating a quirky theme for your balcony will enhance the beauty of your home.Here are some ideas that will help you customise your balcony to make it your favourite part of the home.
Picking a theme
Want to continue the elegant theme used indoors onto your balcony or want to create a totally different space that takes you to another world? Picking a theme that works for you the best is of importance. Whether you intend to make your space a personal haven or make it your semi-formal lounge to entertain your friends, whether you want to make it a quirky green nook or a pretty semi open space that would be perfect for a candle lit date, pick a theme that will make your balcony more than just another under-used space.
Picking the right furniture
Using easy to clean and light weight furniture that fits just fine in the available space is important. From converting old wooden boxes or trunks into seats to using swings or hammocks or going with the conventional sturdy wrought iron or cane furniture, there are any number of options that you can resort to.Breaking away from buying function specific furniture and converting an existing piece of furniture or storage into a balcony friendly furniture will give the space an edge. Use a shoe rack or a multi utilitarian storage rack &line it up with potted plants that will add a soothing touch to the balcony.
Safe savers
The limited space on the balcony is one of the biggest hindrances in making it more user-friendly, hence use foldable furniture and tables. Hand rail perches like tea-light holders, plant holders etc.are extremely chic and user-friendly. Using trunks as seating that can also be used to store away essentials is another good idea. Saving up the surface area by using hanging plants and creepers is another great way to make the best of what’s available.
Going green
You can turn your balcony into a little green sanctuary. Using easy to maintain plants teamed with a few colourful flower bearing ones finished off with sturdy metallic furniture or light cane seating is a design idea that rarely goes wrong.
Throw in some creepers to adorn your railings and walls and you can quirk up your space by turning old ceramics, used tins etc. into tiny plant holders or to build bird nests to attract the winged visitors. With abundant wall mounted gardening accessories and light accessories available, you can now have that garden that you’ve always wanted.
Light it right
Lighting accessories are an absolute essential to complete your perfect balcony. From using tea light holders to create a romantic candle lit evening to using garden accessories to go with your green haven, using fairy lights to create an ethereal setup and using good old lamp shades alongside traditional furniture, take a pick from myriad lighting options to suit the theme you have chosen.
Accessorize!
No, it’s not just your ensemble that is complete with the right accessories; put on your thinking caps and select that accessory that goes with your balcony décor! From using classic lamp shades and elegant hanging hooks for plants or colourful ceramic and tin pots to teaming your wall mounted plants with colourful murals and metallic art work, there is a large variety of accessories that you can find very easy to adorn your balcony. Remember all those souvenirs that you have collected during your escapades? Your balcony is the best place to show them off!Reusing wooden storage boxes, throwing in comfy cushions, placing those elegant candles and lacing your railing with fairy lights – these are just a few ideas that can get you started on the expansive ways to accessorise your tailor made space.
The utilitarian balcony
If you are an avid bibliophile or a nature lover who loves working outdoors – convert a part of your balcony into a reading nook or your work space while opening up the rest to your whim and fancy! Your balcony can be your own customised work nook.
Love terrace lounges? Why not convert your own little balcony into your private outdoor dining area? From using it as a weekend alternate dining area for a lazy brunch to a fine dinner date, team the good old wrought iron table with mismatched chairs or use a miniature dining table outdoors and go all the way with candles and the like to have your own semi open dining area.
Love entertaining your friends? Why not convert your balcony into the perfect barbeque lounge complete with a barbeque, a tiny kitchenette and lazy furniture making the perfect spot for a small gathering? Another option that the perfect hostess can resort to is to convert your balcony into a semi open mini-bar complete with lounge furniture to create the perfect spill out for your parties!