Does your apartment balcony look like a warehouse for unused objects? Do you want to enhance its appearance? When renting an apartment, determining the use of a balcony can sometimes be a challenge. As a result, many people leave their balcony empty or just use it as a place to put bicycles and milk cans. While it may seem difficult at first, even the smallest balcony can be turned into a comfortable lounge area with simple benches, plants, and a little imagination.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Understanding the Balcony Room
Step 1. A small balcony is a big challenge
What would your balcony look like: a small square, or narrow and elongated? Closed, half closed, or open? With paneled or cement-coated floors? Knowing this can help you determine which furniture, plants, and decorations do and don't match. Placing a wide bench on a narrow balcony will not leave enough room for you to put other objects.
One of the guidelines to consider is to use furniture that resembles the shape of a balcony
Step 2. Consider what you want
Do you prefer visual displays, a place to barbecue, or a place to relax and chat? Small balconies don't allow you to get all of them, so you have to choose the most important one.
Step 3. Pay attention to the rules
Building owners or building managers certainly have rules regarding the use of balconies. For example, many apartments prohibit the use of charcoal barbecue.
Step 4. Get to know your neighbors
Consider your neighbors when planning your lounging area on the balcony. You may enjoy a bonsai plant on the balcony, but your downstairs neighbor may not like the sight of dripping water on the balcony he keeps dry or in his baby's play area.
Method 2 of 3: Building a Lounge
A Garden that Refreshes the View
Step 1. Enjoy the beauty of nature
If your balcony is very small, consider turning it into a flower and herb garden. Grow a variety of colorful perennials, seasonal and shrubs, and herbs that you can use in your kitchen. Prepare a bench that is strong enough along with comfortable pillows so you can sit back and enjoy this private garden.
Step 2. Arrange the plants
Place plants that require higher sunlight, and place plants that require shade protection at the bottom. Place large herbs such as rosemary or tomatoes in the corner of the balcony.
Step 3. Keep your garden fresh
Be sure to water, fertilize, and trim the plant regularly. That way it will still look beautiful!
Step 4. Make sure to position your plants stable so they don't fall down easily if you live upstairs
Cozy Relaxing Place
Step 1. Sit back, relax and enjoy the view from the balcony
One of the easiest ways to make your balcony more comfortable is to place a bench or two and a small table. That way, you can sit and admire the view from there, have a casual chat, or just enjoy an afternoon snack.
Step 2. Adjust the size of the bench to the balcony
If your balcony is narrow and elongated, consider placing a park bench, multifunction bench, or swing, and complete it with a small table for drinks, books, glasses, tan lotion, and other equipment.
Step 3. Add flowers, plants, and herbs if there is still usable room
Although not the main focus of the balcony, plants will provide a colorful personal touch that makes the balcony look more attractive and comfortable.
Step 4. Add lighting
There are several options that you can choose in this step. If an electrical outlet is available on the balcony, consider purchasing a reasonably priced garden light at a hardware store, and supplementing it with a low-power bulb with a warm, pleasing glow to the eyes. You can also buy small twinkling lights to hang around the balcony and make it even more interesting. If there is no power line on your balcony, use candles as a light source in this relaxing place. Just make sure you are allowed to use candles by the building manager, and always extinguish them before leaving the balcony.
Step 5. Be sure to buy furniture that can fit into the interior of the apartment, unless your balcony is completely covered
You don't want the benches to get wet, do you?
Male "nest"
Step 1. Master your balcony
Of course, flowers look beautiful, and who doesn't want a place to sit back and relax? However, this is the place for you and your friends to enjoy barbecue and fresh drinks!
Step 2. Start with the barbecue
Pay attention to building rules, and choose the barbecue grill that best fits your balcony. This tool will be the center of attention on the balcony, so choose wisely. If possible, try to place it opposite the entrance and exit so you can re-enter the kitchen in just a few steps.
Step 3. Prepare the lamp
Sometimes, barbecues are held in the late afternoon, so make sure to keep your food clearly visible. You can use a floor lamp (be sure to choose a lamp that works outdoors), or a battery-powered lamp.
Step 4. Add some small stools
You certainly need a place to sit down and talk about games, bosses, or other important topics.
Step 5. Also consider placing a refrigerator if the building manager allows it
A small outdoor fridge is great for keeping drinks, sauces and other barbecue accompaniments cold and fresh. A small refrigerator can also be used as a small kitchen counter, so consider placing a strong enough cutting board on it.
If you can't place the refrigerator on the balcony, a cooler box can be another option. Plus, the cooler can also be used as extra seating
Method 3 of 3: Channeling Creativity
Step 1. Express your taste and give your balcony a personal touch
The balcony is part of your living space too.
Step 2. Paint the balcony walls
Next, place a pillow of the appropriate color as a decoration. Use pillows with various shades of colors, types and textures of fabrics.
Step 3. Buy equipment cheaply
Visit flea markets, discount stores, thrift stores, and other places that sell items at bargain prices.
Step 4. Post pictures, wall pots, calendars, thermometers and barometers on display, and things that make you smile
Of course, be sure to choose an object that is resistant to weather changes.
Tips
- Pay attention to the building manager's rules to find out what you can and can't do, as well as the limitations in arranging a balcony before starting to paint or punch holes in the balcony wall to install a swing. Many cities and apartment buildings have specific rules for their tenants regarding the use of balconies. For example, maybe you shouldn't use a charcoal grill, but you can use a gas grill instead. On the other hand, the building manager may not allow the storage of sports equipment on the balcony, or prohibit the installation of satellite dishes without insurance coverage.
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Consider your surroundings: sun, wind, neighbors, etc., in planning the balcony.
- Place the bench in a position perpendicular to the direction of the sun so that you are not looking directly at the sun when sitting there.
- Do not place plants that need sunlight in a hidden place.
- If you have curious neighbors, install waterproof blinds that you can move up and down.
- Be sure to mount all appliances securely so they don't fall off the balcony, or easily be tucked into the apartment when needed if you live in a location prone to hurricanes or earthquakes.
- Watch a room decorating show on TV and take its suggestions.
- Put things down a little at first. Leave balcony room for items you may have forgotten or recently purchased.
