City living can be rough.
You usually have to deal with lots of noise, pollution and rushing around. Then you end up coming back to a tiny apartment when you really need some outdoor time instead.
The best way to solve this problem is to use your balcony to its fullest potential. You can create an elegant and relaxing space that acts as a perfect oasis from your daily routine.
It can also help you extend your living space by moving some of your relaxation space to the outdoors. This makes living in a small space more bearable.
Here are some ideas you can use to get the most out of your small balcony.
Take advantage of the walls
Think of your space in 3 dimensions and not just how much floor space you have. You can use the walls for all kinds of fixtures, either to make more space or for decoration.
For instance, you can put outdoor wall fountains up to add a sort of Italian or Japanese garden vibe without taking up any space from the floor.
You can also add shelves to put flowers on instead of large pots that end up limiting your space. Bookshelves will also come in handy. And of course, don’t neglect to use it to hang some pictures to decorate it smartly.
Ditch the table
Ditch the tableInstead of having a table out on your balcony, opt for a bar that goes along the railing. They only need to extend out from the rail about a foot and their length gives you plenty of space to eat or have a drink with friends.
If you are really tight on space then you can go for a folding bar that drops down when you aren’t using it.
Use storage spaces
Just about every item of furniture you put on your balcony can potentially be used for storage. If you like stools over chairs, then go for ones that can be opened up with enough space to put things in.
Hanging shelves are a good way to free up space on the floor and even the walls while still providing a place to store things you need outside.
Use a rug
The simple act of putting a rug outside will make it feel like your apartment is bigger than it actually is.
An outdoor rug really pulls the balcony together. It adds some flair and it feels good to walk out onto your balcony in bare feet on the rug.
You will need to roll it up if your balcony is exposed and it can get wet in the rain, however.
Conclusion
The most important thing to consider when decorating and outfitting your balcony is that you have your personality come through. This will ensure that it looks and functions in a way that begs to be used. If it isn’t set up your way, then you won’t get much use out of it.
Make it functional, but more importantly make it fun.
