An open balcony is a real find for a city apartment. It is often underestimated, serving as a storage space for unnecessary items or a place to dry laundry. But it is a unique space that can become your personal oasis, an extension of your living room, or a tiny garden.
Turning it into a cozy corner is not as difficult as it seems. No major renovations or large investments are needed. Often, all it takes is a little rearranging, a couple of good ideas, and the desire to create something of your own.
This article contains practical tips on where to start and specific ideas for inspiration. You will see how, with a few simple steps, you can turn your balcony into a place you will want to return to again and again.
- Focus on the interior of the room adjacent to the balcony
- How to apply it in practice?
- Play with the view from the balcony
- How to apply this in practice?
- Build the atmosphere on contrasts
- How to apply this in practice?
- Choose outdoor furniture and water-repellent fabrics
- How to apply this in practice?
- Don't forget about plants
- How to apply this in practice?
Focus on the interior of the room adjacent to the balcony
It is important to maintain the chosen style in the design of any room, even if it is a temporary interior.
However, we recommend limiting the choice of colors, textures, and patterns for an open balcony to those available in the adjoining room so that the summer space harmoniously continues its design.
How to apply it in practice?
Designer Olga Minullina's apartment is decorated in a monochrome color scheme, and the bedroom, which opens onto the balcony, is dominated by black.
The balcony was also made almost black: the balcony railings and legs of outdoor furniture were painted this color, and black planters and dishes were selected.
Pay attention to the flowers: the shades of the petals echo the colors of the pillows on the bed.
Play with the view from the balcony
The view from an apartment or house is not always as good as one would like, but even in the appearance of a neighboring high-rise building, if desired, one can notice interesting features and emphasize them with a couple of details from the new interior.
How to apply this in practice?
To visually connect this balcony with the house opposite, terracotta plant pots were placed there: Swedish blogger and interior designer Emma Malin chose them to match the exterior finish of the building.
Another “repeat” is tin pots: they echo the gray base.
Finally, the graphite-colored chairs and table complement the dark color of the vertical pipes.
Furnishing an open balcony is easier than it seems: the main thing is to consider the weather, the size of the space, and your lifestyle. Protect the area from rain and wind, choose furniture that is resistant to moisture and sunlight, add comfort with rugs, pillows, and lighting, and think about storage and greenery. Even a couple of square meters can be turned into a cozy corner for relaxation, work, or socializing — all you need is a couple of chairs, a small table, and the right atmosphere. The main thing is to turn the balcony into a place you want to visit again and again.
Build the atmosphere on contrasts
They do not necessarily have to be strong and sharp. Keep this rule in mind: bright objects will harmoniously stand out against a calmer background, while dark objects are best complemented by light ones, and vice versa.
Remember how Itten's color wheel works: classic color schemes will help you choose expressive combinations of shades.
How to apply this in practice?
The interior partitions of the balcony in the Kiev studio designed by Victoria Vitkovskaya are white, so dark furniture was chosen to create a beautiful contrast.
As a result, the layout of the apartment has been expressively revealed in depth.
Choose outdoor furniture and water-repellent fabrics
To avoid having to carry chairs and cushions onto the balcony all summer long, trying to protect them from the weather, opt for outdoor furniture. The most popular materials for armchairs, chairs, sun loungers, and tables are teak, acacia, artificial rattan treated with special impregnations, and, of course, metal.
As for water-repellent fabrics, thanks to modern compositions, they feel very similar to indoor fabrics. Pillows, blankets, and soft seats made from outdoor fabrics are pleasant to the touch and do not get wet in the rain, and their colors do not fade in the sun.
And you don't have to worry about getting them dirty: traces of sauce, juice, or wine spilled during a barbecue at home can be easily removed with a damp cloth.
How to apply this in practice?
Don't forget about plants
Caring for a mini-garden or container garden requires energy and inspiration. What if you have neither? Choose the most undemanding plants possible.
If your balcony is on the sunny side, plant lavender, mint, thyme, petunia, or pelargonium. Lots of shade? Go for begonias.
Design: Olga Sedova and Prokhor Mashukov, ONLY design
How to apply this in practice?
If you plan to keep your balcony green all year round, consider larch, cinquefoil, thuja, and cotoneaster. These plants can easily survive winter in containers in our climate.
Another option for an evergreen, undemanding shrub for the balcony is boxwood.
Several identical pots with this plant complemented the calm design and elongated layout of the studio balcony designed by 2B.group.
As you can see, furnishing an open balcony is not about major renovations, but about a creative approach. The most important thing is to start with simple steps: tidy up, add some greenery, and a couple of convenient accessories. Even these little things will radically change the space.
Don't chase after large-scale projects. Instead, focus on creating a corner where you will enjoy spending time. Choose practical materials, don't be afraid to experiment with vertical gardening, and use light to create a special atmosphere in the evenings.
Let your balcony become your personal oasis, an extension of your home where you want to go with a cup of coffee in the morning or to relax after a long day. Enjoy the process, and you will surely create a cozy place that will give you many pleasant moments.
