With living spaces shrinking by the day in our urban jungle, a small balcony is what we are blessed within the name of outdoor space. Irrespective of their size, balconies do make for a great place to kickstart your day or unwind after a long day. And now that working from home is common to practise, we have learnt to really appreciate this piece of outdoor that makes social distancing a little bearable. With a little creativity, you can turn these little places into a private dining area, tea corner or even a pseudo workstation under the sky. Here are some design hacks to turn your balconies into a cosy nook.
Green Corner In Balcony
Every balcony needs a green corner to add that splash of natural colour to your house. With limited horizontal space, vertical gardening is the way forward. Use vertical planters or if you have the budget for it, invest in a beautiful vertical garden. Once installed, vertical gardens are super easy to maintain.
on a sunny wall to keep the floor space clutter-free. These mini-gardens take up less space and are easier to maintain.
A cheaper alternative is planters on the railings and hanging pots from the ceiling. An added bonus is that you can change out the plants in these whenever you get bored.
Balcony Furniture
To keep your tiny haven clean and simple, install a wall-mounted table with storage that can be used as your dining table for a romantic dinner or be converted as a temporary workstation on pleasant windy days. The multifunctional wall mounted table storage can be used for stationery, crockery, gardening tools or even your tea party kit. Or you can go for a light foldable table like the one in the image below paired with colourful foldable chairs to brighten up your mornings. These can be folded and kept away to create more floor space when you have more guests over. Find a narrow shelf to place plants, books or your travel souvenirs that adds personality to your nook.
If you have a slightly larger balcony and you want to create a space to relax in and maybe catch up on your reading, opt for slightly larger and more comfortable seating than foldable chairs. You could go for a large upholstered bench that can seat many people, a super comfy hanging chair, or even a hammock.
Rugs And Carpets For Balcony
Patterns play a pivotal role in giving an illusion of widening small spaces. Choose striped rugs and fabrics to create an illusion of wider space. Try placing the furniture in the corner and leave the centre area empty to make your balcony look larger than it is. Add cushions and bright coloured upholstery to liven up space.
Flooring Ideas For Balcony
For the flooring in the balcony, even though it may not be the focal point of the area, the flooring does add to the overall feel of the space. If you want it to look like a garden, opt for an imitation of grass. This is the next best thing to a garden you can hope for. For a more rustic look, install laminate wood flooring or tiles that are designed for the outdoor – which means that it can weather harsh outdoor elements.
Balcony Lighting
Lighting plays an important role in the balcony as it does in any room. For an instantly warm and celebratory mood, hang up twinkle lights in the colour and shape you want. Twinkle lights can make your space look romantic too if you are setting up the area for a dinner date with your partner. When you throw a house party, these fairy lights definitely add a certain charm that your guests will enjoy. 
If twinkle lights are not your cup of tea, a beautiful alternative is these lamps that are available in many different shapes and sizes. You can hang them from the ceiling using ropes for a rustic look. Or you can place one or two on the floor or on small stools like in the image below.
Remember to your keep your nook comfortable, minimalistic and clutter-free to make the most of your little piece outdoors. HomeLane is just a phone call away if you want more trending balcony design ideas, so get in touch today.
