Written By: Lavanya Chopra
A little oasis, our very own spot under the sun, and an extension of our home interiors. A balcony is this and much more, especially for city-dwellers who crave some respite in openness and nature to beat urban fatigue.
With shrinking blueprints and space being quite the luxury lately, owning a balcony (no matter the size) is truly a privilege! Time spent outdoors is necessary for our mental and physical well-being, and a personal, alfresco space makes that experience intimate.
Explore how balcony design can be experimental, expressive, and enjoyable. Our design experts share tips and ideas to maximise our balcony spaces!
1. An Inhabitable Oasis
The trick is to treat balconies as extensions of one’s living areas. The more detail-oriented and conscious the design scheme is, the more comfortable the space will be. And by effect, one will be more likely to regularly inhabit that area to its fullest potential.
Comfort is truly vital! The furniture, decor, and lighting introduced here should contribute to a sense of relaxation and unwinding, like a lounging space within the home’s interior.
Bring in outdoor-friendly chairs, coffee tables, throws, mood lighting, and many plants to create a conservatory-like ambience that makes you want to spend more time here.
2. The Magic of Mirrors
Ditch the predictable DIY and art installations on your balcony walls. It’s time to go big and bright! Invest in a large, decorative mirror (or a collection of a few that can be composed together beautifully).
Including a reflective surface will enhance the depth of the balcony, especially petite ones. This will also double the presence of daylight and the views framed from the balcony. Quick and straightforward elements to install, mirrors will elevate the visual ambience of your outdoor spot.
3. Express with Colour
Balconies can exhibit a completely divergent visual identity compared to the rest of the home’s interior. Therefore, the concept of an accent colour to bathe the walls or flooring is exceptionally relevant and popular today!
Bright yellows, tangerine orange, warm teal, and salmon pinks are some hues that have ruled the roost. If you’d rather keep the walls neutral, then play with the floor tiles with options of tinted oxides, Athangudi tiles, or geometric/graphic varieties.
4. Embrace the Greens
For that oasis-like balcony experience, opt for natural greens generously! Whether you bring in hyper-realistic turf carpets, luxe wooden flooring, or various plants, the idea is to simulate the feeling of closeness with nature.
Add a variety of floor planters, hanging options for space-saving, wall or railing planter boxes, a succulent patch, or a vertical green wall to ensure that floor space is conservatively used. Plants are the most affordable option to spruce up areas and create an energised environment all year round!
5. Space-Friendly Furniture Choices
With available space being a crucial factor in designing a balcony, the primary design hack focuses on ascertaining how this area will be used. The choice of furniture is an organic response to this aspect.
With outdoor-grade seating sets, light benches that can be diversely used, ottomans, multi-use coffee tables, swings, and high tables and chairs dominating the retail space, the options available to homeowners today are endless! Merely ensure all materials in terms of furniture construction and upholstery are suitable for exposure to the outdoors.
Celebrating the Indoor-Outdoor Experience
A balcony is meant to pose as a space to escape and relax. While designing an alfresco area, the design ethos should be led by functionality and the experience one wants to summon to the forefront. Space should never limit your aspirations!
Is the thought of a well-curated home frequenting your mind? Go ahead and reach our interior design experts at Hipcouch and start by booking a free consultation service.
Contact us to inch one step closer to the home of your dreams!