How to Make the Most of Your Small Balcony
During the pandemic, we need all the outside time we can get. Some are fortunate enough to live in the suburbs where they can have large front porches or backyards full of plants and trees. However, many people live in more urban areas where they don’t have as much outdoor living space as they desire. In fact, some people consider themselves lucky to have any outdoor space at all in the form of balconies. Thus, you should, of course, take full advantage of this blessing and should make the most of the space you have.
Put simply, there are five tips on how to make the most out of your tiny balcony space. Firstly, prioritize your seating accommodations. Secondly, opt for pieces that serve dual or multi-purpose. Thirdly, if you don’t have space for something, hang them if possible. Fourthly, make sure your balcony has shaded areas. And lastly, ensure that your balcony’s safety is up to code.By following these tips and tricks, you will hopefully be able to turn your small balcony into the urban outdoor space you’ve always wanted.
Include a seating area (no matter what)
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Some might argue and say that their balconies are too small to have a couch or chair. We are here to tell you that it is not. First of all, if you do not have anywhere to sit on your balcony, then you cannot very well use that space as an area for outdoor relaxation. You should have a place to sit no matter how small the area is. It does not have to be a couch or even a chair. If there really isn’t space for furniture, lay a comfortable outdoor rug on the floor and add a few floor pillows to make it even cozier. The prospect of sitting on the floor actually makes it feel like you’re having a picnic in a park.
Having a seating area also encourages more social activities. You can play board games, share a meal, or simply have a pleasant conversation while sitting outside. You’re not just decorating but creating a space where you can make memories with your friends and loved ones.
Furniture should serve multiple purposes
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The restriction of small spaces encourages creative thinking. Find multiple uses for a single piece of furniture. Perhaps instead of having a regular chair, you can sit on a chest, so that it has storage purposes. That chest can also serve as a table if you sit on pillows on the floor. Your decorative outdoor rug can also serve as a matt for napping in the afternoons. Get creative and think of other uses your regular furniture and decor items could have.
If possible, another fun solution to your space problem is to have folding furniture. You can put them away and keep them in the corner until the next time you need them. You can have these pieces built-in to your space; meaning, they fold out and tuck into the walls. You can also just purchase folding furniture anyway. Either way, it’s a great way to save space when it’s limited.
Hang everything
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If you don’t have enough surfaces to rest things on, don’t worry. You have enough ceiling to hang it from. Balconies are made so much better by the presence of plants, but what if you just don’t have enough space for planters? What if you don’t even have a wide enough windowsill to set down medium-sized plants? The answer is to hang them. You can get creative with your decorating by including different kinds of plant hangers. They can be made of white macrame material, or metal. Mixing and matching these hangers will add visual interest. This rule is not just limited to plants. You will usually need lights for your outdoor space, especially if you want to enjoy it at night. Instead of having lamps, you can hang up string lights or hanging lanterns.
Putting up high shelves is also an option. You can fill your wall with plants, or you can just use the shelves for storage. You can store things that will be fun to have nearby when you’re enjoying being outside. You can store board games, blankets, some books, or whatever else you can think of. The limit only lies in what you want to include.
Throw in a little shade
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It’s good to get some vitamin D from the Sun, but always remember to put on sunscreen to prevent skin cancer. An additional defense is to have a source of shade on your balcony. This can be as simple as a big umbrella or a retractable awning that you can easily open and close. It can also be a fixed awning so you don’t have to go through the trouble of moving it.
As nice as it is to be outdoors, climate change will only make it harder and harder to withstand the heat of the Sun. Take the necessary precautions and more when it comes to sun protection. It will not only prevent you from getting skin diseases but also protect your skin from sun damage that causes aging. There is no downside!
Throw in a little shade
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When you’re using an outdoor space, even if it’s at your residence, you never know who could be watching. This is especially true when you live in more crowded and urban areas. Don’t do anything you wouldn’t want people to see when you are on your balcony. You can also take your privacy a step further by adding screens to certain parts of your outdoor space to protect you from onlookers.
You should take precautions when it comes to the height of your balcony. No matter what floor you’re on, there’s always a chance that someone could fall and get hurt. Be proactive about this and make sure the height of your railing is tall enough to ensure nobody can accidentally tip over and fall off. If you have children or dogs (or both), ensure the distances between the bars are narrow enough so they can’t squeeze through. Better yet, fill the spaces between the bars altogether. Accidents happen every day, so you have to take your safety and the safety of your loved ones into your own hands.
