We all know how things gather over time, more or less necessary, and already, when we look at our balcony, we remember the old annexes and garages of grandparents, crammed with old-fashioned furniture and non-functional appliances, stacked boxes one on top of the other, sacks, crates and more and more objects full of dust and spider webs.
Probably, more than once we browsed interior design magazines and we were left staring at the pictures with balconies so beautifully arranged, with many green plants, places to relax or chic armchairs next to a table full of goodies – reading books, tea , coffee, cakes. It’s as if we want to serve our coffee in such a bright place, bathed in the rays of the morning sun. But all these enchanting images disappear in an instant when we see the things stored on the balcony. It seems impossible to ever enjoy this space, as we have seen in interior design magazines.
We know that, most of the time, we only need an impulse to make us mobilize to have what we want. This also applies to interior design. Thus, in today’s article, we set out to help you with some tips, through which you can transform your balcony from a storage place, into the most pleasant relaxation refuge, in your homes.
1. 1. The first step is to sort out the things we have stored on the balcony and decide what to do with them. Some we can recycle, others can be donated to those who need them, so that we keep only what is necessary, things we have used and will use constantly and in the future. If the last time we wore this pair of boots was 3 years ago, will they attract our attention next winter? Or if we are not passionate about making zacusca and jam in the house, then what’s the point of all the empty and dusty jars kept in cardboard boxes?
2. Step two is cleaning. After we got rid of everything we no longer needed, only now we can think about what the space will look like in the end, what finishes we will use and in what color combinations. In addition to the classic washable lime, we can now opt for other categories of decorative finishes or even for cladding a wall with clinker-type exposed brick tiles.
3. To turn the balcony into a real place of relaxation and recreation, we need a lot of greenery. So, now, it’s the turn of the plants that are the pieces of resistance in arranging such spaces. No matter how serious or upset we are, flowers make us shrink our foreheads and fill our souls with joy. It’s time to move all the plants to the balcony, to enjoy sunny and colorful mornings. In order to use the existing space as efficiently as possible, we can use different models of vertical flower supports, independent or fixed directly on the wall.
4. Step four, choosing the furniture. A small balcony, like most apartments in Romania, does not need much furniture. A coffee table with two chairs, a sofa or a small bench and a shelf for minimal storage are all we need for the practical and relaxing arrangement of our balcony.
5. From now on we can let our imagination fly, because it’s the turn of the decorations. To create an intimate atmosphere, in which we enjoy spending time, away from prying eyes of neighbors, we can help with curtains, drapes or roller blinds. Candles, a few small paintings, in tune with the rest of the arrangement, a pleasant carpet to the touch and maybe a few decorative pillows are more than enough for this not very generous space. We don’t have to invest much in decorations, we just have to be creative!
Closed balconies offer multiple possibilities for arrangement, especially when they are thermally insulated. Their arrangement aims to transform them into useful, welcoming and comfortable spaces, depending on what each of us wants. Larger balconies can also include storage space or an office area, thus benefiting from plenty of natural light that will keep us active and inspired while working. Last but not least, the balcony can be transformed, in its entirety, into a small kitchenette or it can become an extension of the current kitchen, by arranging a dining or even cooking place.
In conclusion, the balcony should no longer be seen only as a space for cluttered storage of all the things we no longer want to see inside our homes. With an inspired design project, the old balcony can completely change its appearance, quickly becoming the favorite place of all family members.