Balcony with a view

Pooja Khanna Tyagi

The balcony is usually one of the smallest areas of the house which is given less attention compared to other areas of the apartment. Although it is small in terms of square feet, it is advisable to skilfully decorate your balcony so that it not only reflects your personality but also emerges as a perfect indoor-outdoor space. Here are some ideas to get you going:

Create a cosy seating

Set up a cosy seating area within the balcony with comfortable and weather-friendly outdoor chairs or a swing chair so as to bring in maximum functionality within the balcony. Note that if the balcony is open to sky, then incorporate shading options like a pergola, awning, acrylic sheet, outdoor umbrella so that the area can be used all year round.

Play with colours

Colour is one of the most cost-effective ways to spruce up the look of a small balcony garden. Colour can be introduced in the pottery, hanging planters, with a good selection of seasonal flowering plants, a birdhouse, fabric for the seating, wall art and so on.

Woodwork

Introduce wood in furniture, accessories, lattice screens that combine beautifully with green plants and bring in an element of warmth. Go for cedar or teak wood since these highly water resistant.

Tile the walls and floor

The design of the walls and flooring determines the overall look of the balcony. Go for outdoor floor tiles in materials like natural stone or porcelain tiles which are available in designs that resemble the look of natural stone or wood. Consider tiling the balcony walls so that the walls will last longer, are resistant to external weather elements and easy to maintain.

Create a zen garden

How about introducing a zen garden within the balcony? A zen garden is a ‘rock garden’ or ‘dry landscape’ garden which can be created with dry landscape elements like gravel, rocks, boulders, wooden planks, faux grass and shrubs. The best part of a zen garden is that it is low in maintenance and high in style.

Highlight the walls

Accentuate the walls with textured paint, colourful wall tiles, mural art with mosaic or outdoor paintings that can make the balcony stand out.

Go for hanging plants

A small balcony garden comes with limited floor space therefore instead of crowding the floor with potted plants, make it a point to hang the plants from the balcony ceiling as it will save precious floor space and bring in a good dose of greenery within the balcony.

Introduce good lighting

During the evening, good lighting is important to create a soothing ambience within the balcony garden. Lighting can be introduced with string lights to give a festive feel or a good selection of lantern lights, ceiling mounted lights or wall-mounted bracket lights.

Beautify with pottery and sculptures

Decorate the balcony with small artefacts, earthen pots or sculptures that are made with materials like terracotta, ceramic or stone which are resistant to the external weather elements.

Grow a vertical garden

Since a small balcony cannot accommodate a horizontal garden, you can always grow a vertical garden on the sunny side of the balcony wall. A vertical garden looks attractive and is a great way to enhance the look and feel of the balcony. You would, however, require a gardening expert who can set the vertical garden for you.