If your apartment has a balcony, it is the extra square footage that you probably severely underutilize. Using this space as nothing more than storage for things you rarely use is a huge waste of potential. A balcony, no matter how small, can have a myriad of different functions. Also, it can become your favorite part of your home, only if you devote enough attention to it. From a pleasant outdoor lounge area where you can chill and enjoy your afternoon coffee to a full-fledged home office, you can choose from simple to more expensive projects. Here are a few ideas to inspire you.
Create a simple reading corner
It doesn’t take much to make your balcony functional. Start with clearing it of all the clutter that has accumulated and giving it a good cleaning. Then, you can get started by rearranging it and creating a cozy reading corner where you will be able to enjoy the sun while getting immersed in your favorite book. First, pick comfortable furniture! A stylish rattan egg chair you can nestle into is a perfect choice. Make sure you add some cushions that you will keep indoors when they are not in use. You can also pick cushioned furniture as long as it’s weatherproof and you can wipe it of dust. Complement it with a small table to place your mug and book on and decorate with plants.
Convert it into a sunroom
If you are particularly concerned about bugs and weather conditions but you still want to maximize the amount of time you can spend on your balcony, you can look towards the idea of turning it into a sunroom. Installing retractable screens will give you the best of both worlds: you can enjoy the fresh air while still having privacy. However, using glass would give you the true sunroom experience. You can use a sunroom for many things; it will provide you with extra space with plenty of light to use however you want. Leveraging this will even help you save electricity and be more eco-friendly!
Turn it into a home office
The next creative way to make the most of your balcony is turning it into a study area or a full-fledged home office. It’s the perfect spot for it after all: you get plenty of natural light to work productively all day long. It is not a one-afternoon project. There will be some construction involved, but it will pay off in the long term. You can install a bar counter along with the windows that will give you enough space for your laptop and stationery. However, you can also use it as a breakfast bar as it would be nice to enjoy the view while having your meal. Install folding ones if you want a multipurpose space to save room!
Use it as a garden
The next and certainly one of the best uses for your balcony would be turning it into a mini garden. Adding plants to your balcony is a must no matter what you decide to convert it. Plants are going to turn a boring balcony into a real oasis. However, you can take it a step further and dabble into gardening even without a garden space, thanks to this small outdoor area. A balcony is a perfect spot to grow herbs to always have them fresh on hand. If you're more into flowers, you can get hanging planters and cover your walls and railings in beautiful colors. You can even grow vegetables despite the limited space. You can try hydroponic farming in vertical planters and make the most of every square foot you have.
Create a nap spot
An afternoon nap on warm summer days is best when had outdoors! Just because you don’t have a garden, you don’t have to forget about napping in the fresh air. You can turn your balcony into somewhat of a second living room and use it for lounging. A built-in couch would be a seamless way to bring in comfort, and it's also the most space-efficient way. However, if you want something that has a real wow factor, consider installing a hammock. A comfy hammock paired with a few tropical plants will make you feel like you’re in a completely different place. It’s a good idea to think about sun protection and privacy if you want to go this way, though. Retractable awnings, roller shades, or anything of the sort will work!
If you have an unused balcony, you could improve your living space by miles if you found a use for it. Think about what you need and allow your balcony to reach its full potential!
Author bio:
Alison Pearson is an interior design student. She is a writer and designer, but her ultimate passion is design and creation. She is also a bibliophile and her favorite book is "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner. Follow her on Twitter.
