When you choose to give your terrace a magical touch, the possibilities are endless; let’s find out some interesting tricks to put into action with ProduceShop.
Furnishing a balcony can often turn into a moment of pure creativity; whether it’s a small terrace or a large one, the important thing is always to have a clear plan.
While many people are lucky enough to be able to enjoy sunny days in the garden, this is not always the case for those who live in the city. Some housing solutions, in fact, reduce outdoor space to a simple terrace, or perhaps even a spacious terrace, but without a garden. How best to relax? A first idea, valid for everyone, is to furnish the balcony of your home with care; in fact, designing an elegant, green, and perhaps inexpensive outdoor space can be a great way to enjoy the most beautiful summer and spring days without regrets.
How to do it?
You need a critical eye, a certain amount of good taste and, without a doubt, the ideal furniture and decorations. Thanks to Martina, head of the Interior Designers team at ProduceShop, we discover 7 useful tips for decorating your balcony, with a special eye on the budget!
Not just a storage room
Many people (perhaps too many) see the balcony as a secondary storage room, in which to keep brooms and put away rubbish buckets, or old, disused furniture. Well, it may not be just that.
Furnishing your balcony with taste and care, choosing a specific style, can easily give you a second living room in your home, with all the potential of an outdoor space and relaxation. Moreover, since you do not have to follow the mood of the house, your imagination can wander; it is not uncommon to find classy terraces in very minimal houses, or vice versa.
This, in any case, does not mean that it has to be ‘only‘ a relaxation space; by working craftily, corners can easily be maintained to store objects and furniture, or they can be cleverly concealed in the furniture.
Climate and Environment
A first fundamental situation to consider is this: climate and environment allow me to furnish the balcony and enjoy it as a relaxation area? The answer is almost always: yes, they allow it.
If the climate is too cold, equipping yourself with halogen heaters, infrared heaters and heating spotlights can be the ideal solution; by carefully delimiting the balcony, you will be able to heat every corner, creating a warm, comfortable and beautiful environment.
If, on the other hand, the problem is the opposite, i.e. scorching hot and dry, work on creating the right shady spaces, arranging everything to promote the best possible ventilation. Green helps a lot in this.
Something that is present in both cases, which is difficult to fight with, is unfortunately humidity. Think about constant, careful and meticulous maintenance of spaces and furnishings, so as to avoid any damage caused by damp.
Furnishing the Balcony: 7 tips from ProduceShop
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Style and colours
Exactly as in an interior design project, even in outdoor design (in this case the protagonist is not the garden, but the balcony) you must first of all set yourself a style. On this will depend first of all the colour palette; for exteriors, whatever the style, always try to stay either on soft, pastel shades or, in the case of stronger contrasts, on warm, well-blended colours. Among the most common styles are:
- modern: a bit of a reflection of classic home furnishing, requires contemporary furniture, design choices, neutral colours;
- vintage: wooden chairs, rustic tables, fabric cushions, to reproduce an authentic balcony of yesteryear;
- shabby chic: wrought iron, light wood, ropes and lots of greenery are the basic elements of this style somewhere between delicate and old-fashioned;
- romantic: who wouldn’t want to carve out a romantic corner outside the home? A nice table for two, a sofa with soft cushions, candles, curtains and drapes, and of course warm, soft colours;
- marine: also called ‘Greek’ style, it recalls holiday resorts, the scent of saltiness and warm wind, with shades of white, sand colour, light blue in all its nuances. Wood and fabric are a must, as is good attention to decoration.
Director Folding Chair Textilene Aluminium Garden Beach Sea Ciak -
A good amount of greenery
Like any self-respecting outdoor environment, the balcony cannot be without greenery. Decorating one’s terrace with plants not only gives an aesthetic touch of great impact, it is also a gesture that brings many benefits and advantages; flowers and plants are a panacea for any environment, both visually and in the air. Furthermore, if instead of opting for a classic pot plant, a flower, a climber or an arrangement, you choose to cultivate a small balcony vegetable garden, or a fragrance corner, then you will also have your own tasty practical benefits.
Vertical Inclined Planter Balcony Plants Garden 67x46x100cm -
A beautiful living room
How can you create a relaxing corner without the right living room? Well, now you know that you certainly need to set up a small area where you can sit, perhaps on nice sofas or armchairs, and maybe even with a nice coffee table to rest your coffee or your book on. If you find yourself furnishing a small or narrow balcony, don’t worry; designer chairs and stools can easily be a comfortable and stylish solution.
Outdoor Garden Lounge Armchairs Grand Soleil Giglio 2 Seater Rattan Bar -
Think shade, but also privacy
If we think of summer afternoons, a first fear arises spontaneously: scorching sun and sultry heat. Well, now is the time to think about shade. Since the terrace is a delimited space and, normally, smaller than a garden, choosing an outdoor umbrella, with a central or lateral pole, turns out to be the best solution; some may prefer a gazebo, or a well-designed drape, but we assure you that a nice garden umbrella of the right size performs its task of protection from the sun very well.
Being sheltered, moreover, and especially for city dwellers, is also a good way to protect one’s privacy. Not being able to enjoy a well-fenced garden, or a detached house in the country, the possibility of furnishing the balcony to enjoy it in peace and secure from prying eyes (maybe I want to rest in my underwear this afternoon?!) is a rare and precious thing.
Ombrellone Da Giardino A Braccio 3×3 Palo Laterale Decentrato Boracay -
An eye for light
The terrace can become a relaxation area not only for the morning, lunch or afternoon (ah, ideal for all you smart working people!), but also for the evening (and why not, even at night sometimes). In this case, try to be creative both in the choice and in the arrangement of lighting; make sure that, during the day, natural light is more than sufficient, avoiding covering any source with furniture or decorations. For the hours of darkness, prefer discreet spotlights and wall and wall lamps, perhaps solar powered, to avoid filling the balcony with additional elements that could distract from the overall design concept.
Wall Light Led Solar Energy Garden Spotlight Sensor Flexible Movement New/a> -
Watchword: comfort
If we are furnishing the balcony to make it our oasis of rest in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city, there is one thing we cannot skimp on or set limits on: cushions, cushions and more cushions! When buying sofas, garden lounges, armchairs and outdoor chairs, match them as much as possible with cushions that are up to the job, with soft padding and covers in appropriate colours. In addition, for more minimal or Boco Chic designs, even a simple upholstered pouf or a giant cushion on a bench or an old wooden pallet can become a comfortable resting place.
Sofa Interior Garden Modern Design Slide Mara Sofa -
And then comes the furniture!
Considering decorations and furniture for relaxation, however, don’t forget the patio furniture. To complete your ensemble, try to choose a nice coffee table (or more than one), bedside tables, chests or, if you need to combine the useful with the pleasant, cabinets and small storage spaces. Play with materials and colours so as not to lose the impression of a room designed down to the last detail.
Low Side Table With Cushion Holder For Garden And Outdoor Bars And Hotels Raffaello
Well, these 7 tips are worth bearing in mind to treasure. If you had any doubts about how to furnish your balcony with class (and spending little), you are now sure to be able to take the first steps without any problems!
