Every part of our home needs to be considered while doing the interior design of the space. Many an often, balconies and terraces are overlooked and left unattended as the design of the home is done. As one of the top interior designers in Bangalore, we ensure that every part of the home is scrutinized and designed to create a pleasant experience for the inhabitants. In today’s times, when we lead really fast and busy lives, it is imperative for our overall wellbeing to spend time outdoors. However, if one fails to do this, a well-designed balcony can still help residents enjoy time outdoors in a calm and serene environment without stepping out of their homes. Here are some simple tips on how you can style your balcony to make it an extended living space and the relaxation nook perfect for some time out.
- Wall & floor treatment
Depending on your budget and decor theme, there are many options that you can use to treat your walls and floor. From choosing simple white stucco painting and grass mats to choosing stone cladding and intricate outdoor tiles, there are many options that you can opt for. You can also make green walls with simple anti-skid flooring to spruce up your balcony.
If you are someone who loves colours you can play with brightly-colored walls and traditional flooring motifs to make the space look lively and vibrant.
- Choose the right lighting
More often than not, we do not pay enough attention to outdoor lighting. Adding good lighting can make the space look beautiful and can be easily used both in the day and at night. Depending on the size of the balcony you can choose different types of lighting. If it’s a large balcony you can pair focus lights on walls and floor with pendant lights. If it’s a smaller balcony you can use pendant lights along with fairy lights or LED lights. You can choose from a whole range of lighting fixtures made of terracotta, cane and many other materials that are pocket friendly while also creating an earthy ambiance.
- Choose the right seating
A well designed balcony is nothing without ample and comfortable seating. As one of the most experienced residential interior designers in Bangalore, we can tell you that good seating will change the game for you! Opt for low budget, weather proof furniture instead of heavy leathers or plush seating. Swings, cane furniture or even a hammock make for great additions to your balcony. Add footstools or sturdy ottomans to truly relax in this space that will be your comfort zone. Light weight furniture is easy to move in case of rains and is easy to maintain and the market is full of varied options suited for gardens and balconies. Apart from this you can add stands, shelves or other other products that you may need to stack or display plants. If space permits, add a small cabinet that you can use to store your gardening essentials.
- Choosing the right plants
While most people believe that only plants complete your balcony it may not be true for everyone. Plants require maintenance and dedication and may not be something that everyone can commit to. You can have a balcony that is devoid of any real plants and is adorned with false creepers or plants, but there is nothing as gratifying as real plants
You could get low maintenance woody plants or if you can afford to, you can hire a gardener to help you take care of your plants on a regular basis. While a dry balcony may just be as beautiful, relaxing amidst nature and plants is much needed and can be antidote to the hectic lives that we lead. If you have kids or pets, you should ensure that you choose plants that are not poisonous and are pet friendly.
- Keeping pests away!
It can really be irksome when pesky pests like rats, mosquitoes or even pigeons start making your balcony their home. Take the right measures to keep these away as their presence can make your balcony incompatible to use. There many options available to keep these pests away without harming them.
- Make it user-friendly
While the aforementioned points help you make your balcony appealing to look at and use, there are some other elements that must be kept in mind to ensure that its user friendly. Ensure that there are plug points at a higher level in the balcony or the lower ones have weatherproof lids on them. Also make sure to have a tap strategically located to water your plants when needed. Add two way switches and ensure that your balcony has overhangs and ample sunshade to prevent the entry of rainwater.
We hope that these points will help you make your balcony your comfortable haven. Catching the morning sunlight and breathing fresh air is extremely important for our physical and mental wellbeing. A well designed balcony can be used as a great escape, to exercise, relax or to even socialise wity your friends. So make the most of this space by designing it well.
