How to furnish a small balcony?

For many people living in flats in apartment blocks, a balcony is a substitute for a garden and the only chance to spend time in the open air every day without having to leave home. It is no wonder, then, that they want this space to look attractive and invite relaxation. In warm weather a balcony is a great place for a morning coffee in the sunshine, or an afternoon laze on a deckchair. But what if our balcony is not very impressive in size? All is not lost: even a small space can be arranged so that it becomes a comfortable oasis of calm for the whole household.

At the outset it is worth stressing that a balcony, regardless of its size, is a highly desirable feature of flats for rent or sale. This extra can significantly raise both the price and the appeal of the property itself. People looking for a flat to buy usually aim for ones with a balcony. It is the same with tenants.

If, on the other hand, you are someone who is just about to decide on buying a property but has doubts because of the size of the balcony, today's article will help you dispel them. It turns out that even the smallest balcony can be arranged attractively so that you can make full use of its advantages.

The foundation of a beautiful balcony

For a balcony to look attractive, we start by getting the basics right. What matters most here is the colour of the walls and balustrade, and the flooring we intend to lay on the balcony. All these elements will form a kind of base for the remaining furnishings. The colour of the walls and balustrade is an individual matter, but we advise choosing a light, fairly neutral shade, which will visually enlarge the space.

On the floor we can lay artificial grass, which looks great and lets us feel as if we were in a garden. This type of solution is cheap and easy to install and maintain. The second option is ceramic tiles. Their advantage is durability, but laying them requires more work and is more expensive. The last possibility is to use decking boards. This is a solution for people who prefer natural materials. Composite decking boards are very resistant to weather conditions, are also easy to maintain and will serve us for years. As with tiles, laying them will take some time and requires a higher outlay, but the result will satisfy even the most demanding people.

Furniture on a small balcony

With a small balcony, we naturally will not be able to fit much furniture on it. What will certainly fit, however, are two comfortable armchairs or chairs and a small table. We can also choose a small cabinet for gardening tools and accessories that are not kept in the home. An alternative to chairs or armchairs can be a wooden bench with a practical storage box under the seat.

When choosing balcony furniture, make sure that it is waterproof, so that it does not have to be brought indoors every time it rains.

Plants on a small balcony

What would a balcony be without plants? It is hard to imagine, especially if we have a rather small space. However, even the smallest balcony can be successfully decorated with plants. We have quite a lot of room to use if we plan everything well. On many balconies there is a windowsill on which flower boxes can be placed. The same boxes can also be hung on the outer side of the balustrade. This is an excellent solution for small balconies – it takes up no space, while allowing us to indulge our gardening urges. This option may be difficult to carry out, however, if the balcony faces a busy street, where exhaust fumes will pollute the plants, or if that side is too windy for flowers.