Embracing the great outdoors on a small balcony is all about extending your horizons. Jane Drew takes a look
Are you daunted by the prospect of creating an inviting living area on a 4-foot by 6-foot balcony? Don’t be. Fortunately there’s nothing to say that a small balcony can’t be both handsome and functional. All you have to do is extend your horizons a little bit and think big.
“Priority number one,” according to local designer Tommy Poon, “is to forge a connection between indoors and out.” This is critical in a small home where continuity and flow are very important. Glass doors (preferably sliding) do the trick here, and they are worth the extra expenditure since they act as an open invitation for you and your family to head outside. “Combine this with a glass-sheet balustrade at the balcony’s perimeter,” adds Tommy, “and you have immediately upped the bar.”
Flooring too should, where possible, serve to link your indoor and outdoor rooms. If you are renovating, consider wide wood planking, which will create a chic yet cosy feel indoors, and the perfect deck outside. But Poon warns that even treated wood will fade over time – to combat colour discrepancy you will need to have the outdoor section re-stained every three to four years. “A better and cheaper option is tile, which will endure outdoors as long as it does in,” he says.
Your next decision – obvious as it may seem – is to consider what you will be using your balcony for. Even the smallest outdoor space can provide ample room for a hot tub, or a home office, or a barbeque, but in this case one ‘size’ won’t fit all.
“Plan very carefully because in a small space, every inch counts,” says Poon. “Make sure the scale of the various built elements and furnishings is appropriate, and reduce the number of pieces. Furniture should be space-efficient and low, so as not to obscure your view out.”
One large accessory has more impact that several small ones, which can look cluttered. So allow yourself one strong, uncomplicated focal point, be that an idly swinging hammock, or an elaborate water feature.
You won’t want your furnishings to fade into the background but neither do you want them to create too much visual noise. An easy solution is to unify the space with a theme. For example, stick to one material (all aluminium), one shape (many circles) or one colour (shades of white).
Outdoor furniture is available in 101 types of material, and Poon says you can consider wood so long as it is treated and you expect it to weather over time. “But if you like rattan or wicker go the fake route,” he adds. “Man-made weaves like Hularo are made out of robust synthetic fibres that are weatherproof.”
Another option, and one that looks very LA, according to Poon, who grew up in Tinsel Town, is aluminium. “Like wrought iron, it won’t fade, rust, rot or get hot, and it looks really hip.”
Chances are you don’t have a storeroom (or a shed) to stash your deckchairs never mind your gardening tools, so don’t forget to include some storage in the overall design. To this end, built-in seating can be a good option. “A contractor can put in boxy wooden units, with seats that lift up to reveal hidden storage,” says Poon. Since floor space is limited, remember too to use vertical surfaces to store your ‘stuff’. You can, for instance, hook collapsible chairs on the walls when not in use.
“Decoratively speaking, with the basics in place, all you need add is interesting paintwork,” Poon notes. “A terracotta or aquamarine emulsion, confined to just one wall, can add a statement-making finishing touch. For best results, choose a hue that echoes the soft furnishings in the adjacent interior.”
Consider too that a balcony benefits from a little natural greenery. “Train a vine over a trellis, or at the very least settle some planters in the corners,” says Poon. If you need some protection from neighbours’ prying eyes, hang potted plants all along the balcony’s edge. This will afford you a little privacy and improve the outlook, without impeding the sense of spaciousness.
One essential is the ability to create shade. “For ultimate flexibility, go for an automatically retractable or folding arm awning. This will allow you to enjoy your balcony come rain or shine, and block out direct sunlight without taking up valuable floor space,” says Poon. Just be sure to stick to solid colours – candy stripes, reminiscent of hawkers stalls, have definitely had their day.
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