For many, the easiest use of a residential balcony is lodging cloth-drying stands and electricity generating sets due to the ease of dashing out of the sitting room to restore power. Disused household items from appliances to furniture or wearable also find haven there.
Freda Anegbe, managing partner, Panto Interiors, said the balcony is structurally built for outdoor relaxation and exposure to natural light and natural air, speaking with BusinessDay on better use of balconies.
Residents can incorporate light plans into the function that their balconies serve even when there is need to keep certain items there. With the introduction of plants and a sitting area for hangout, people can help create an inviting mini-garden.
However, if you are opportune to site the items clogging your balcony in other areas of your home, an irresistible open space is achievable and here are some tips from leading designers.
Sprucing up the floor
The dirt and decay festering your balcony could be enough reason for not wanting to play around it, especially when the floor is bare. Bare floors are less attractive to the sight. Hence, you might think of plastering it bright colours of tiles. Bright colours often help you see the need to keep the environment tidy, eventually encouraging you to spend more time at your balcony. Apart from the colour, you could consider choosing tiles with textures that feel very comfortable on the skin.
Also visual impact of tiles pattern matter as patterns can strongly influence the attitude towards a space. Clear patterns that suggest peace and calmness are favoured against foggy ones that give the mind unrest.
“Because there are an exhausting number of ways to put tile together, the first thing you need to consider after colour is the type of pattern that is right for your space. If your decor is more traditional, try a classic design with honed stone tiles,” Kate Bailey, a style expert, advised in an article on flooring.
“If your taste leans to more modern or contemporary designs, gravitate towards a one-color palette, linear patterns, such as a horizontal grid, hopscotch, or vertical brick pattern,” she said.
Incorporating plants
According to Ambius, an international space management firm with over 2,500 horticulture and landscaping experts, indoor plants should be an essential component of every interior design as greenery brightens up spaces and boosts mood qualities.
“People are often surprised on how beneficial indoor plants are. Not only do plants clean the air, but they also reduce noise levels and stress,” Senior horticulturist at Ambius, Matt Kostelnick, said in a ‘Guide to Interior Designs’
Philidrens, Succulents, Hedra helix or Devil’s Ivy are plants Kostelnick names as best for living spaces. However, while all plants can serve as air purifiers but Red-Edged Dracaena and Weeping Figthese plants are more beneficial than others.
Working with local horticulturists would help identify these plants. And in the event that living plants don’t work for you, there are several artificial plant designs available in the market for decoration.
Grass-mats work well for the balcony centre. Spread and give an outdoor impression of a garden.
Furniture
You don’t need huge furniture pieces that kill the fun of managing a small space efficiently, experts say. All you need is concise tables and chairs with artful designs. There are different hand crafted furniture pieces that can be displayed around.
Lighting
Having a friendly light that enables you enjoy night time is important. You could as well have options for night reading while enjoying the natural air.
