How to spruce up your balcony?

-By Bipasha

In our busy urban lives, we hardly ever get time to sit relaxed on our porch or balcony to enjoy nature’s glory. Most of the times, our balconies (sometimes they are less spacious owing to our urban housing architectures) become places to dry clothes or hoard unwanted household items. So, here are a few tips to make your balcony look beautiful where you can hold your cozy drink get together or better still just sit and watch the world pass by!

Although my tips are for small-medium size balconies usually perched adjacent to bedrooms and sitting rooms in modern day high rises, but you can modify accordingly to suit the same for large balconies too!

First and foremost, if you really want to create a lounge effect, install blinds on the face of the balcony towards the road/other flats. Balcony blinds are easily available at reasonable prices these days. Alternatively, you can also use awnings to create a very ‘vintagey’ look. In this way, you not only protect your sitting area from sun and rains but also create a private space for yourself. Adorn the sides of the balcony with as many wind chimes as you want. Or, you can also hang small potted plants. Be careful that the hanging potted plants are not heavy so that they can support their weight. And if you are staying on higher floors, be sure to hang the potted plants on the inside of your balcony so that even they fall, they don’t prove to be fatal for someone walking or passing by below. Preferably, hanging potted plants should be those that flower so that it creates a kaleidoscope of colors!

 Next, create greenery around. Visit the nearest nursery and inquire about indoor plants. They help filter common volatile organic compounds apart from creating a beautiful atmosphere aesthetically. Palms and anthuriums are my personal favorites but you can explore with Pothos, Ferns and Bonsais. Creepers like Money Plant also add to the charm.

Now, buy good garden chairs or lounge chairs, if you please. My best bet is don’t crowd the sitting area too much and just buy a nice bamboo cane sofa. Adjust a small bamboo cane side table nearby. Use colorful and cheery colored bed sheets and lots of small cushions to deck up your sofa! Put a small sized book shelf on the other side of the sofa where you can house your favorite reads just a hand away!

Of course, based on the time that you have on your hand and the area of your balcony, you can try many things to spruce up this place. My suggestion is that keep it clutter free, easy to maintain (you don’t want to be moving too many things every morning and evening to clean up the balcony) and green!