Three ways to transform a small balcony into an outdoor haven

With apartment living on the rise and home sizes getting smaller, a clever design can morph even the smallest of balconies into an outdoor haven.

According to Paul Joseph Hopper, co-founder of Terrace Outdoor Living, it is possible to create an outdoor oasis in any size space.

“A couple of pots, comfortable seating, a rug and some cushions, and you can transform any small balcony.”

Where do you start? Decide on the intended use and design the space around it.

“Is it an eating space, entertaining space, or is it for relaxing? The principles are the same; something comfortable to sit on and something to look at, which ideally is greenery,” says Hopper.

To optimise valuable floor space, “think out of the box. Consider slimline planters, vertical planting, hanging pots, planters over railing, and look at how every inch of space can be utilised.”

Hopper also suggests versatile pieces such as a stool that can function as a table or a plant stand which can be adapted into a drinks table.

Hanging out

The arty and chilled vibe of Palm Springs, California was the inspiration for Kate Newcombe’s coastal apartment.

Having visited several times, Newcombe’s love for the desert city is channelled in her balcony. The design draws on accents of pink and green against a backdrop of white and grey, among lush greenery of palms, ferns and cacti.

Sharing the apartment with her cavoodle puppy, Baxter, Newcombe made sure the space was  “puppy-protected” through the clever use of tall, slimline pots with high planting to create a barrier while adding privacy from passers-by.

Newcombe says when she first purchased the apartment, the balcony wasn’t very inviting. But since renovating, she enjoys spending time in the statement hanging chair, talking across to the neighbours and having friends over.

“I’ve had loads of people visit and open up the doors so you can move between the inside and out. It works well and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Home style

Maria Laitinen, who originates from Finland, is an advocate for Scandinavian culture and design. In fact, she blogs about her passion for minimal and functional interiors.

After questioning the practicality of her 20-square-metre balcony, Laitinen took action to simplify the layout.

“When we first moved in, we got the usual dining set and barbecue but quickly found that it wasn’t really functional as we never sat there to eat,” says Laitinen.

“While the balcony had to serve a variety of purposes, I wanted to avoid cramping the space with large pieces of furniture.”

Laitinen’s take on the Scandi-inspired outdoor space resulted in removing the table and chairs, and replacing them with casual seating and a few key pieces including a coffee table which doubles up as bench seating, large pots of easy-care succulents and a rug, which Laitinen says, “pulls the whole area together”.

Of the transformed balcony, Laitinen says, “on weekends we like to sit out there and have lunch together. I work from home a lot so I tend to go out with my laptop, or sit with a cup of tea. The space gets used daily, now that it’s comfortable.”

From dull to beautiful

After protracted remediation works on her newly built apartment, Bernadette Ryan felt she needed to fall back in love with her balcony.

“It was a barren, boring balcony. I wanted to extend the space so it flowed from the inside and green it up,” says Ryan.

Ryan sought the help of professionals to maximise her 16-square-metre balcony and admits she got most of her inspiration from the duo she enlisted, who had a unique blend of design and horticulture expertise.

“I already had the high-back wicker furniture that I wanted to retain. Other than that, everything was up for negotiation.”

And so the space was gutted and transformed into what Ryan describes as another room where she can wind down at the end of the day or entertain friends.

“It’s everything I wanted but I just didn’t know it. I keep falling in love with it,” she says.

Ryan’s favourite aspect is the vertical garden, which is also in view from the kitchen. “It makes me feel very happy. There are so many individual plants flowering at different times that it constantly changes. It’s a living piece of art.”