Answering domestic issues with practical solutions is more than a job for us: it is an approach to everyday life. Today we have set ourselves a challenge to test our practical attitude: how to exploit the space of a small, very small balcony up to the last centimeter?
To furnish a small and narrow balcony you need "big" solutions. So here we are with the gauntlet: here you will find our tips to make it a livable space.
Great space-saving solutions to furnish a small terrace
With a large balcony you can allow yourself the luxury of making different situations coexist in the same space: the aperitif area, the area for BBQs with friends, the living room, the sunbathing area and so on. Here, let's specify immediately:
with a small balcony you can't think like this, you have to make choices .
To understand better, let's give you an example: is your balcony located in the sleeping area or on a different floor from that of the kitchen? Let's be objective: how many times will you want to go up the stairs or cross the house with pans and dishes to have lunch out? A balcony like this is best used as a relaxation area. It can become the place for summer naps, the space where you read, sunbathe or watch a movie before going to bed. Leave the table and chairs alone, therefore, it is better to focus on comfortable seats. Thinking this way will help you save yourself unnecessary clutter.
Now that we've made our premise we can move on to the space-saving solutions we've come up with.
Tables and chairs to furnish a small and narrow balcony
The temptation to have a small outdoor support to have breakfast or drink an aperitif is great. So let's start with the table. We immediately put you on alert: a poorly thought-out table can steal a lot of space, so we recommend smart solutions:
- Folding table . If you have a medium-sized balcony - which can accommodate friends - we recommend a folding table which, when open, can accommodate guests as well.
- Wall table or railing table . If you have a very narrow balcony this is the solution for you because it takes up very little space.
- Resealable table . Mini balcony? The best solution is a collapsible table that you can store when not in use. A tip: since you will have to move it, aim for something light.
And the chairs? We thought about:
- Foldable chairs : you store them when not in use and recover space to move around.
- Stackable Stools : You can stack them and hide them under the table, so they don't steal your space.
- Bench : it is more cumbersome than chairs, but if you choose those with storage compartments you can hide gardening tools, cushions or even… the BBQ! By the way: there are mini barbecues that clip onto the balcony balustrade and take up only a few centimeters.
Have you decided to use your balcony as a relaxation area? We have thought of seats that will make you relax like a pasha, without taking up too much space:
- Reclining armchair . It takes up the space of a normal armchair but then “tac”: recline it and sleep!
- Bench . If you cover it with pillows it can become much more comfortable than you think.
- Hammock . Only for true dreamers! You remove it in two seconds when you're not using it.
- Folding deck chairs . Perfect for sunbathing and comfortable for reading, relaxing and taking a nap. They have a vintage flavor and if you customize the seat fabrics they become a piece of furniture. When you are not using them, you close them and they take up very little space.
Then the time will come to cover walls and railings with lots of greenery.
Furnish a small terrace with plants
In small spaces it is good to keep the floor free from clutter and place the plants in height. You can choose between several options:
- Grid panel . It is the most classic solution for creating green walls. It is a panel, usually made of wood, which serves as a support for climbing plants. You can also use it as a privacy screen to gain more privacy.
- Railing pots and supports for wall or ceiling planters . They are all solutions that develop in height. They do not clutter, they surround you with greenery, they create privacy.
- Pallet . In recent years they have raged inside and outside the home: a real “palletmania”! If you're not squinting at just the word "pallet," you might consider hanging one on the wall and using it as a prop for small pots overflowing with climbing plants.
For a more livable balcony
To really enjoy your balcony you need to make it a pleasant place. We therefore asked ourselves what could be the disturbing elements of your outdoor stays. Two "nuisances" immediately came to mind: mosquitoes and neighbors - we don't want to, but the right to a little privacy is sacrosanct!
How to get the mosquitoes out?
- Two methods to keep them from getting close : citronella candles and mosquito repellent plants, such as geraniums, lavender, calendula, incense, basil, rosemary.
- A foolproof method to prevent them from entering the house : the mosquito net. It is not enough to install them on the windows, it is important that the balcony door also has its sliding mosquito net, easy to open and close. On our site you can find the best models of mosquito nets on the market, come and take a tour.
How to protect yourself from the prying eyes of the neighbors? The ideal solution is a nice wooden screen, cover it with a climbing plant to create a green wall.
Last thing: given that here we have the "ball" for windows, we cannot fail to give you some advice that will help you to save space. Often, in fact, on the balcony it is necessary to sacrifice a wall for the shutters of shutters and railings. A nice hassle! If you need to replace balcony doors and windows, make a strategic choice and opt for a retractable shutter or a folding grille.
Now tell us: have we won this challenge? ☺
