How To Make The Most Of A Small Balcony?

There is nothing better than waking up on a warm morning and taking breakfast on the balcony. Or, escaping the stresses of a trying day to enjoy a crisp glass of white on the balcony as the sun goes down. It always sounds so much better than reality. 

A lot of people, particularly those with smaller balconies, end up as a waiting room for dying plants. You had such high hopes initially, but the reality just didn’t live up to expectations. A small balcony is a challenge, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of the space. Let’s make sure you’re making the most of yours. 

A privacy screen 

This is a simple DIY job that isn’t going to break the bank. It provides you with privacy and it’s a cheap enough purchase from any major retailer. All you need to secure them is rope and/or zip ties. Once your screen is in place you can add fairy lights to finish the job. 

You’re already dealing with a small place, but adding the warmth of a privacy screen and string lights makes it feel cozy rather than small. Alternatively, you can use plants and flowers to create privacy. Cover the railings in greenery to kill two birds with one stone. 

More and more, people want their balcony to be another room of their home. It should be just as cozy as chilling on the couch. You can achieve this by creating a space that works for what you plan to use it for. Here are some things to consider:

When you go to these lengths to create a comfortable retreat, you should also be proactive about protecting your balcony against leaks. You need to know the early warning signs and you need to know what to watch for to prevent it from becoming a major problem. 

An oasis 

If you live in the city, then you know how challenging it is to inject a bit of nature into your daily life. You can create an oasis for yourself, even if your balcony is only a little one. Consider adding ledges to the existing walls to create space for potted plants. There are also hanging options if your DIY skills aren’t advanced enough to install ledges or shelves. 

Potted plants will add life to your balcony and you can use the privacy screens we mentioned above to finish the look. Perhaps white lattice is the energy you’re looking for. You can also use a storage bench to keep your gardening supplies in and add cushions to make it comfortable seating. 

If you are dealing with an incredibly tight space, then you may want to consider a planter wall for a vertical garden instead of ledges or hanging baskets. 

Functional, but stylish 

With the right plants and furniture, you can create a stylish and functional balcony space, even if it is the tiniest balcony in history. You only need one comfortable chair, a folding table that can be stored when it isn’t needed, an old crate that can provide storage while serving as a plant stand. A washable rug provides warmth and a soft floor for bare toes. 

Great for dog’s 

If you want to make the most of your balcony, but prefer to decorate it with your dog in mind, then there are still plenty of options. Synthetic grass gives your pup a comfortable ground to explore, fencing offers privacy and an improved décor, and some plants add to the park look. It’s a great spot for your dog to hang out when you can’t get out for a walk. 

Seeking shade 

If your balcony requires shade you can get it while maintaining your style. Consider a fabric awning. It’s nice to spend time on your balcony knowing you’re not putting your skin at risk. If you have gone to so much trouble to create a cozy space, then you have to consider the practicalities of spending a lot of time in the sun. And, if you need a hand with plumbing for your balcony, then get in touch with Tap This Plumbing today!


How To Make The Most Of A Small House Or Apartment?

Living in a small house or apartment can sometimes feel stifling. 

For many people looking to rent or buy apartment units and small houses, space is a luxury that cannot be afforded. But learning to live with less space can help people on lower incomes save money on rent and mortgage payments over time. 

The number of people living in urban areas — where there is a higher density of small, confined housing — is rising. According to UN data, in 2018 55% of the world’s population lived in cities. This is projected to increase to 68% by 2050. 

Particularly in the central areas of world cities like New York and London, where the cost of property development is at its highest, housing can be very cramped. Homeowners have their work cut out to repel feelings of claustrophobia. 

Luckily, there are a number of inventive ways to make the most of the limited space you have. Apply these ten tips and be amazed at how expansive your living space can become. 

1. Clear out unnecessary items 

Having a clear-out is the first place to start in freeing up space. When you look around your room, kitchen, or living area, consider which items you actually need. 

If you haven’t used it in the last six months, the chances are it can go. Scrap any duplicates lying around. Do you really need two airers? Or two carving knives?

2. Use vertical space

The further up from the floor you go, the more free space becomes available. With the exception of bookshelves and mounted shelves, vertical space in your home is probably largely unoccupied. 

Of course, gravity stops us from filling vertical space to the brim. But by stacking things on top of each other, you can maximise storage space and free up other more valuable gaps elsewhere.

Make the most of any space above cabinets in the kitchen and place shelving units on top of each other for some easy fixes. 

3. Use foldable furniture 

Investing in foldable furniture is a great way to free up extra space when you have visitors. 

You’re probably most familiar with couches that double up as beds, but the foldable furniture scene is expanding rapidly and developing lots of new ways to save space. Foldable tables, chairs, desks, shelving units, and even kitchen islands are all options. 

4. Maximise natural lighting

Let as much natural light flood into your home as possible. This will illuminate your rooms, giving the impression of more space. 

5. Paint your walls with light colours 

Following on from the previous point, this is another way to get the most out of your small flat or apartment. Light walls are just one of many visual tricks you can use to give the illusion of more space.

6. Go paperless 

Gone are the days when we needed a large filing cabinet in our homes to store reams and reams of documents. The growth of digital technology means that you can now transfer many of your important files onto a computer. 

Of course, there will still be some documents you need to keep in physical form, but this is another way to clear some extra space. 

7. Opt for minimal decor

When living in a small space, avoid the temptation to over-decorate. Adorning every wall with pictures and paintings will only make the room feel more confined. Instead, hang just two or three statement pieces on the wall. Less is more. 

8. Buy multipurpose devices and utensils 

Where possible, buy devices that perform multiple functions. Single-purpose items are deadweight. 

This might be as simple as an all-in-one opener that can tackle cans and bottles simultaneously or as advanced as a smart TV that can broadcast cable, Youtube, Netflix, and Hulu.

9. Use door hooks

Buying some hooks to attach to your door frames is a cheap way to use vertical space. Using the hooks to hang up outerwear should spare you from needing a coat rack. 

10. Mirrors are your friend 

Mirrors are effective for two reasons. They trick your eyes into thinking the room is bigger than it really is. They also help to bounce more light around your rooms, which has the same effect. 


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