For those of us that live in condos and apartment buildings, having a balcony is a real luxury. As we’re all spending more time at home, having even a small piece of outdoor space can make a big difference. If you’re not already taking advantage of your balcony, now is the time to start. Follow these 5 steps to revamp your condo balcony and make the most of your outdoor space.
1. Clear the Clutter
Before you can revamp your balcony, you need to start with a clean slate. If you’ve been using your balcony as a storage unit, it’s time to stop. Remove anything you’ve been storing out there and find a different home for it. If you’ve left items outside all winter with no protection, it’s likely you’ll need to get rid of them. Remove any garbage or debris that may have collected. Once you have a clutter-free balcony to work with, you can move on to the next step.
2. Clean It Off
After a long winter and a rainy spring, there’s no doubt your balcony could use a good cleaning. Give your floors a good sweep or wash, depending on the material. Next, focus on cleaning your railing, especially if it’s made of glass. This will let the sun shine through and make your balcony sparkle. Tip: Only focus on the inside of your balcony as it’s likely your condo’s property manager will schedule in professional cleaning for the front side. Never try to clean the front side of your balcony as this can be very dangerous. With a freshly cleared and cleaned space you’re ready to start revamping.
3. Add Seating
No matter the size of your balcony, you can fit some form of seating in. Whether it’s a bistro table and a single chair or an entire sectional, having a place to sit will encourage you to actually spend time on your balcony. Take some measurements and start looking for the right fit. There are lots of options online so you can have your new furniture delivered right to your door. If you can’t find anything online that fits your space, consider having something custom built. By connecting with a handyman or carpenter, you can have something built that will fit your space perfectly. You may be surprised to find that the cost of custom-built is comparable to buying new furniture.
4. Go Green
Adding plants to your balcony adds colour, texture and beauty. If your balcony gets enough sun, you can create an herb garden or add colourful flowers. You can also add tall plants to help create privacy from your neighbours. If you’re concerned about dust or wind harming your plants, consider adding fake plants instead. Fake plants have come a long way and actually look pretty real these days. If you want the look of lush plants but don’t want the work, try adding some fake plants instead.
5. Lighting and Accessories
Adding twinkle lights can extend the use of your balcony into the night time. Pull out your holiday lights or order some outdoor lights online. You can string them up and they will make a big difference. Tip: You can buy shatter-proof bulbs so you don’t have to worry about them shattering. Consider adding some indoor comforts to your space. A rug will look great and help hide an unattractive floor. Add throw pillows and blankets to make it like an outdoor living room. Bring out a book and your favourite drink and enjoy your newly revamped space.
Having a balcony is such a bonus in a condo or apartment building so you should really take advantage of it. Don’t use it as a storage locker and take the time to spruce it up. By following these 5 steps, you’ll have a newly revamped balcony that you can enjoy all summer long!
