Even a small balcony is a true gift for any apartment, especially if the living space is compact. An open balcony allows you to spend time outdoors and recharge, while a closed one lets you create a full-fledged functional zone that couldn’t fit inside. In this article, we will discuss how to utilize this space and what to consider when decorating.
Types of Small Balconies
The design of a balcony primarily depends on whether it is glazed or not.
Open
This option is beautiful and atmospheric, but not the most functional. Firstly, you can only enjoy the fresh air during the warm season and in good weather: in winter or under rain, you can’t drink coffee while enjoying a beautiful view. Secondly, due to the same precipitation and low temperatures, it’s impossible to establish full functional zones on an open balcony: under rain and snow, ordinary furniture quickly deteriorates, and plants perish. In winter, you can only move items to the balcony that are not afraid of cold and moisture (or pack them in protective covering).
Practically the only way to use such a space is to set up a mobile relaxation area for spring and summer. For this, it is ideal to get a set of lightweight outdoor furniture, preferably foldable, so you can later store it inside the apartment. Also, during the warm period, you can move plants in planters outside or create a mini garden with spices, greens, and berries.
If possible, set up a small canopy or an umbrella on the open balcony to create comfortable shade on sunny days.
Closed
Now, a closed balcony is a real find. If you insulate it and install dense, hermetic double-glazed windows, you get an entire additional room.
Advantages of this type:
- Usable year-round.
- Protected from precipitation.
- More possibilities for finishing and decorating.
- Can help offload the main living area by moving some storage there, a workstation, a dining area, etc.
- It’s an additional place for privacy in any weather.
- Essentially, you can approach the design of a closed balcony as you would any other room in the apartment.
Functionality
First, you need to decide what role the space will play, and then think about the interior design of the balcony.
Relaxation Zone
This is one of the simplest functions suitable for both open and closed types. To create a cozy corner for relaxation, you don’t need a lot of furniture or complex solutions. Just select beautiful finishes and place a couple of comfortable chairs.
In practice, people rarely limit themselves to just these. More often, chairs or ottomans are complemented by a small coffee table: you can place a book or phone on it, set a cup of coffee. If the tabletop is large enough, it can also be suitable for full breakfasts. If space is tight, the table can be replaced by a couple of hanging shelves, suitable for books, decor, or indoor plants.
If the balcony is narrow, there’s not always room to ergonomically arrange chairs. In this case, you can place a bench along the short side of the wall. For more functionality, choose a model with storage compartments under the seat.
For an open balcony, select furniture that is not afraid of rain or other precipitation.
Home Office
A common problem in small apartments, especially if multiple people live there, is the lack of a secluded space for someone who works or studies from home.
An insulated glazed balcony is a popular solution for this. It provides a private spot where you can close the door and not disturb others. Even a few square meters can accommodate a small corner with a lamp, office supply storage, and a tabletop for a laptop if not a large desk and a desktop computer.
Across, you could place a small sofa or a chair for relaxation, a couple of large plants, or a shelving unit for documents, office supplies, and other storage necessities for work.
Dining Area
In studio or one-room apartments, it’s hard to find space for everything needed. Sometimes it seems like some basic areas just can’t fit.
If you have a small kitchen and can’t set up a dining group in the room, use the balcony. Yes, on a few square meters, you can’t host gatherings with guests, but you can certainly set up a compact dining area for 1-2 people. On an open balcony, this can be done seasonally, during summer and spring, and a closed insulated one can be fully transformed into a mini-dining room.
To save space, use:
- Foldable sets that can be put away as needed.
- Drop-leaf models where the tabletop base attaches to the wall and can be raised or lowered as needed.
- Stools instead of chairs—they are more compact, and you can slide them under the table at any moment.
- Also, remember that a round table looks more aesthetic, but a square or rectangular one is more ergonomic and takes up less space.
Storage
Another popular use for a balcony is additional storage spaces. This option is convenient because it can be arranged not only on a fully insulated, but also just on a glazed or even an open balcony.
When setting up storage systems, remember that the main thing is not to turn the small space into a chaotic storage of items. It looks unattractive and is simply inconvenient: finding the needed item will be difficult. Therefore, organize the available square meters wisely: install shelving with several sections, use drawers and baskets, organizers. Don’t forget to utilize the wall surface: there you can hang several spacious shelves.
Winter Garden
Houseplant enthusiasts can use a small balcony for their hobby.
And if on an open balcony you can only put out flowers at appropriate times of the year, on a glazed balcony you can create a real winter garden. Although it may be small, first, it allows you to offload window sills and other surfaces in the apartment. Second, by gathering plants together and grouping them by conditions, it’s easier to create a favorable microclimate for them. Watering flowers is also more convenient when they are all nearby.
To fit more plants in a small area, set up a rack, make shelves for lightweight pots. You can also hang trailing species on hooks.
Finishes
Looking at photos of small balconies, you can see various design options: from paint to porcelain tiles and beautiful relief plaster.
For an open balcony, the main requirements are frost and moisture resistance. Most interior finishes are not suitable for this role, better to stick to outdoor ones. For the floor, you can use terrace or deck boards, porcelain tiles, PVC tiles, and poured floors. Wall finishes are not required since the balcony is part of the facade.
For a glazed balcony, the same options apply plus moisture-resistant linoleum on a felt base. It can last quite long and is also inexpensive. But for a heated space, any traditional materials are suitable: tiles, quartz vinyl, laminate, engineered board, and even parquet (if the humidity in this zone is normal). For walls, waterproof paint, decorative plaster, porcelain tiles, paneling are suitable. The latter is especially popular in Scandinavian and country interiors. Decorative wall panels can also be used. Wallpapers for finishes are rarely applied.
Furniture
As with finishes, the requirements for furniture differ between open and glazed balconies.
Furniture that will be outdoors needs to be sturdy, moisture-resistant, and not fade in the sun. For these purposes, it’s best to choose outdoor models made from appropriate materials with protective treatments. If you place a wrought iron table and similar chairs, you can even leave them out in the winter—rain, snow, and cold won’t harm them.
For an insulated balcony, practicality and aesthetics come to the forefront. Items should be proportionate to the small space, ideally multifunctional or transformable. Since space is limited, use what can be hung on the wall whenever possible: this applies not only to shelves but also to dining or work tables.
Decor and Textiles
A balcony is just as much a part of the apartment as the living room, bedroom, or hallway. Therefore, it can—and even should—be decorated.
Decor and textiles add coziness to the space, enliven it, and make it more interesting. If the overall color palette is light and fairly simple, this is a good way to spice it up with bright accents, which can be easily changed according to mood or season.
For an open balcony, floor lanterns, string lights with large bulbs, decorative vases are suitable. In warmer weather, it’s desirable to add textiles to the relaxation area. You can even lay down a rug (just be ready to stash it away if it starts raining).
On a closed balcony, the decoration works according to the general principle. If walls are not used for storage, decorate them with a painting, posters, or a panel. Place a bouquet of flowers or plants in planters. A couple of beautiful trinkets—on a shelf, table, or windowsill. If there is a chair or small sofa, throw a blanket and decorative pillows on the seating. Definitely hang curtains on the windows—Roman or roller shades work best. To make it warmer and cozier, pick a small soft rug.
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