Being able to make any amount of outdoor space feel like an extension of your apartment will go a long way towards opening up your tiny space. And for those of us with miniscule balconies that never seem to get past the stage of "we could really do something with this space and make it great!" it can be easy to give up on it altogether. But with great weather coming up and this inspiration from Sweden (leave it to the Swedes) you'll be lounging outside in no time:
Small Balcony Idea: Line It With Fabric
Yes, we have those terrible white rails on our balcony, too. Those along with the street below and the crisp breeze that's been blowing keeps us from really hanging out on the balcony even though we've got 2 chairs and a little table. So when we ran across these images from Oscars, a Swedish Real Estate company, we felt inspired. By simply wrapping a colored fabric around the balcony, it closes it in, gives the illusion of preppy stripes, offers privacy and blocks the wind from being overbearing. And if you choose a color that's an extension of the palette in the room adjoining the deck/patio/balcony, it will feel like an extension of the space and be much more inviting. And if you've ever been afraid to let your cat out on the balcony this could be a great solution, as long as the fabric is affixed securely in all corners.
We would recommend using a fabric like Sunbrella which can whether the...weather and the sun better than regular fabrics. We just bought some on super discount at F & S-- $9/yard. Or you can try out the wind screen that Ikea has as a part of their summer collection.
Now we're wondering if this could work for all of you with those stucco balconies.
What do you think, would you try this?
Comments (15)
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That looks so great and cozy.
Some buildings have rules about this kind of thing. I know when we moved into our apartment my boyfriend asked if we could put shades hanging down and they said absolutely not. It does tend to give a building a messy appearance when balconies and patios have all sorts of different things on different units. Really cramps your patio style tho!
However our patio has solid half walls around it instead of railing, might be a nice way to soften it up a bit below and brighten it up to line our side of it with some fabric or something. Im sure it would be ok since you wouldn't be able to see it from the street.
view adamwa's profile
I've been thinking of doing this to disguise an unsightly metal fence. You could put grommets in the fabric, and attach it with ties or wire or whatever. Thinking of green so it disappears in the landscaping.
view arroyo's profile
Bummer, adamwa. Do they also regulate your patio furnture? What kind of plants you can grow?
If I had a balcony like that I'd have more plants... I also have solid half-walls, which really limits the sunshine. Those box balls in the picture are not going to be so round if they sit behind that awning all the time.
view whytephoenix's profile
Haha no they don't regulate furniture or plants... well as far as I remember. I did think it was kind of weird and controlling. I think the basic jist of it was you weren't suppose to put anything up that dramatically changed the exterior appearance of the patios. So like wind chime or flower basket are ok, but shades, curtains, walls, or some big bright strip of fabric woven around the patio would be a no I'm guessing. They did have a few other rules like no charcoal grills, which makes sense as all the patios are stacked on top of each other, would smoke out everyone above you.
The tower diagonal from us seems to be a free for all and it really is a bit of an eyesore. So I guess its a good thing on some level, but at a price. however unfortunately the sacrifice doesn't benefit us because we cant see our own building out of our windows... Funny how that works...
view adamwa's profile
adamwa, our place is the same.
And Laure, I believe it's weather (come safely through/withstand) the weather (heat, cloudiness, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain, etc.).
view Mrs.Mack's profile
Too pretty!
view LilyC's profile
This is so cute!
How nice would this look if you managed to somehow coordinate with others in your building to do coordinating colors?
view slowdown's profile
I'm not sure about my building's rules about stuff on the balcony railings, but I have been considering getting a clear or milky plastic rather than fabric for the railings. I figured it would be less visible from below and therefore avoid a controversy with the building.
view John H's profile
Maybe you could use two pieces and have a more flashy color inside and a milder one street-view?
I love this idea!
view AngelaPeregrina's profile
Sweden and LA don't equate. I'd pick something I could wash easily that wouldn't fade, like Sunbrella which isn't cheap.
view FantasticMrFaux's profile
this idea would also improve your view if yours overlooks unsightly rooftops
view sunan's profile
That's so pretty! It would block some of the light, though, if you're trying to grow plants on the balcony.
view Brandyjane's profile
Check this out for all those whose apartment/hoa's won't permit fabric. Same purpose, no one can complain when it looks like ivy or morning glory plants. We're a first floor unit, so I don't need it....but I LOVE the idea!
http://www.solutions.com/jump.jsp?itemID=14257&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C4%2C798%2C10537&iProductID=14257
view Lizliterarius's profile
terrific idea.
view The Bretttorrium's profile
Thanks Lizliterarius for the GREAT link!
view baileyb's profile