apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

When I was living near downtown San Diego (Hillcrest), I had the cutest 800 square foot one BR apartment. The living room was on one level, and the bedroom and bathroom were on an upper level. What sold me, though, was that each level had a fairly large balcony.

I had all these plans on how I was going to decorate the balcony, etc. But over the course of the five years that I lived there, I never did. And I probably used the balcony once or twice, for a furniture staining project. I was young(er), single, and, well, nesting at home really wasn't my thing back then.

I have got a balcony but it's minimal and rather dark, still useful for drying my laundry and growing a few pots of herbs but not much else.
>>>my building has also got a communal garden which is not much used but it's a welcome spot of green among garages!

Am I a pure crazola to not really feel the need for my own outdoor space? That little option wasn't there!

I have a 12 x 8 terrace and I never thought I would appreciate it as much as I do. In the summer, it feels like we have an extra room. We eat dinner out there, have friends over for drinks, read, and just sit to look out on our little Brooklyn view of the Statue of Liberty. I grow tomatoes, herbs, flowers and this year peppers and chives. The surprising thing is that when we bought our apartment, people kept telling us how great it would be to have outdoor space. I didn't really think so then, but now I do.

If I had small children, I'd be nervous about having a balcony.

I have a small balcony, but it appears to belong more to the pigeons than to me! They've marked their territory, and even managed to guck up the chairs I had put out there.

sweetverve - pigeons are a HUGE disgusting problem in my bldg., too. this year i'm installing pigeon spikes. many of my neighbors have and it really keeps them away. it doesn't hurt them (though i have to admit that i would often love to), it just doesn't allow them to land.

Where I am now the walkway is so narrow that I can't put any flowers outside my door. Already made it a goal for the next apartment I move into will either have a balcony or patio.

We have 2 balconies in our (weekend) suburban condo, and we use them all the time weather permits -- barbecuing, dining, coffee in the morning. I wish we had outdoor space in the city -- if even just a nice fire-escape! Alas, the fire escape is in a recessed nook of the building, right up agains the wall of a neighboring building -- so dark and gross with pidgeons!

See our terrace here:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/look/outdoor-home-frank-alans-grill-with-a-view-025229

No outdoor space currently, but we just signed a new lease on an apartment in a townhouse with a tiny back patio-thing (for us), and a large shared yard, and I'm super excited! It's a tiny space, but we have big plans...definitely tomatoes and herbs, maybe some peppers, lettuce, snow peas...and of course, it's a place to grill, which we've been without for two years!
I'm also looking forward to sitting out there with a book and some lemonade on a sunny day...

Met Home Mag recently featured this amazing outdoor "room" in Chelsea. And the materials are sustainable.

http://lovinglivingsmall.blogspot.com/2008/04/outdoor-space-at-its-finest.html

I WISH I had a balcony, even if the subway runs right by the house.

We're spoiled I know, but my roommates and I have two huge terraces - about 1000 square feet in total, with amazing views. I can't believe people don't take advantage of their outdoor space - we have bbqs and parties all the time when the weather's nice.

Actually this is a tough thing for me - I'd love to get my own place but can't give up this space!

Not in NY but in Amsterdam, a terrace and a balcony on one side, and a small balcony opposite are 'enough'. I do not need any more, but it can be nicer to be on the street and meet strangers.

i'm lucky enough to have a backyard (i'm in brooklyn) and i have to say i use it all the time. i get major cabin fever whenever i live in apartments that don't have some outdoor space accessible in my home.