apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Can you mount a shelf/counter by the ledge (using brackets) and then chairs that are bar-stool height?

how about a banquette on the left wall. about 24" tall, with storage below and an outdoor foam and sunbrella cushion atop?
then you use the wall as your backboard, can lounge on it, and still see over the rail.

the storage could hold folding chairs for company, allowing you to open the space, or barbeque supplies and a small grill.

I'd definitely get some altitude in the infinity pool sense, so the balcony railing doesn't occupy so much visual space. Plus, you'd get free storage underneath. How, while retaining enough space for proper lounging is what I'm not quite seeing...

Maybe the stairway up should be just inside the door?

fairy lights, plants, bbq, and smaller chairs/bench. but that's just me.

or, taller table so you can eat meals and read and etc out there. hang the candle lanterns so you have space for your food. if you're sitting next to the railing, you could easily see out, yes?

I think it looks pretty good already! My one suggestion would be to get some plants to enliven the area. I don't know much about gardening, unfortunately, but something lush and green and a bit of color. Maybe a mid-sized potted plant in the far left-hand corner (Meyer lemon tree? can those go in pots?). That and/or a planter or two coming out from the side of the the balcony edge like a window box. I wouldn't put plants on top of the balcony because you don't want to block the view any more than the balcony already does. Can you have plants on the outside of the balcony or is that against your HOA rules? Because that could be nice, if so.

We had a very similar situation in our previous apartment. We bought a bar table and chair set from Cost Plus where the table top was even with the top of the wall. Without the table I can see where you'd get a feeling of vertigo, but with it, you've kinda got something to hold on to. And then you can eat outside and enjoy the view.

1. What direction/expsure does your balcony get? It looks like from the view of the theatre marquee that you face south and have a nice shady overhang? That's wonderful for climbing easy-care plants like bougainvillea and hanging fuschias. You can twine white lights into a climber for a great evening effect.

http://www.midwestaquaticsandexotics.com/bougainvillea.jpg

http://pyropus.ca/personal/house/garden-2003/20030708-fuschia-1.jpg

Keep it simple -- don't overload with a bunch of pots. Pay more for fewer mature, robust plants for immediate gratification. Vary the leaf color between plants -- or buy plants with verigated leaft color. I would choose 2 perennial plants that have showy flowers (one climber, one hanging), and then have a pot for showy foliage annuals like coleus.

http://www.blossomswap.com/images/flower-pictures/coleus.jpg

2. Get a bistro table and stools to get some height.

3. A couple of weeks ago, AT featured mirrored patio walls fronted with painted decorative trellis for a sort of trompe l'oeleil appearance of depth. You could get the same effect on a budget with lattice. Edit/customize the lattice checkerboard by removing small sections here and there to expose more mirror, or cut a curved shapes like a portal window.

P.S. Ikea is having a sale on patio furniture in May. It's carbs, but it's a way to make a change without a huge committment.

I think that higher chairs with a tall pub-type table and stools next to the railing would not feel too high--the table would help make you feel more anchored to the space. I would also look into some plant boxes you could hang over the entire length of the railing. If it's allowed, putting some lush green plants (i would suggest a really low-maintenance ivy) along the outside would visually make the railing feel more substantial when you're sitting in taller chairs. I would also get a larger rug--go as big as you can. This will also anchor the space.

Consider some wall decor. I can't tell if the outside is vinyl siding or wood. If it's wood, you might consider hanging some art or a small shelf for your lanterns. Otherwise, you could use an over-the-door hook to hang something off your storage closet door.

The previous suggestions of fairy lights is also good--I think they could look nice hanging from above and are a nice alternative to harsher overhead lighting. I'm assuming there's a bulb for the balcony, so you might be able to use a socket-to-plug converter and have the lights on the switch.

I second the comment that it's nice now. How are you going to use the space? Overflow while entertaining? Or Sunday morning, coffee/newspaper ritual?

If the former, you need some floor space. Go with backless stools that could slide under a counter on the left side. Consider a desk height counter with ottoman/stools (storage!) underneath.

If the Sunday morning ritual, it's pretty much great as is... keep your chairs (they look comfortable) and maybe add a architecturally interesting plant and a new rug (just to add a little color).

I am practically your neighbor-I live in the West End Commons on Mandela Parkway about half a mile away. I have a ground floor patio so its a little different in that we were able to change the paving, but you can see what we did with plants in our 6' x 8' patio:

http://flickr.com/photos/24597018@N04/sets/72157604390937699/

I agree, that I would love to see more postings (maybe even a sub-site like ohdeeoh??) on some gardens/urban green space!!

If you want any more info on what I used for my patio, you can email me at:

eeow (at) aol (dot) com

Echoing dcaries with the "what do you want to do out there" and "how often"?

Do NOT put a barbeque or hibachi out there. That may violate fire code and might REALLY annoy your neighbors. My downstairs neighbor did that, and I ended up calling the emergency poison control center because I was having problems breathing. No joke. My apartment was filled with smoke and fumes.

It looks like you have a door on the right? Is that storage? Do you use it?

It also looks like the dryer vent on the left?

I like the chairs. The table is too small for a usable table and the small candle holders will not cast a good light. The rugs are too small too.

Check out the outdoor rugs and look for ones that seem to have a pattern that doesn't have a sharp border, like this palms leaves:
http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/control/prod/~pid=1523561700-270411/~color=8654
Or flowers:
http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/control/prod/~pid=1523562550-270411/~color=10126

Those styles give the appearance of "no ending". You know what I mean? No big contrast border that clearly defines the edge of your space, making it look even smaller than the walls do. The walls already are right there. No need to define the space even further (which is what rugs are SO GREAT about doing, defining a special area, but we already KNOW the definition of your space).

This might even work, but it is not for "outdoor" use and I don't like their outdoor products:
http://www.flor.com/service/flor/shop_detail_sale.html?mv_arg=1243302500%2d6805_02

Check out also the outdoor art:
http://www.thewallartstore.com/WeatherPrint-18016-OAD1488.html

That tends to turn your balcony into a forest of bamboo. And that could be done in pairs, on the far short wall of the balcony. I like the nature element.

But you can go with anything you desire. Abstracts, landscapes, and they will be seen from your dining area! So you are adding art to that area too. This rug could be kind of nice with the bamboo wall art:
http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/control/prod/~pid=152252925-406/~color=11121

Yes, it does have a border, but it's greenery, two different kinds to choose from.

There are outdoor table lamps that could cast an inviting glow, I like this warm reddish tone on the shade too:
http://www.outdoorlightingshowroom.com/Weatherproof-Table-Top-Lamp.htm

It would be becoming for the complexion. You don't want a green shade. It will make everyone look sick. Ha!

You could try growing potted bamboo, read about the ideas here:
http://www.wisegeek.com/can-i-grow-bamboo-in-containers.htm

Another really cool idea, is to make your own faux planter box in the color of your choice, and to run it along the width of the balcony and use bamboo stalks, like this:
http://skylandgardening.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/126_2657_img.JPG

Maybe not that tall though, they might not let you do that. But it could come up to waist high to change some of that horizontal siding look.

Those are just a few ideas. You obviously can't do the them all and still be able to get out ON to the balcony. But you can use bits and pieces. Like maybe a little square box with the bamboo stalks on each side of the door?

Maybe use that rope lighting, in such a way that it was hidden from view behind one of the larger bamboo stalks, but when they were turned on, it would cast shadows through the stalks?

To be honest, I think it looks perfect as it is; anything else and it'd start to look cluttered, much unlike your already stylish modernist motif.

I think it looks comfy as is...but maybe I'd just turn the chairs around to face in since the half wall blocks a sitting view...and maybe a larger outdoor carpet...and some greenery.

Tie any outside upholstery into the inside upholstery. Start the outside on the inside by incorporating some plants around the sliding glass doors.

how about using low rectangular planters along the side walls and planting floral vine type plants like bougainvillea or morning glory or similar so that it covers that siding. Then chose some comfy seating like the tillary modular outdoor seating from west elm. A table for drinks, food and candle and you've got an oasis!