Before and After: She Turned Her Bare Balcony into a Cozy Lounge with IKEA Tiles
If you consider your outdoor area “a waste of space,” it’s definitely a sign that it’s time for a change. This was exactly how Jen Robinson felt about her small unfinished balcony.
“The building is quite old, and the patio looked tired and uninviting,” Jen says. “The stone was cold and not nice to walk on, and there was a lack of seating for guests.”
They Wanted a Cozy, Welcoming Escape Instead of Their Cold Balcony
All those factors made it tough to want to spend time out there. So, in a month, with a budget of $1,000, Jen and her boyfriend kick-started the project to create a cozier, more welcoming outdoor escape.
IKEA Outdoor Tiles Made the Space, but New Seating Completed It
Jen kicked the lonely green plastic chair to the curb, then got to work camouflaging the floor. Over top, Jen and her boyfriend applied IKEA RUNNEN decking tiles in dark gray to make it a space worthy of walking barefoot.
For seating, Jen added a small dining set and a totally loungeable sofa. “Having the high-top table and couch options for seating is nice when entertaining friends,” Jen says.
Now It’s a Warm and Private Outdoor Space with an Atmosphere
String lights, a bamboo screen, and a row of hanging plants boost the atmosphere and give some privacy to the area. Jen also threw in a space heater so the couple could continue enjoying the area a little while after summer ends.
The completed balcony could almost be mistaken for a trendy rooftop bar, with cool tables, chairs, candles, and twinkling lights.
She Didn’t Need Any Tools to Make This DIY Happen
The best part, though? The redo was an easy transformation. “Surprisingly, this project didn’t involve any tools aside from a drill and an Allen key!” Jen says.
Inspired? Submit your own project here.
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