A Dark and Dreary Balcony Transformed Into a Second Living Room
When you live with four other people in a three-bedroom apartment, you might need to occasionally — or frequently — escape the close quarters. This group of roommates decided to make the most of their small balcony and transform it into another living space.
These were the outdoor area’s strengths and weaknesses: “My apartment has a relatively small patio (8′ x 14′) right off the living room. Before we started the project, it was fairly empty, with just a grill and a couple of tomato plants, Jessica Elyse of Jessica Elyse Photography shares.
It Felt “Dark and Dreary” but the Location Was Private
“The brick is whitewashed, but the flooring and railing are a dark greenish taupe, so it felt a little dark and dreary,” Jessica says. “However, we love the location because the patio faces a long line of greenery and feels really private!”
They Hid the Air Conditioner with a Privacy Screen
The predominantly beige space has been enlivened with blue, green, yellow, and a variety of textures. The blue furniture pieces and the rug are particularly fetching — I could even see them being used well indoors — and that hue is perfect with the flooring color.
Here we have the aforementioned grill, as well as what looks like an air conditioner and perhaps some recycling? This is a nice long space — that glimpse of green across the way is indeed attractive, and that grill is an admirable beast.
A screen now hides the air conditioner, and along with the other white elements — blanket, flowering tree, plant pot, throw pillow, flowers on a wreath, rug — they unify the space.
They Emphasized the Vertical Space of the Balcony
“I live in a three-bedroom apartment with four people. Space is limited, and our patio was only being used for grilling,” Jessica shares. “My roommates and I wanted to extend the living space out to the patio and enjoy the warm summer months!”
Jessica and her roommates executed this makeover smashingly. There’s a generous amount of seating, and the abundance of plants adds to the feeling of privacy.
The beautiful string lights contribute to the feeling of privacy, and they move the eye upward with help from the hanging plants. In a small space, that vertical emphasis can make such a difference.
The Plants Help Make the Balcony Private and Comfortable
“It took us about a month to complete the patio, as we had a lot to buy. The project cost was relatively high, as we did not spend any time at thrift stores, garage sales, or estate sales,” Jessica explains. It cost them roughly $708 to transform the space.
“There is so much I love about the finished patio. I love that we were able to hide the air conditioning unit behind the white paneling,” Jessica says. “Having so many plants makes the space feel private and natural. I love having a comfortable place outside to eat breakfast in the morning and enjoy some wine at the end of the night.”
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