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Reclaim Balcony Space & Increase Indoor Area Without Building Walls
If you live in a small apartment and want to extend space without taking on a huge renovation project, consider these tips
Aditi Sharma Maheshwari
11 June 2021
Blogger, dog mom
Most homeowners living in compact apartments want to somehow increase the limited space available. Sometimes there is some leeway to structurally change things within an apartment and sometimes there isn’t. How, then, can one access more space in a home with small square footage? One solution is to reclaim balcony space. By using certain tricks and clever ideas, this outdoor area can be made a part of the interiors. Interested? Read on.
1. Install outdoor blinds
If one’s building society laws permit, one way is to enclose the entire balcony with outdoor blinds; PVC blinds, wooden or faux wood Venetian blinds, louvred shutters or transparent monsoon blinds made of thick sheets of plastic can be used. Most of these blinds are sturdy and long-lasting against a variety of weather conditions (winter, rain or hail). They come in an array of finishes to suit different tastes.
In this space, wooden blinds enclose the balcony. They make this reclaimed space seem like an extension of the bedroom, making the interior space seem larger than it is.
Tip: You can also choose woven shades. While wooden blinds are hard, and slatted or vaned, shades are soft and usually constructed from lengths taken from a roll of material. These can be made from grasses, reeds, jute or bamboo.
If one’s building society laws permit, one way is to enclose the entire balcony with outdoor blinds; PVC blinds, wooden or faux wood Venetian blinds, louvred shutters or transparent monsoon blinds made of thick sheets of plastic can be used. Most of these blinds are sturdy and long-lasting against a variety of weather conditions (winter, rain or hail). They come in an array of finishes to suit different tastes.
In this space, wooden blinds enclose the balcony. They make this reclaimed space seem like an extension of the bedroom, making the interior space seem larger than it is.
Tip: You can also choose woven shades. While wooden blinds are hard, and slatted or vaned, shades are soft and usually constructed from lengths taken from a roll of material. These can be made from grasses, reeds, jute or bamboo.
…or grilles
Similarly, instead of a blind, consider installing a partial or full grille. Here, the grille helps enclose the balcony, give it an intriguing design flair and even offers itself as a place to hang plants and lights.
Looking for a professional to design your interiors?
Similarly, instead of a blind, consider installing a partial or full grille. Here, the grille helps enclose the balcony, give it an intriguing design flair and even offers itself as a place to hang plants and lights.
Looking for a professional to design your interiors?
2. Consider motorised blinds
Unlike regular blinds that blow and move around with the wind, motorised blinds are secured to a frame leaving no gap between the fabric and channel. This means air-conditioning doesn’t escape and dust, rain and mosquitoes can’t get in. These blinds are made of robust materials such as steel, aluminium or PVC mesh fabric. Since they can be controlled with the touch of a button, the blinds can be easily opened and closed, as per convenience. The motorised blinds help cover the balcony completely and allow the outdoor area to look like a part of the interior space.
Unlike regular blinds that blow and move around with the wind, motorised blinds are secured to a frame leaving no gap between the fabric and channel. This means air-conditioning doesn’t escape and dust, rain and mosquitoes can’t get in. These blinds are made of robust materials such as steel, aluminium or PVC mesh fabric. Since they can be controlled with the touch of a button, the blinds can be easily opened and closed, as per convenience. The motorised blinds help cover the balcony completely and allow the outdoor area to look like a part of the interior space.
3. Opt for sliding or folding doors
One way to completely open up the balcony to the interiors is by choosing the right doors. A sliding pocket door is one that fits inside the wall when pushed back. It disappears from view when not in use and offers unrestricted connectivity between the indoors and outdoors. Simple sliding doors, like the ones here, do just as well. Similarly, accordion doors are suspended from an overhead track and completely fold back when open.
One way to completely open up the balcony to the interiors is by choosing the right doors. A sliding pocket door is one that fits inside the wall when pushed back. It disappears from view when not in use and offers unrestricted connectivity between the indoors and outdoors. Simple sliding doors, like the ones here, do just as well. Similarly, accordion doors are suspended from an overhead track and completely fold back when open.
4. Have inside-outside flooring
For the perfect inside-outside space, consider continuing the same flooring into the balcony. Visually, this will make the outdoor space seem like a part of the interiors.
For the perfect inside-outside space, consider continuing the same flooring into the balcony. Visually, this will make the outdoor space seem like a part of the interiors.
5. Extend the seating
Plan the seating layout of your living room in such a way that the balcony seating looks like an extension of the indoors. Open up the doors and use the same colour scheme and furniture outdoors so that the living room and balcony look like one expansive socialising area.
Here’s how to achieve an indoor-outdoor connection
Plan the seating layout of your living room in such a way that the balcony seating looks like an extension of the indoors. Open up the doors and use the same colour scheme and furniture outdoors so that the living room and balcony look like one expansive socialising area.
Here’s how to achieve an indoor-outdoor connection
6. Add an awning
If it’s not a permanent enclosure you’re looking for (such as grilles or screens), you could even consider retractable awnings. These will provide the necessary covering or roofing for the balcony, making it look like an extension of the room. When not in use, it can be retracted and folded away.
Read more:
How to Gain Space Without Extending It
Tell us:
Have you used any clever tricks to extend indoor space? Share with us in Comments below.
If it’s not a permanent enclosure you’re looking for (such as grilles or screens), you could even consider retractable awnings. These will provide the necessary covering or roofing for the balcony, making it look like an extension of the room. When not in use, it can be retracted and folded away.
Read more:
How to Gain Space Without Extending It
Tell us:
Have you used any clever tricks to extend indoor space? Share with us in Comments below.
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