There is nothing like coming home and going out to the balcony or terrace to unwind after a day of work. So that you can get the most out of it, do not miss the following tips to take advantage of a small balcony and transform it into a cozy and stylish place.
Today, living in a house with a garden or a large terrace is a luxury, but many times we have to make do with a small balcony as the only way out. However, however small or narrow it may be, a dream corner can be transformed. Proof of this is the before and after of the next balcony, just 1.03 meters wide and 1.65 meters deep.
If you want your tiny balcony to be a cozy place to enjoy individually or as a couple, there are a series of keys or tips that you should keep in mind. In the following video tutorial you will see how to achieve a radical change.
Perform good maintenance
The balcony is permanently exposed to atmospheric actions and requires maintenance tasks to prevent deterioration over time. The most common problems that we can find are:
- Appearance of fissures/cracks
- Rust/corrosion of the locksmith
- Filtration of water and humidity
To avoid them, it is advisable to check the fastening elements and condition of the railings at least once a year, as well as inspect the joints and monitor the appearance of cracks.
In this specific case, the lower part of the railing was a bit rusty and to remove it I used WD-40® Double Action Multipurpose Product. This multi-purpose oil kills surface rust and protects metal from corrosion by displacing moisture. Its use is very simple, you just have to follow these steps:
- Spray the spray on the rusty area
- Rub with a steel wool
- Clean with a dry cloth
If there are traces of rust, just repeat these three steps again.
get intimacy
Although we like to enjoy the outside, we also want to do it in a way that we have some privacy. To achieve this, hurdles or enclosures such as the ecological wicker LOP from Catral Garden can be placed. This enclosure is obtained by mixing natural fibers with polymers that provide resistance, flexibility, lightness and a very natural appearance. In addition, there are different formats (1, 1.5 and 2 meters high), to adapt to your balcony, garden or terrace.
Its installation is very simple, since it is fixed by means of flanges or wire and cut with cutting pliers. In this case, it has been installed as follows:
- Separation screen: 2 meter high wicker attached to the frame of the screen with wire.
- Window in the wall: 1 meter high wicker attached to plugs for cable ties with wire.
Custom furniture to take advantage of a small balcony
The main rule when making the most of a small balcony is to make the most of every corner, but without overloading it. In this sense, choosing furniture that adapts to its dimensions is essential and building our own custom-made furniture will make the most of the space. For example, a wooden bench that fits the width of the balcony is essential when you have little space. For this reason, I have built a wooden bench with backrest and capacity for two people with the following measurements:
- Seat: 12 wooden slats 41 x 7 x 1.8 cm for the base, 3 slats 90 x 4 x 1.8 cm to join the base boards, 2 boards 90 cm x 7 cm x 1.8 cm to finish off the front and back and 2 side strips of 4.5 x 35 x 4.5 cm
- Backing: a 90 x 40 x 1.8 cm wooden board and 2 3 x 90 x 1.8 cm slats for the top and bottom
- Armrests: 2 slats of 4.5 x 90 x 4.5 cm for the back legs and back of the bench, 2 slats of 4.5 x 65 x 4.5 cm for the front legs, 4 of 4.5 x 36 x 4.5 cm for the seat and bottom crossbars and 2 boards 46 x 7 x 1.8 cm for the armrest.
Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to have a multitude of tools to build our own furniture. In fact, to make this bench basically has been used:
- Black+Decker jigsaw with Autoselect®: The Autoselect® system allows you to control the speed depending on the type of cut and material to be cut. It also has a 550w motor and variable speed with pendulum action that allows faster cutting in wood, metal and plastic.
- Driver drill
- mouse sander
The steps that have been followed to build this wooden bench are detailed in the video tutorial and are summarized in:
- Join the base slats by screwing them at the bottom to a strip on each side and another in the center.
- Glue and nail the front and back boards to finish off the edges.
- Screw the slats on the sides.
- Draw two crosses or “X” on the wooden board and cut with the jigsaw.
- Screw the two crossbars to join the front and rear parts of the arms and screw the armrest.
- Protect and decorate the wood with lasur, as it is especially suitable for exterior wood because it regulates its interior humidity and does not crack like varnishes.
- Screw the sides to the seat and place some plates to screw the backrest.
find your style
Whether it is colonial, japandi or industrial style, your balcony must have a style that defines and unifies it so that it has harmony. In this specific case, a coastal style has been chosen in which blue tones and natural materials such as wood and natural fabrics predominate. In addition, it has been decorated with marine details such as the painting with fish, the net, the starfish or the beach huts.
Life and warmth on your small balcony
No matter how small your balcony is, you can’t miss a touch of green with a plant or pot that will also bring it to life.
Lighting is also an important aspect to take into account to provide warmth and charm. An LED garland or a lantern will suffice to illuminate an aperitif at sunset or an impromptu dinner.
I hope these tips and practical example will inspire you and help you take advantage of a small balcony to transform it into your favorite place. Do not forget that you will find many more guides and tricks on DIY and decoration at
Project carried out in collaboration with Mi Hogar Mejor
