Most HDB flats and condominiums nowadays come with a small planter area, which homeowners tend to turn into a balcony. It can be a space to display your plants or a cosy space to share a glass of wine after dinner with your loved one. With every square metre getting more expensive, forward thinking homeowners are even converting the balcony strip into extra living space. For homes with slightly bigger balconies, you can even make alfresco dining a reality. Here are 17 functional and fabulous balcony design ideas to steal from local homes:
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Don’t let a good view go to waste. This homeowner cleverly designed the dry kitchen to sit next to the balcony so he will have a pretty view to look at when he preps his food. The bar counter is also great for entertaining.
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Originally a three-bedder with a family room, the apartment is now compartmentalised into one spacious living and dining room, as well as one master suite. The living room feels even more spacious as the balcony serves as an extension of it, complete with weatherproof furniture.
Embrace the jungalow trend. This green wall is so luxuriant that “many cars have stopped by along the road to look at it. There was even a passer-by who requested to come in for a look – he stayed for half an hour just admiring it,” shares the homeowners.
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A sofa set for the expansive balcony space turns the balcony into a second living room, where the homeowner hosts wine-drinking sessions with her friends.
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The custom-designed suspended tabletop is a good option for small spaces, since it doesn’t take up floor area.
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Want to recreate a cosy dining area outdoors? Take hints from this balcony design, which is clad in a water-resistant PVC laminate and is fitted with an industrial lamp and family-sized dining set.
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The balcony’s relaxed vibe is enhanced by a glass roof above the long dining table, lit by huge candles set on the corners of the floor decking made from recycled palm wood.
This balcony serves as an al fresco dining area. The designer brightened the space up with laminates in a light wood-tone, as well as vibrant solid colours, laid in a chevron pattern. See more of the home here.
For a narrow balcony, try decking it out with a slightly over-sized furniture. It’ll create a nook that’s surprisingly cosy.
For those who are not blessed with a green thumb, a strip of synthetic green is a great substitute for a feel of the outdoors. This best part about artificial turf is that it has low maintenance and it’s hygienic.
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Set the balcony apart from an open concept living area by using contrasting flooring treatments. Here, the marble floors indoors and wooden decking outdoors set the tone for both areas.
Sometimes, all you need is a swing chair to make the best use of a small balcony. Just imagine curling up in it with a book and nodding off into a blissful weekend afternoon siesta.
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While too much sunlight is not ideal for certain artworks, the tall and narrow walls of balconies are perfect for that not so precious, vertical piece of art.
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One way to make a narrow balcony comfy is by decking it out with an L-shaped outdoor sofa that’s of the right proportions. Place it to face inwards so that relaxing outdoors can still interact with those in the living room.
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To inject colour and decorate your balcony space, get large cushions in vivid colours, a rug and you have yourself a cozy outdoor seating area. Best of all you can move these items about to maximise the space available. For a cozy get together with friends, lay the rug and place the cushions in a circle for a intimate catch up session.
While awkwardly shaped balconies may be restrictive in terms of furniture arrangement, you can play up its floors by cladding it with vintage mosaic tiles and giving it a retro spin! Choose from terrazzo tiles or chevron wood flooring to bring warmth to the space.
For those lucky enough to have a bigger balcony space, add a customised seat that spans the length of the balcony wall. Just like a bay window, the seat by the balcony window will create a lovely area for you and your guests. For more storage space, consider having seats that have drawers or cabinets under to maximise your space!
This post was first published on 4 November 2018 and was updated on 12 July 2019.
Text: Eliza H/ Home & Decor & Elizabeth Liew & Seah Pei Jun