subject: Decorating Your Balcony Is Simple And Rewarding, Says Rekha Kavoor [print this page] Agarden balcony, terrace or even a place to put a few plants, there are many ways to up the style quotient of such an area. With a little imagination, a verandah or balcony can become a striking feature of your home, drawing attention away from the interior of the house, and creating a feel of extra space.
Balconies do not merely have to be restricted to a space for drying clothes. They can be designed to make a pleasant getaway for city dwellers in need of space and fresh air.
Most of us, however, tend to ignore our verandahs or balconies while decorating the house. As a result the space becomes an ideal place for drying clothes or to keep knick-knacks in the corner. If the space is designed properly, your verandah or balcony can double as your private getaway.
Generally it's a common perception to consider a balcony and verandah as the same. The difference is a balcony is an outside area attached to an inside room of a house, apartment, flat or other building. It is usually accessible from inside the house. Balconies are usually built in multi-storey buildings, to provide a small outdoor living area for units or apartments that are above ground level.
While decorating your verandah or balcony you must remember that it has access to three critical aspects - the sun, the wind and the rain. You ought to make sure while decorating it that it is functional so you can enjoy all the three natural elements without being affected by them i.e. without getting sunburn, feeling cold or getting wet.
In a small space, every inch counts, so make sure you plan it well. Make sure the scale of the various built elements and furnishings is appropriate to the size of your overall space.
Use 'layering' (foreground, middle ground, background) to create the illusion of greater size and depth within your balcony.
Since verandahs are open on three sides and walled on one side, you have the advantage of getting as much natural light as possible. For the nights, you can use small lamps or niches or electronic diffused lamps. You can also place a small coffee table and an armchair or a rocking chair to enjoy your evening.
Furniture
Space permitting, furniture could also be coordinated for the outdoorsy look. There are the space-saving folding stools and chairs that could serve double duty inside as well as outside. A garden swing is, of course, the most preferred piece of furniture for those who have the space. Hammocks can be strung up on a need-to-use basis, giving the whole 'laidback' feel to your verandah or garden.
If your balcony is large enough one can also recreate a miniature garden by placing synthetic grass and potted plants in a corner. But ensure that the space is not cluttered with too many potted plants and see to it there is an outlet for water to flow smoothly to avoid any sort of leakages.
Alternatively, a small balcony in a smaller apartment can serve as a playroom for kids, or a quiet place to meditate, a study (if well protected from the dust, sun and rain) or a dressing room (if covered with opaque glass), a store room or a private lounge! So all you need to do is to let your creativity run free.
Courtesy Times Property Dtd. July 16, 2010
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