Balconies are like a god-sent gift to everyone who lives in an apartment and doesn’t have access to an outdoor space. They also offer a fair amount of sun exposure, which is not only necessary but also healthy. Most of the balconies come empty and bland, and people are usually reluctant to make any adjustments partly because they don’t yet have an idea just how cozy they can be. This is why we’ve come up with a list of no less than 8 cozy balcony ideas to improve your living space.
Install a swing
Contrary to popular belief, swings aren’t exclusive only to porches. Furthermore, many people don’t have porches since the majority of the population live in apartments in big cities. Luckily, if you have a balcony, you can install your swing right here, and enjoy the show. If your balcony has an overhang, you can secure a swing this way so you can relax and enjoy the view with your family. If not, you can always install a standing swing but just be sure to throw some pillows for comfort. A swing is a wonder to have on your balcony especially at night when you can cozy up with your family and friends and enjoy the city lights.
Bring in some plants
One of the simplest things you can do without worrying too much about aesthetics is to bring in plants on your balcony for an instant cozy vibe. There are countless options here. You can bring in small pots of flowers, or you can put in wide leaf plants like the monstera plant. There are no rules here. Another super cozy idea might be to plant aromatic herbs such as basil, rosemary, or chamomile to give you an extra layer of homeyness. It might be good to notice how much sun exposure your balcony gets so you would better suit the plants for it.
Floor pillows
Another great way to make your balcony super cozy is not to bring in garden chairs as these are often very uncomfortable. If you want your balcony to be cozy, what better way to achieve this than with big fluffy floor pillows. This will also give you an extra element of seclusion since you won’t be sitting high up. In addition to this, this can be a great option if you have pets because it will allow you to snuggle with them while enjoying some fresh air. Another awesome thing about floor pillows is that they go hand in hand with a boho-chic style and ultimately can be easily moved if you want to let’s say do yoga on your balcony.
Aesthetic safety measures
Every balcony will need to be secured if you ever intend to call it cozy. This is why what is commonly referred to as balcony fences – or balustrades – are used to secure them. While there are plenty of types of balustrade out there, steel balustrade is the one that offers the most safety (because of the sturdy material), while maintaining a fair level of aesthetics. Furthermore, the steel balustrade will work well with most materials that are commonly used for balcony furniture, such as natural wood and all the plants. They will offer the feeling of safety, and this is essentially a prerequisite for any kind of coziness talk.
Folding furniture
If your balcony is somewhat small, you might be facing limited options in what you originally envisioned. However, there are still plenty of options and pieces of furniture to make your balcony cozier. One of the best solutions might be to invest in foldable furniture. Hear us out. If you don’t have ample space, this is the best way you can control it. If you’re alone on the balcony – a simple foldable chair and a small table will do the trick at making it cozy. If you’re with someone else, use the other chairs. It’s as simple as that.
Planter wall
Planter walls are usually used as a great way to showcase your plant collection. While this may be their primary role, if you install a planter wall on your balcony, it can add to the cozy vibe. Planter walls are usually made out of wood, so using warm wood tones in combination with the plants on them will offer a very welcoming cozy vibe. If you prefer the rustic style, a planter wall will do a great job at fitting in. Furthermore, it will fit in nicely with some existing plants that you may already have on your balcony.
Add some shade
If you’ve never had a balcony before, you might not have a good idea of how sunny it can get. While it’s healthy to get a good dose of vitamin D daily, long sun exposure can lead to some serious health issues such as heat stroke or overheating. To prevent this from happening (if your balcony is oriented towards the south), and make your balcony cozy altogether, you might want to think about investing in some shades. This can easily be achieved with some canopy fabric that you can attach to all four points of your balcony. Or you can invest in some canopies with a special mechanism that can be rolled out when needed.
Light it up
One of the things that often gets omitted on balconies is the lighting. More often than not, balconies don’t get electricity put in and this ends up being the task that you have to do. Luckily for you, you won’t have to hire an electrician to do this expensive task since there are plenty of great alternatives. The simplest one is to use Christmas lights that you can either plug in somewhere in your home or use the battery-powered ones. Other great options are candles and even big torches that can last a long time while you’re out.
All of these cozy balcony ideas will guarantee you get so comfortable on your balcony that you will end up spending the majority of your time on them. It should be noted that safety should be a number one priority which is why you should pay extra attention to what kind of balustrade you put in.
