Q: My new condo apartment has two fairly large balconies, one in the hall and the other in the master bedroom. I’m at a loss as to how I can make the best use of them. Any suggestions?

A: It’s unusual to have two big balconies, so make the most of them. The one in the hall would make a great entertaining area – an extension of the living room – while your bedroom balcony lets you create a private outdoor area with a breakfast nook.

What you can do depends on the balcony’s depth. If it is less than 80cm deep, you won’t be able to fit in much loose furniture, but you could still design a long stainless steel fold-down table attached to the balcony wall. This would turn the length of the balcony into a breakfast-cum-bar counter. If you have a large balcony, make the most of it by putting in real furniture – not plastic tables and chairs – like an outdoor teak dining set.

Whatever your balcony’s size, add landscaping to soften the ambience. Dress up the corners with potted palms and shrubs, and hang baskets of ferns and trailing creepers from the ceiling.
You’re limited only by your creativity. In the home shown above, the owner glassed in one balcony to create a spa room!

Credits
Photography: Alvinn Lim
Styling: Sophie Kho