Balconies have existed on residential properties for thousands of years, but what are they actually used for?
Quite simply, balconies can be used for whatever you so desire. The most common uses tend to be a seating area, smoking area, or somewhere to grow plants when a property lacks a garden. However, the options are almost endless and, ultimately, it’s up to your own imagination.
Read on to learn more about balconies and the benefits they offer.
Let’s Take This Outside
These days, balconies are an extremely common concept. They can be seen on the side of almost every apartment block, and they’re often built onto houses, particularly extravagant ones.
They’re an easy way to tack a few extra square feet onto a property, enjoy the outdoors, and boost property value a little. Although, they don’t tend to be counted in the square feet valuation of a property, which is a fact worth bearing in mind.
There tends to be a considerably broad spectrum where balconies are concerned. They can easily range from minuscule concrete platforms, all the way up to gargantuan glass and metal constructions.
Obviously, the bigger the balcony, the better; you’ll have the benefit of much more space, many more options, and substantial bragging rights. We’re not saying you need to rival the viewing platforms on the Burj Khalifa, but you’ll want enough space to play with.
The biggest balconies tend to be used as areas to entertain, and to host. They’ll often come equipped with barbecues, heating and lighting systems, sound systems, and ample furniture to lounge on.
Indeed, this was the case for the earliest balconies, which evidence suggests existed several thousands of years ago. There have been plenty of examples unearthed of balconies being regularly used by the Ancient Romans, and Greeks.
In fact, any culture that has originated or existed in a warmer climate tends to lean towards the use of balconies. They’re a great way to enjoy the sunshine and socialize, something which likely appealed massively to these ancient civilizations.
Scale It Down A Little
But what about the smaller, less significant balconies?
While they’re not going to be used to host a cookout any time soon, they can have great use cases in their own right. Even if your balcony is just a few square feet in size, there’s plenty you can do with it.
Firstly, you could use it as a lounging area, it would just be a very small one. There are many manufacturers who produce balcony furniture built for this specific purpose – it takes up less space, but it’s still capable.
Alternatively, you could use the balcony as a small garden, typically a herb garden. All you’ll need to accomplish this is a collection of plant pots, planters, and of course, the plants to go in them.
It’s a cost-effective way to grow things, and the most green-thumbed individuals could even go as far as to grow fruit or vegetables on their balcony. You can actually grow some types of lettuce, cabbage, and celery without any soil whatsoever.
If you have space for larger planters, you could grow tomatoes, potatoes, chilies, onion, and beans. As long as the balcony receives the requisite level of sunshine, there are plenty of growing options at your disposal.
Or, be like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, whose balcony is lined by an abundance of overgrown plant life.
Further, you could opt to use the balcony as a refreshing, relaxing space – a home away (kind of) from home. If you’re a photographer, the height and angles a balcony offers could make for some attractive shots.
Let’s say you’re a painter; it would take nothing to set up an easel on the balcony and use what might be a gorgeous view as inspiration. If you love reading, set up a nice seated area that can potentially be shielded from adverse weather, and read to your heart’s content in the open air.
Of course, at the lowest end of the imagination spectrum, you could just use your balcony as a storage space. Perhaps you have a huge pile of tools, a bicycle, or a few boxes you don’t have space for in your home.
It’s less beneficial and it takes away from the space, but you’re perfectly within your right to store them on your balcony. However, you should take some time to consider the possibilities, and maybe open up your balcony to something much more enjoyable.