Turn your balcony into a private sanctuary – part 1

Turn your balcony into a private sanctuary – part 1

It’s been a great summer holiday but many of us have now returned to our day jobs to get going on a new year with new challenges and opportunities. While it’s still fairly quiet now, things will soon pick up and get back to the frantic pace at which most of us work throughout the year.

We thought it’s the perfect time to give you some tips on how to turn your balcony into a serene private sanctuary, where you can escape the pressures of the working day and relax in quiet comfort.

Use plants and soft colours to create a calm atmosphere. The colours you use should reflect the natural environment of your apartment or home – blue if you have an ocean view, green if you look out on a park or forest, and stone if you have a cliff-facing view.

Depending on your balcony or terrace, you can also add a small splash pool. It’s perfect for those hot days when you just need to cool off a bit. Round off the look by installing a wooden deck and making use of natural stone or wood partitions.

Keep it natural by making ample use of wood in the decking, benches, tables and loungers, and compliment this with green plants.

You can take things one step further by installing a shower or bath on your balcony or terrace. You’ll need some privacy though, so it’s probably best not to try this in an inner city apartment.