Balconies as functional spaces

MALAYSIANS, what do we do with our balconies? Hang out our laundry? Have a few potted plants for some semblance of a garden? The go-to place for smokers in the family?

No matter how large or limited your balcony space is, it could be a place for pontification, relaxation, sun-bathing or for taking in some fresh air, entertaining and dining, but never just a space to dry your washing.

The word balcony comes from the Latin word “Balcone” which basically means a large window. “However, in modern day balconies, it is a space that connects the interior to the outdoor area that can be attached to any part of a house,” Qanvast, a platform for home remodelling and design that connects homeowners and home professionals, tells TheEdgeProperty.com.

Nowadays, as Malaysians become more affluent and house proud, balconies are fast becoming spaces for the family or the home owner to unwind and relax.

Here are five ways you can enjoy your balcony:

1. Breakfast place / outdoor dining

Having breakfast or brunch in the cool morning breeze is not just something you can experience while on holiday at a resort condo by the sea. You can enjoy this every day, especially if you have a mid to high floor condo unit with a decent view. Just add a simple table for two with comfortable foldable chairs, place a patterned table cloth over and a cute ornamental plant on top and, voila, you have a cosy breakfast nook.

2. Garden / mini landscape

Take down that laundry and replace them with greenery. Plants can provide a fresh and lively feel to a space and if they are edible plants, even better! Growing your own fresh produce, if you have a green thumb that is, isn’t a bad idea at all.

3. Lounge area

Turn your balcony into a comfortable lounge area equipped with cushioned seats, perhaps a mini bar and some soft lighting. It could be a place for that after dinner drink and some quiet conversation.

4. Barbecue area

Fancy an outdoor BBQ meal? You do not need a big balcony to fit a slim upright portable grill and a side table to place all that food. Have your sizzling meal any time you want. Scatter a few stools around the grill, a cooler filled with drinks and enjoy the company.

5. Furniture display

Are you an avid furniture collector and can’t find space indoors to display those unique items? A spacious, clean and quiet balcony attached to the master bedroom or the living room could be the right spot to show off your favourite pieces. Just be careful not to treat the place as a storeroom or it may turn into a junk yard instead or a tasteful showroom.

This story first appeared in TheEdgeProperty.com pullout on Aug 19, 2016, which comes with The Edge Financial Daily every Friday. Download TheEdgeProperty.com pullout here for free.