Space for retreat: How to turn a balcony into a wonderful oasis

Quickly stepping outside from the apartment. For about half of the apartments in Germany, this is not a problem. According to an Immowelt study, they have a balcony. Anyone who is lucky enough and wants to turn it into a place to retreat must pay attention to a few things: In addition to personal taste, these are the size and location of the balcony. Good results are achieved by anyone who starts from scratch when designing their big-city oasis and parts with the old in the process.

First up is the floor

When it comes to the appearance of the balcony, its floor plays an important role. Leaving it as conventional concrete or screed is only recommended if this balcony floor is not covered in unsightly stains and you are going for a cool charm in the design of your summer retreat. Otherwise, floorboards made of wood or WPC, interlocking tiles, or artificial turf are a good alternative. These floor coverings are inexpensive to purchase. Artificial turf and interlocking tiles, as well as outdoor rugs made of synthetic fibers, are also quite easy to install. WPC flooring, on the other hand, requires a bit more skill during installation, but is extremely easy to maintain. When renovating the balcony floor, make sure that water can drain off well. Otherwise, puddles will remain after a summer rain, which encourage the growth of moss. A balcony should have a slope of 1.5 to about 2 percent.

A privacy screen provides a visual boundary

To avoid sitting on the balcony like you're on display, a privacy screen should be installed. As a visual boundary, it defines the space and turns the balcony into virtually another room in the apartment. It is ideal if the style of the privacy screen is coordinated with the flooring. Suitable options for an urban design include a colorful awning fabric or a bamboo mat. If the balcony has a solid railing, even a large parasol is enough. It then protects against prying eyes without blocking the view of nature or the city skyline. Incidentally, a dense privacy screen made of plants, for example on a trellis, is very practical. At the same time, this provides attractive balcony greenery.

Practical and beautiful balcony furniture

When choosing furniture for the balcony, its location plays an important role. Wooden furniture, for example, is very popular, but is better placed on a south-facing balcony. This is because it dries much faster after rain there than on a north-facing balcony. For the latter location, sturdy plastic furniture is the better choice. The function that the balcony is supposed to serve is also important when choosing furniture. If there is delicious apple strudel, a strawberry-banana smoothie, or a delicious fruit salad, you need a table and chairs. On a small balcony, a folding table or a hanging table attached to the balcony railing is a good option. With cushions and blankets, crates can quickly be turned into seating furniture. In addition, they offer plenty of storage space. When buying balcony furniture, it pays to spend a little more to acquire comfortable and weather-resistant pieces.

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Every balcony needs plenty of greenery

Many people love their balcony because in the summer it offers space for plants. The rule for balconies of any size is: greenery is best in abundance. There is room for wonderfully blooming plants as well as herbs and snack plants even on small balconies. Window boxes fit on the railing, pots of all types and sizes look great on the floor, and even the balcony wall can be easily decorated with plants. If you also enrich your balcony with native and bee-friendly flowers, you can welcome butterflies and rare wild bees as visitors. Vertical gardens have become a trend that is hard to resist. Pots with blooming plants find space on hooks and other hanging devices, and containers with herbs can be placed decoratively on ladders or shelves. An original way is to attach herbs and flowers to the wall in planting bags. However, there is one problem with rental apartments. Without the owner's permission, no nails or screws may be put into the wall here. Even with condominiums that you own yourself, you should be careful, because the facade is common property. As a precaution, you should obtain the consent of the other owners before drilling and screwing. If permission is not granted, you can resort to climbing plants or hang flower baskets in other ways.

Sun protection is also important

Especially on a south-facing balcony, nothing works in the summer without proper sun protection. The simplest option is a parasol. It can stand on the floor or be attached to the railing. Owners of small balconies have to get creative. They need models that are easy to fold up and do not take up too much space. Also ideal for a smaller balcony is a half-round parasol. If the parasol base is also half-round, the parasol can be easily pushed flush against the wall. A parasol with a tilting mechanism is ideal. It can be easily adjusted according to the position of the sun. The base must be stable so that the parasol stands securely even in the wind. There are parasol bases available commercially that can be firmly anchored. Other models are mobile and can be moved back and forth on wheels. These bases should be made of concrete or weather-resistant granite. Then they are heavy enough to hold parasols even in gusty winds. For the parasol itself, polyacrylic is recommended as the fabric covering. It is easy to care for, UV-resistant, and hardly fades at all.

An awning offers excellent protection against strong sunlight. However, permanent installation on the exterior wall of a rental apartment also requires the landlord's approval. Models whose frames are clamped between the floor and the balcony roof are the alternative.

Lighting for the summer evening

For the pleasant hours in the evening, it is worth equipping the balcony with harmonious lighting. Balconies often even have an electrical outlet. That is no longer strictly necessary, however. In the meantime, there are countless lamps and lights that run on solar power or rechargeable batteries. Popular options include a wide variety of figural solar stakes for pots and window boxes, colorful garlands, or table lamps that no longer require electricity at all. Here, there are no limits to the variety.