Balconies, terraces and gardens are, these summer days, the best shelters to enjoy relaxing moments, naps on hot days, breakfasts in the sun, reading times in the shade or nighttime moments in which to enjoy calm in good company. But how do you get the most out of them?
Make the most of your balcony
Forced to live in small apartments , the exteriors that most have are reduced to a simple balcony. The noise, pollution and the glances of neighbors or passersby, end up making these spaces go to waste in most cases, however, no matter how small your balcony is, you do not have to give it up.
To start, the main thing is to clear the space and get rid of everything that is left over. It is also recommended, if you have not done it recently, repairing the space: painting the walls , removing the rust from the railing and painting it, and even covering the floor with wood or painting the tiles. Other simpler actions are to place a bamboo trellis on the railing, to give the balcony some privacy. Awnings will also help you achieve this goal and allow you to stay cooler.
Achieving a comfortable and functional space involves adapting the decoration to the available space and the use you want to give the balcony (reading or work place, corner for gatherings, small dining room …), always taking into account the direction of the sun at the time to place the elements.
The choice of furniture will obviously depend on the space available. Thus, in small places you should opt for small furniture: a small table with a couple of chairs or stackable stools are enough to achieve a small cozy corner . Depending on the width, you can always add a small sofa, a large cushion or a pouf on one of the sides.
For those who have a tiny balcony, the solution is folding furniture: a couple of chairs and a folding table anchored to the balcony are enough and only take up space when you are going to use them.
Finally, you can complete the decoration with fresh and light textiles, in bright and cheerful colors, ideal for good weather. Plants or flowers and candles cannot be missing. An ecological and practical option are solar lights and lamps that light up at night without wasting energy. Hanging candles and lamps do not take up space and are very attractive at night.
The best terrace for the summer
As with the balcony, the first step to enjoying the space is to condition it: clean and fix minor damage, paint the walls, remove rust from the railings and grilles, unclog drains and solve any problem of coatings, floors or lighting. With just this, you will make your terrace look different. If you want more changes, you can choose to put wooden tiles or artificial grass .
To gain privacy, awnings, umbrellas, dividers, plastic or bamboo meshes can help you protect this space from the eyes of neighbors and curious.
When it comes to choosing the furniture, the normal thing is to opt for the typical dining room set consisting, at least, of a table and chairs. Another classic element of the terraces, whenever the community allows it, are the barbecues: standing, table or work, they always triumph with visits. If space allows, you can place an outdoor waitress (which can be foldable) and thus achieve extra space at mealtime.
If it is a large terrace, the sun loungers, sofas or rocking chairs will provide you with the deserved rest. Although, for the most comfortable, there is the option of the hammock: comfortable and does not take up much space.
Whether your intention is to relax and sunbathe, or if you prefer to use the terrace to enjoy meals, it is recommended that you be protected from the sun. Awnings, umbrellas or pergolas ensure this. The choice depends on the space, the climate and the use you are going to give it.
If you still have a hole, you can reserve space for the storage of garden tools, hose, barbecue items, children’s toys … Ideally, opt for weather resistant PVC cabinets or trunks. Although, if you can, another option is the wooden huts, which offer much more capacity.
As for accessories, giving a personal touch to your terrace can be simple: flowers and plants are very useful (vines also provide privacy). These, combined with colored brass, ceramic or plastic pots, give joy and color. On the other hand, textiles and candles can also help you personalize the space.
Lighting can be the ultimate factor in giving a new look to your terrace. Solar lamps, garlands of lights, torches and even floating candles are a great idea to accompany night evenings.
The perfect garden
If you have a garden you are very lucky, however you also know that it is much more slave, and you have to constantly condition it if you want to enjoy it: fixing the lawn , fertilizing it, cutting it and watering it is very important to avoid greater evils.
Also check the flooring, especially if you have a pool: repair cracks, breaks or possible water leaks. Clean the pool, replace sliding tiles with others that prevent slipping … any gesture that, in addition to beautifying, is extra security.
Ensuring that the separation fences are placed so that they cannot penetrate or see what is happening in the garden will provide you with security and privacy .
Once the area is conditioned, you must take into account the decoration of it: place small stones around the trees or on the way to the door of the house, plant flowers of all kinds that provide color or place shrubs that decorate and give privacy .
As for the furniture, the usual thing is that there are several differentiated areas: the relaxation area , with loungers, hammocks, sofas or armchairs, which allow you to enjoy a few moments of tranquility, and whose matching textiles provide color and comfort to the space; and the meeting area, with the set of table and chairs, around which all meetings revolve. The set can be made of wood, wrought iron, raffia, plastic or metal … the point is to choose the one that allows you to combine style and durability.
A mobile, tabletop or built-in barbecue will delight locals and others, and an outdoor waitress, cabinets and / or shelves, will provide storage space. The size and quantity of furniture will depend on the available space, although you should avoid overloading your exteriors with furniture to be able to circulate through the passageways with ease.
Lighting can range from floating candles, lanterns and torches to solar lamps or spotlights. The important thing is that you have well lit all the “conflict” areas such as the perimeter of the pool , the dining area or the places where you have tools.
In terms of decoration, you can find a multitude of elements that will give warmth and personality to the garden: plants, vases, pots, textiles, flower arrangements, fountains, and even statues, they can be great allies. The important thing is that you feel comfortable.
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