Balconies were conventionally used to add to the aesthetics of a structure, be it the aspect of adding an ornamental element to exterior façade, or adding beauty to the indoor experience of a house. A balcony is practically the area that combines both indoors and outdoors- allowing the user to feel the ‘outside’ in the comfort of the ‘within’. And in this regard, balconies come with endless possibilities, which make them an important part of any house design.

Enlargement of spaces

Balconies provided attached to a room, with retractable or sliding doors, make the space appear enlarged.  Added to the benefit of wide external view and more inflow of light, is the space appearing virtually attached to the room, while being open externally, making the room itself seem open in effect. The glass and frame in the doors and the balcony wall can be picked to help better with this aspect. 

Maximum utilisation of an enjoyable view

A balcony protruding out into a scenic water body or a beautiful valley, would definitely add drama to the experience of the building.  Rather than providing a wide window, setting up a balcony would make the experience of the scenery more realistic, adding to the appeal of the five senses.

Imagine watching the sunset by a bay, leaning onto the railing of your balcony, or watching the sunrise amidst fog and snow capped mountains, sipping a coffee in the comfort of it.

Multi functional space

A balcony could serve several purposes, from creating a warm reading space in your romanticised idea of a comfy home, to doubling up as space for air drying of damp clothes.  In a high-rise flat/ apartment, a balcony could be the place  you create and nurture your own small ecosystem in, bringing the green to your level. 

You could personally customize the area, to make sure that it fits your purposes, and is flexible enough to be utilised for multiple activities.While aesthetics alone would be the driving factor in decorating a low rise balcony in a house, functionality plays key role in a high rise balcony. 

Article by: Melva Joseph, Buildit Contributor