Repeat colours to borrow space outside
“Connecting” your interior and exterior spaces will do two things for you. It creates flow from one space to the next – thereby encouraging you to move from the inside out, and it creates an illusion of increased space. Each space effectively borrows space from the other.
Achieving this is relatively simple. The key is to repeat colours, materials and finishes and overall maintain the same style on your balcony as you have inside your apartment.
This can be relatively obvious and easy in some cases i.e. you have a glass dining table and glass coffee tables inside then you would add an outdoor glass dining table to the balcony. However it is often more difficult than this and you may need to recreate the essence of the interior.
Here are a few things to think about:
- Do you have a lot of straight lines, angular furniture and square shapes inside? If so stick with square pots, square or rectangular furniture and angular plants.
- Is your colour scheme warm or cool. Where possible repeat colours from inside on your balcony. This is so much easier now with the many designer outdoor fabrics available however if you don’t want to use outdoor fabrics
- Do you have a lot of high gloss reflective surfaces inside creating a high end luxurious feel? Consider glass and stainless steel furniture and gloss white or black ceramic pots.