Bedeck that balcony: Six steps to setting up a cosy balcony

From wedding attire to decor - everything about Ranbir Kapoor's wedding to Alia Bhatt captured the hearts of fans, as photos from their intimate wedding at home went viral on social media. In an Instagram post, Bhatt shared that they had tied the knot in their home balcony - calling it their favourite spot where they had spent the last five years of their relationship. Most of us cherish different spaces in our homes - from our favourite reading nook to an open terrace. Balconies may be a rare luxury in Mumbai but if you are lucky enough to have one, it is an opportunity to invite the outdoors indoors and make a great spot to spend time with friends and family. We spoke to Anand Ojha and Ankit Ojha, principal designers at Anand Atelier Associate - and interior design studio based out of Mumbai and Jaipur, to help you set up a cosy balcony where you can create memories for life.

"Sometimes a space needs only love, care, and creative design ideas to transform it into a beautiful and treasured place. Balconies are about looking beyond and believing in something larger than life, they can add a sense of grandeur and space to our compact apartments," says Ankit Ojha. Expanding on that line of thought, Anand Ojha adds, "While designing a space one should always keep in mind the theme and the setup they want. Are we moving towards going green with a space or do we want something with a party theme, or a cosy corner to sit and relax with a cup of coffee and read a book? There is a sea of possibilities when it comes to designing a balcony." Below, they share six ways to spruce up your balconies to make them occasion-worthy.

Plants
Balconies come in all shapes and sizes and therefore it is important to choose the right kind of plants considering the size of the balcony. In order to save space in a small balcony, hanging plants can be used and small plants can be placed on top of loose furniture. We can line the balcony railings with pots of different sizes, creepers or hang spider plants from decorative baskets. One can even grow herbs of their choice which would not only add aesthetics but also can be used in your daily life. Plants are also the best options to fill vacant spaces if there are any. If buying and maintaining plants is of any inconvenience, you also have the option of using faux plants.

Furniture
Furniture in a balcony is a personal choice as per each individual's requirements. One can fancy a bar, a place to have coffee early in the morning, a place to lay back and relax after a long day of work, etc. The one thing to remember while choosing furniture is the proper selection of material because it will be exposed to heat, moisture and dust. Teak, eucalyptus or cedar can be used if you are fond of wooden furniture. Synthetic materials like plastic, ABS, and synthetic resin can also be used if there is a chance of a lot of exposure to water.

A minimalistic design with chairs and plants can provide the ideal soothing setting. Pic/Anand Atelier Associate

Bar unit
Who doesn't love a cosy corner with a view to enjoy their drinks with some fresh breeze? We can always throw-in some cushions with deep colours and a small table with storage in it to set the perfect place. To set the mood we can always have mood lights, lanterns and scones.

Flooring
The right kind of flooring can totally add a unique touch to your balconies. Flooring plays a decisive role in determining the aesthetics of the space. There are various tiles that are available in the market to brighten up the look of your balconies like Moroccan tiles, wooden flooring, and many others. Moroccan tiles have a variety of delicate patterns and vibrant colours available in the market; they are budget-friendly as well. Wooden flooring can add a rich touch to your balconies, there are various wooden flooring available which are durable and easy to maintain.

Rugs
Colourful waterproof rugs can add a dash of vibrancy to your space. We can opt from bright colours like orange, sunny yellow, soothing green, calm blue. For subtleness, we can choose from neutral tones, and earthy shades that will bring a soothing vibe to your space.

Artefacts
Artefacts have the potential to add a focal point to a space. Abstract and colourful art forms on neutral walls set the theme of a place. The vividness of artefacts adds a dimension to our house. We can also use water bodies as artefacts - like Buddha artefacts, different kinds of water fountains, etc.

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