The balcony or terrace, extending the interior
Continuity of palette, of materials, of care
A balcony treated as a dumping ground wastes a precious asset. Treated as a room of the interior, it doubles the living space in summer.
§ 01The principle
A balcony or terrace is an outdoor room that deserves the same care as the indoor rooms. Well fitted out, it extends the interior, doubles the living space in the warm season, and offers a visual breathing point even when you are not on it.
The classic mistake, treating the balcony as a dumping ground (bike, boxes, washing machines), or as a corner without personality (plastic furniture, bare concrete floor, no plants).
The pro rule, continuity with the interior. Coherent colour palette, materials that dialogue, equivalent care. The balcony becomes "an extra room".
Palette continuity · Materials adapted to outdoor · Care equivalent to indoor
The balcony extends, never breaks.
§ 02Putting it into practice
The floor.
Wooden decking tiles. For terraces on a concrete slab. Simple installation (quick to dismantle), warm effect. Brands such as IKEA Runnen, Castorama.
Outdoor tiles. For built terraces. More permanent and durable effect.
Outdoor rug. To add textile without touching the floor. In washable polypropylene, resistant to rain. Brands such as Maisons du Monde, La Redoute Intérieurs.
The furniture.
Woven resin. Imitates rattan, resistant to rain. Brands such as Lafuma, Kettler, Fermob.
Metal and treated wood. More contemporary. Brands such as Fermob (Bistrot), Tikamoon.
Exotic wood. Teak, ipé. Very durable, ages by patinating. Higher cost.
To avoid, entry-level plastic which warps and discolours in one summer.
The textile.
Cushions in outdoor fabric (Sunbrella, Outdoor). Resists sun, rain, mould. Brands such as Maison de Vacances, Pierre Frey, Caravane.
Polypropylene outdoor rug. See rule 06.2 on modern synthetic rugs.
Waterproof throw. For cool evenings. Brands such as Roompot Outdoor, Fermob.
The plants.
The balcony is the place to multiply plants (contrary to indoors, see rule 07.6). At least 3-5 pots of different sizes.
Harmonised pots. All in the same material family (terracotta, raw ceramic, patinated metal). No visible plastic.
Plants adapted to the exposure. Full south (lavender, rosemary, agave, olive), partial shade (hydrangea, fern, hosta), shade (ivy, fuchsia, bamboo).
Outdoor lighting.
String lights. Festive and warm effect. For evenings. Brands such as Lights4Fun, Konstsmide.
Candles or lanterns. Softer effect. Waterproof LED candles for safety.
Outdoor wall sconce. For regular evenings. Light at 2700 K for warm atmosphere.
In a small balcony (less than 3 m²).
Compact furniture. A chair plus a side table. Or two small Fermob armchairs (space-saving). A few plants in pots suspended or on the walls (to free up the floor). Floor treated (decking tiles or rug).
- 01Treat the balcony as a room in its own right
- 02Palette continuity with the interior
- 03Furniture in materials adapted to outdoors
- 04Multiply plants in harmonised pots
- 01Leaving the balcony as a dumping ground
- 02Entry-level plastic furniture that degrades
- 03Bare concrete floor with no treatment
- 04Multiplying garish colours outside the interior palette
§ 03Professional variations
Studio KO works Mediterranean terraces in total continuity with the interior. Same floor (raw stone), same furniture (linen banquettes), same colours. The terrace becomes a roofless room.
Pierre Yovanovitch integrates signature garden furniture (Fermob Bistro chairs, teak sun loungers) in signature palettes, often all black. Contemporary and refined effect.
For small Parisian balconies, the brand Fermob has become the reference with its compact and coloured furniture (but you can choose the anthracite or cream version to stay in a neutral palette).
A balcony treated as a room, and it is extra space.
---