Many Chicago renters and homeowners are fortunate enough to have a deck or balcony – an unbeatable perk between May and October. But, some let their private terrace lie empty, or worse, become an eyesore filled with rickety plastic furnishings. Fortunately, relishing in Chicago’s stunning summer season doesn’t require a hefty home design budget.
Looking to create a smart and comfortable outdoor oasis on your Chicago apartment balcony for a 4th of July barbecue, engagement soiree or low-key dinner party? Start styling with the following tips.
Install Ikea deck tiles
Chicago apartment balcony floors are typically made of metal, concrete or wood. When the outdoor elements produce rusting, staining and warping, those surfaces become an uninviting blemish. Ikea, the Netherlands-based retailer known for its inexpensive furnishings, sells temporary snap-together deck tiles to cover unsightly flooring. The best part: if you’re renting and want to transfer them to your next space, removal is a breeze.
Ikea’s RUNNEN floor decking costs just $3.44 per square foot and each pack (covers 9-square-feet) is under $30. These interlocking tiles come in grey, black or bamboo and are easy to install with no tools necessary. A circular saw may be needed to modify tiles to fit around irregular edges, but only if you prefer a more custom look.
Check out this tutorial that demonstrates the dramatic effect of new and inexpensive balcony floors:
Use plants and foliage
Chicago is famous for ample green space. With the help of massive urban retreats like Grant Park, Millennium Park, and Lincoln Park, the Chicago Park District owns and operates more than 8,100 acres of green space. You can easily echo Chicago’s community gardens by adding more foliage and flowers to your private outdoor oasis.
If your Chicago apartment balcony lacks ample square footage, try over-the-rail planters that free up floor space. In larger spaces, terracotta planters, metal plant stands and wooden crates make great gardening containers for flowers and vegetables alike. For a contemporary touch, cover exterior walls with a vertical garden or hanging herb rack.
Start with evergreens like boxwoods, thyme and eucalyptus for color that lasts year-round – even throughout the harsh winter weather. Seasonal additions are personal, but hydrangeas add a pop of color and a soothing scent to any space. Gardening pros suggest using at most three colors, including a base green, to avoid making small balconies appear cluttered. You can use different shades of a single color or complementary colors throughout, but larger plants should all be the same tone as to not overpower your other plants.
Place an outdoor rug
Even if you have immaculate decking or a temporary alternative, you might still spruce up your floors with an area rug designed to withstand the sun’s rays, wind and rain. Not only does a rug add flair to an otherwise bland Chicago apartment balcony, but it also creates a cozy atmosphere prime for evening entertaining. When autumn rolls around and the nights get cooler, the rug’s texture adds some much-needed warmth.
Consider sectional seating
Unless you have a generous rooftop deck, the likelihood of squeezing a full-size sectional on your terrace is low. You can still achieve the functionality and luxury of a sectional sofa by using matching modular chairs that blend together. Make sure to calculate your balcony’s total square footage and account for the corner overlap before you purchase your preferred pieces. To go the practical route, maximize corner space by placing two storage benches so they create a perpendicular angle. Add chair cushions and throw pillows for extra seating and simply stow away within the bench during inclement weather.
Decorate with lanterns
Lighting can make or break the perfect space, even outside. Soft-lit illumination adds romance and relaxation to even the most industrial-looking balconies. If your deck is covered, hang globe or Edison bulb string lights in a zig-zag pattern to add vertical interest. If your balcony is open, wrap weather-proof LED lights around the handrail. Use small lanterns on coffee and side tables.
Incorporate cozy accents
Exterior (and interior) design wouldn’t be complete without elegant trimmings. The last step in creating the ideal summer hangout is to accessorize your Chicago apartment balcony with blankets, pillows, and candles. These small add-ons may seem trivial, but a well-designed atmosphere ensures you get the most out of your space. Work, relax, read, nap, sunbath, eat or entertain – the options are limitless.
As always, check with your property manager or homeowner’s association (HOA) before making major installations or attempting to hang décor from exterior handrails and spindles.
Are you looking to upgrade to an apartment or condo with private outdoor space to fully enjoy the warmer months? Our team has a vast network of rentals and condos for sale with private balconies and amenity-filled rooftops. Call Z Chicago at 312-810-2295 and we’ll send you the homes with outdoor spaces that fit your budget within minutes.
