4 ideas to turn your balcony into a tranquil oasis

1. Decorate your balcony as though you were at the beach

If you're one of those people who'd take up permanent residence at the beach, under a parasol, reading a book and drinking something cool, why not create that feeling on your balcony?  

Your balcony could become your very own corner of the beach. Yes, we know it's not quite the same because there's no sea, but you can recreate that feeling of laying back relaxing as though you were at the beach, without leaving the house. One major plus is you won't have to shake off all the sand when you want to go back indoors! So the time you have to spend in the city during the summer will be more bearable, don't you think? Spending time there will be like a little escape to the coast.  

You're going to need some key basics: a hammock or lounger and a parasol. You could make it even more special and comfortable with a large towel, colourful cushions, plants and some other decorative touches. If you also have a speaker playing your favourite tunes and you have a refreshing drink and some tasty snacks beside you, you'll never want to leave. 

And of course, you mustn't forget a sun hat, sunglasses and sun cream. You have to look after yourself! 

2. A little outdoor living room

Creating a relaxing space on your balcony or terrace is also an option for those who wouldn't swap the sofa for anything in the world. Our idea is about creating a little living room outdoors for those moments of summer when you feel like being out in the fresh air, without sacrificing comfort.  

To do this, you'll need an outdoor sofa or armchair, cushions, a lamp for when the sun goes down (you could also hang garlands) and a small table where you can put your essentials - from a magazine to a drink or a manicure kit.  

Because we know that privacy is key for a space like your living room, where you want to feel completely at ease, we suggest that you hang a curtain or net to cover the area where you put the sofa. So you'll be outdoors, but protected from the sun and any nosey neighbours! What do you think?  

As you can imagine, it's an improvised idea that you could replace with a specific item to cover outside areas such as an awning, a screen for the railings, a pergola or a sunshade.

3. Put nature centre stage

You can't be missing nature in a place where you want to breathe peace and relaxation. That's why our advice is that there should be plenty of plants and flowers on your balcony or terrace. You could even create an urban garden at home. 

And if you don't have time to look after them, don't worry! You can choose artificial plants, which will also be a nice touch in your corner of the outdoors. Light or pastel coloured flowers, contrasting with green plants, can be the perfect combination if you're looking for a tranquil space.  

But you could also go for more striking colours if you want a more festive, joyful look. The choice is yours! 

4. Set up a petite gourmet corner

Eating outdoors is one of life's greatest pleasures when the good weather arrives. But you don't need to wait until you can go out to eat, rather you can set up your own restaurant terrace on your balcony. That way you can do it much more often.  

The main thing is to get an outdoor table and chairs, to which you can add cushions to make them much more comfortable. Also, if space allows, we recommend that you set up a small kitchen so that you can prepare your meals right there. In summer we tend to eat more cold, light dishes, so you'd only need some shelves, basic kitchenware, a chopping board and a waste bin.

And if you want to create a more special atmosphere, you can crown the area with a garland of lights. Go for one that's energy efficient, like the IKEA ones. 

If you wanted to cook something, you could do so with a portable induction hob. As you can see, setting up a small kitchen or gourmet corner on your balcony is much easier than it might appear.  

The best thing is that preparing your food alfresco will mean that you enjoy the experience even more, and you'll feel like you're at a beach bar. You also won't have to go in to the kitchen every time you need something, as you'll have lots of the basics to hand.