5 ways to extend summer on your balcony

1. Stay warm (and enjoy some privacy too). Want to spend time outdoors even when the weather turns? Attach a canopy to the walls to protect against wind and rain. Cosy up with cushions and keep throws in a basket with handles that you can use to carry them back inside.

2. Get organised with smart storage. Create a cosy reading spot in the late summer sun! Curl up under a soft throw and sink down on a couple of comfortable cushions on the bench. When you’re ready to go indoors, put them in a waterproof storage bag under the seat to keep them protected.

3. Weatherproof your urban garden. Outsmart Mother Nature by using plants that can withstand a bit of frost. Put them in durable pots — steel ones withstand corrosion and terracotta holds excess water. Keep bigger tubs on plant stands with castors so you can move them into the sun.

4. Prolong your outdoor cooking habit. You don’t need to fire up the barbecue to enjoy an alfresco meal. Bring out a portable induction hob and warm up some ready-made soup. Then sit back and sip away! (A heat resistant mug with a girdle will keep your fingers happy too.)

5. Dine under the moon and stars. When the days get shorter, brighten up your dining area with lights. Hang LED bulbs over the table. Use a lantern so a candle stays lit even if it’s windy. Make your own deco too! Put a battery-operated light chain inside a glass vase for instant cosiness.