A balcony that leads, hotel-style, directly from a bedroom
or sitting room is the easiest, and most user-friendly, link between outside
and in. If your property already has a balcony, then celebrate. It is also
comparatively straightforward to add a first-floor structure to a new
extension, though much trickier to get planning permission to add one to a
listed building, or one in a conservation area, as it alters the exterior
character. The tiniest balcony, just big enough to hold a circular table and
two chairs, can make breakfast in the bedroom special, or provide a bird's-eye
view of the world while you just sit and think or read a book. Increase the
ambience by training a creeper - and perhaps a string of exterior fairy lights
- around the safety balustrade or adding a pull-down canvas awning to provide
protection from the sun.
In a city apartment with no back garden but that has
available flat roof space adjacent to a room, or on top of the property,
consider a roof terrace. Because it is at high level, it will get plenty of sun
and sky views, and because it will be less overlooked than a conventional
garden, it will feel more private. Vital first steps to take include checking
that you don't need planning permission and that the roof is sufficiently
robust to withstand the weight of people, flooring and plants. Consult a
structural engineer, who will advise on necessary loadbearing support and the
correct height of a parapet. Many new buildings are constructed with
rood-terrace use in mind and already have steel beams in place beneath the flat
roof.
By its very nature, a roof terrace feels appropriately
intimate, as it will have a compact floor area and requires high enclosing
walls. Play up that mood by choosing attractive parapet materials. For an
industrial look, pick metal mesh, bars or tensioned stainless-steel cables. For
a prettier, more conventional finish, painted tongue-and-groove, willow fence
panels or creeper-covered bamboo trellis, teamed with small trees and plants in
giant tubs, are attractive. Think about clever lighting to maintain the mood at
night: strings of Chinese lanterns, plant spotlights or candles in storm
lanterns are all atmospheric choices. Many garden design companies specialize
in small, bespoke urban gardens and roof terraces. Although they are not cheap,
the extra space you reclaim outdoors will be well worth the cost, so think
about booking a consultation.
Whether you have a balcony, roof terrace, deck or - in
certain properties - a front porch, select dedicated furniture for the space.
There's no point creating a place for enjoying peace and quiet if you must drag
out a chair from inside to do so. Decide if this is a spot for lying down, for
eating a peaceful meal or a bit of both. These days, garden furniture comes in
almost as many style choices as interior pieces, either in weather-resistant
hardwoods like teak, or in high-tech synthetic materials that withstand rain,
cold and sun damage. Do your research: the extra investment in quality pieces
may be well worth it if cheap chairs fall apart after a single summer's outdoor
use.
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Source: http://EzineArticles.com/