10 Beautiful Balconies and Terraces From Around the World
Get inspired by some of last year's most enviable balconies, decks and patios for cosy winters or summer daydreams
Houzz AU
12 June 2022
With winter officially here, we looked for inspiration in some of the balconies and terraces that grabbed Houzz users’ attention last year. These outdoor spaces cater to all seasons, combine the best of clever thinking with design trends, and offer the perfect slice of the great outdoors for that sunset cocktail or getting in touch with your inner gardener.
Australia
This narrow balcony in a project by Mitsuori Architects in Melbourne, Victoria, ticks many boxes for comfortable urban living. A slatted barrier screens this narrow deck without blocking light or enclosing the space too strictly. A deep planting box also introduces greenery and organic shapes to the otherwise very linear aesethetic.
Ready to revamp your garden or outdoor area? Find landscape architects and designers near you to make it happen
This narrow balcony in a project by Mitsuori Architects in Melbourne, Victoria, ticks many boxes for comfortable urban living. A slatted barrier screens this narrow deck without blocking light or enclosing the space too strictly. A deep planting box also introduces greenery and organic shapes to the otherwise very linear aesethetic.
Ready to revamp your garden or outdoor area? Find landscape architects and designers near you to make it happen
New Zealand
This beautiful space by Quill in Christchurch, NZ, has all the appeal of a rustic, unpretentious outdoor area cleverly combined with contemporary, low-line and comfortable furniture as well as stylish shelter. Forsaking the trend for hanging orb-like fireplaces, this built-in open fire and wood stacking area is cosy, dark and appealing. Natural wood and neutral colours ensure all eyes are drawn towards the fire.
This beautiful space by Quill in Christchurch, NZ, has all the appeal of a rustic, unpretentious outdoor area cleverly combined with contemporary, low-line and comfortable furniture as well as stylish shelter. Forsaking the trend for hanging orb-like fireplaces, this built-in open fire and wood stacking area is cosy, dark and appealing. Natural wood and neutral colours ensure all eyes are drawn towards the fire.
United Kingdom
This petite balcony by Aflux Designs in London, UK, feels like an effortless extension of the owners’ interior style. By keeping a neutral colour palette and choosing furniture that mirrors a living room set-up, the space feels cosy and welcoming.
Using indoor-outdoor rugs and rattan furniture with removable slip covers means the space can be quickly weatherproofed when it rains, and easily updated again when the sun returns.
This petite balcony by Aflux Designs in London, UK, feels like an effortless extension of the owners’ interior style. By keeping a neutral colour palette and choosing furniture that mirrors a living room set-up, the space feels cosy and welcoming.
Using indoor-outdoor rugs and rattan furniture with removable slip covers means the space can be quickly weatherproofed when it rains, and easily updated again when the sun returns.
Ireland
This dramatic balcony by McKiernan Architects provides contemporary style and architectural glamour while maximising the dramatic countryside views. The balcony has uninterrupted sightlines out over lush countryside (to the left of this image) and the simple glass balustrade and clean-lined furniture allow the view to remain the main attraction.
Adding in a slice of window to the side, as shown here, allows for a secondary glimpse of the landscape beyond the property, and the ribbon of green makes a striking feature in the imposing grey stone wall.
This dramatic balcony by McKiernan Architects provides contemporary style and architectural glamour while maximising the dramatic countryside views. The balcony has uninterrupted sightlines out over lush countryside (to the left of this image) and the simple glass balustrade and clean-lined furniture allow the view to remain the main attraction.
Adding in a slice of window to the side, as shown here, allows for a secondary glimpse of the landscape beyond the property, and the ribbon of green makes a striking feature in the imposing grey stone wall.
Italy
In the words of the architect Carola Vannini, the rule that guided the renovation of this Italian apartment in Rome was to “open the space to the exterior and to natural light”. While the whole home changed dramatically, the biggest value-add was getting rid of the corridor and inserting three glass doors in the wall that separates the day area from the large terrace.
This space features a custom-made outdoor kitchen designed by Vannini herself, alongside dining and relaxation areas. The terrace is beautifully placed to take advantage of the warm Roman sunshine.
Both inside the apartment and on the terrace, warm colours set off with black details match made-to-measure furniture, resulting in harmony and flair.
In the words of the architect Carola Vannini, the rule that guided the renovation of this Italian apartment in Rome was to “open the space to the exterior and to natural light”. While the whole home changed dramatically, the biggest value-add was getting rid of the corridor and inserting three glass doors in the wall that separates the day area from the large terrace.
This space features a custom-made outdoor kitchen designed by Vannini herself, alongside dining and relaxation areas. The terrace is beautifully placed to take advantage of the warm Roman sunshine.
Both inside the apartment and on the terrace, warm colours set off with black details match made-to-measure furniture, resulting in harmony and flair.
France
This balcony is part of a small apartment in Paris, France. As is often the case in Parisian apartments, finding sufficient storage was a challenge in this project by CP Design d’Interieur. The interior designer suggested putting storage on the balcony, and came up with this bespoke piece of furniture to hide garden tools and the exterior air-conditioning unit.
It’s quite rare to have outdoor storage furniture on balconies in Paris, which may be why this picture resonated with some Houzz users.
Browse more small, stylish balconies
This balcony is part of a small apartment in Paris, France. As is often the case in Parisian apartments, finding sufficient storage was a challenge in this project by CP Design d’Interieur. The interior designer suggested putting storage on the balcony, and came up with this bespoke piece of furniture to hide garden tools and the exterior air-conditioning unit.
It’s quite rare to have outdoor storage furniture on balconies in Paris, which may be why this picture resonated with some Houzz users.
Browse more small, stylish balconies
Spain
This house in Castellón, Spain, belongs to Lucía Chover and Santiago Martín, founders of Vitale Studio. Having searched for years, they finally found a home with the perfect bones, which they then painstakingly restored and renovated.
The terrace was originally a completely wasted and neglected space. The owners updated the flooring with the same finish as in the adjacent kitchen, and enlarged the storage room, which is now also used as a laundry.
The cosy seating area is the perfect spot to enjoy a coffee after a wonderful meal.
This house in Castellón, Spain, belongs to Lucía Chover and Santiago Martín, founders of Vitale Studio. Having searched for years, they finally found a home with the perfect bones, which they then painstakingly restored and renovated.
The terrace was originally a completely wasted and neglected space. The owners updated the flooring with the same finish as in the adjacent kitchen, and enlarged the storage room, which is now also used as a laundry.
The cosy seating area is the perfect spot to enjoy a coffee after a wonderful meal.
Germany
A piece of freedom in the urban jungle – that’s what this balcony offers the owners of this Munich penthouse in Germany. The timber finish, the flooring, the bench seat, and even the container flower bed on this terrace were made-to-measure from thermo ash for this penthouse by Eber Designtüren in their workshop. The result? A highly personalised design dream looking out over the rooftops of Munich.
A piece of freedom in the urban jungle – that’s what this balcony offers the owners of this Munich penthouse in Germany. The timber finish, the flooring, the bench seat, and even the container flower bed on this terrace were made-to-measure from thermo ash for this penthouse by Eber Designtüren in their workshop. The result? A highly personalised design dream looking out over the rooftops of Munich.
Japan
This balcony belongs to a 25-year-old apartment redesigned by Color Label Design Office. Founder and designer, Akihiko Tonomura, transformed the living room with new oak hardwood flooring, and placed timber decking over the balcony’s concrete floor. As a result, this outdoor space has turned into a restful additional room that brings an extra touch of comfort to this high-rise home.
This balcony belongs to a 25-year-old apartment redesigned by Color Label Design Office. Founder and designer, Akihiko Tonomura, transformed the living room with new oak hardwood flooring, and placed timber decking over the balcony’s concrete floor. As a result, this outdoor space has turned into a restful additional room that brings an extra touch of comfort to this high-rise home.
United States
Studio DLG’s design for this New York City balcony in the USA takes advantage of every square centimetre, from the compact sofa that nestles in perfectly to the wall-mounted shelves that display potted plants. The ceramic garden stool and upholstered ottoman are multipurpose pieces that can serve as tables, seating or footstools to further maximise the space.
Stripes in the lumbar pillow, ottoman and area rug echo the structure’s clean, orderly lines, while playful patterns in other pieces soften the space. The mostly blue-and-grey palette gets hits of colour from red and yellow accents in the pillows and pots. With the fairy lights poised to take this balcony from day to night, we can see why this adorable pooch has made itself right at home.
Your turn
Which of the smart ideas here could help revamp your balcony? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save these images for inspiration, and join the renovation conversation.
More
Does your outdoor area need a little something extra? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Adding a Garden Arbour
Studio DLG’s design for this New York City balcony in the USA takes advantage of every square centimetre, from the compact sofa that nestles in perfectly to the wall-mounted shelves that display potted plants. The ceramic garden stool and upholstered ottoman are multipurpose pieces that can serve as tables, seating or footstools to further maximise the space.
Stripes in the lumbar pillow, ottoman and area rug echo the structure’s clean, orderly lines, while playful patterns in other pieces soften the space. The mostly blue-and-grey palette gets hits of colour from red and yellow accents in the pillows and pots. With the fairy lights poised to take this balcony from day to night, we can see why this adorable pooch has made itself right at home.
Your turn
Which of the smart ideas here could help revamp your balcony? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save these images for inspiration, and join the renovation conversation.
More
Does your outdoor area need a little something extra? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Adding a Garden Arbour
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6 is my favorite! Cozy comfy couch with a dog! What could be better! Love love love!
Living in the north west of the U.K., after several years of gazing at the unused balcony off our master bedroom we finally made the decision that our weather just doesn’t allow for sitting out to enjoy our view, apart from maybe a couple of times a year. We took the decision to enclose it with floor to ceiling glazing - and it is now a much loved ‘morning coffee’ and evening g&t space, with the added benefit of a better insulated bedroom!
United States and New Zealand caught my eye, the colours, character of these spaces were everything. The spaces were small but appeared bigger, their staging of the spaces and the pieces chose was magnificent.