When the weather starts to warm up, or you return from an extended vacation, you will want to “prep the patio”, “dust off the deck”, or “beautify the balcony”. Whether you’re in Oakville or Oklahoma, Mississauga or Manhattan, Burlington or Burnaby, Toronto or Tsawwassen, San Francisco or Savannah, the process and approach is the same.

To help you get as much enjoyment out of your outdoor space as possible, here are a couple things to do, and a couple things to avoid doing, based on our experience expanding home experiences in the condo market across Canada.

Don’t: Use It As A Storage Locker

Tempting as it may be, one of the quickest ways to ensure you will soon hate the thought of venturing out onto your condo balcony is to toss everything that you can’t find a convenient place for out onto the balcony. Boxes, cartons, garbage bags full of old clothes…  uh-uh. Don’t do it!  This will also make you a target for your condo board or strata council. Most frown upon junk-laden balconies and you could be subject to a fine, or worse.  All that stuff, from boxes and bags to paint cans and household tools, can also be attractive hiding places for squirrels or other rodents, insects, dust and debris. Yuck.

Don’t: Leave It Barren

On the opposite end of the spectrum from the storage wasteland balcony is the bare naked, never-been-loved balcony.  Yes, you’ll avoid the issues above, but a completely empty condo balcony, with a bland concrete floor, is never going to make you feel like you want to go spend a little time outside. And your balcony will develop an inferiority complex, requiring years of therapy.

Do: Think Bottoms Up

As our designer-friend Cheryl Torrenueva says, every great-feeling balcony design starts with the floor. Check your condo or strata rules to see what’s allowed, then figure out whether you add a little indoor-outdoor area rug, some interlocking floating outdoor flooring (deck tiles).

Do: Create A Sitting Area

Even the smallest balconies, with the exception of Juliette balconies, will have room for a couple of chairs and a small table.  Many of the outdoor furniture or garden centres, even some of the big box stores, will have small-space options to fit your style and budget.

Do: Add Some Personality

Make it really feel like “you” out there. If you love plants, add some that are suitable for your sun exposure and wind conditions. Love candles? Go crazy.  Statues or planters from your travels? Put them outside, as long as the weather won’t harm them. For other tips check out our blog “5 Steps to a Stunning Condo Balcony”.

KANDY Outdoor Flooring expands home experiences with new outdoor flooring for condo balconies, ground level patios and restaurant terraces. Contact us for more information.