One of the best parts of apartment living is that there’s no big back yard to mow. But it also means you have only a pocket-sized for all your outdoor living.
So if you are wasting it as just a dumping ground for old furniture or storage, or letting pot plants go there to die, the experts have tips on how to upgrade. They all say that beautify your balcony helps to upsell the property when you’re putting in on the market.
Barfoot & Thompson body corporate branch manager Adriana Radich says rule number one is to have it clean.
Then make sure to check with the building manager and check the code before making any more substantial changes, she recommended.
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Check that drying your washing on the balcony is allowed – in some buildings, it is against the body corporate rules as it ruins the building aesthetics.
“You are trying to make your unit as cosy, comfortable and cheerful as possible,” she says.
Think of maximising the space yet make the area attractive by adding some colour and functionality.
“You don't want to just have something so small like a little pot plant that you might as well not bothered,” she says.
Maximise space but don’t clutter. Using the balcony for storage is a definite no-no.
“Some people have racks of stuff outside on their balconies and it makes the whole building look untidy and unattractive and it puts people off.”
Ray White city apartments sales agent Adam Gurr also says that maintaining a simply clean and neat balcony is the key element before beautifying or starting a project.
“You can always see who takes a pride in their home by looking at their balcony,” Gurr says.
“There’s nothing worse than having a spotless and well-presented apartment and a dirty glass balustrade and floor tiles, because people do notice it.”
Some balconies are more functional than others and, Gurr adds, can be set up as a part of the living space.
Create a relaxing spot for breakfasts or weekend beers with a small table and a couple of chairs or bean bags, if the area is spacious enough.
The smaller the balcony, the lower the chances of you using it functionally. For example Gurr says, with a French balcony, you’ll be eating your breakfast standing.
“French means you go out and have a French breakfast which is a black coffee and a cigarette.”
When people are downsizing and moving into apartments, they don’t want to write off their weekend activities of a barbecues and gardening.
As long as it complies with the body corporate, you can set up a small barbecue and invite neighbours over, who have been envious of a smell all along.
Gurr says that in the city, apartment balconies are valued around $5,000 per square metre and make the property in more demand.
“People in Auckland, within the concrete jungle, still want to be able to take a breath of fresh air, even when it’s not particularly fresh sometimes,” he says.
