With colder weather approaching, it may be time to think about how to winterize your balcony. Many people start closing their balcony doors for the winter season, but some residents overlook this important outdoor area during the winter. However, with the right preparation and decoration or balcony planting, you can comfortably enjoy this unique place all year round. Here are the main measures you can take to keep yourself and your plants warm in winter and create more comfort in this area.
Consider important factors and winterize a balcony
Sure, most balconies have limited floor space, but they offer the opportunity to experience beautiful views. Just like terraces, their usability reacts strongly to changes in the weather. In fact, the winter months can leave a regular balcony user stuck indoors and wishing for warmer months. Fortunately, it doesn't have to be that way. In general, the best way to winterize your apartment balcony is to enclose the space, add heating, and provide adequate air circulation and sunlight. However, you should keep moisture and cold wind away and give yourself and your guests the opportunity to breathe freely. You should also make sure that yours tooBalcony plants survive the wintercan.
So enjoy the fresh air and possibly unrivaled views from your balcony as the autumn landscape fills with color. If you're worried about the cold, there are plenty of ways to make your outdoor space cozy. If you have a condo or apartment with a balcony, you can use it all year round instead of just in the summer months. Take a look at some warm-up ideas. This means you can make your balcony even more comfortable and feel more comfortable there during the winter season. Find out how to keep your balcony warm in winter, along with some decorating ideas and different outdoor winter plants.
Prepare yourself and your balcony furniture for the cold season
An important aspect of winterizing your balcony is covering your furniture. Any cover is fine provided it is the correct size. If you want to take it a step further and really protect your furniture, you can also consider shrink wrap. In addition, covering balcony furniture is essential if it is made of wood, metal or even plastic. Covers provide protection from rain and wind. Therefore, you should first prepare your outdoor furniture for the winter months by covering it when not in use. The only catch, however, is that you can always uncover the balcony furniture if you decide to use the outdoor area. You'll also want to make sure the underlying furniture stays dry when you cover it. Wet seats can lead to unwanted mold formation.
When it comes to warmth on the balcony, you can use a cozy blanket to wrap yourself around on cold days. This means that your morning coffee tastes great on the balcony even at low temperatures. Watch the sunrise and enjoy a strong start to the day on winter mornings. You can sit outside and relax with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee all year round. Blended fabrics with natural fibers are ideal for warding off the cooler air. If you have an outdoor outlet, you can also get an electric blanket to help you spend more time outside when winterizing your balcony.
Remove home textiles and winterize the balcony
Removing pillows and throws is another important step. Even if you don't have snow, winter is usually wetter than the warmer months, which can lead to mold growth on soft furniture. However, if you live in a warm place, consider purchasing some wool blankets instead. They are much warmer and look great as balcony decorations in winter. Additionally, if you use waterproof pillowcases, you can usually leave them outside as well.
Install a roof or windbreak
One of the main reasons why people don't use their balcony in winter is, of course, the low temperatures. If you can install a windbreak on your balcony, this will allow you to eliminate much of this inconvenience. For example, a plexiglass barrier attached to your railing or a natural wall of winter plants can protect you from bad weather conditions. Additionally, building a temporary winter balcony cover can be a solution to withstand precipitation or snow. Accordingly, depending on what type of housing you are building, it can help insulate both the balcony and your apartment.
Add heating and candles
An electric radiator is a perfect addition to any balcony in winter. Although most condos and apartments do not allow fire as a heater on the balcony, an electric radiant heater with an automatic shut-off is perfect. However, make sure you don't have any loose fabrics or plants nearby and enjoy the warmth while staying outside throughout the winter. If you don't care about looks, any portable space heater would be fine. However, infrared heaters can heat you directly, so be sure to consider one in your search.
Additionally, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere on the balcony can entice you to spend more time outside during the winter months. Lots of candles can create a winter wonderland that you are sure to enjoy. Just a few strategically placed candles can raise the temperature a few degrees and reflect a warm and inviting light.
Choose hardy plants for your balcony
There is a huge selection of plants with which you can plant and beautify your balcony area in winter. Otherwise, your balcony may not look very inviting in the winter months after you remove your colorful summer plants. Improve the look of your outdoor space with some suitable plants to bring your winter balcony back to life. Don't avoid your outdoor space just because the winter season is almost here. Some options include holly, snowdrops, cyclamen, heather, dwarf conifers, chard, ivy and even kale.
If you can't bring potted plants indoors, you'll also need to winterize them outside of the balcony. Your options include building or purchasing a terrarium or mini greenhouse. Even a cover provides some insulation from colder weather for the plants. Another option is to insulate the pots with jute, wool or coir. You can purchase these products at hardware or garden stores.
Final thoughts
Hopefully this article has given you some tips on how to keep your balcony warm and easy to maintain in winter. If you want to use it, be sure to invest in some winter balcony decorations and winter outdoor balcony plants. If you decide to close your balcony for the season, it's best to make sure your furniture is treated and protected appropriately so it's ready again next year. With the right additions, a creative windbreak, and a few cozy blankets, you can step out onto your balcony and enjoy the view all year round.
