2023 Outdoor Living Tour : Balcony
Happy Memorial Day weekend, friends! It has been a couple years since I’ve shared a full outdoor living tour here on the blog. Today, I’m kicking off a weeklong series sharing all of our outdoor areas… perfect timing, right? You can expect to see and read about some of my favorite vignettes we enjoy outside, future outdoor living plans, sources, and I’ll give you a glimpse at what things are currently looking like around here. First on the docket? Our bedroom balcony. Click through for the tour!
I gave our balcony a much needed makeover back in 2019 and not much has changed since, aside from painting our columns back in 2021. If you’re curious to see what it looked like before, check out that post here. I can’t believe I shared that reveal exactly four years ago! I’m still very pleased with how things are holding up and I very much still enjoy the classic design. I’m very in the mindset to design with longevity in mind.
That said, we were actually hoping to rebuild and renovate our bedroom balcony this year. While aesthetically & functionally speaking, it checks all of our boxes, structurally- it’s deteriorating. Our hope is to save up and rebuild this space next spring (here’s to hoping we’ll be spending less on medical expenses). It’s going to be an expensive fix, but thanks to significant water damage in the corner, it needs to be totally rebuilt.
We still use the space, but I strategically place our planters & furniture in areas that should not be walked on… it’s not ideal or safe, to say the least. Depending on what that process looks like, Emmett & I have even chatted about expanding the balcony, to wrap around the side of our home… for a better mountain view, as well as to provide more cover and shade for our backyard & patio. We’ll see what the future holds!
This space is accessed through French doors in our primary bedroom. I love that we have a secluded outdoor living space to enjoy from our primary suite… not to mention, the great views from our bedroom. It looks out onto the golf course, which means our neighbors aren’t super close. It also peers over our backyard & patio, and we typically get a great diagonal mountain view over the pergola. It’s a pretty spot!
I have to say- having been installed for four years, these outdoor curtains have totally exceeded my expectations. I initially installed them for added privacy and to provide softness and structure to this outdoor living space. I wash them once a year and they always come clean, returning to their crisp white color. They’ve survived plenty of storms, hang outdoors year round, and are still in excellent condition. If you’re looking for nice outdoor curtains, these are affordable and wonderful!
As much as I enjoy our balcony- it’s perfect for morning coffee, an impromptu outdoor workspace, or an evening glass of wine, I think our dogs love it most. They were so excited to have access to this space once again. I’ll often leave our bedroom door cracked, so they can go in and out as they please. They enjoy sunbathing out here, watching (and barking) at golfers, and can often be found napping on the furniture. I keep water outside for them for that exact reason.
Since this outdoor space is secluded and feels like an extension of our bedroom, I decided to paint the brick four years ago. It felt like the right move to brighten the space, bringing additional light into our bedroom. The balcony is also recessed in regards to our home exterior, and the niche gave me the perfect starting and stopping point for paint to make perfect sense. No regrets on that front!
In regards to accessories, this calming space is both functional and beautiful. My favorite way to decompress is to sit out here, light my candles (of which I have plenty), have a drink, or read a book during the spring & summer months. Aside from plants, candles, and textiles, I don’t keep too much decor outside, even though it’s covered and protected… just the essentials.
Depending on how the space evolves and grows in the future, I may have to update our furniture to better fit the rebuilt balcony, but for now- this provides the perfect amount of seating for Emmett and myself… a place to eat or drink, and a place to lounge. I’ll link and update the sources the best I can for you below…
Click the thumbnails below, or use the links below the collage to be redirected to each source.
outdoor curtains // rattan book // oud noir candle // outdoor lantern sconce // striped tassel pillow // olive branch arrangement // plaster side table // outdoor loveseat // outdoor ottoman // woven tray // tassel pillow // woven coasters // marble side table // pedestal dog dishes // lidded clay candle // marble bowl // outdoor bistro chairs // marble bistro table // zz plant // black planter // citronella candle // outdoor rug
Since I ordered most of these things four years ago, some things have been discontinued or updated, but I linked the closest option for you. Let me know if I’m missing anything or you have additional source questions! I’m happy to help.
Another odd thing I really enjoy about our balcony? The height and scale. It sits at the tree line, but isn’t too tall. Since our backyard is sunken, it feels like the perfect scale for our home exterior. I love how green and lush everything looks from here. It also gets the best breeze, which is why I’m partial to leaving one of the French doors open in our bedroom.
My current spring and summer balcony read? I’ve been pulling lots of seasonal design and decor inspiration from this new Rattan book I just added to the Tuesday Made shop. If you’re looking for woven and outdoor living inspiration, this book is filled with timeless ideas!
It’s fun looking back on how this outdoor space has evolved and grown with us since moving in. It’s honestly a place we spend far more time enjoying than I ever imagined we would. I think it’s a convenience thing- being off of our bedroom.
I hope you enjoyed the balcony tour! Check back tomorrow for a quick tour of our garden. I hope everyone is having a lovely long weekend!
