How to Make Full Use of an Enclosed Balcony

Enclosed balconies are perfect for creating different environments within your home. We have some great ideas on how you can make full use of them.
How to Make Full Use of an Enclosed Balcony

Last update: 26 December, 2018

It’s easy to make an enclosed balcony – just put up a barrier, then figure out how to make full use of yours!

Enclosed balconies are perfect year round. In summer, you can open up the windows to let air in, and in winter, you’re shielded from the cold.

But before you do anything, make sure you’ll have permission from your neighbors’ association and town council. 

Technically, a balcony is part of a building’s facade, which means you need permission to make changes. If you do it without permission, you might end up getting a fine. But don’t let the red tape scare you. An enclosed balcony means having a few extra square feet for whatever you want.

So today, we’re going to give you some ideas on how to make full use of your enclosed balcony. 

How to make full use of your enclosed balcony

Study or work area

Enclosed balconies are a great place for an office. Being smaller than most rooms also makes them feel cozier.

You could make it an area exclusively for working or studying, or you could have several different environments on the same balcony.

For example, you can put a desk with everything you need to work on one side. On the other, you can have some puff chairs with a small table for when you just want to relax.

closed balcony office

Play area

If you have kids, you might be wondering how to use your enclosed balcony for them.

Kids love having their own spaces. So, this could be a perfect place for a play area. Plus, it’s much safer because it’s closed off, unlike a normal balcony.

If you want to give it a special touch, you can put down vinyl flooring with a fun pattern or put in a warm blanket for the winter.

Make the space bigger

One of the best parts of enclosed balconies is that you get a few extra square feet. In other words, you can actually make the space around them bigger.

For example, if yours is in the master bedroom, you can enlarge that room by making the balcony a dressing room or a reading area, whatever comes to mind!

If it’s in the living room, you can create two different environments. You can use the living room for guests in the morning and afternoon, moving to the balcony at night. 

So, you could put in a dumbwaiter as a minibar, some puff chairs, and a comfy couch. Mood lighting is also great in an enclosed balcony. 

enclosed porch

Gym

Why not have a gym in your house? Enclosed balconies are a perfect place for one!

Obviously, you won’t be able to fit all the machines they have at the gym, but there are some multipurpose machines that are great for this kind of thing.

Relaxation area

There are all kinds of traditional uses for balconies. Some people use them as small gardens, and others as a place to sunbathe in the afternoon. 

Enclosed balconies give you all these options and more.

We also love the idea of making it a relaxation area, whether for reading, painting or watering your plants. Use this area to do whatever relaxes you most. You could even use it for yoga!

If you want it to be truly relaxing, you should put in some rugs, couches, puff chairs, or even a hammock or hanging chair.

Like we said earlier, it can also be good to put in a dumbwaiter. That way you have everything you need in arm’s reach.

Or, especially if you want it to be a reading area, you can put in a bookshelf or two.

Conclusion

There’s really no limit on how to use an enclosed balcony–make it work for you!

You can create all kinds of different areas and add some space to your house, which just means more options for everyone in your family.

Here are a few final tips on how to make full use of an enclosed balcony:

  • Think about who you want it to be for: kids, friends, family, or just for you.
  • Think of your needs: if your kids need a place to spend their free time, it doesn’t make sense to create a gym if you could create a play area.
  • It’s a place to be creative: your balcony doesn’t have to be just like the rest of your house in terms of style. It’s the perfect place to let your creative side out and design a space with lots of personality.