Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: When a Balcony Turns Into a Boho Oasis
This interior designer spotted a balcony's potential and turned it into a wellness retreat right in her home
Having a balcony is a stroke of luck, so it’s a pity when it isn’t used to the max. Designer Dorothea Schwabe noticed the potential of her neighbour’s balcony and showed her how to turn it into a boho oasis with minimal effort.
This balcony transports you to the south, like a holiday every day. The aim was to turn it into a place of relaxation, “where you can lie down and maybe even nap. So that it’s a cosy place to read a book and have a glass of wine with a partner or friends”, Schwabe says.
Before the renovation
The approximately 2.5x6 metre balcony “was only being used as a storage space”, Schwabe says. A graphic designer by training, she has taken over the design work in her husband’s firm, Eggergärten. “Our work together has grown over the years,” she says. This is how Botanic Design developed, as a part of Eggergärten, combining the couple’s expertise.
The approximately 2.5x6 metre balcony “was only being used as a storage space”, Schwabe says. A graphic designer by training, she has taken over the design work in her husband’s firm, Eggergärten. “Our work together has grown over the years,” she says. This is how Botanic Design developed, as a part of Eggergärten, combining the couple’s expertise.
What will the balcony be used for? This was the question the expert asked herself and her client in order to draft a fitting concept. The family uses the balcony mostly on weekends. “Mostly [they] wanted to have a holiday feeling,” Schwabe says.
However, the owners also wanted a dining table. There had previously been a picnic table here, but it turned out that it was only used it once a week for Sunday brunch. Since there was also a smaller second balcony on the other side of the flat, Schwabe decided “that this would now be a wellness balcony”.
The other balcony (not pictured) had just enough space for a table and chairs. With advice from Schwabe, the owner quickly put this one together herself. Now there is one balcony for dining and one for relaxation.
However, the owners also wanted a dining table. There had previously been a picnic table here, but it turned out that it was only used it once a week for Sunday brunch. Since there was also a smaller second balcony on the other side of the flat, Schwabe decided “that this would now be a wellness balcony”.
The other balcony (not pictured) had just enough space for a table and chairs. With advice from Schwabe, the owner quickly put this one together herself. Now there is one balcony for dining and one for relaxation.
The old chairs made way for a daybed created of untreated timber palettes. The owner happened to have a spare mattress in exactly the right dimensions, which has now found its new purpose. They kept the beautiful old floor tiles as they were.
This way they quickly created a cosy corner, where climbing vines and common columbine provides a touch of green.
This way they quickly created a cosy corner, where climbing vines and common columbine provides a touch of green.
“There is a roof over the balcony and it is well shielded, including from the neighbours’ view,” Schwabe explains. “In summer there is a small window of sunshine from 11am until 2pm.” Therefore, despite its northern orientation, the balcony offers lots of opportunity for catching some sun.
Despite the roof, the balcony has lots of space overhead thanks to the building’s high ceilings. The walls did not have to be repainted and were only cleaned as part of the renovation.
Despite the roof, the balcony has lots of space overhead thanks to the building’s high ceilings. The walls did not have to be repainted and were only cleaned as part of the renovation.
Schwabe found the mirror at furniture and decor shop Maisons du Monde. “I thought, wow, it’s awesome.” It reflects the green leaves of the trees.
That this should become a small boho-chic paradise was the her idea, since she had known her neighbour for so long: “it just suits her so well”.
That this should become a small boho-chic paradise was the her idea, since she had known her neighbour for so long: “it just suits her so well”.
“With the outdoor carpet, the balcony feels like a second living room,” Schwabe says. She bought the leather Moroccan-style poof at auction on Ebay.
The owner enjoys her new balcony.
“Looking for the peacock chair was the most fun part. I wanted something from the ‘70s or ‘80s and finally found the perfect chair near Munich,” Schwabe says. “Getting it to Wuppertal was a bit of an adventure. But for this cool unique piece it was worth it.”
“Looking for the peacock chair was the most fun part. I wanted something from the ‘70s or ‘80s and finally found the perfect chair near Munich,” Schwabe says. “Getting it to Wuppertal was a bit of an adventure. But for this cool unique piece it was worth it.”
The owner’s son in his favourite spot
Now there are three new favourite spots: the little balcony for dining, the graceful peacock chair for the mother, and a spot for the son. “The owner was super happy in the end. But the son was the most pleased,” Schwabe says. He hardly ever leaves the new daybed and spends a lot of time on the balcony, where he reads or works on his laptop in peace. Only the cat occasionally tries to dispute his claim to this cosy retreat.
Your turn
What do you like about this magical balcony makeover? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story and save the images.
More
Want another dose of great international design? Don’t miss UK Houzz Tour: A Designer’s Converted Victorian Dairy Home
Now there are three new favourite spots: the little balcony for dining, the graceful peacock chair for the mother, and a spot for the son. “The owner was super happy in the end. But the son was the most pleased,” Schwabe says. He hardly ever leaves the new daybed and spends a lot of time on the balcony, where he reads or works on his laptop in peace. Only the cat occasionally tries to dispute his claim to this cosy retreat.
Your turn
What do you like about this magical balcony makeover? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story and save the images.
More
Want another dose of great international design? Don’t miss UK Houzz Tour: A Designer’s Converted Victorian Dairy Home
Balcony at a Glance
Who relaxes here: a teacher and her 17-year-old son
Location: Wuppertal, Germany
Balcony size: 15 square metres
Expert: Dorothea Schwabe of BOTANIC DESIGN I eggergärten