Many of us lead busy and stressful day-to-day lives, so it’s important to make our living spaces as comfortable and welcoming as possible, with access to natural light and fresh air.
For those with rooms on upper floors, Juliet balconies offer a cost-effective solution to improve views and let more light and air inside, without having to extend the space outside.
Named for the popular balcony scene in one of William Shakespeare’s most famous plays, Romeo & Juliet, this type of balcony is a small or ‘fake’ balcony featuring a railing or barrier installed across a large window or set of French doors.
With inward-opening glass doors, sliding or bi-folding doors, or large sash windows, you can safely open up the space – the barrier should prevent falls while maintaining the view and allowing fresh air to circulate and sunlight to flow inside.
Architects and interior designers know how economical yet aesthetically pleasing Juliet balconies are, making a wonderful addition to properties of any style and size.
If you’re considering installing a Juliet balcony, you might be wondering about its limitations, as there is little to no exterior floor space for you to work with. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get creative with the space you do have.
Here are some top tips for decorating a Juliet balcony to inspire you and help you get the best use out of this stunning design feature.
Al fresco dining, indoors
While you can’t physically sit outside on a Juliet balcony, if your doors or windows don’t open inward, you can still use the floor area in front of the balcony to set up a bistro-style table and chairs.
With the doors or windows open, you can enjoy the benefits of dining al fresco – the sunshine and fresh breeze – without actually sitting outdoors, remaining sheltered from stronger elements.
It’s the perfect arrangement for enjoying breakfast and coffee in the morning, or dinner and a glass of wine in the evening – or relaxing with a drink at any time of day!
Adding plants and flowers
You may not be able to go wild and create a mini jungle like some people with standard balconies do, but you can still feel even closer to nature by adding some greenery to your Juliet balcony.
Whether it’s a small herb garden, blooms in a narrow flower box, or hanging planters of flowing plants or flowers on the wall either side, these will introduce some colour and scents.
If you don’t like messy soil or aren’t good with upkeep, you can still introduce green elements with faux plants like fake ivy – draping them in curtains or winding them around rails.
Hanging curtains and lights
Whether the opening is a window or a door, you don’t need a full-size balcony to drape beautiful curtains across the ‘entrance’ and make the area look more luxurious.
Simple sheer curtains in almost any colour can add personality to the space – they look lovely when they billow in the breeze and allow the light from outside to filter through gently.
This is a wonderful way to create an elegant and romantic atmosphere, especially if you also add string lights around the opening or on the balcony itself to make it feel even more magical.
Inspiring study space
If you need somewhere to truly relax after a long day, why not set up a reading nook with a comfortable chair or a couple of bean bags right by the balcony window?
You can enjoy the view of the sunset and the real-life ASMR of the rain and the sounds of life outside, all from the comfort of indoors while you read a book or meditate.
A Juliet balcony is also an ideal way to bring the outdoors closer for a study or home office, as you may be too busy to leave your home while working, but you can always stand at the balcony and look out when you need a quick break and a breath of fresh air.
Which Juliet balcony style is best?
Of course, when styling a Juliet balcony and figuring out how you’re going to use it, you have to consider the design of the balcony itself and how it fits in with your exterior and interior design.
Traditional Juliet balconies feature wrought iron railings with decorative scrollwork, which are typically black but can also be painted in different colours. Modern Juliet balconies may use straight steel railings, which have a more industrial look.
These styles may not be suitable if you have pets or young children in your home, or if you happen to be quite clumsy, as even though the gaps in the railings are relatively narrow, things can still become trapped between them or fall through.
That’s where glass balustrades come in as the ultimate solution for a contemporary Juliet balcony.
Even if you choose a style with a steel frame and handrail, the transparent glass complements all kinds of architecture, allows for a better view, and lets more light through – but there are fewer and much narrower gaps, giving you nothing to worry about.
As long as you get professional assistance with installing your Juliet balcony, you can be confident that it’s safe and get to work decorating it to suit your lifestyle.
