Balconies can contribute tremendously to the quality of life in an urban Indian family, says Yeshwant Ramamurthy

If you live in an urban apartment, the balcony (if you are lucky enough to have one) could be your happiest corner. Here's how to make it a true haven. Read on...

The Off-Centred Balcony: This one is normally situated adjacent to the main living zone and is more a part of the general relaxed and leisurely atmosphere.

How It Works For You!
• It provides valuable extra floor area when entertaining larger gatherings.
• It's a place where you can put your feet up and unwind - somewhere to sip a leisurely 'chai', to browse through a magazine, or simply doze off.
Make It Better!
• Let this balcony be accessed through a set of glass folding doors. Thus, when unfolded, the space is an extension of the room.
• Effectively contrast the formal themes of your living room with casual, comfortable furniture and fittings in the balcony. Wrought iron or cane furniture will work well.
• Accessories on this balcony must be more the 'beloved' kind than the 'valuable' - like plants and outdoor décor.
• Decorate your balcony with bonsai, suspended baskets for trailing plants, terracotta figurines and urns to create a warm, intimate space.
• With the growing popularity of Feng Shui, balconies are the ideal location for wind chimes and aquariums provided these are in compliance with the parameters of the system.
• This is also an ideal spot to spread a mat and go through your yoga routine in the fresh dawn air.
• Remember: Brightly coloured cotton upholstery creates sunny cheer and bamboo chiks filter the afternoon glare elegantly.

The Utilitarian Balcony: This balcony is usually situated at the rear of the flat, positioned off a kitchen.

How It Works For You
• It is an invaluable addition to any apartment and can house all the utilities such as extra gas cylinders, a washing machine and a dryer, ironing board, clothesline and closets for storage.
• Scrubbing of heavy utensils that will overflow the kitchen sink can be done here if a low level tap is installed in a corner with shelves for detergents and scouring pads. Make sure this is waterproof and will not cause water seepage.
• An ideal place for the domestic staff to carry out activities like sorting grain or laundry accounting.
Make It Better!
• Given the heavy-duty nature of such a balcony, use durable tiles on both the floor and walls.
• Keep adequate plug points at appropriate positions. Indeed, even the unsightly distribution board containing the apartment's circuit breakers (fuses) could be installed here, out of view from the main living room.
• Large desert coolers can be located here.
The author is a Hyderabad-based architecture and writes for the Intach journal

Balcony Romance
'Romeo and Juliet' and 'Rapunzel' - both enacted a million times across the world, have given us some famous lines... Which is why, mention balconies and it immediately conjures up images of sweet romance!

It was from the balcony that Rapunzel let her hair down for her prince to climb up. And in the famous balcony scene from the tragedy Romeo and Juliet, Juliet Capulet emerges from her bedroom to muse upon the young man she has just met and fallen in love with, Romeo Montague. As she professes her love, Romeo overhears her thoughts hiding right below the balcony.