10 balcony design tips

1 Check with a qualified professional as to the structural loading capacity of your terrace. Not all buildings can support the same weight loads, and many buildings may not be able to withstand the weight of the materials you are thinking of using. Consider lightweight alternatives to traditional materials.

2 Think about how the space will be used in all four seasons. Even if you don't actively go out onto your balcony or terrace in the winter months, it can and should be attractive to look at from indoors.

3 Consider what time of day you will be spending most of your time on your balcony or terrace. Do you work during the day? If so, plan your design for nighttime enjoyment. Plan on lighting being an integral part of the design.

4 Plan very carefully. In a small space, every inch counts. Make sure the scale of the various built elements and furnishings is appropriate to the size of your overall space.

5 Use "layering" (foreground, middle ground, background) to create the illusion of greater size and depth within your balcony or terrace.