A liminal space where boundaries between indoor comfort and natural beauty blur, curated balcony designs can morph into charming retreats, exploring an alluring interplay of textures, colours and furnishings. From compact balcony designs in urban apartments to spacious decks flanking weekend retreats, we bring to you 7 balcony designs you should definitely check out.
A Dreamy Amravati Balcony That Enhances The Play Of Natural Light
Natural light has become a bit of a luxury in the modern Indian home, where space constraints and architectural layouts don’t always allow for large windows with sweeping, sun-soaked views. So when Piyush Chandwani, principal architect of PiNiK Design Studio was tasked with building a first-floor home extension onto a 1,100-square-foot family abode in Amravati, Maharashtra that was entirely walled-in on two sides, his first instinct was to maximise the light he had. The result is an interior palette that is light, textured, and sprinkled with pops of colour.
“The intermediate space is an open kitchen alongside the dining room. On the right hand side is a staircase that takes you to the upper floor, right onto a long balcony," explains Chandwani. A terracotta jaali on the facade veils the staircase block, creating a play of light and shadow across the stairwell. The seating area of the balcony, however, has been left open, which ensures an unobstructed view for the residents and also maximises the amount of light coming in. “The only ventilation happening comes from the balcony area, so we had to play with colours,” Chandwani elaborates. - Avantika Shankar
Also read: 7 earthy bedrooms that carve out a nature-inspired sanctuary
Monumental Proportions And Lavish Vistas In A Mumbai Triplex
Mumbai, the Maximum City. It's a description befitting all its parts—the suburbs and the sky rises, the streetscapes and the seafront—ever spirited, yet never spent. Rare, then, are those places that slow down long enough to let its dwellers stop and truly breathe. Rare, but not impossible, as interior designers Freeyan Neterwala and Zarir Aibara of the Phirosa Neterwala—and Sunu Aibara—led AD100 practice Neterwala Aibara, know only too well. Their latest residential project, an 8,000-square-foot Mumbai apartment in a South Mumbai suburb, exists in a tranquil realm of its own, with sculptural forms, double-height ceilings and characterful corners that at once coalesce and contrast, delivering an object lesson in optical illusions.
Throughout, the palette is restrained and unpresuming. But insipid it is not. The majesty of timber, finished to its natural grain, serves as a continual counterpoint to the rough lime-plastered walls, while marble, meticulously matted down to look like natural stone, offsets the jute-like finish of the handcrafted wallpapers. Basalt stone is a recurring leitmotif, uniformly underpinning the design language. "The same palette runs through the entire space, creating a harmonious flow. We did, however, break the monotony in certain areas with strategic splashes of colour, as in the case of the eye-popping artwork on the sliding doors in the family room," says Zarir. The formal living room is an ivory oasis with bouclé sofas, diaphanous curtains and pristine marble flooring. “It serves as a gathering space for the whole family,” says Freeyan. An exquisite outdoor seating overlooking the ocean flanks the zone–with a classic Mumbai view to die for! - Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar
Also read: 6 Indian homes that embrace the beauty of nature with open spaces
Styled by Samir Wadekar
Nature Flourishes Inside And Beyond The Walls Of This Belgaum Villa
Standing on a corner plot in Belgaum’s Hulbatte Colony, an intriguing structure draws the eye. Minimal in materiality and maximal in impact, it comprises of board-marked concrete boxes orchestrated against a backdrop of weathered brick. And softening some of the clean, crisp edges of the architectural envelope is the lushness of dense vegetation. Architect Rahul Pudale, the creator of this structure, rightfully calls it the Living Ensemble. “It embodies the essence of versatile architecture, elevating the living experience for the residents while leaving an indelible impression on the observer,” he states.
The structure is strategically positioned to one side of the tight, 3,500-square-foot plot to make room for nature to flourish within its boundaries. The staggered concrete cubes, which emerge from the exposed brick walls, guide the eye, “creating a sense of rhythm and movement.” Some of these grey volumes are extended terraces that connect living spaces. “The planter boxes integrated within the terraces and balconies present a unique way to infuse greenery into the living spaces. These gardens become an extension of the interior, where residents can cultivate plants, creating a living tapestry that evolves with the seasons,” says the architect. Together, the hard materials and the organic plants establish a compelling synergy of the built and the unbuilt, of manmade and nature. - Rupali Sebastian
A Weekend Home In Bengaluru That Embraces Open Spaces
It’s hard not to be mesmerized by the scale and the magnitude of this five-bedroom villa designed by Shilpa Sambargi, principal architect at Bangalore-based Shilpa Sambargi Architects. The stage is set at the grand entrance that's carved from cantilevered RCC slabs and teak wood. “The owners love to socialize and throw grand parties. They wanted a weekend home with luxurious spaces to host friends and family, spa, bar and a pool to chill. A seamless transition from the indoors to the outdoors was one of their demands,” explains Sambargi, who executed homeowner Naveen Ramachandra’s vision by incorporating large open spaces and lush landscapes in to the design.
“The Ramachandras were very keen to build a home that whispers luxury with its volume and aesthetics without making a noise. No bold statements or acute angles,” explains Sambargi who wrapped up the project in a record time of 18 months, a feat considering the scale of the house and that it was built during the Covid pandemic. Judicious placement of windows on the northern and eastern sides ensures a year-long supply of natural light while also seamlessly connecting the interiors with the lush gardens outside. This also instills a new sense of lightness to the home. - Nivedita Jayaram Pawar
A Hyderabad Apartment Reminiscent Of New York Style Lofts
Located in Film Nagar, this 2,200-square-foot apartment in Hyderabad is home to a creative couple–a fashion designer and a filmmaker. “Tall ceilings, large windows, open floor plans, essentially interior details that make up New York or Parisian lofts, is what we imagined for our home too,” the clients explain.
Opening up the common areas was a natural first step to create a loft-style home,” says architect Mounika Kodali of Beyond Spaces Design Studio. She combined the living and dining areas into a unified, light-filled space and introduced floor-to-ceiling curtain windows leading to a large balcony to maximise this newfound light. Cerulean blue tiles from Bharat Flooring contrast the white walls, curtain windows, and tropical greens that permeate the balcony. - Ashna Lulla
Celebrate Dark, Brooding Hues In This Designer Couple's Kochi Home
In Rakesh Ramachandran and Bindu Rakesh’s Kochi apartment, professional opinions are aplenty. As lighting designers themselves, the couple knows a thing or two about great design, as does their newly-minted architect daughter, Arya. When it came to choosing a designer for their new 14th-floor apartment in Kochi, however, the family was aligned on most things—minimalist, aesthetic and functional were top of the order. "We have two kids, a dog, and a busy life. So, we wanted the space to be practical but still fun," avers Bindu. That said, the brief presented to architect Binesh Balagopal of Ernakulum-based Nvironment Planning was surprisingly straightforward: that the home be a reflection of the family's laid-back style and spirit.
The living room opens out into an 11-metre-wide balcony where the family likes to begin and end their day. Thoughtful souvenirs dwell here: a bench table made of reclaimed teak enlivens the balcony, while a recycled cardboard wall disc by Brazilian artist Domingo Totora takes pride of place in the foyer. At 11-metres-wide, the balcony serves as the home’s tour de force, summoning the family to begin and end their day there. “It’s a little wonder that we’re found there most mornings and evenings," says Bindu, “with but some coffee and each other for company.” - Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar
A 1932 Portuguese Home Turns Into A Charming Rental In Goa
Mumbai-based Deepak and Leenika Jacob were looking for a place in Goa from the perspective of making a home and an experiential holiday rental. In December 2020, they chanced upon a decrepit Portuguese house sitting on a three-fourth of an acre of land and fell in love with the villa in Goa. Leenika runs Kala Chaupal, a non-profit organisation on arts, culture and environment. She staunchly believed that restoration is essential for heritage homes to survive and acknowledge the geographic uniqueness of an area.
Each bedroom features a different colour scheme and though unified by its history, exudes a unique character. The four-poster bed has been sourced from antique dealers since the old house was a bare shell. Considering the humid and moist weather of Goa, all furniture has been sustainably treated for longevity. The bedrooms come with an ensuite and a private balcony or deck area. The design narrative blurs the lines between the indoors and the outdoors and is interlaid with elements from Goan-Portuguese history. - Rashmi Haralalka
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