In today's big city, a balcony or terrace is a seemingly small but important luxury that can completely change the way you live. Whether as a personal retreat or a space for entertaining guests, a well-designed outdoor area is a must for every home. Here you will find a selection of the most beautiful balconies and outdoor areas from the featured houses ADVERTISEMENT this year that you can use as inspiration for your next home renovation.
Mohanan's personal oasis
Rohit Singh
Rohit Singh
A small balcony with a few plants is a luxury in Mumbai, and three balconies filled with plants even more so. It's no wonder that spending time on the balcony is an integral part of Malavika's morning routine: “I love reading while drinking coffee, so I go to a corner of my balcony and sit with my book. These 20 minutes are one of my favorite parts of my day,” she explains. “I love starting my morning by looking at greenery and we have a lot of it in my house,” reveals Malavika. The plants on the balcony, like the other decorative items, come from all over the country. “Our garden has also been maintained throughout all our travels. My parents take the trouble to bring the plants in and look after them. I don't have a green thumb, if I lived alone I don't think any of the plants would be alive!” she laughs.
Original text by Khushi Sheth, edited for context.
An enviable terraced garden
Shamanth Patil Photography
The family's brief to Gunjan Lath and Balakrishna Pathi of Thrity Cross Collective was clear but emotionally open: to build something timeless, tactile and light to live in. No sterile minimalism. When they moved higher than their simpler ground floor house, they worried that it would resemble an apartment building (which they were keen to avoid) – which meant maximizing green space. “We wanted to make sure they still felt like they were in a villa connected to nature, which led to the two core concepts: a terraced garden and a courtyard,” explains Pathi. The stone structure of the terraced garden serves a three-part function: first, it is an ode to the stone structures prevalent in South India; Secondly, it gives the facade a feeling of monumentality and grandeur, breaking its monotony. And thirdly, the angled slats guarantee privacy from the street – you can only really see in if you're standing directly on the other side of the street. The terrace construction was a bold gesture both aesthetically and in execution. “We had to lift 40mm thick, 9ft high stone slabs to the third floor, which was no easy task,” recalls Lath.
Original text by Alisha Lad, edited for context.
A modern outpost
Jubin Johnson, Hansoga Photography
Jubin Johnson, Hansoga Photography
From an architectural perspective, there's a lot that sets this two-story airport-view penthouse in Bengaluru from Balan + Nambisan Architects apart: it's the vaulted ceilings and dramatic skylights that allow natural light to flood into every corner of the 5,500-square-foot home. Adjoining the double-height living room is a small outdoor bar area, decorated with lush greenery and dominated by an ornate bar counter hand-carved in stone by Nustar Exim, giving this urban seating space a feel of the tropics. The terrace, decorated with pieces from Beruru, Curio Casa and Purple Turtle, has the idyllic charm of a secret garden.