This structure in Venice, Italy, may be a balcony, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have space for classic outdoor living.
Photographer: Flavia Morlachetti/Moment RFThe Definitive Guide to Balcony Designs
Private outdoor space for apartment dwellers became more coveted during the pandemic. There’s more variety in balcony types than the typical US or UK real estate listing would suggest.
Among the many lasting effects of pandemic-era lockdowns for apartment dwellers is an expanded appreciation for balconies. While these private outdoor spaces may have once been a nice-to-have, they are becoming a required feature for an increasing number of buyers and renters. A UK survey from June 2020 found that, just four months into the pandemic, 14% of British home-hunters felt that the experience of lockdown had made having a balcony more important.
In some places, planning guidelines are even changing to reflect how much they can improve a home. Since 2020, guidance from the London Mayor’s office has recommended a minimum of 5 square meters (54 square feet) of outside space for every one- or two-bedroom apartment, with an extra square meter added for every extra bedroom beyond that.