The first balcony redecorated in the IKEA balcony makeover project was a loggia in Jugla, owned by a young woman named Elīza. She lives in an apartment near the busy Brīvības Street together with her sister and two cats.
Before: storage space
Before the transformation, it was a typical loggia mainly used for storage, rather than for relaxation. She reveals, “Every spring I try organising my balcony and I see all of these things that I actually don’t need. I would rather use this space for chilling and hanging out, especially in the summertime. I would love to enjoy the evening sunlight or have my morning coffee and croissant in there.” Moreover, Elīza expressed a need for practical solutions – a storage for tools and solutions for plants, drying laundry and other daily tasks.
Before the transformation, it was a typical loggia mainly used for storage, rather than for relaxation. She reveals, “Every spring I try organising my balcony and I see all of these things that I actually don’t need. I would rather use this space for chilling and hanging out, especially in the summertime. I would love to enjoy the evening sunlight or have my morning coffee and croissant in there.” Moreover, Elīza expressed a need for practical solutions – a storage for tools and solutions for plants, drying laundry and other daily tasks.
A typical Latvian loggia
“This is a typical Latvian loggia – long and narrow, yet it has many functions – it should be a place for relaxation, storage and all the little household tasks. Moreover, it has to look neat and be comfortable for moving around”, IKEA interior designer Elīna Grieze explains the challenges of transforming Elīzas loggia.
“This is a typical Latvian loggia – long and narrow, yet it has many functions – it should be a place for relaxation, storage and all the little household tasks. Moreover, it has to look neat and be comfortable for moving around”, IKEA interior designer Elīna Grieze explains the challenges of transforming Elīzas loggia.
After: a multifunctional space
The designer had to look for space-saving solutions, which can be used on any balcony. “The balcony is divided in two parts – one for relaxation, enjoying meals and spending time with friends, and the other part for storage and drying laundry.
The designer had to look for space-saving solutions, which can be used on any balcony. “The balcony is divided in two parts – one for relaxation, enjoying meals and spending time with friends, and the other part for storage and drying laundry.
A neat chill zone
For the first part, multifunctional coffee tables and puffs were used, which can be used for seating and joined together when not in use, thus saving space.
For the first part, multifunctional coffee tables and puffs were used, which can be used for seating and joined together when not in use, thus saving space.
Organisation masterpiece
In the second part, there are now metallic shelves by the further wall for storing tools and gardening accessories. That is the outdoor shelf HYLLIS. We attached hooks under the windowsill for the laundry drying rack, when not in use”, says the IKEA interior designer.
In the second part, there are now metallic shelves by the further wall for storing tools and gardening accessories. That is the outdoor shelf HYLLIS. We attached hooks under the windowsill for the laundry drying rack, when not in use”, says the IKEA interior designer.
Colourful spot for a joyful company
“The owner of the balcony is a young, smiling and joyful person, and I wanted to create the design matching her personality. I chose modern style and light colours – mostly white and grey – and added a few colourful accents, such as red metal coffee tables, colourful solar-powered pendant lamps, LED lighting chains and patterned cushions”, explains Elīna Grieze.
Elīza likes plants and flowers for they help her feel closer to the nature, even when living by the busiest street of Riga. A special touch is also the hanging plant pots and an artificial plant wall.
“The owner of the balcony is a young, smiling and joyful person, and I wanted to create the design matching her personality. I chose modern style and light colours – mostly white and grey – and added a few colourful accents, such as red metal coffee tables, colourful solar-powered pendant lamps, LED lighting chains and patterned cushions”, explains Elīna Grieze.
Elīza likes plants and flowers for they help her feel closer to the nature, even when living by the busiest street of Riga. A special touch is also the hanging plant pots and an artificial plant wall.
Joyful exterior
After the makeover, the balcony owner Elīza wondered that balcony looks much bigger now, saying, “I didn’t think that my balcony is so spacious and you can fit so many things in there, and it still doesn’t look too full.” “I can’t wait to have my friends over to enjoy the new loggia design! Now I have everything for parties – many chairs and places for seating, table for food, shelf for dishes and nice outdoor lamps and candles for setting the mood, and still – enough free space for moving around”, Elīza tells about her plans for the new loggia.
After the makeover, the balcony owner Elīza wondered that balcony looks much bigger now, saying, “I didn’t think that my balcony is so spacious and you can fit so many things in there, and it still doesn’t look too full.” “I can’t wait to have my friends over to enjoy the new loggia design! Now I have everything for parties – many chairs and places for seating, table for food, shelf for dishes and nice outdoor lamps and candles for setting the mood, and still – enough free space for moving around”, Elīza tells about her plans for the new loggia.
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