Before and After: City Rental Apartment Balcony Transformation

July 9, 2013

last modified: July 9, 2013

I live in a small rental studio apartment in Manhattan and wanted to get the most use out of my small 5ft x 9ft balcony. So I designed and built privacy panels and benches to create a cozy corner booth outdoor dining area that's great for entertaining friends on a hot summer night! Here's a link to the materials, tools and supplies that I used, and I also made a video on how I built everything: http://www.engineeryourspace.com/how-to-create-an-outdoor-balcony-dining-area/

Comments (37)

studio10001
Love the project,love the budget. Well done!
July 9, 2013
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Carolyn C. Interior Decorator, Brampton, ON.
Well done!! Enjoy
July 9, 2013
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oneofeleven
Fabulous job!
July 9, 2013
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glitzy
I'm on my way over...pour me a glass! Fabulous...romantic...awesome!
July 9, 2013
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lkg1984
Awesome private getaway - the twinkly lights add an air of romance.
July 9, 2013
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Ed
Nice! :)
July 10, 2013
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weathervanes
GENIUS!
July 10, 2013
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KBR Design & Build
Great job!
July 10, 2013
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indianpatti
Very creative .... love it!
July 10, 2013
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Brenda
It's fabulous. wonderful job.
July 10, 2013
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Brown Bros. Masonry
How awesome is this new space! Absolutely stunning. Very inviting!
July 10, 2013
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punini
Wow, that is awesome!
July 10, 2013
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victorymomma
Very nice! We have a large patio in our back yard and one side faces up slope into adjoining neighbors and the subsequent neighbors yards, and windows, and I was thinking it would be nice to create a nice privacy barrier this gives me great easy inexpensive ways to do it!
July 10, 2013
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Rich Johnson
That is incredible. Great job.
July 11, 2013
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AdvantageLumber.com
You did an amazing job!
July 12, 2013
oeohfppe
Did you have an architect or engineer verify the balcony could hold the extra weight? Really cute! I love being up high, but was fortunate to have privacy. Makes me home sick for my condo!
July 12, 2013last modified: July 12, 2013
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Marcia Crumley Fine Art
wow, what a transformation!! love the intimacy of this outdoor space!!
July 13, 2013
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Virtus Design
Nice!
July 30, 2013
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Sharon Brooke
What a great use of space!
August 1, 2013
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jessg1029
Beautiful
November 30, 2013
bungalowmo
Totally freakin' cute!!! Great outdoor place to hang out & have some totties!

Cheers!!
December 2, 2013
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sharon1ha
WOW, great job and so creative. Love the view at night, what a fun and romantic space to entertain in and enjoy. I am sure you will have many enjoyable times in your new space.
December 10, 2013
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decoenthusiaste
Only thing that would make it better would be to do it out of free salvaged pallets!
December 11, 2013
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Michael Lee, Inc
Awesome privacy - nice job!
December 11, 2013
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Design With Distinction, LLC
What a great job!!! Congrats on your creativity. Enjoy.
December 11, 2013
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Budget Fence and Patio
Nice little space you have created.Simple sweet and serves the purpose.
December 12, 2013
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Shakuff
Amazing! So cozy!

When can the Shakuff team come over? ;)
December 12, 2013
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Joanna
Fantastic job!!!! Super awesome!
December 12, 2013
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purehome
What a wonderful idea! I love that design! So clever!
December 12, 2013
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Christmas Lights, Etc
This is fantastic! Especially love the patio lights finishing touch. Great use of space!
April 15, 2015
vbnet
Amazing! You deserve and award! Well done.
April 26, 2015
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John J. O'Brien | Inspired Living, by design
Brilliant!
April 26, 2015
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Michelle Yorke Interior Design LLC
The added privacy is huge!
April 29, 2015
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Clear-Vue Glass
This is a clever use of space and materials.

Well done.
April 30, 2015
pollopicu
I effin LOVE this transformation! I'm a born and raised Brooklyn girl, so I understand the need for privacy screen, and maximization of small spaces. I think this is beautifully brilliant. It's also refreshing to see a city-living transformation on Houzz.
May 6, 2015
Kris Barber
This is the best idea ever and you did a wonderful job. Headed to your link. Thanks
May 6, 2015