What Use is a Balcony?

This week, for the Lens-Artists Challenge, PR invites us to present balconies we’ve met. I love leaning over a balcony, with the chance to relish a bit of sunshine whilst enjoying some people -watching. But it turns out that I haven’t got a single shot of residents enjoying their bit of outdoor urban space.

Lots of apartment-owners turn their balconies into gardens. Although the resident in my first shot hasn’t allowed a lack of an existing one to thwart plans. How about repurposing a few chairs? And the second one earns a place to show how so many Spanish and Portuguese balconies are tiled on the underside. Such a good idea!

Then – obviously – there’s Balcony as Washing Line. Here are two from Spain.

Vic, Catalonia
Sants, Barcelona

Sometimes a balcony is ideal for posting a protest. Here the citizens of Berga demanded Independence from Spain for Catalonia. Five years on, the cries don’t seem to be quite so strident. And in the adjacent images, citizens in a run-down neighbourhood in Seville sought a touch of cultural revival, accompanied by lively illustrations.

Sometimes it’s just about cheering up the neighbourhood. Here we are, first in Berlin, then in Málaga.

And sometimes, balaconies just wish to speak for themselves. Here are two fine examples.

This building is now the Tourist Office in Manises, a town near Valencia which was formerly one of the most important producers of ceramics in Spain. Sadly, its glory days are over.
A fine Modernista building in Mataró by Josep Puig i Cadafalch, the Casa Coll i Regàs.

And some people just don’t have a balcony. So they have to paint one instead.

Two examples of trompe-l’œil in Tournus, Saône-et-Loire, France

My feature photo is of an ordinary street in Argentona, Catalonia – where every house is sporting a balcony.

Thanks, PR – this was an inspired post to set us in the mood for summer travels, and mooching around to find balconies to admire.

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Author: margaret21

I'm retired and live in North Yorkshire, where I walk , write, volunteer and travel as often as I can.

61 thoughts on “What Use is a Balcony?”

  2. These are all amazing finds Margaret. I especially like the one with the upside down chairs, the balconies used as washing likes (of course), the intricate balconies of Manises and Matero. And lastly of course I love love love the Trompe L’oeil.

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    1. It was a great find, the trompe l’oeil, in a secluded courtyard I wouldn’t have found if I weren’t so nosy. And the chairs are inspired, aren’t they? Thanks Teresa.

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  5. I haven’t seen the Lens Artist challenge this week, Margaret, so thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I’m surrounded by pretty balconies this week. I love that Malaga one with the frocks all hung out 🤗❤️

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  7. What a great selection. We had two balconies in a townhouse in Rochester, and we never did one interesting thing with them. Not even a plant. And now I haven’t got one!

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  10. These are all great Margaret and I like the way you’ve focused on the different ways in which balconies are used. That building in Mataró looks amazing!

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  15. Those upside down chairs are inspired. If someone told me they were planning to do this on their balcony I’d have thought they were heading for a mess but I’d be so wrong.

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  16. I love the ornate balconies and the closed in ones in Malta are fabulous. Not all balconies are good though, my neighbour built one outside her lounge (first floor) which overlooks my upstairs bedroom. She says she can’t see in, but I can see her and hear her when she has friends round.

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  18. A wonderful photography collection, Margaret!! For me, balconies symbolize a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, representing a bridge between private and public spheres. They offer a vantage point to observe the world from a distance, providing a sense of detachment while still being part of the surroundings.

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  19. Oh these are wonderful balconies, Margaret 😀. Love them! The painted balconies – you found one too 😉.Thanks for sharing with the Lens-Artists challenge.

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  22. Where I live, balconies are on practically every apartment. On mine, I have a gas grill (that I hardly use), some collapsible washing lines for things that need to be drip-dried, but most importantly, a table and chairs where I can sit outside and read with my cup of coffee (and, um, my cigarette)! I also have a really lovely view from my balcony, so that helps.

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  23. These were beautiful photographs, and I do love a balcony! While I enjoy modern architecture, particularly Japanese, there is something irreplaceable about the colorful and intricate buildings in Europe that can’t be replaced. What a fabulous idea to repurpose the chairs to create a spot for the plants in lieu of a balcony. It is giving me ideas!

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  25. Excellent selections, all the way to the end! The chair display is fun, so are others. Those tiles are just fabulous, love it. Thanks for sharing with us, Margaret!

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  28. Holy smokes Margaret – looks like I’m really late to the party!!! Such a wonderful variety, I loved them all but for me the one with the upside-down chairs and the one with painted-on balconies were my favorites. Wonderful post!!

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    1. Those chairs have won everyone’s medal! And the we-haven’t-got-any-so-we’ll-paint-them-instead are great, aren’t they? Thanks Tina.

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  29. What a wonderful selection – I also love balconies – both to see from the outside as adornments to buildings and places for pot plants or hanging out the laundry, but as you say they are also great places to lean out on to catch some sunshine or check out the street below.

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