Opinions on balconies tend to fall into one of two camps. There are people who could not live without them and people who do not understand what they are even made for.

The former will generally have a plan for the space and use it enough to make the most out of a refurbishment job, but the answer for the latter is that a balcony is ultimately what you make of it.

Whilst the most common use for a balcony is to allow for a raised view of the outdoors, there are as many options for balcony use as there are for any other outdoor space, within certain parameters.

Many use a balcony as a relaxing space which provides a level of shelter a patio does not, which can make it well-suited for warm days where it is far from desirable to spend time outside of the shade, as well as rainy and colder days where the shelter of a balcony can take off the cold snap.

Some people even have an indoor-outdoor BBQ grill set up on a balcony, although this naturally will rely on a suitable surface that can handle the heat and enough space to host entirely on the balcony itself.

Other people turn their balcony into a mini-allotment, growing both decorative hanging plants as well as herbs, fruits and vegetables, at a grander scale than can typically be done on a kitchen windowsill.

It can also be used to create a mini-gym; the outdoor air is ideal for yoga, exercise mats can easily be brought in and taken out, and many balconies are robust enough to even have exercise equipment such as weights and exercise bikes located there.

Finally, many people use it as a practical laundry area, with many balconies featuring a clothes horse or washing line to allow items to dry in the sun rather than relying on a washing machine or risking the humidity of drying indoors.