hello!

So today I have something different - a little makeover! I've lived in my new flat, now 1.5 years and I've never seen my balcony this empty since; it has been a space for boxes of unused items, a catch-all for after a party, a little play area for summer last year but you never as empty as it was when I first moved in.

To be able to do this makeover, I saved for a while and my budget was around £300 - I wanted a table, seating, and a storage cabinet.

The best place for me was my all-time favourite homeware store...Ikea! Never fails me with their designs, functionality, and affordability. 

For the main pieces, I chose the Applaro range for many reasons:

1) wooden - I love having textures of wood in my home

2) double duty - the seatings also double up as storage box which was perfect! 

3) dimensions - were just right; I measured, measured and measured my balcony and for what I needed the Applaro seemed to be the one!

4) lightweight - very easy to move which leads to reason no 5

5) can be stored away!

Now that I knew what pieces I wanted, off to Ikea we went the weekend that passed. 

what I picked up:

- 2 Applaro storage benches (80 x 41cm) 

- Applaro table + 2 folding chairs 

- Hindo in/outdoor cabinet

- 2 chair cushions

- Sommar 2018 tray with handle

we asked for home delivery and it came the next day! Sunday! and the day it arrived I assembled 4 out of the 5 boxes. Tiring and sweaty to say the least.

Monday morning, I finished the last bench and put everything in the balcony. I shopped my home and found a rug and used that to anchor everything in place.

Here's the before (right to left):

  

after: 

                       

Here it is with one side down - for four people

the cabinet stores all my plant pots and soil

the Sommar tray looks like it's made out of cast iron! the best tray ever!

the cushions are well-padded and this one was the prettiest patterned one

fully opened I can seat 8 people; if I buy 2 extra chairs

and there is my makeover! I love how the table can be adjusted depending on how many people you have over. Or I can keep it this way and work out here when the weather is good. The kids and I can craft here and soak up the sun. Or completely fold it up, tuck it away so the kids can play.

So over the moon with this project - alhamdulillaah!

My tips for whenever you are planning a makeover project are:

1) know your space. measure it x 3!

2) try and get furniture that is versatile

3) make pinterest your best friend

4) don't rush into buying what you really want - look around for a second-hand. 

5) have fun and put your mark on your project. 

I hope this makeover has inspired you and if you have any questions - leave me a comment! always ready to help out!

Thank you for stopping by!