condo balconies - room for furniture?

[tanusa]

Hello. Can anyone please tell me if I should bring our patio furniture with us when we move? We are planning to rent a condo once there, but I don't know how big the condo balconies are. Will there likely be room for a couple of chairs and a small loveseat-type sofa (small outdoor sofa for two people) with a little table?

Also, I saw a post on this site about bringing a grill. Can we use those on a condo patio?

Thanks for any advice... it's challenging to move to a place you've never visited

[road.not.taken]

Very, very hard to generalize regarding balconies. I have friends in high rises that have huge balconies with grills, potted plants and tons of furniture and other who can't fit a single orchid in a pot. Grills are super expensive in Singapore, so bring it and leave the furniture at home if you can ~ relatively cheap here. Also to consider, it's hard to imagine that Singapore can be too hot to use a balcony, but it may take some getting used to.

[jpatokal]

I also get the feeling that balconies are getting smaller and/or less common in new condos...? My apt is far from new, but the "balcony" is joke: it's under half a square meter in size and the doors swing outward into it, meaning there's barely space for a few pots of herbs

[Zeenit]

We live in a new condo and we have 2 lime trees in pots and 3 other bigish plants also in pots with 2 armchair style patio furniture and table. But all condo patios are different so be careful as you might have to settle for a condo that can house your furniture and not a condo you really like.

[tanusa]

thanks to all for the replies. So funny... there is so much to think about regarding this move, but I can't stop thinking about balcony furniture and grills -- arguably the least important thing. Funny how the mind works.

I really appreciate the time people spend to comment on this forum. It's really helpful.

[hibri2]

We are planning to rent a condo once there, but I don't know how big the condo balconies are.

hello tanusa,

your bet best for this is to look for a ground level unit, my terrace / balcony is quite a sight, i have a little garden and all. my neighbors have those umbrella thingy (the table, chairs and stuff), a few park type chairs, etc.

[ScoobyDoes]

my neighbors have those umbrella thingy (the table, chairs and stuff), a few park type chairs, etc.

That's only to stop them getting hit on the head from the rubbish being thown off the balconies further up.

[hibri2]

That's only to stop them getting hit on the head from the rubbish being thown off the balconies further up.

that looks like a lousy place where you live...

in our case (neighbor and me) the umbrella makes sense to have a pleasant weekend's al fresco breakfast and not to be too bothered by the beautiful shiny singapore sub tropical sun

maybe we are just lucky then...

point is that ground floor units generally have balconies.

tanusa, i am not sure (you have not say it) how are you dealing with the apartment rental (overseas or once here) but if it is from overseas, i was also thinking that you can:

1-request pictures from the balconies
2-request measures from the balconies

that way you may have an idea what to expect. i know of a few nice places with nice balconies let me know if you need the places names, but they are at the west side of the island.

[ScoobyDoes]

That's only to stop them getting hit on the head from the rubbish being thown off the balconies further up.

that looks like a lousy place where you live...

It's more common than you think. Even if it's clothes falling over by accident as they dry. Balconies are more commonly used for drying clothes on than actually using

point is that ground floor units generally have balconies.

Um...... that would generally be a patio

[hibri2]

Balconies are more commonly used for drying clothes on than actually using

yep, i noticed, which is something i will never understand and it is highly probable... will never do... luck for us, only ground floor, third floor apts and penthouse have the balcony/terrace and the ground floor ones are way bigger

fresh proper coffee by the patio/terrace/balcony in the morning is one of the greatest things for me

Um...... that would generally be a patio

not really, patio is a 'back garden' or 'backyard'... what we have (where i live) is a balcony/terrace 'cause is an outdoor, occupiable extension of a building above ground level.

[ScoobyDoes]

not really, patio is a 'back garden' or 'backyard'... what we have (where i live) is a balcony/terrace 'cause is an outdoor, occupiable extension of a building above ground level.

Terrace also works, but a balcony:

"external extension of an upper floor of a building, enclosed up to a height of about three feet (one metre) by a solid or pierced screen, by balusters (see also balustrade), or by railings."

Operative words being, upper floor. Anyway was being padantic and of no relation...... but we only use our balcony (upper floor) for drying clothes, and letting my boy loose for his "water play" with bucket and spade. And yes we try very hard to ensure none goes over the edge

[chrisali31]

This thread did make me laugh.

I agree with the earlier comment. Unless you are emotionally attached to it I would leave it at home or be prepared to put it in storage over here. It is hard enough to find an apt that is right without adding an extra dimension to the search process. We wanted a large balcony but settled for a 2nd floor ( 1st floor in UK) apr overlooking a lovely courtyard. That is our "garden." I also stressed over what to do with my garden furniture, daft really when there is so much else to worry about, but i have settled on bringing over my favourite garden ornaments and plant pots. The balcony still has a feel of my old garden.

[QRM]

but we only use our balcony (upper floor) for drying clothes,

I thought it was illegal to dry clothes on balcony (according to the local papers and management it lowers the tone of the neighborhood)

We don't even have a balcony in our new condo. If you do have one and kids bear in mind it is tempting to them to climb the furniture. The last condo we had there was kid who would stand on the edge of chair backrest to get a view down, I hate to think what would happen if the chair flipped.

[ScoobyDoes]

but we only use our balcony (upper floor) for drying clothes,

I thought it was illegal to dry clothes on balcony (according to the local papers and management it lowers the tone of the neighborhood)

On the balcony, not...... Over the balcony, yes but not illegal just against the House Rules. Means we cannot hang sheets etc. over the rail of the balcony, this is supposed to be what "lowers the tone" and therefore reduce property prices of the condo.