Living on a high floor offers great views, but it often comes with a significant challenge: strong winds that can send your carefully arranged balcony furniture flying. Not only is this a nuisance, but it can also damage your furniture and create a safety hazard. Fortunately, you can secure your outdoor oasis with several simple and effective strategies.
The most straightforward method is to add weight. Choose furniture that is inherently heavy, such as pieces made from wrought iron, concrete, or thick, solid wood. For furniture you already own, you can increase its stability. Place sandbags or weight bags discreetly underneath chairs and sofas. For tables, consider using a weighted umbrella, which acts as a central anchor. You can also fill planters with heavy materials like stones or soil and place them on or around the furniture base.
Another powerful approach is to anchor your furniture directly. Use weather-resistant straps or bungee cords to tie chairs and tables to sturdy balcony railings or fixed structural elements. For a more permanent solution, some furniture sets come with or can be fitted with anchor kits that bolt them to the floor. Always check with your building management before drilling, but this is the most secure option against powerful gusts.
Creating a windbreak is a strategic way to reduce the wind's force before it reaches your furniture. You can install a balcony screen made of wood, plexiglass, or a permeable mesh material. These screens disrupt and slow down the wind, creating a calmer microclimate. Tall, dense plants in heavy pots can also serve as a natural and attractive wind barrier.
When not in use, it is wise to adopt a proactive habit. Stack lightweight chairs and store small side tables indoors or in a balcony storage box. For larger pieces, grouping them together can make them more stable as a single, heavier unit than as individual items.
Finally, your choice of furniture plays a key role. Opt for designs with perforated or slatted patterns that allow wind to pass through, rather than solid surfaces that act like sails. Avoid lightweight, all-plastic furniture for exposed, high-level balconies.
By combining weight, anchoring, strategic barriers, and smart furniture choices, you can create a wind-resistant balcony space where you can relax without worrying about your furniture taking an unexpected flight.