What if your balcony is full of clutter?
A balcony is meant for sun and fresh air. Piled with clutter, you can't step out and it blocks light into the home. Clear a space you can stand in first, then put the rest in a lidded storage cabinet.
Some researchWhy it feels uncomfortable
A study of families found that the more people described their home as cluttered or unfinished, the more slowly their stress hormone fell over the day (Saxbe & Repetti 2010). It's a correlational study, so it can't tell whether clutter causes stress or stressed people have no time to tidy. On top of that, a full balcony blocks light into the home, and boxes by the railing can give children something to climb on.
What tradition says
Feng shui says a balcony should stay open and uncluttered, as it's where light and air come into the home. That lines up with real needs for daylight and ventilation.
Three ways to fix it
- Do it nowClear a space to stand first: anything you haven't used in a year can be given away, sold or thrown out.
- Move some furniturePut what's left in a lidded storage cabinet against the wall, away from the window and the railing.
- If you can't change itIf space is tight, use tall shelving to store things vertically, and keep at least a path and room for one chair on the floor.
FAQ
Do a washing machine and drying rack count as clutter?
No. Things you use every day are fine as long as they have a set place. The problem is the stuff no one uses that keeps piling up.
Can I put a plant stand by the railing?
If there are children at home, don't keep plant stands, stools or boxes by the railing that they could climb; move them well away from it.
Related questions
Sources
This page draws on traditional ideas about the home and on environmental psychology research. It is for everyday reference, makes no predictions, and is not medical advice. If you sleep badly for a long time, please talk to a doctor.