During the Passover holiday, as many people gather back into their homes amid a complex reality, attention turns inward - but also outward. Not only to the living room or the kitchen, but to that in-between space: The balcony. In recent years, and especially during this period, it has taken on a new meaning - a place to pause for a moment, breathe, and disconnect from routine.
According to Shay David from the company Carcom, who has been involved in designing outdoor spaces for about 25 years, the balcony is no longer just a nice addition to an apartment. "More and more people understand today that the outdoors is an inseparable part of life at home," he explains. "The balcony can become a personal, intimate corner - a kind of small sanctuary within everyday life."
Character alongside practicality
One of the most notable changes, according to him, is in the approach: Less purely practical thinking, and more focus on the feeling the space creates. "Investment in the balcony today is similar to that inside the home. On the one hand, people want design continuity, and on the other hand, they want to create a space with a different character - one that allows a moment of disconnection."
The need for balance between openness and privacy has also become central. People want to enjoy open air and a view, but without giving up a sense of intimacy. This is where proper planning comes in: Combining vegetation at different heights, layered greenery that softens sightlines, and elements that create a sense of enclosure - without fully closing off the space.
Smart use of height, for example through tiered planters, green walls, or plant shelves, adds depth and creates the feeling of a small garden - even in the heart of a dense urban area.
Beyond the design aspect, vegetation also has an emotional role. “A home can be very impressive, but it remains static,” David says. “Plants bring movement, scent, and changes over time - they are what give the balcony life.”
Spring, he says, is a natural turning point. This is the time when the balcony awakens again, and people return to use it - organizing, planting, and renewing the space as part of their routine.
In the end, size is not what matters but rather the planning and the approach. Even a small balcony can become a place with depth and calm. “When it is done right,” David concludes, “the balcony is not just a design element - it is a space that gives us exactly what we sometimes lack: Balance.”