After many years of aimless wandering and urban observation, I have come to the conclusion that there are two types of balconies in German cities, and finding both in the same building is not even uncommon.
The first balcony type attempts to combine the seaside vacation flair with playful coziness and, pretty much like houseplants, became increasingly popular during the pandemic. The “Faux Mediterranean meets hygge” balcony looks pretty much the same across cities, probably because a visit to a certain Swedish store is all one needs to set it up, so creative DIYers get extra points.
“The Pfandpflaschen repository” type of balcony is a forlorn extension of the apartment, and it functions as additional storage for returnable bottles and assorted scraps waiting to be transported to the recycling. This balcony type is characterized by visible signs of carefree neglect and a pungent eau de cigarette smell.
Now you are up! Are there discernible balcony types where you live? What about yours? Best regards from Balconia.
Linguist Gone Foreign ✨ 
Well my balcony is empty mainly because mother’s bed tend to block the door out there.
LikeLike
Oh… can you find another way out, like jumping from a window onto the balcony, catwise? 😉
LikeLike
We don’t have that many apartments where I live – only in larger cities – but given that, most have a couple of chairs and a few also have potted plants. Using them for recycling storage would be really naff.
LikeLike
I agree! Although I may have temporarily used mine for storage a few times. Having plants is so much cooler! 😊
LikeLike
Sadly, I’m balconyless. Breanna used to have one but she called it a porch for some reason.
I’m not really a balcony kind of guy. Mine would likely either get enclosed like where I grew up or forgotten.
What happens to a balcony deferred?
LikeLike
Having your balcony enclosed will be the ultimate apartment enlargement! 😁
LikeLike
Then I must be living the dream here in our Berliner Plattenbau with my enclosed balcony (Loggia)! It’s a combination of the both types, but mainly on the former. It’s full of plants, with a table, couch and 2 chairs, drying racks, and a small section for Pfandflaschen, cleaning buckets and a mop.
LikeLike
Sounds like a great mix between coziness and pragmatism. You won the balcony lottery, my friend! 😀
LikeLike
Does it rot away like a log in a forest? Or does it fall on passers-by?
LikeLike