The terrace or the balcony, this space that we sometimes consider as a simple appendage of housing, when in reality it occupies a much more central place in daily life than we imagine.
According to a study conducted by Kantar, 88% of French people have access to an outdoor space, whether it is a garden, a terrace or a balcony. And above all, this figure is accompanied by real and affirmed use: 76% of people with such a space consider it to be a real living space in its own right, just like a room in the house. A status which is surprising for a space often perceived as secondary, but which reflects a profound transformation in the way in which the French actually live in their homes.
This perception is translated very concretely in the time devoted to it. The same study reveals that the French spend on average more than 6 hours per week maintaining their garden or terrace in spring, a figure which rises further in summer to reach 10 hours or more among the most diligent, or nearly one gardener in five. A significant hourly volume which places this exterior maintenance among the most time-consuming domestic activities of the summer season, well beyond what one could imagine for a simple annex space.

What this task actually involves

Tidying up the terrace or balcony involves reorganizing furniture, cushions, plants and various objects accumulated over use, clearing the circulation space and putting everything back in its place. Allow around 15 minutes for this task, a pace which naturally increases during the summer months when space is in greater demand.

Tips and tricks for efficient storage

Providing dedicated outdoor storage, such as a waterproof trunk or a closed trolley, allows you to quickly store cushions and small objects without having to bring everything inside each time, which considerably facilitates express everyday storage.
Grouping plants by area rather than scattering them over the entire surface makes overall maintenance easier and gives an immediately clearer impression of space, even on a small terrace. This organization also avoids forgetting to water, with isolated pots being more easily neglected than those grouped together in a dedicated area.
Adopting a quick tidy-up routine after each extended use, rather than waiting for accumulation, significantly limits the time needed for larger, more in-depth maintenance sessions, particularly during the summer months when the space is busiest.

With 76% of French people considering their outdoor space as a real place to live according to Kantar, and up to 10 hours per week devoted to its maintenance in summer among the most invested, the terrace or balcony deserves much more than occasional tidying up. Regular maintenance, even brief, allows you to take full advantage of this space, considered by a large majority as a real additional room in the home.