The second living room: The renaissance of garden and balcony furniture

With lots of greenery and cosy seating, furniture manufacturers are increasingly presenting balconies and garden terraces as an extended living room. Photo: Peter Scholl/Westend61/dpa

Almost gone are the days of balconies with perhaps a lone chair for the smoker who has been banished outdoors.

Balconies and terraces, especially in big cities but in the countryside as well, are now so lavishly furnished and decorated that experts are calling them second living rooms.