BEAUTY OF A BALCONY

The summer has finally kicked off in the Netherlands, but I can imagine that not everyone has a huge garden to really enjoy it. I have to make do with a balcony of two square meters, so don't worry; I know the problem. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy the summer, because with the right tricks and tools, you can turn those few square meters into a real paradise.

Plants

I know it, I can't stop talking about it, but plants always do well in the house and on a balcony, they will only enhance that feeling. Look, a huge indoor lime tree doesn't make much sense, because you probably won't be able to sit next to it, but herb plants give a huge vacation vibe.

Hang them up

Now, of course, you shouldn't put all your plants on the ground, because then there won't be any room for a chair. If you have a balcony above you, you can make hooks (against the ceiling) so you can give your hanging plants a spot. Sounds old-fashioned, but it's really super trendy, and this way, you bring the ‘ceiling’ a bit lower, making your balcony cozier.

Vertical garden

Going up with your garden is also perfectly fine on a balcony. Think of pots that you can hang on the downspout or a wall where you can drill pots and plants against. It doesn't really need to take up space, but the balcony will look a lot greener and more spacious. And there's still plenty of room to sit and walk.

Herb box

All those vegetable gardens are fun, but you really don't have the space for that on a balcony. Unless you go for a vertical version. A fun idea is to set a ladder against a wall and then hang the plants on it. It doesn't take up much space, but you will feel like you're on vacation because of the scent of all those nice herbs.

Light strings

A balcony can often be a dark spot, so create enough light. So don't fill your entire balcony and also be careful with all those boxes hanging on the balcony, because they can obstruct both your view and your light. No plant will be happy about that, and neither will you. So work with light strings, like that cool fairy light, or nice lanterns and paper lanterns.

Helpful aids

You have to be a bit innovative with furniture on a balcony. You really won't be able to fit entire lounge sets unless you have a gigantic rooftop terrace, and often a bistro set takes up quite a bit of space. For a solution, I come back to the hanging options. Make use of that railing. You have tables that you can hang on the balcony railing, allowing you to have room for some larger chairs. There are even hanging barbecues for sale. With chairs, you often have the problem that you can only fit 2 or 3, while you'd prefer a bit more seating space. In that case, you might want to go for cushions. Nice bean bags or a kind of lounge sofa made of cushions on the ground.

Less is more & more is less

Admittedly, when you list everything, it's quite a lot. Especially if you choose flowers in rainbow colors and plant pots that represent Mexico. Be careful not to turn your entire balcony into a circus paradise. It looks cozy, but you also want to relax a bit. Keep it clean, is all I can say. Go for a neutral color palette. Plant pots in light colors and cushions in soft colors. This way, the balcony will look a lot more spacious and won't be overshadowed by the huge gardens of anyone else.