BEAUTY of a balcony

The summer finally took off but not everyone has an enormous garden to really enjoy the outdoors.I have to make due with a balcony of 2 square meters so no worries; I’m familiar with the problem. This 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 little paradise.

Plants

I know, I keep going on about it, but plants always do so well indoors and on the balcony they will really reinforce that feeling. Look, a huge Areca Palm is beside the point because there’d be no room for you but herbs will really give you that holiday feel.

Hang’em

Now don’t place all your plants on the ground because there’ll be no room for your chairs. Do you have a balcony above you (a ceiling)? Then you can insert hooks to give your plants a hanging spot. Sounds old-fashioned but it’s very hip and hanging it will optically bring down the ceiling and make your balcony look cozier.

Vertical garden

Gardening upwards is well suited for a balcony. Think pots you can hang on rain pipes or pots and baskets you can fasten to the walls. It doesn’t require any extra space but your balcony will look greener and more spacious. And you still have enough sitting and walking space.

herb garden

Those vegetable patches are great and all but you hardly have any room for that on your balcony. Well you do if you go for the vertical version. It’s a good idea to put a ladder against the wall and to hang plants on the sprigs. Not much space is needed but you really get that vacation feeling smelling those odorous herbs.

go light

A balcony can be a grim place so create enough light. This means don’t overdo it with plants and hanging baskets as this might block your view and keep out the light. This won’t make your plants happy or you for that matter. Work with strings of lights like party lights or cute Chinese lanterns.

little helpers

You have to be a little innovative with furniture on a balcony. You can’t fit in a whole lounge set unless you have a massive terrace and a little bistro set takes up quite a bit of space. The solution brings us to hanging pieces (again). Use the railing. There are tables you can fasten to the railing leaving more space for chairs. You can even get a hanging barbeque. The chairs also provide a problem as you can usually place no more than 2 or 3 but essentially need more. In that case your best option is pillows. Choose comfortable beanbags or make an improvised lounge sofa on the floor.

Less is more & more is less

Admittedly when you sum it all up it’s quite a lot. Especially if you choose flowers in all the colors of the rainbow and pick pots that represent Mexico. Don’t turn your balcony into a circus. It might look nice but you need to relax as well. So go for a neutral color pallet; ceramic plant pots in light colors and pillows in soft colors. It will make your balcony look more spacious and just as nice a place to be as those giant gardens we were talking about.