Balcony Round Up

Here are a few of our favourite balcony gardens this week…

URBAN RETREAT WITH VIEWS

This balcony epitomises a urban retreat. The neutral colourscheme and comfortable furniture, blends in with the natural relaxed feel of the space.

The surface treatment of the floor is what we like best. Using small smooth pebbles (rather than pavers or concrete floors) creates a barefoot sensory experience and is quite unusual for a balcony garden.

Simple planting of mature trees in large planters gives this space just the right amount of filtered light, creating a calm and soothing environment to relax in.

PLACE AND PURPOSE

This small balcony has been cleverly planned down to the last square inch. Everything on this balcony has a place and purpose.

The transition between sit down area and the herb and veggie planters is carefully considered by using a floating timber floor to define the space.

Don’t you just love the patch of lawn too! Who would have thought you could have a grass lawn on a balcony like this.

TIP – If you decide to grow a balcony lawn, make sure the space gets at least 4-5 hours of sunlight a day. Don’t forget it will need regular watering too, just like your other pot plants.

We also like the creeper on the wall, not only will this soon grow to be a beautiful green wall, the clever use of wall bracket creates an interesting frame for the creeper to grow on.

Image credit: houseandhome.com

STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD

Don’t let your small space limit your creativity. This example shows what can be achieved with the owner of this balcony garden adopting their own green vision in a concrete jungle.

Privacy as well as natural ventilation is achieved using a line of pots and planters filled with different leaf textured plants such as palms, strelizias, and ficus trees.

The installation of an outdoor fabric curtain with custom built roof runners gives the option for open views or private occasion without being boxed in.

It’s refreshing to see people living outside the conventional urban box and proves that sometimes taking bold design risks can pay off.

Looking down, view from above!

Image credit: domusweb.it

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Balcony garden inspiration

MAKING THE MOST OF WHAT YOU’VE GOT

You should treat your balcony as an “outdoor room” and an extension of your home. To get the most from your balcony design, ask yourself how you would like to use your space?  Will it be used for outdoor entertaining, a relaxing space to read, a spot to grow veggies and herbs or simply an urban sanctuary to escape a busy city life? Deciding on the end use will help determine the entire look and feel or your balcony design, including planting selection and outdoor furniture and accessory choice.

SLEEK AND STYLISH

For a sleek, modern look why not construct a built-in seat at one end of your balcony.   This balcony still has an open plan, non- cluttered feel but the new addition seating creates a relaxing spot to sit.

Image credit: rachelthurston.com

TURNING DRAB INTO FAB

Splashes of colour always work well in drab urban surroundings. Brighten up your balcony with funky coloured outdoor furniture and accessories.

Image credit: casadevalentina.com.br

BALCONY MAKEOVER ON A BUDGET

Here is a great example of a budget friendly balcony makeover, perfect for renters looking for inexpensive ideas to bring their balcony to life.

Image credit: designsponge.com

1.Hide unwanted surfaces (such as old tiles) by using a decorative outdoor rug.

2. Give your balcony space a lift by introducing a selection of pots and plants. Grow hardy plants such as conifer varieties and drought tolerant favourites like yuccas, agave and succulent varieties.

3. Respray old chairs and inject colour by adding bright cushions and outdoor accessories to decorate your space.

4. Create privacy from your neighbours by constructing a cheap trellis screen. Plant a drought tolerant creeper (like a bougainvillea or mandevilla) and you will have a natural green screen in no time.

Watch this space! The Small Garden’s online store is coming soon.

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