Are you someone who associates the summer months with the freedom and openness of the outdoors? Do you miss being able to pack your bags and head into the woods to spend quiet time in nature’s lap? Wouldn’t it be great if you could soak in the sunshine without stepping out of your home?
If you’ve nodded your head in agreement to any of the above questions, chances are you’re eager to make the most of summer. But between work commitments and pandemic-induced travel restrictions, a long adventure-filled holiday doesn’t seem to be on the cards.
Also, if you’re living in the city, chances are you don’t have the luxury of a spacious landscaped backyard. But that shouldn’t deprive you of the joy of soaking in the sunshine and cherishing the refreshing summer breeze.
All you’ve got to do is revamp your balcony and turn it into your at-home summer escapade. From creating a container garden to adding an egg chair – there are various ways to upgrade your garden and turn it into the most irresistible corner in your apartment.
Let’s check out a few simple ways to get your balcony ready for summer.
1. Add a Splash of Green
No. You don’t need a huge backyard to create a stellar garden filled with exotic plants and flowers. The concept of container gardening makes it possible to build a dainty garden even on the tiniest balcony. You just have to get some pretty pots and find low-maintenance plants that’ll thrive in your regional climate.
The best part about a container garden is that you can easily move the pots indoors when it’s raining, or there’s a thunderstorm. Also, you can regularly change the position of different plants to keep your balcony looking new and fresh.
If you’re a beginner, it’s a good idea to consult experienced gardening enthusiasts to identify the right plants for your garden. They can even help you get seeds, fertilizer, and potting mix. Make sure your plants get ample sunlight and the right amount of water every day.
Apart from flowering plants, you could also grow herbs, veggies, and fruits in your container garden. Start with a few plants before you expand your garden based on the available space. Also, leave room for people to walk around on the balcony.
2. Build a Vertical Garden
If your balcony doesn’t have enough surface area to accommodate a conventional garden, try your hands at vertical gardening. Attach a trellis to a solid wall and use hanging planters to build your vertical garden. You could even hang a few planters from the railings of your balcony.
A well-designed vertical garden has the potential to become the centerpiece of your home. Make sure you choose a wall that receives direct sunlight. Also, select lightweight planters that are easier to hang. Add a couple of bird feeders to the mix and you’ve got a dainty balcony garden.
3. Create a Seating Area
Now that you’ve built an Instagram-worthy garden, you’d want to amp up its glam quotient. The simplest way of doing this is to add a seating area in one corner of the balcony. Depending on the available space, you could get a mini tea table set or just a couple of lounge chairs.
Alternatively, you could ditch the furniture altogether and opt for ground-level seating. All you need is a comfortable mattress, a printed bedsheet, and lots of cushions. You could even throw in a bean bag to the mix, and make the seating area even more inviting.
Another great idea is to hang a hammock between the railing of your balcony. If that isn’t possible, you could even place a hanging egg chair in a corner. Don’t forget to throw in a couple of rugs and carpets on the floor to make your balcony even prettier.
It’s just the place you need to enjoy your morning cuppa while reading your favorite novel on a day off. Or if you’re working from home, it could be the perfect spot to take a break from your home office.
4. Don’t Forget Lighting
Morning isn’t the only time when you’re going to hang out on the balcony. Depending on your daily routine, evening and night might be the only time during the day that you get to spend on the balcony. You’d want to appreciate the beauty of your garden and seating corner even in the dark, won’t you?
That’s why it is always a good idea to add a string of fairy lights or Chinese lanterns to your balcony. Alternatively, you could use hanging pendant lamps for overhead lighting. You could even place a floor lamp in a corner to illuminate the entire space.
Irrespective of the size of your balcony, there are ways to transform it into a dainty outdoor corner for your family. Apart from creating a balcony, make sure you leave some space for a seating area. Deck it up with splendid wall paintings, bird feeders, dreamcatchers, fairy lights, lanterns, and other artifacts to make it even more appealing.
