Balconies are big perks for people who live in apartment blocks and wouldn’t otherwise have access to private outdoor space. For many, they’re great for dining outside in the summer and relaxing as the sun goes down at the end of a busy day. 

However, if all you have on your balcony is outside furniture and a few plastic plants, you aren’t reaping the many benefits outdoor space has to offer. Gardening, in particular, brings with it a whole host of physical and mental health benefits. And, contrary to popular belief, it is possible to have a garden even if your balcony is only small. 

Top tips for creating a balcony garden 

It’s not that difficult to turn your balcony into a lush, brightly colored garden as long as you make some smart and savvy choices. So, if your green fingers are itching to get into gardening, these nine tips will help you do so no matter how high in the sky you live. 

1. Make good use of your space 

Every inch of your balcony will have to be put to good use if you want to turn it into a real garden. So, think about making use of the railings with special balcony planters, introducing hanging baskets, and flanking the doors with pots.   

2. Purchase the perfect planters   

Your balcony garden won’t have the benefit of flower beds, so planters will be your best friends. Invest in ones that are robust and large enough to house a selection of plants and flowers with room to grow. 

3. Go green 

Your balcony functioning as a garden is one thing, but making it look like one is another. If you want to feel as though you’re stepping into real green space, consider buying artificial grass. Not only does it look good, but it makes for a more relaxing outdoor atmosphere and can improve your quality of life. 

4. Think sustainably 

Buildings of all types are becoming more sustainable from the point of construction. Do your bit to help the planet by purchasing eco-friendly plants such as those that contribute to air quality or sustain declining bee populations. 

5. Select plants carefully 

The plants you choose will be of the utmost importance. So, decide what you want to achieve with your selection. You might, for example, want to step out of your apartment into an explosion of life. Or, you could have more practical considerations in mind. If that’s the case, neat rows of herb and vegetable plants might be the way to go.   

6. Be bold with color  

Turn your balcony into a feature by making good use of color. Bright, bold flowers and vibrant planters can make for a striking effect. On the other hand, if you prefer a more muted color palette, then splashes of neutral and pastel plants can be similarly eye-catching. 

8. Introduce lighting 

Set a relaxing atmosphere in your balcony garden with carefully selected, layered lighting. With lanterns, fairy lights, and spotlights, you can turn your outside space into a place to kick back after a day of pruning and watering. 

8. Get the perfect garden furniture 

It’s essential to have furniture on your balcony. After all, that’s likely to be the only outdoor space you have access to. Still, it’s important to keep furniture to a minimum to avoid making your balcony look cluttered and getting in the way of your gardening. 

9. Create a mood board 

Before you get going, it’s a good idea to set out exactly what you want from your balcony garden. Mood boards are the best way to do just that and they’re easy to put together with the help of magazine clippings and pictures from social media.    

Turn your private balcony into a dreamy garden with these super simple tips. From making the best use of space to finding your perfect plants, there is plenty you can do to create a garden that lifts your mood, even if you’re 20 storeys up.

Written by Luke Fitzpatrick

 

About the Author

Luke Fitzpatrick has been published in a variety of publications such as Forbes, Tech In Asia and The Next Web. He is also a guest lecturer at the University of Sydney, lecturing in cross-cultural management and the pre-MBA program. https://www.sydney.edu.au/

 

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