Art of Building a Balcony Garden That Makes Your Guests Go Wow

If you live in an apartment, you may be lucky to have a balcony to it. You would like to use it to sit out and enjoy the view around; entertain your guests, or even grow a small balcony garden in it.

Well then, you need to keep these aspects in mind before trying to make a garden balcony that will make your guests go WOW!

1. Planning

See the space available. Measure carefully to see what fits in there. Then budget it out. Finally, purchase the items you want. Don’t create unnecessary clutter on the balcony. It is difficult to maintain and sustain in the long run. It also eats up on our space and wastes money. So list out carefully, mentally fit it in, scout for the price, and then purchase what you want.

2. Privacy

Not all apartments will have enough space between the buildings to give you the privacy you want. Often, you end up unwittingly peeping into the neighbor’s balconies or rooms adjoining them. Thus, you have to do something about it. The best way is to plant some outdoor artificial plants like artificial tree branches with leaves or artificial palm tree leaves. These look beautiful and give you the privacy.

3. Furniture and Seating

Try to use bright and colored furniture. It contrasts well with the green plants in your balcony garden. Place some colorful cushions on weatherproof outdoor chairs or wicker chairs. Go in for floor cushions seating arrangement which is welcoming and comfortable to sunbathe as well as take a nap in the afternoon. Built-in benches with cushions, hammocks or cane swings also look good in a balcony garden.

4. Walls

Surely there must a wall adjoining your neighbor’s balcony. It may be low or high, opaque or transparent, made of wood or net. Decorate this wall. Fix some wall panels, red bricks, stone pebbles, etc. on this wall and hang some silk flowers arrangements on it.

5. Weather Proofing

Use materials that are durable and simple to manage. Use as much of natural material as possible. Metals will rust and heat up. Plastic too has the same problem. Use cane and wicker for furniture; and artificial plants instead of real ones for easy maintenance and durability. Place a garden umbrella for that bright sunny day and rain shed for that rainy one.

6. Plants

Your balcony garden need not have only greens, succulents, or flowers growing there. Try to grow some vegetables and herbs too. You will love to pluck fresh tomatoes, coriander, chilies, capsicum, etc. from your little garden and eat them. The best way to avoid mosquitoes and other insects from coming into your house through this garden of yours is to use lots of outdoor artificial plants like;

Fake Hydrangeas
Pink Silk Tulips
Artificial Bonsai Tree
Silk Trees and Plants

Try to hang them as cascades or inside hanging baskets to save space and enjoy the greens as well. These fake plants add beauty to the balcony and are durable as well. There is no problem like wilting or withering. You don’t have to water them or even add manure. Place the pants in colorful pots. It makes you more energetic and lifts your mood as well.

7. Create Space

Most balconies don’t offer much space to play around with. You need to save space by using some smart ideas:

Install shelves for planters as well as garden equipment
Grow tall plants which grow more in height than in width
Plant vertical gardens
Hang planters on railings
Use adjustable garden pockets which you can move as you wish
Layer plants with taller ones in back rows
Use multipurpose accessories like a combination of a planter and a laptop holder
Use planters which are high and narrow than short and wide

8. Flooring

Balcony gardens look best with wooden or vinyl floors. They are weatherproof, easy to maintain, and connect you with nature instantly. The green plants and colorful accessories look great in contrast to them. Avoid rugs as they will get wet in the rains and fade out in the hot summers. But, you can go in for artificial green grass instead.

9. Personal Space

Personalize your balcony for your relaxation or entertainment in social gatherings. Have a shelf for your favorite books and magazines; fix speakers in strategic places to listen to your favorite music. You could even have a built in stone or a wooden bar an extension of your living room for social occasions. Keep a tiny fridge too if you can afford one and space allows. It will have your outdoor relaxation undisturbed with visits to the kitchen for water, ice, a refreshing drink, etc. If space permits, go in for a small water fountain or even a tiny garden barbeque equipment.

10. Accessories

Your balcony garden will look drab without some displays on the walls or the tables in it. Hang some figurines, handicraft items, colorful pottery on the walls. You could also hang a wind chime or some bells that tinkle with the wind. Hanging lanterns and fairy lights are also good. Place a bird feeder and watch the thirsty birds fly in. Place pebbles of different colors and sizes to add to the beauty.

11. Garden Implements

You will have to buy garden implements for your little balcony garden. Avoid storing them in the open unless you can artistically display them on walls, around plants, on the railings, etc. But, take care to maintain these tools like spray bottles, spades, etc. and keep them looking clean and pretty as well. Hang them with the plant hangers and baskets. If you have to store them, then make dual-purpose arrangements. Have storage cabinets below the benches.

12. Watering and Seepage

Watering the plants may be an issue. You can arrange for a tap and water outlet at some corner. Keep the bird feeder or tiny mushrooms near it. Buy a garden hose or a watering can result in attractive colors. Put saucers, pebbles, or waterproof mats under the planters. Keep several pots together as it’s easy to water them. Fix a tiny colorful or glass basin to wash your hands after gardening.