A persons may have a very small balcony that is the only space outside of their apartment that the person owns. Despite the small size of the balcony, however, it can still become a place where a person can escape every single evening after there workday. Most apartments in the city is not built with large terraces for the apartments residents; because of this, the small area that is provided for balconies is one of the most importance features of the apartment.
Fortunately for those with small balconies, though, there are a variety of ways to decorate those areas of a city apartment that will still be satisfying for the individual who live in that apartment. One of the methods that can be used to decorate a small balcony include selecting items that serve more than one purpose, and ensuring that the balcony does not contain too many item that are to be placed on the floor surface of the balcony. After understanding these concepts, the individual can more easily decide what elements will best decorate and enhance the functionality of the small balcony.
Eight different approaches can be used to enhance a small balcony within an apartment building.
Eight Great Ways To Decorate Small Balconies
1. Utilize Vertical Planting
One of the first suggestions is to utilize vertical planting within the balcony instead of placing all of the balcony’s plants on the floor. A person can purchase a variety of wall planters of different sizes, including pocket planters that are made from felt or recycled plastic materials.
Some of the best plants to use in these wall planters can be herbs that trail along the walls, such as thyme or oregano, as well as compact tomatoes or bright nasturtiums that naturaly grows in downward directions. Not only do these plants provide visual interest to the balcony from various viewpoints, but also the elevation of the plants allow for better circulation of air to each plant, and the placement of the plants on the walls avoids any pooling of water that may become an issue with standing water on the balcony.
2. Invest in Storable Furniture
The next method is to invest in furniture that can be stored away when not in use.
Folding bistro chairs that are made from steel, for instance, will be very light in weight and can easily be stored flat against the wall. In addition to the chairs, a person can purchase a drop-leaf table that is mounted onto the balcony railing or one that can fold down like a Murphy shelf. Not only will such a table allow two individuals to enjoy their coffee in the morning, but the foldable nature of the table will allow the balcony to avoid permanently blocking an individual exit from the apartment.
Additionally, selecting a color for this table that either matches the color of the individual’s apartment trim or the color of the sky will make the table appear less dominant within the space. Finally, the inherent nature of bistro tables to be small in size will make the individual feel as if the space of their balcony is indeed larger than it may otherwise appear to the individual from a distance.
3. Incorporate Outdoor Lighting
Another method of balcony decoration is to incorporate lighting into the area after the sun set.
String lights are one lighting option, but there are other options for enhancing the lighting of a small balcony. For instance, a person can purchase solar-powered lanterns that will attach to the balcony railing, and these lanterns will glow at night without the need for electrical outlets. Additionally, stake lights can be placed within the balcony’s largest planter box to add lighting to the plants from beneath the planter, as well as LED lights that can be placed along the underside of a shelf that lines the balcony area.
Not only will the individual be able to safely use the balcony after dark, but the various light fixtures will create the illusion of depth within the individual’s balcony.
4. Add a Statement Plant
It is also suggested that an individual consider the addition of a statement plant to their small balcony. An example of such a plant is a hardy olive or lavender plant that is placed within a tall planter pot.
These types of plants stands up to the wind, which may be strong on the balcony. Additionally, the silvery leaves of these types of plants help to reflect the sunlight during the day, as well as provide visual interest when viewed against the dark colors of the plants at night. Finally, placing this type of structure in the corner of the balcony that is the most distant from the apartment door will allow the plant to become a visual point of interest within the balcony.
Unlike ten small plants placed throughout the balcony, one impressive plant will stand out as a feature of the balcony, and will leave the individual more space to place seating within their small living area.
5. Use an Outdoor Rug
Another method of enhancing a small balcony is to use a rug for the individual’s balcony. Rugs made from recycled plastic bottles are recommended, as they allow for the balcony to drain of any standing water, the rugs will not fade from sunlight, and they can be rolled up to save space within the apartment when not in use.
Additionally, a slim rug can be laid onto the balcony in a diagonal manner to increase the sense of width to the individual’s balcony. A subtle pattern or solid color rug are best for the balcony, though, to avoid any visual conflict between the rug and the plants that live in the individual’s balcony. By adding a rug to the living area, the individual will begin to associate that portion of the balcony with their living area.
Additionally, they will instinctively remove their shoe when they enter onto the balcony.
6. Incorporate Mirrors
Mirrors can be incorporated into a balcony in an innovative way. A set of mirrors of any size can be placed onto the balcony, or even two different sized mirrors of any type that are placed at different heights within the living space.
For instance, one mirror can lean against the back wall behind the plants, or one mirror of any size can be placed into the corner of the living area; placing a single framed mirror that is the size of a large window will best enhance the appearance of the balcony. Additionally, the placement of a mirror will allow the individual to more fully enjoy the view from within the apartment. Finally, the mirror can be angled in any direction to avoid reflecting the sunlight into the windows of surrounding apartment buildings.
7. Add a Water Element
Another method to enhance the small balcony is to add a water element to one corner of the balcony. An example of such an addition is a miniature tabletop fountain that uses batteries for power, and that requires only a few cups of water to begin functioning. Not only will these fountains add visual interest to the balcony that may otherwise be neglected due to the size of the area, but it will also attract birds to the balcony.
Additionally, such a feature will save the individual the effort of adding water to a larger pond on the balcony. Finally, placing a water feature in such a location will allow the individual to hear the sound of the water while they are enjoying their balcony space. Additionally, because water reflects light into the air, the inclusion of a water feature will make the small balcony feel fresher and more inviting during the hot summer months.
8. Incorporate Scent
Similar to adding a water feature to the balcony, an individual can incorporate scent into their living area. Plants such as star jasmine or miniature roses can be trained to climb the wall of the balcony, as can herbs like lemon balm or chocolate mint that can be tucked between other plants. Additionally, the scent of these plants will remain within the living area due to the enclosing walls of the balcony, while it may dissipate from any other area.
Thus, these scents will make the individual feel as if they are in the midst of a Mediterranean or English hillside garden. In addition to each of these methods, the best small balconies are those that utilize the natural limitations of the space; the best small balconies recognize their small size, and make sure to make use of any vertical space, reflective space, or foldable space that they may possess within that space. Thus, each time an individual walks back into their apartment after spending time on the balcony, they will feel satisfied in that their small living area has accomplished its purpose.
The small balcony provided them the individual with a space that they can relax and unwind at the end of the day; this fulfilled role of the balcony is what is most important and measured in relation to that space, and that role is something that each individual can achieve, regardless of the size of their balcony.
