Make the most out of your outdoor space with these balcony garden ideas featuring planters, furniture and clever design ideas…

Not all homeowners are blessed with a sprawling garden, but there’s plenty that you can do with a balcony to create an inviting space to lift your mood, relax and get that much-needed dose of vitamin D.

Foldable furniture

Balconies don’t offer an abundance of space so choosing foldable furniture is the easiest way to make the most of a small space. Bistro-style garden dining sets are a great option for balconies – you can make them more comfortable by adding a stylish seat pad and they can easily be stored away in the wintertime.

Extend your indoor space

Indoor-outdoor living is a huge trend. Utilise your balcony as an extension of your indoor space by carrying your flooring through to your balcony for a cohesive look. If you own the building and are able to make exterior changes, this floor-to-ceiling Crittall-style partition opens up the entire space, making it feel bigger.

Create a plant screen

If your balcony is overlooked, consider creating a privacy screen using plants. Pick up a variety of tall, voluminous and hanging plants instead of unsightly, difficult-to-install fence panels. Arrange them around ladders, repurposed clothing rails or tall planters to create a green screen. If your balcony doesn’t get much natural light or is exposed to wind, consider fake plants, like Ikea’s Fejka artificial bamboo, £55, which measure 170cm tall.

Follow @thebalconygardener

Isabelle Palmer, founder of thebalconygardener.com, is an expert in small-space gardening. She’s been transforming dinky outdoor and indoor spaces since 2009 and is a font of knowledge. Balcony gardeners should 100% be following her on Instagram!

 

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