7 steps to happiness on your balcony or small terrace

Enjoy the summer

On a warm summer’s day, I met up with a friend at a restaurant in the heart of the city, where fortunately the airco was on. Just as we had managed to find ourselves a table, the waiter asked if we would follow him. He was grinning from ear to ear, so, full of curiosity, we decided to follow him. What a surprise we got! He had led us to the most inviting, small garden in the entire city. The terrace was tiny, but it was cool and the atmosphere there was blissful.

Do you also have a small, but wonderful terrace or balcony, from where you can enjoy the summer? With the following 7 tips, you’ll be able to make it a functional, yet snug, outdoor space.

1. A bit of privacy
2. A level base
3. Add some shade
4. Multi-functional garden furniture
5. Vertical gardening
6. Atmospheric lighting
7. Just for fun!

1. A bit of privacy

Having a balcony can give you an amazing vantage point on your surroundings. However, on the other hand, it also means you can also be seen by everyone. Of course, you may not have anything to hide, but a little bit of privacy never goes amiss. At your local DIY-store, garden centre or even online, you can find a wide range of balcony screens, many of which are made of sail cloth, so are resistant to the effects of wind and rain. They usually stock a standard collection, but many offer the option to have your own privacy screen made-to-measure, or even printed with your favourite photo or design. A wicker or bamboo screen will give your balcony or terrace a more natural appearance. An artificial hedge, usually sold as mats, rolls or lattices, can be easily installed and often, outlasts screens made of natural materials.

2. A level base

Ensure your balcony has a level base, so you won’t have any trouble with wobbly tables and chairs. On a terrace, you could use tiles or planks if it’s not already flat, and of course, you could use those on a balcony too. Just don’t forget to consider the drainage points to allow any rainwater to easily flow away. Drainage is important, as you wouldn’t want to slip on a wet floor, so to help, there are a number of special, interlocking non-slip balcony mats and tiles available in a variety of colours and designs, which can easily be clicked into each other. Some even come with a gutter system, specially designed for rapid drainage. They are easy to install and to clean, and if you ever move house, you can just lift them up and take them with you.

3. Add some shade

During the hottest hours of the day, you probably prefer to keep to the shade. For terraces, there is a massive selection of parasols, shade sails and tents to choose from. However, if you live in an apartment building and you would like to install a (new) exterior sun shade, be sure to check with the building manager to find out if there are any regulations you might need to consider. In some cases, there might be agreements already in place, to ensure everyone uses a specific type of sun shade.

4. Multi-functional garden furniture

Do you mainly want to use your balcony or terrace for lounging, working or dining? Choose the most appropriate furntiure for your needs. Many pieces of furniture have been cleverly designed to save you space. For example, a corner table which can also be used as a handy storage space! A cushion storage box will keep your cushions nice and dry, and also come in very handy as extra seating for any unexpected visitors. Folding chairs and tables also free up much needed space when they’re not in use, so you could, for instance, hang your laundry to dry out there if you’re going out anyway.

5. Vertical gardening

There are so many great ideas out there on how to transform a boring wall into a simply delicious garden! Naturally, you could go out and buy some handy wall-mounted shelving racks and flower pots, but you could also create your own unique version. Personally, I think the stacked fruit-crate look is fabulous. Especially if you arrange them on the long or short edges beside each other.  It’s a bit of a puzzle, but it’s a great way to make your own unique shelving unit. All you need to do then, is add your own personal touches with plants, books or other accessories. Just be sure to check that the crates are securely arranged before you put anything in them. You could, of course, always attach a small selection of plantpots to an old wooden ladder, lean your new, unique ladder planter against the wall and then just fill the pots with your favourite plants or herbs.

6. Atmospheric lighting

Candles can be great for setting the mood, but the wind can be quite a mood breaker, so put your candles in glass holders, lanterns or empty jam jars, and that problem will be quickly solved.  There’s a huge assortment of atmospheric lighting available in all shapes and sizes. From cheerful lanterns and energy efficient solar garden lighting, to simple Christmas fairy lights, there’s more than enough to choose from. Just remember to ensure that all electrical connections are protected from the elements.

7. Just for fun!

In my blog ‘Relaxing in your garden’, I write about the calming effects of water. You don’t even need a whole garden for it. Just fill a large, solid planter with water, put some stones at the bottom, add some aquatic plants and floating solar lights and hey presto, you’ve got your own atmospheric pond. It’s probably best though, to leave the fish in their regular aquarium or fish bowl.

Do you have any more good tips for us on how to decorate a balcony or small terrace? Share them with us on our Facebook page.

 

– Lorna –