Partner Post: Gardening Without a Garden: Ideas for Your Patio or Balcony

It’s a common story: You have a balcony, but you don’t really use it like you could. It might be because it’s an awkward space or that it lacks privacy, but don’t fear – we have tips to outfit your balcony and transform it into a lush retreat you’ll want to spend time in (and your neighbors will be jealous of).

Start with the furniture. It’ important to think about how you’ll use your balcony. Do you want a space to enjoy your meals, a cup of coffee, or glass of wine? Or are you looking for a place to lounge and read a book on a gorgeous sunny day? Be sure to select comfortable outdoor-friendly furniture that suits your style. Here, we brought in a vintage bistro table and a couple of chairs — fun flea-market finds — to create a space where you can enjoy an al fresco meal or start your weekend off the right way.

To give the balcony more character, we added a coat of paint to the floor. The soft blue contrasts the beige walls and gives the impression there’s an outdoor rug. To enhance that feel, we use stencils to add a subtle design to the floor. Want something softer? Feel free to use an outdoor-friendly rug! There’s a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors available, making it easy to personalize your flooring.

Tip: When painting your balcony’s floor, use paint formulated for concrete. It will survive the wear and tear better, keeping your balcony looking good longer. 

Because color is the thing we notice most in design, pick a color scheme to make your look appear more put together. We selected blue, purple, and pink to emphasize the soft, country-casual feel. While the floor and furniture are big accents, we think the best color in your outdoor space will come from plants.

We started by using easy-care majesty palms to help screen the balcony’s back wall. Because they’re relatively inexpensive and have a tall, narrow footprint, you can also use majesty palms along your balcony’s railing to add more privacy. We incorporated some of our favorite beautiful, easy-care flowers with the palms; bright blue lobelia spills over the side of a planter like a fountain; purple-and-white Rhythm and Blues petunia add a splash of mystery; hot pink snapdragons add sweet fragrance and a burst of bold color.

To dress up the tabletop, we added a pot of blue lobelia and dwarf white snapdragons. Both plants stay tidy, making them a perfect centerpiece. Along the balcony’s edge, we repeated these flowers, and added the blousy, cottage look of no-fuss cosmos, an easy-care wildflower that attracts butterflies. As a focal point in the corner, we incorporated the elegance of a hot pink Oriental lily. It sits on an antique table we sealed with polyurethane, then planted pots of variegated ivy to create a lush look.

Because balconies can be tight spots, incorporating light, bright colors, like white or soft pink, helps a space appear bigger and airier.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Justin Hancock, Costa Farms garden expert. Passionate about plants only begins to describe Justin. A lover of houseplants, tropicals, annuals, and perennials, Justin has a wealth of experience gardening all the way from Northern Minnesota to Miami. At Costa Farms, you’ll find Justin running between research and development, marketing, and everywhere in between!