Having your own private outdoor space during the summer months is what everyone dreams of, yet if you live in a city center apartment, your access to private outdoor space is likely to be limited. A lot of apartments come with their own balcony, but these are often small and lack privacy, as they can be overlooked.
If you do have a balcony in your apartment, then now is the time to make the most of it! Even the smallest balcony can be transformed into a private oasis to enjoy during the warmer months and apartment balconies have plenty of potential and possibilities. So, if you are currently living with an unloved balcony space, here are 5 ways you can give it a whole new lease of life.
Give it a spring clean
First things first, before you get started you need to give your balcony a spring clean. Remove any dead potted plants or clutter you may have out there, give it a sweep and get a heavy-duty scrubbing sponge and hot soapy water and give everywhere a good wash and scrub - you’ll be surprised just how much dirt comes off!
If the exterior of your apartment building is looking a little tired and worse for wear, then it might be worth mentioning this to your landlord and seeing if there is anything that can be done. As apartment buildings are usually high and built up, they tend to attract a lot of dirt, especially in inner-city locations, and other potential issues, such as birds, which can then cause health hazards. Pigeon guano removal is a simple procedure, carried out by professionals, but can make a lot of difference!
Furniture investments to make
Typically speaking, apartment balconies can be lacking personality, with railings and concrete floors. Luckily, there are plenty of ways that you can spruce up the space with interlocking decking tiles or artificial grass and investing in the right balcony furniture can lead to a huge transformation of the space. If you live alone or with a flatmate or partner, then you won’t need a lot of furniture, so invest in a good quality table and chair set. If you choose materials such as wood or metal, be sure to also invest in protective coverings to put over the furniture during the winter months to prevent decay and rust and to keep your furniture looking great for years to come.
Add some privacy
You might think that adding some privacy to your balcony is impossible, but there are some great budget-friendly ways that you can add a little more privacy to your outdoor space. Bamboo poles are relatively inexpensive and can be fitted vertically or horizontally to distort any view your neighbors may have on to your balcony and you can then paint them to add a splash of color or add some LED fairy or lantern lights to make it more atmospheric in the evenings. You could also invest in some large plants and greenery if you don’t want to reduce the amount of natural light your apartment balcony gets, but want to up your privacy.
Style and function
It’s easy to forget that for the large part, your balcony will likely be unused during the winter months, so you want to ensure that the space is both as stylish and functional as possible. Whilst it’s great to have a welcoming little oasis during the summer months, during the winter when you want to store bicycles or hang washing out to dry, if you have no space to do these things, then you will likely regret using up all the space. Be sure to consider all of your options when it comes to redesigning your balcony space and use space-saving ideas for when your balcony isn’t in everyday use, such as foldaway clothes airers or compact bicycle storage.
Use your wall space
Apartment balconies tend to be quite compact spaces, but one thing that a lot of people forget to include in their plans is the wall space on either side. If you want to make your balcony feel like a true expansion of your home and indoor space, then why not look at adding some color or texture to the walls, such as paint or hanging canvases. If you have little space on the floor of your balcony for planters or flowers, then why not look at adding a greenery wall or adding some hanging baskets to the walls instead? Your balcony railings are also a good spot for adding some flower boxes or baskets and creating your very own mini jungle or balcony garden!
