While you may have loved that small patio or balcony when you moved into your rental, perhaps you haven’t used it as much as you thought you would. If you’re only using it for bike storage, reclaim this cozy space and turn it into a sunny retreat.
How to Use the Space
Start by determining how you want to use the space. If your balcony or patio is too small for dining al fresco, it might be ideal for your morning coffee. Perhaps you want a quiet spot to read. Or maybe you want to plant fresh herbs and vegetables to use when cooking. If you want to add more décor and feel as if you don’t have the space, you can hang décor on the walls. Your balcony or patio will still be decorated, and the décor isn’t taking up any space you could use for herbs or seating.
No matter what you want, you could easily add a small table and chair or herb garden to your patio. For example, I have a small balcony, but I made use of the space by adding a bench where two people can sit and enjoy cocktails on a nice summer day. A bench is a great way to add seating without using too much space.
Bring the Indoors, Outdoors
Now that you have a purpose in mind, start bringing the indoors out. You want your patio or balcony to be as comfortable as your interior rooms, so add a throw rug. Choose comfortable seating, like an egg chair or a lounge chair. Add a side table for your coffee. Bring some accessories out to add some personality to your space.
If you choose to add fabrics and a rug to your balcony or patio, make sure you purchase weather safe outdoor pieces. If they’re weather safe, they are less likely to be ruined by the rain or the sun. If you like designing your space, feel free to experiment with bold, whimsical colors. Since it is an outdoor space, you can try some patterns you might never choose for your living room.
Add Plants
Bring on the greenery. If your balcony or patio receives plenty of direct sunlight, go for sun-loving plants like peonies, geraniums, daylilies, and lavender. If it tends to be shadier, choose plants like begonias, ferns, hostas, and violas. Not only will this make your balcony or patio look good, but being surrounded by plants will also make you feel good!
If you want herbs and veggies on your patio, you could attach a small garden box to the side of the rail on your balcony or patio. Use a planter and trellis to grow tomatoes, or add some zucchini or peppers to a pot. In the spring and fall, consider growing lettuce. It grows to fill whatever container you put it in, looks great, and it is very easy to grow.
Perhaps you’d like to do a little wildlife viewing as you sip your morning coffee. If so, consider adding plants that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. If you don’t have enough space for free-standing planters, add some deck planters to your railing or hang planters off the side of your rail. You could even find plants with long vines you can wrap around your rail that can serve as décor for your balcony or patio.
Create Privacy
If you need a little privacy, consider adding some tall plants like bamboo to create a natural screen between you and your neighbor. Also consider using a free-standing screen or a tall, narrow plant shelf to create privacy. If you don’t want to add a free-standing screen but still want to have some privacy, consider adding a curtain to your balcony or patio with a shower curtain rod. This way you can have privacy, but you can easily move the outdoor curtains to look off your balcony or patio. If you decide to add something to give your balcony or patio privacy, add some netting to keep the bugs out. This way you can stay safe from bug bites all season long!
Add Lights
Add lighting so your space can be used in the evenings. Consider using lanterns, solar-powered lights, battery-operated candles (these provide the same ambiance as real candles but have far less fire danger), or even string lights. No matter what you use, each of these are perfect for either entertaining a small group or enjoying a warm cup of tea and a book on a warm summer night.
Hopefully with these tips you can help make your balcony or patio feel cozier and more useful, then you can create plenty of long-lasting memories with your friends and family.
