Balcony Gardens

Having a garden doesn’t have to be an exclusive privilege for those who live in houses with large backyards. Even the smallest patio or balcony of any apartment can be transformed into gardens and leisure areas providing a greater connection with nature.

If you have an available balcony, you love plants and want to have a place for leisure or an exclusive landscape accessible directly from your home, learn how to make the most of your space, choosing the most suitable pieces and species to transform your balcony in your own private garden.

The first thing to keep in mind is to analyze the available space in according to the type of living you want to have in it: its dimensions, its exposure to sun, rain and wind, in addition to its privacy and security needs.

If you have a large balcony or terrace, there are many possibilities to create a garden and leisure space, or even distinct areas allowing different uses. However, if you have a small space, planning and organization play a key role in order to create the desired ambiance.

Begin by defining the kind of space you want, in order to select the proper equipment for that purpose, according to your available space. If you want to create an area for outdoor meals, or an area to relax in a hammock, sofas or chairs, choosing the furniture will be determinant to characterize the environment.

Comfort and safety are essential conditions to fully enjoy your new outdoor living space, so you should consider some solar protection elements, such as parasols or awnings, or even nets or screens, which aside from ensuring shading and privacy, can improve safety conditions for your balcony, especially if you have small children.

(images via GreenBo e Minigarden)

Depending on your available space, there are numerous options to create the effect of a garden on your balcony, from the more traditional solutions such as vases, planters, hanging plants or vines, to original solutions for vertical gardens, particularly suitable for very tiny spaces.

There are also highly original options for balcony gardens using recycled objects, which besides being really cheap solutions are truly environmentally friendly.

(images via Lifeonthebalcony e Rosenbaum)

Choosing the species to plant is essential for getting a pleasant and well treated green space over time. You should consider not only your personal taste, but also its function, choosing lush or flowery plants, or preferring aromatic herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, basil, or even some fruits or vegetables to use in the kitchen. The key word is diversity: choose plants with different textures, shapes and sizes, creating a far more interesting environment.

The most important is to ensure its sustainability, considering the existing climate, solar exposure and the type of maintenance that you will be able to provide it, a particularly important issue for those who have fulfilled daily routine.