Looking for balcony ideas to transform your space? Balcony gardens are in some ways the perfect outdoor spaces. Convenient, big enough to sit on (hopefully) but not so big as to create too much work, and the perfect canvas to create real wow factor outside.
Balcony gardens don't have soil, so won't have weeds, they have fewer pests and, will usually have a great sense of openness – but there are challenges.
Most balconies are either in the sun or the shade, and that is a determining factor. Sunny balconies are really sunny, whilst on the shady side of a building there's no dappled shade or semi-shade – it's completely sunless. They can also be windy without catching passing rain. And one of the greatest problems is that everything is on view, there's no hidden corner to put things which aren't needed right now.
But, having said all of that, balconies can be a wonderful extension of your living space. Work with all of the challenges and they can be rewarding and beautiful places all year round.
Golden rules
1. Before you put in any plants think about watering. How will you get water to the plants and where will the water go afterwards? An outside tap is ideal but if you have to rely on watering cans think about how many trips you'll need to keep everything looking good throughout the summer. Don't put in more plants than you will happily water.
2. Always think about safety with balconies. The main issues are things falling off, making sure drainage is good and not putting too much weight on your balcony. If in doubt ask for professional help. Also, rather importantly, you should not BBQ on your balcony as it poses a fire and safety risk.
3. If there's space, treat your balcony like an outside room, so use pots or decorations to create a sitting area. And, just like indoors, decorate the walls, think about lighting and accessorise with a good strong look in mind.
4. Work with the conditions. If your balcony is on the sunny side you will probably need to bring in shade, if it's windy try creating wind-breaks. If there's a bad view, screen it off with plants and trellis.
5. One thing that is often forgotten on balconies but is really important is fragrance. Scented plants so close to the house are really magical, not just in summer but in winter too.
6. Remember to use the verticals on your balcony. Don't just use the floors to place pots and ornaments on, the walls are vital growing and decorating spaces.
7. Finally, the one thing that will make a huge difference to any balcony is regular love. There is no sight so sad in the gardening world as a neglected balcony. Even if it's just 10 minutes a week, make a date to go out there, sweep around, water and generally spruce up. It will make all the difference.
Balcony plants
Balconies tend to deal with extremes, so if it's sunny it will be bakingly sunny; if it's shady, it will be absolutely sunless, especially in winter.
1. If you have a sunny balcony the best plants to have will be ones which can cope with lack of water. There's a reason geraniums are the balcony plant of choice in Mediterranean countries, they are bright and colourful and won't wilt if they are left for a few hours (or even days!) in the sun. Varieties such as petunias or marigolds are also good options.
2. Also try grasses, not only will these thrive in sunny dry conditions, they move beautifully in any breeze and bring a lovely gauziness.
3. For scents, those Mediterranean herbs provide a cornucopia of possibilities – basil, lavender, sage, rosemary. Your sunny balcony is exactly what they like.
4. If you have shade think about going with large-leaved jungle plants, so things like fatsia, bamboos and hostas. These will create a great atmosphere and many of them have the added benefit of being evergreen. Chris Bonnett from GardeningExpress.co.uk suggests primroses and foxgloves if the sun is hard to come by.
5. Scent is harder to come by in the shade but there are some lovely surprises like Christmas box for winter and nicotiana sylvestris for amazing summer scent.
6. Plants which are low-lying and therefore less likely to break in the wind, such as Begonias, should fare better than taller plants such as Delphiniums, explains Chris Bonnett.
Balcony planters
Container gardening: If you have no soil to plant directly into, containers are a great alternative and will provide the conditions needed to grow flowers. Containers can be pots, troughs, hanging baskets and window boxes. Many pots and troughs in particular can be designed to fit onto balcony railings.
'Using containers and pots means that you can position your plants anywhere in the space and is a great way to personalise and add colour to a balcony,' says Chris.
Not just limited to front gardens, hanging baskets can make the perfect balcony display. Styling several hanging baskets at different heights against a bare wall can create a great feature.
For the eco-conscious, you can repurpose items in your home, for example, using an old wellington boot as a planter.
Seasonal changes and affordable updates
Balconies are relatively small, and so any changes you make will be easy to do and should be cheaper than doing up a whole garden.
1. With a balcony, every corner is on show so there's no room for a pot or container that isn't performing. Even if you can't do a clean sweep every few months, at the least always have seasonal performers at the front or on the table to catch the eye. Use winter bedding, spring bulbs, or even just a bunch of flowers to brighten up the space with plants that are looking their best.
2. Repainting is a great way to update the look of a balcony. The walls and the floor tend to be very dominant to the spaces, so a fresh coat of paint can really transform how it all looks.
3. Think about having a change around with the furniture – new seats will have a great immediate effect. They don't have to be expensive and if you're on a budget, look for second hand furniture which can be painted to fit your look.
4. Having a theme or look in mind is really helpful when choosing paint, furniture or ornaments. For example, you could create a clean, modern look with white and grey, or opt for bright primary colours to cheer up your space in winter or summer.
'During the summer, I turn to decorations that conjure up a relaxed boho look without much effort, for example, wall hangings and outdoor rugs in all colours and shapes. Try layering rugs in different patterns and colours to create a striking look and add depth to a balcony with limited square footage,' explains Wayfair's Resident Style Advisor, Nadia McCowan Hill.
5. Use the uprights more effectively. Putting up trellis on the walls, even before the plants have grown up, will add structure and make the area look more finished. Or even a ladder shelf that can hold plants, a watering can or other accessories.
'Don’t forget to take advantage of vertical space. A decorative wooden ladder offers a spot for hanging succulents, small lanterns or wool blankets for cooler evenings. While ceiling-mounted hanging chairs leave the floor free and convey a feeling of lightness,' adds Nadia.
7. When it comes to balcony furniture, try to create an outdoor room, bringing the inside out. A small lounge corner is great for creating a cosy nook on a balcony. Poufs and stools are also perfect for a small balcony and have a relaxed feel. With an outdoor rug, there are plenty of designs to choose from, whether it's a neutral or bold pattern.
8. Add storage space. An outside storage box or bench with under seat storage will make a huge difference and is perfect for hiding essentials or accessories that need to be kept in a cool, dry place.
Low maintenance
It's really important with balcony gardens to do some maintenance – they tend to get dusty and things blow over, so even just a few, regular minutes will do to sweep round.
1. The area will inevitably create rubbish, whether that's dead leaves, old flowers or just sweepings. To make it easy to get rid of the rubbish, have a bin outside, a ready supply of bin bags, and a brush and pan against the wall.
2. Watering is a big time-consumer with balcony gardening so make it as easy as possible. There are some really stylish watering can designs nowadays, so you can buy one to suit your decor. Alternatively, a collapsible watering can will be easier to use and store than a conventional one.
3. Pot trays, used under your containers, will hold the water and will mean you can get the watering can out less often.
Big mistakes
It's easy to get balconies wrong; they can look over busy and over crowded.
1. Even if your balcony is small don't think you have to use small pots and small plants. Big, bold, structural planting will still look better than over-filled, fussy arrangements.
2. Random planting rarely looks good. Regular patterns of tall and short will feel and look better than a scattering of different sizes. So perhaps go for taller plants at the corners of the balcony and shorter along the front. This will give a balance and structure which will feel better.
3. Even if you think we don't have much sun in this country, it can get too hot very quickly on a balcony, so a bit of shade is really essential on a balcony that faces south. One great way to introduce shade is to use climbers over wires. If you use deciduous plants, which die back in winter, you'll have lovely green dappled shade in summer but won't block off the light in winter.
4. Trying to fit too much onto the balcony will make it all feel too tight. A table that you can't get around will not feel right and won't look right. There are some wonderful space-saving products coming through now which fit onto the railings, from foldout desks and tables to planters.
Luxury wows
The railings of your balcony can really make the difference to how the whole thing looks. Stainless steel and glass balustrades are the most beautiful modern alternatives, not cheap, but they look great and let in light. For a more traditional building, have a look at ornate iron work – hugely expensive but works of art.
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17 balcony furniture buys for every budget
Neat, streamlined and incredibly chic, this rattan bistro set was made for small areas. As demonstrated here, the tables tuck in perfectly when not in use – ideal for balconies where floor space is limited.
Invest in a compact bench for your balcony for ultimate style and comfort. This slimline option from John Lewis can be placed against the wall, ensuring you'll have enough room to stretch your legs. Just layer with outdoor cushions and throws.
Stay in the shade with this charming half parasol, which can either lay flat against your balcony wall or be fixed for extra support. It's an ideal solution for narrow spaces that can't fit a full-sized parasol.
We love how compact this table and chairs bistro set is. Made from lightweight resin with perforated panels, it's the perfect blend of minimalist and industrial. It's also available in blue, red and dove grey.
To create more privacy on your balcony, consider buying a privacy screen like this, which you can attach to the railings with the included safety ties. It provides ideal protection against wind, rain and UV.
If you've got a lot of plants to showcase on your balcony, do it in style with this three-tier plant stand. The varying heights help to provide interest and the slatted design enables sunlight to seep through.
Having a balcony instead of a garden doesn't mean you can't dine and sip cocktails alfresco. This wall mountable bistro balcony table is perfect – fix to the wall or railings and enjoy breakfast, lunch and your favourite tipple.
An alternative seating option, outdoor bean bags are great for relaxing while catching the sun rays from your balcony. This stylish option from Dunelm is affordable enough that you can buy a few for when you have extra guests.
If you prefer a high table for your balcony, Wayfair is selling this three-piece compact bar set made from acacia wood. It'll make lunchtime coffees in the sun all the more chic.
It couldn't be easier to pop this wall-hung table on your balcony, and it's foldable, too.
Need to store some garden tools and accessories? At just over £20, this wood effect 90L capacity storage box is great for storing plant pots, cushion pads and tools. Note that while it's water resistant, the box isn't waterproof.
This compact side table is a great choice for areas with limited floor space as it can be tucked into existing outdoor furniture when not in use. The polywood top is weather resistant to shield against everchanging British weather.
Create more space for planting flowers, herbs and vegetables with these nifty hanging planter bags. Simply attach to your balcony railing with the 12 safety ties and you're ready to plant!
Made from spruce wood, this ladder-style shelving unit is a perfect display piece for all your potted plants or herbs. And it's pretty slimline too, so it should fit perfectly on a balcony.
There really is no excuse not to grow some plants on your balcony with this charming planter. Made from durable powder-coated steel, it can be simply hung over the edge of your balcony for a pretty look.
At just 25cm deep, this outdoor plant stand is an essential accessory for narrow balconies. Pair it with the matching three-shelf plant stand, as pictured here, to create your very own urban jungle.
