How to decorate a balcony

Now, fortunately, the time is passing away when the balcony was used as a place for storing unnecessary things. Increasingly, this place in the apartment is equipped as a recreation area, a study, or even completely turned into a blooming mini-garden.

How to decorate a balcony with flowers

Bright and beautiful flowers are perfect for decorating any balcony. To turn a banal balcony into an original blooming garden, do the following:

• Before you start planting plants on the balcony, you need to decide what kind of flowers are suitable for your balcony. If it faces north, then it is better to choose shade-loving plants. These include nasturtium, petunia, or begonia... They will perfectly take root on the southern balcony lobelia, marigolds or pelargoniums. If your balcony is located high, then choose hardy plants that will not break from gusts of wind, such as daisies, snapdragons, alyssum. Flowers should grow quickly and be undemanding to the conditions of keeping.
• Choose boxes for planting flowers from plastic, their depth should be at least 25 cm. There must be drainage holes and a grill that protects the soil from washing out. Don't choose dark colored boxes for southern balconies. From the sun, the soil will be very hot, which can destroy the plants.

• Now choose exactly how your plants will be placed. If your balcony does not face a busy street, then the containers with plants are best fixed on the outside of the balcony. This will save space inside. If the balcony is open on all three sides, then arrange protection from prying eyes by constructing a curtain of climbing plants on the sides. To do this, fix a plastic grid in the right places or just pull the fishing line. Plants in hanging pots will look great on the wall that separates the balcony from the apartment. In the summer, you can take out indoor plants to the balcony and just put them on the floor in pots.

• When planting plants, try to do it so that the balcony looks beautiful all season. To do this, choose varieties that bloom at different times. Consider the color scheme as well. It is best to choose shades of colors that will contrast with the color of the wall of the house.

How to decorate a balcony with your own hands

Before you start arranging the balcony, you need to clear the space. Remove old furniture and throw away all unnecessary junk. Then you need to decide what will be placed on your balcony. If you plan to use it all year round, then install double-glazed windows and insulate walls, ceiling and floor. Usually, wooden lining is used for decoration, and the floors are made of tiles, laminate or linoleum, necessarily with heating. Do not forget about additional lighting - you can install built-in lamps or be limited to a compact chandelier. Pictures or panels will look great on the balcony as a decor.

In the future, the arrangement of the balcony depends on how exactly this space is supposed to be used. If you decide to make a place for work on the balcony, then it would be appropriate to equip a computer desk here, put a chair and hang bookshelves. You can organize a needlewoman's workplace on the balcony by placing a large rack with drawers and shelves and arranging bright lighting for ease of work. The other side of the balcony can be used as a play area for a child. Children can have an easel for drawing on the balcony or hang a small sitting hammock. Here you can also put a small plastic table and chairs for very young children. For schoolchildren, it is appropriate to organize a study area with a comfortable table and bookshelves on the balcony.

How to make a balcony cozy

It is impossible to create comfort on the balcony without the appropriate furniture and textiles. For such a small space as a balcony, compact folding furniture is suitable, for example, the tabletop can be simply attached to the walls of the balcony, in the same way you can arrange a bench. Built-in furniture and pull-out structures are very comfortable on the balcony. For example, for storing things, you can make built-in under the balcony windowsill cabinets... Light wicker furniture or even just pillows in practical covers as a seating area will look very appropriate on the balcony.

By hanging a hammock on your balcony or installing a rocking chair and a table, you will create the perfect place on your balcony for a comfortable stay. To prevent the sun from hitting the eyes, the windows can be curtained with Roman blinds. Hang one canvas for each window opening. This will allow you to adjust the intensity of natural light. A small homemade rug or fluffy carpet for the cold season will look harmonious on the floor.

If the balcony is adjacent to kitchen, then on the balcony you can arrange a dining room or install an electric grill and equip a barbecue area there. Add shelves to the wall for storing small kitchen items, a small table for food, and a couple of folding chairs.

How to decorate a balcony: ideas