5 simple tips for a summer-ready balcony
Summer has taken us by storm, and it has been a long time since we experienced a warmer May/June. This is when you really either wish you had an
Summer has taken us by storm, and it has been a long time since we experienced a warmer May/June. This is when you really either wish you had your own outdoor space, or are overjoyed that you have one, regardless of whether it is small or large. In the cities, few of us can boast of large outdoor spaces, and we are grateful for the balcony we have been given, but it is not always easy to make it both practical and pleasant. Here are some tips for getting your balcony ready for summer.
Step 1: Create your own oasis of plants in pots
These can also be brought inside during winter if needed, should the cold become too harsh. If you have limited floor space but love flowers and decoration, there is no need to despair: simply make use of height and walls for all they are worth. Whether you put up a shelf that you can decorate with whatever you wish, or physically hang pots on the wall, you will create a green oasis without using too much floor space. You can also use these shelves to minimise visibility if you are bothered by neighbours opposite.
Step 2: Extend the living room
Furnish the outdoor area as if it were a separate room in the flat: the living room should continue outside. For example, there are many rugs you can get for outdoor use. Cushions and blankets will make the outdoor space warm and cosy, and will also allow you to use the outdoor space even after the sun has gone down.
Step 3: Use different materials
You can create different zones on the floor by using other materials. If you want to have many planted pots, these can just as easily stand on river stones as directly on concrete or wooden tiles.
Step 4: Hang up lights
Have candles in lanterns and jars. Although we in Norway are fortunate to have light almost all night during summer, there is something about getting a bit of candlelight when the night hours come. In summer, light sources that use solar energy are absolutely brilliant.
Step 5: Make a table
It is not only flower boxes that can hang on the railing: you can also make yourself a table. If space is limited, you can easily either buy or build your own bar table that mounts to the railing, and suddenly you have a lovely dining area as well. A table that can be folded up along the wall is also an option if you want a dining table outside, as you can easily switch between meals and relaxation.
