Many people don’t think much about their balconies, but a properly designed balcony can quickly become one of your favorite places to enjoy outdoor living. In this blog, we’ll talk about how to make the most of your balcony space and help you turn even your smallest outdoor areas into beautiful, functional garden areas. This should also change the way you usually do your new year garden planning. So, if you’re ready for some serious DIY design inspiration, let’s dig into it!
Maximizing Your Balcony Space
Living in the heart of Salt Lake City doesn’t mean sacrificing your connection to nature. Even if you have a larger landscape sprawling around your home, a well-planned balcony adds dimension and character to your space, providing a peaceful retreat you can enjoy in any season. When planning your balcony, try these tips to maximize the design and function of your space:
Going Up: Vertical gardening is your best friend when working with smaller spaces! Incorporate trellises, hanging planters, and cleverly placed wall-mounted containers into your balcony design to achieve a lush, vibrant feel without cluttering up your space with bulky pots.
Compact Furniture: Compact outdoor furniture is a game-changer when it comes to maximizing comfort in a limited space. Opt for foldable chairs and tables that can be easily stored when not in use, or choose patio sets specifically designed for smaller balcony spaces.
Over-the-Railing Pots: Save big on valuable space by using pots that fit over the railings to grow bedding plants, herbs, and your favorite summer blooms. We also love using these planters to grow quick-spreading trailing plants—such as calibrachoa, sweet potato vine, trailing lobelia, and trailing verbena—that spill over your railings for some added privacy and seclusion.
Creating a Lush Balcony Garden in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City’s climate offers unique opportunities for balcony gardening, but which plants are best suited to a smaller space? These are some of our favorites:
Herbs: Herbs like mint, basil, and thyme don’t need a ton of space, making them perfect for growing in railing planters and small containers.
Fruit trees: If your balcony receives lots of natural light, it’s the perfect place to grow citrus trees! Plant them in small floor pots to ensure they don’t overwhelm your space.
Shade plants: If your balcony doesn’t get a ton of sun, shade-loving plants such as ferns, begonias, ivy, and fuchsias will quickly become your best friends!
Indoor plants: Your indoor plants love a seasonal vacation outdoors, so use them to fill out your balcony in the summer months. Ensure they don’t get too much sun, though, as many vacationing houseplants prefer shady areas when outdoors.
Plan for pollinators: Nothing connects you to nature quite like having local wildlife stop in for a visit! Fill your balcony with pollinator-friendly plants—like foxgloves, yarrow, and coneflowers—to attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. We also recommend hanging bird feeders and placing a small bird bath on your balcony to keep the local birds happy.
Designing a Cozy Balcony Seating Area
Transform your small balcony into a comfortable retreat with a seating area that reflects your style and embraces Salt Lake City’s outdoor living culture. Whether you’re hoping to snuggle up with a hot cocoa or soak up the sun with a cool glass of lemonade, having a quiet place to sit and enjoy the view is a luxury any time of year. Here’s how to do it:
Think cozy: Add plush cushions and throws for comfort, and lay out some carpets for a warm and inviting feel when the weather’s dry.
Create privacy: Keep prying eyes away from your balcony retreat by incorporating options like outdoor curtains or bamboo screens into your design. You can also create privacy with large tropical plants, hanging plants, or trailing plants over the railings.
Add lights: Hang outdoor garden lights around your balcony to enhance your space’s peaceful, relaxed vibes. Fairy lights also add a whimsical feel for those long, lazy evenings with friends and family.
Budget-Friendly and DIY Balcony Upgrades in Salt Lake City
Elevate your balcony’s aesthetic without breaking the bank with these budget-friendly decor ideas and creative DIY projects:
Go seasonal: Use seasonal balcony decor to refresh your look without a major overhaul. Changing elements like seat cushions, pillows, and pot displays is an easy, cost-effective way to keep things interesting and fresh.
Repurpose: Exploring DIY balcony upgrades, such as creating custom planters or repurposing old furniture, is a great way to keep your design exciting without breaking the bank.
This year, enjoy the beauty of Salt Lake City from the comfort of your own balcony, embracing compact design, lush greenery, and cozy seating areas. For more inspirational ideas on planning your balcony garden, come visit us at Millcreek Gardens today.
No matter the size of your space, we’ve got you covered!