How to bring good balcony design to a patio near you

Limited space doesn’t necessarily mean poor design and cramped quarters. Give your apartment a lift with these balcony design tips and ideas for creating small (cosy) balcony gardens and outdoor spaces with appeal.

Apartment living is an inescapable – and highly embraceable – part of modern life. Your apartment may be in the heart of a buzzing metropolis or in a suburban city area, but either way there are plenty of ways to make your balcony a place to take a breather and enjoy just a little taste of the great outdoors.

Here are our top tips for balconies that are usable and attractive:

Keep it low maintenance – If your balcony space is easy to take care of, you’ll prevent it becoming a default dumping or storage area for unwanted household items. Make sure your balcony design incorporates storage spaces, such as under seating, for gardening tools, barbequing utensils and other items. Even on above-average size balconies, every bit of space should be used well.

Make it simple – Keep the number of chairs, tables and outdoor furniture on your balcony to a minimum; if you sometimes have guests over, but it’s usually just the two of you, keep two foldaway chairs stored elsewhere to keep a feeling of spaciousness in your balcony design.

Safety first – One of the most important considerations of your balcony design is its safety for users, especially children and animals. Ensure your balcony rails or balustrade is secure and place mesh between railings.

Create your own space – For balconies that feel open and exposed, there are ways to incorporate privacy within your balcony design. Place tall, screening plants at either end of your balcony or use a bamboo screen to block your space off from your neighbours.

Grow a balcony garden – A green spot on your balcony is an ideal way to make your dreams of homegrown produce come to fruition: begin your balcony design with a garden to grow tomatoes (in a sunny spot), strawberries, cucumbers, green beans and citrus trees in pots or planters. Be sure to set up a reliable irrigation system with effective drainage (this is especially important if your balcony is sheltered from rainfall).

Choose plants that are suited to the conditions of your balcony (is your outdoor space sunny, shady, windy?). For sunny spaces, try growing bougainvillea, ornamental grasses, geraniums, cacti, daisies, lavender, tomatoes and pumpkins, or one of the varieties of patio rose. For shadier spots, you might like to grow palms, zygocactus, pansies, fuschias and honeysuckle. In dry regions, succulents, cacti and other drought-resistant plants are a good idea.

Find a spot for colourful flowers – As long as you remember to water them, flowers can add some welcome colour to your balcony design. Flowers and bulbs can be planted in hanging pots to save on space, giving your outdoor area a touch of the exotic.

Barbeque it up – Of course no Australian balcony would be complete without a BBQ for outdoor entertaining on sizzling summer days and evenings. Before you buy, make sure you have measured your space. In winter months, your barbeque could be covered and become a place for year-round greenery.

Remember your four seasons - When designing your patio or balcony area, bear in mind the four annual (and sometimes daily) seasons when designing for balconies at home. Consider protection from sun and rain with a shade sail or large umbrella; invest in a quality water-proofing solution for your barbeque; and quality outdoor furniture that will be happy outside year-round.

For balcony and patio furniture, visit your nearest outdoor furniture specialists: