1. Let the sun be your guide

Probably the most important thing to remember as you design your balcony or patio space, particularly if you plan to add plants, is how much sun you get and when. If your balcony is all or partially covered, there are plants that thrive in low light conditions. If your outdoor space gets blasted with sun for a portion of the day, there are plants that love that too—or you may be able to invest in some shade-coverings that work with your outdoor space to give you more options. A small umbrella secured to your balcony railing could provide just enough shade to create a bright and colorful mini-garden of citrus trees, for example, or some flowering succulents used to heavy heat. Whatever you do, don’t assume you can beat the sun. Mother Nature will always win, so work with her, not against her. 

2. How to enjoy a garden in the sky

From floor to ceiling, the trick to the perfect balcony retreat is to get creative. When it comes to your balcony rug, consider using AstroTurf to create the illusion of a grassy oasis, then add plants on stands, small tables or hanging boxes to keep the sweep of green moving upward.  Bonus points for adding colorful flowers, or choosing a mix of painted flower pots to keep the space fun and relaxed.

A covered balcony provides even more possibilities. Consider adding planter hooks to the ceiling and hanging baskets or terra cotta pots in vertical lines to take advantage of the sun while adding a bit of privacy to your space.  

No topper to your balcony? Man-made shade is critical. Look for umbrellas with sturdy grips that you can add to your balcony railing, or sun shades you can anchor to your wall. The sky is (literally) the limit!   

3. Cool and comfortable seating is key

In addition to creating a homey environment for your plants, set up a relaxed seating arrangement for you and a friend, using all-weather furniture, pillows, throw blankets and mini-umbrellas. A cool, clean conversational retreat for two with a rain-shedding rug and space for a small table or plant stand can help you bring the party outdoors whenever the weather allows!

4. Feed your inner chef  

Some of the easiest items to grow on a balcony or other small space are cooking herbs. Basil, thyme, lavender, mint, rosemary and other herbs take very little care and can help not only bolster your kitchen prep, but provide a bright and cheerful addition to your outdoor space. Hanging box planters can grace your railing or climb the wall in a ladder of gourmet goodness.

Making the most of your balcony or patio can be a challenge, but with a little creativity, color and imagination, it can become one of your favorite places in your apartment. Here’s to fresh air, sunshine, and a beautiful new space to enjoy!

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For many parts of the country, it’s taken a little longer for spring to decide it’s here to stay. Now that flowers and trees are finally blooming, the days are staying warmer longer, and everything is fresh and new outside…it’s time for you to bring some of that great energy into your apartment. And not just to pay your respects to the season, either. Studies have shown that the drab, dark colors of winter can dramatically affect your mood once the chilly months have passed, and that adding some pops of color to your environment can truly help energize you.

Stumped on how to begin your spring apartment makeover? Start with these easy ideas!

1. Add some flower power

Whether you have a green thumb or the closest you like to get to nature are wooden tulip cutouts, nothing says spring like brightly blooming flowers. If you’re feeling ambitious, invest in a few live flowering plants to add to your kitchen counter, dining room table or window sills. Otherwise, consider posting pictures of flowers, picking up some inexpensive wall or table décor at a thrift market, or even spray painting gardening equipment like trowels and watering cans with bright colors to create a spring focal point for your living room. Everything counts!

2. Get colorful

Speaking of color, look for ways to easily add fun, fresh, spring-like color to your space without breaking the bank. Get a couple of new, bright throw pillows, switch out that heavy wool blanket over the couch with a light, open-weave afghan, or even paint an accent wall a cheerful bright color if your apartment community allows. Another option is to buy inexpensive plastic picnic-ware in fun colors to add some zip to your daily meals. Let your imagination wander to see how you can brighten every room in your home!

3. Lighten Up

Pull back those shades during the days and let the sun shine in! In most areas of the country, temperatures don’t get too hot during the months of spring, so enjoy the season to the fullest—and if you have a balcony or outdoor seating area, spring is the perfect time to take advantage of the longer, sunny evenings or the cool morning sunshine. Brightening up your interior spaces with natural sunlight might also encourage you to do some spring cleaning, so give into that urge to tidy up, and donate or discard those items you don’t truly love.

4. Brighten your balcony

Speaking of balconies, decorating your outdoor space is a great way to encourage yourself to get out and enjoy the mild weather more frequently. Adding a chair with inviting cushions and throw pillows as well as a small bistro table can be just the ticket to creating an outdoor oasis. Once again, get creative, and decorate with items that fit your lifestyle…don’t choose fussy furniture that can’t stand up to rain or too much sun unless you have covers at the ready to protect it during inclement weather.

5. Say goodbye to winter

If your apartment has extra storage space—say, beneath your bed or in the back of your closet—consider storing away all your heavy blankets, winter jackets and thick wool sweaters and jeans, so that every time you look inside your closets and drawers, all you see are the light, bright clothes suitable for the season. Pro Tip: If you find a sweater or jacket you haven’t worn all winter long…consider giving it away. You’ll be glad you did!

Here’s wishing you an absolutely beautiful spring, and a colorful, bright apartment space to go with it!

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Keep your body cool and hydrated

During the summer, we all tend to perspire more, which means you need to pay extra attention to hydrating effectively. Water is the best choice, but any drink without caffeine or a lot of chemical additives can help! In addition to drinking more water, consider changing up your clothing style to looser, thinner materials that breathe, such as cotton. The more comfortable—and cool!—you feel, the better your body can adjust to rising temperatures.

Have it made in the shade

One of the easiest ways for it to lower the temperature in your home is to close your blinds when the sun is directly hitting your windows—especially if this is during a part of the day when you’ll be at work or running errands. Blocking the sun’s powerful rays can reduce the strain on your air conditioner and keep your home feeling like a cool oasis, no matter how hot it gets outside.   

Enjoy those long summer evenings

With the days getting longer and the sun setting much later, why not try switching up your exercise routine from early morning to early evening? It’s a great time to enjoy long walks along nature trails or to visit metro parks, as both are usually less crowded. Add to that the cooler temperatures and usually breezier conditions, and it’s a perfect time to get outdoors!

Did someone say “pool”?

One of the best amenities of most larger apartment communities during the summertime is, of course, the pool! Take advantage of yours, whether you get in a morning swim when the pool first opens, drop by for a quick refreshing dip after your work day, or enjoy the later hours of the pool’s operation. Even a short plunge will lower your body temperature and melt away the day’s stress, making you feel like a kid again. Even better, swimming is great exercise, easy on your joints and good for your heart.

Hit the gym (especially if you’re new to working out!)

What’s one of the best times to join a gym, or to get the most out of your community’s fitness center? That’s right, summertime! Most die-hard exercisers venture outside during the warmer months, which means that fitness centers are often far less crowded, giving you access to the best machines as you figure out what kind of exercise regimen works best for you. You might even try a few fitness classes if your community offers them, knowing that you’ll get more personal attention with a smaller group. Even better, by working out in an air-conditioned environment near plenty of water, you can monitor your body’s reactions to exercise more easily than if you are battling weather elements too. Then, once fall rolls around and indoor fitness centers get more crowded, you’ll feel far more comfortable hitting the gym no matter how busy it is! 

Summer doesn’t mean you have to suffer through your own personal heat wave. By working with the season and making choices that support your body’s needs, you can enjoy the long hot days and cool summer nights all summer long. 

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