Know your goal!

Like every apartment-improvement project, it’s important for you to lay out your goals first. Are you looking to supplement your vegetable and herb selection for all those summer meals? A cozy retreat for you and a friend? Or just a bright splash of happy color every time you step outside? By knowing your ultimate goal from the beginning, you’ll streamline your time and effort—and you’ll be much more likely to love the result.

Survey your space—the good, the bad, and the possible

Does your patio or balcony get blasted with sunshine or is it tucked into the shadows? Is it a private nook or open to the elements (and passersby?) Adapting your garden plans to work with your space, not against it, is key. Shade and privacy can be created with screens and awnings, and you can work with a shadowy space by choosing plants and flowers that love cooler temps and less sunlight. No matter what challenges your space provides, there’s a workaround if you are willing to get creative!

Translate your personal style to your garden

What style defines you inside your apartment—do you prefer sleek lines? Lots of color? Defined angles or rounded edges? Take those preferences outdoors to make your garden feel like an extension of your home. You can always surf the latest design magazines to see what trends are popping, but for a garden space you’ll truly love, be true to your style soul.

Figure out how you’ll make it rain

If you live in a rainy area, plan on incorporating lots of drainage options to your garden, whether it’s container-focused or in-the-ground. If you worry your plants will get too dry, look into portable irrigation solutions or ways to establish a watering schedule that will carry you all the way to Fall. A little planning up front can save you tremendous frustration in the height of summer.

Draw it, then do it!

If it’s currently winter, you have a few months before you will be able to spend much quality time outside, so take the opportunity to draw out your ideal patio or balcony garden, even to a very basic scale. Then, take your design to a local nursery or home improvement store and show it to an expert to get advice on materials, drainage ideas, and the perfect plants for your climate. By the time Spring rolls around, you’ll be able to create the garden of your dreams—more quickly than you think

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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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