Balcony space is often much smaller than a garden, but this doesn’t mean that you’re unable to enjoy the beauty of plants and flowers.

A balcony can become a beautiful space to reap the benefits of outdoor life, even if you live in the city. With many of our apartments at Leaside Lock offering balconies, you’ve got plenty of opportunity to spruce up your outdoor living space with these helpful plant and home décor ideas.

Take a seat

Balcony gardens are the perfect place to enjoy a morning coffee or an afternoon tea, so why not set up a cosy spot to sit? It’s best to start with your seating when you’re planning the balcony garden anyway, because it’s likely to take up a fair bit of room. You’ll need to decide how much space you’d like to stretch out. Will you need a chair for guests? A side table for your drink and book? Once you’ve got the perfect seat, you can start arranging flowers and plants around you.

Plant seedlings and watch them grow for your very own outdoor haven Credit: Markus Spiske

Go oversized

Using containers and pots means that you can position plants on your balcony anywhere in the space. They come in all shapes and sizes, but we recommend going big with two or three of them to add height and depth. What’s more, taller pots can help if you want to add privacy to your balcony or improve the view. Adapt the size and number of pots to the space and your taste, but don’t be afraid to use colours and textures that brighten up the space or align with your home’s décor.

Plant hardy flowers like geraniums for more windswept balconies Credit: Jacqueline O’Gara

Think about the weather

Although the British weather can be a little unpredictable, you need to consider how much sunlight your balcony gets. This will help in deciding which plants to choose and where to place them so they can thrive.

If you get sunlight pretty much all day, choose varieties such as petunias or marigolds. If your balcony is on the shady side, primroses and foxgloves will still thrive. If your balcony is quite high up, your plants may have to also survive the harsh wind.

You can easily shelter plants with a trellis or choose pots made from ceramic or clay rather than lighter plastics. Plants which are low-lying and less likely to break in stronger wind include begonias, chrysanthemum, pansies, and succulents. Avoid taller flowers like hollyhocks, lupins, or delphiniums.

Settle down with a cup of tea amongst your plants. Credit: Ivy Aralia Nizar

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Guinness has over 66,000 homes across England, in stunning locations that include Gloucester, Sussex, and London. Many apartments we offer have balconies that you can turn into your own green oasis. Enter your location here and start your journey.