Five Ways to Add Rustic Charm to an Urban Balcony
For many city dwellers, an apartment balcony is the closest thing to a backyard they can find. Fortunately, you don't have to let a wood or concrete balcony prevent you from creating a rustic garden or outdoor area for your home. Use these fun decorating ideas to transform your balcony into a beautiful outdoor oasis.
Create a Planter Box Garden
Unique planters give you lots of flexibility to plant flowers or vegetables right on your balcony. Use rows of long planter boxes to recreate garden rows. These can be used to plant everything from tall tomato plants to fresh herbs for your kitchen. You can even opt for planter boxes with removable greenhouse covers for year-round gardening. Check out websites like this one for more options: http://www.skystonemall.com.
Upcycle Found Treasures
Old watering cans, charcoal grills, coffee mugs, paint cans, and even shoes can be repurposed to create unique flower pots that add rustic charm to your balcony. If you don't have any items in your home you want to transform into upcycled flowerpots, make a trip to a local thrift store for inspiration. Invest in some paints to customize the look of your flower pots and then use them to plant fresh flowers or herbs out on your balcony.
Add Some Twinkle to the Night Sky
Seeing the stars, even on a clear night, isn't always easy when you live in the city. Add the look of twinkling stars to your balcony with white holiday lights. If your balcony has a ceiling, hang them above the balcony to create a starry sky or hang them from the railing to add extra sparkle to a balcony without a ceiling. This lighting concept creates a beautiful, romantic ambience for your space.
Build a Trellis Wall
The traditional wood trellis offers a rustic, country-inspired look for your balcony, and it can also give you a bit of added privacy. Place a tall piece of trellis on the side wall of your balcony to block the view from neighbors, or use it to line all three sides so passing cars and pedestrians can't watch while you sip your morning cup of coffee. Further customize this look by painting your trellis to match your other balcony decor, or leave it with a natural wood finish.
Decorate with Wrought Iron
Wrought iron patio furniture gives your balcony a vintage-inspired country look. Consider adding a small table and chairs, or if you have room, a chaise lounge. Add thick outdoor pillows and cushions to each piece for a stunning, rustic finishing touch to your urban balcony.
Your balcony should be your retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. Give this space rustic, country charm to create a true refuge right outside your balcony doors.