7 Ways to Create a Heavenly Balcony Garden

Tips to designing a balcony garden that is an expression of your passion and love for nature

Ansoo Gupta 16 January 2018

Houzz India Contributor. Urban Farmer. Avid Traveler. Design Admirer, Planet Lover, Marketer. Order Changes.

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In the high-rise concrete jungles of our cities, having our own piece of open sky and fresh air is a blessing, and we should make the best of it. If you are fortunate to have an open terrace in your own home or even in a rented place, look at these easy-to-implement ideas and be inspired to create your own urban garden paradise.

antonia schofield garden design

1. Green it up
Nothing can compare to livening up a terrace or decorating a balcony with greens. You can be sure that the greener your place is, the prettier it will look. Do not worry about creating order or a pattern or even symmetry. Use the tropical climate zone to your advantage and grow as many plants as you can. When it comes to plants, more is more.

Read expert tips to grow a terrace garden

2. Grow food
A vegetable garden is a must-do if you have a sunlit terrace. The first few bits of greenery that you add should be herbs and vegetables. Not only will they add the verdant look you desire but be a source of healthy, chemical-free produce for your kitchen as well. You can choose what you’d like to grow according to your and your family’s interests and your confidence level. Start your balcony kitchen garden with herbs, such as mint, sweet basil, lemon grass or easy-to-grow vegetables like chillies, brinjals, tomatoes and beans.

How to grow your own kitchen garden

PERIKALI

3. Add a water feature
The presence of natural elements such as plants, rocks and water captures the ethereal charm of a small balcony gardening, transforming an open space into an arbour of delight. You could either just add an earthen bowl of water with a few water lilies or install one of the small portable water fountains easily available in the market these days.

Adlon Construction

If you have the space, budget and inclination, then there is nothing like installing a small waterfall or a feature with flowing water. The sound of trickling water immediately induces a sense of calm in most of us. In this example, water trickles down a plain metallic sheet into a bed of pebbles and is pumped up again. Such compact and low-maintenance features can be great in urban balconies and provide immediate escape into a zone of calm.

See gorgeous water features for the garden

Shabby-Chic Style Garden Outdoor Lighting

4. Add celebratory lights
The tropical climate in most of India makes it tough to sit out for most part of the day. Often, it is in the evening and night-time that you will have an opportunity to sit and enjoy your terrace. Bring out some of the lights that are often kept only for festivals. Garden lanterns, twinkling fairy lights, shiny disco balls… so many ideas for a terrace or balcony garden. Put those lights up and have a little festival at hand every time you switch on the lights of your terrace.

Donna Wax, Architect

5. Cook and eat
Where there are friends and family, there’s got to be food. Al fresco cooking on the terrace is fun and very easy. If space allows, install a portable barbecue or even a full-fledged cooking station. Download a few recipes, pick a few veggies from the terrace garden for the meal and enjoy your own plant-to-plate meals.

6. Display your passion
Whatever your interests – arts, crafts, books, cooking – use your terrace as a display area for them. This way, your balcony garden DIY ideas will help create a quick personal escape take you away from the routines of the house.

You can show off your collections. Dedicate a corner or a wall to put up your acquisitions made over the years. If too much sun or humidity is an issue, choose elements that can withstand exposure to heat, dust or excessive moisture.

Hyman Interiors

7. Create lounging spaces
Have different levels of seating to create a more informal and relaxed atmosphere. Choose appropriate balcony garden furniture, fabrics and colours keeping local weather conditions in mind.

Read more:
10 Great Design Ideas for Tiny Terraces
10 Ideas for a Terrace Makeover

Tell us:
How do you enjoy your terrace? Tell us in Comments below.