Blooming Balconies

For condo and apartment dwellers, private outdoor living may feel out of reach — public beach accesses become your backyard and open patio spaces are swapped, for cramped balconies.

That concrete sliver of space can sometimes be ignored, save for a set of mix-match camping chairs and beach towels drying on the railing. But there are simple ways you can put it to greater use.

“It’s your home,” said Ellaina Jean, a leasing manager and resident at the Pier Park Crossings apartment complex in Panama City Beach. “Love your patio, and decorate it.”

Apartment rules aren’t typically as strict as you’d think. Pier Park Crossings’ prohibits the addition of hooks, nails or hardware to walls or ceilings. Fireplaces and charcoal and gas grills are a no-go for safety reasons. Small electric grills may be allowed upon the complex’s inspection. Otherwise, Jean reminds tenants that the patio is not a storage unit, and she encourages people to get creative with decor.

“It’s meant for you to enjoy your space outside — have furniture, have plants,” she said.

When choosing seating, be mindful of your patio plans — will you need to leave room for a garden or grill? A bistro set will be ideal for most balcony situations, offering seating for two and a small table for coffee or lunch. Opt for a set with folding chairs for versatility.

Similarly, you can optimize the space with stackable stools paired with a bistro table or a short, round coffee table paired with floor cushions for a modern boho look. Jean noted that woven-wicker modular seating can be attractive and useful — a loveseat with ottomans can quickly be rearranged into a full-length or L-shaped couch. Pull the space together in style with an outdoor rug. Sizes from a 3-by-5-foot to 5-by-7-foot will work for most balconies.

Bistro sets work well on balconies, offering seating for two and a small table for coffee or lunch. Easily stowed folding chairs make
for versatility. Photos by iStock / Getty Images Plus: Ristin Mitchell

Adding the right lighting will enhance the setting, creating a comfortable glow for an evening of reading or a glass of wine with a friend. Bistro lights can be strung from adhesive hooks on the ceiling or along the railing. Solar- and battery-powered sconces can easily be hung with Command Strips for a classy look with minimal effort. Tableside and floor lamps allow for creativity in design choices. Opt for a rattan look to match boho vibes or metal or glass for a more sleek look. 

Incorporating plants and greenery can liven up the space with color and create a natural, inviting environment. You can add a few low-maintenance plants for looks, or curate a full garden. Keep it simple and regional with a few palms, crotons or vibrant cordylines; all do well in North Florida. These bold, leafy plants will add depth and color to your green scene.

Before choosing your porch plants, take note of how the sun hits your balcony. If shade is an issue, try partial sun-loving plants. Creeping jenny will do well and look whimsical when draped over railing planters or billowing from macrame hangers. Jean suggested freestanding plant hooks to achieve the hanging effect and avoid hardware. If floral is your style, marigolds are a trusty annual, and petunias, chrysanthemums and geraniums will do well in full-sun planters.

For herb and vegetable gardening, get savvy with your space and opt for stackable or tiered planters. Not all vegetables do well in pots, so start out with tomatoes and herbs before filling in every planter tier. Several varieties of lavender do well in pots and will add a pop of color as well as a fresh and calming scent.

Jean said that creating a patio oasis is achievable for many and that those with especially green thumbs really make the most of their space.

The addition of tiny blooms and greenery enlivens any space, and plants that enjoy full sun may thrive on balconies. Above, a woman installs heather in a planter. photos by iStock / Getty Images Plus: pundapanda

“One resident, they have a lot of plants, but it makes sense and it isn’t overwhelming,” she said. “It was almost like a little greenhouse.”

Residents on the second floor and higher will want to be mindful when watering plants, especially for wood-planked patios with gaps in the floor. Water basins are a good preventative measure, and residents can bring plants indoors for watering. Decorative outdoor rugs can act as a barrier for soil and rocks.

At the holidays, Jean said that residents enjoy getting festive with their patio design, and the complex encourages appropriate decor. At Halloween, one third-floor resident incorporated a fog machine, creating a creepy, draping fog effect that impressed. At Christmas, go all out for the occasion with Santas, candy canes, colorful lights and fully decked-out trees.

Don’t let that balcony space go to waste — get to decorating!

An added perk? No yard work.