Your balcony can be a vibrant extension of your living space. With the proper selection of lush greenery and vibrant pops of colourful plants, you can cultivate a calming balcony garden in an urban setting. This feature enhances your home’s ambience and provides various benefits.
Beyond aesthetics, various studies have shown that when humans interact with nature, even in small spaces like balconies, it significantly reduces stress and improves focus and mental well-being. This connection to nature, known as biophilia, can lower your cortisol (stress hormone) levels and boost your mood. Balcony plants also act as natural air purifiers – filtering pollutants and creating a healthier environment.
Choosing the Perfect Plants for Your Balcony Oasis
It’s essential to take care of living things within our homes. Hence, select the type of plants that will thrive in your city’s conditions. Here in London, for instance, outdoor space is a precious commodity for most residents. But don’t worry! You can cultivate a thriving balcony garden with little planning and consideration.
- Some plants flourish well with full sun throughout the day. For instance, vibrant bougainvillaea or citrus trees.
- If your balcony receives dappled sunlight, fuchsias and impatiens are perfect — for added pops of colour
- For north-facing balconies, ferns and hostas are ideal.
Side Note: Opt for container-friendly plants and consider vertical gardening techniques like hanging baskets and trellises to maximise your growing area
Designing Your Balcony Retreat
Here are some top plant palette choices for various effects:
- Evergreen Backdrop: You can design a base layer of lush greenery with evergreens like hydrangeas, yuccas, ferns or ivy. These plants can grow around the year and create a beautiful backdrop for seasonal blooms.
- Seasonal Colour: Add pops of colour to your balcony with flowering plants — spring bulbs, miniature roses, summer lavender, tulips, daffodils, crocuses and compact dahlias.
- Vertical Interest: Invest in hanging baskets and climbing plants like jasmine or clematis to create vertical elements and lush, green vertical walls.
- Fragrance: You can pick fragrant plants like rose, jasmine or eucalyptus for your balconies.
- Edible Options: Who doesn’t love edible plants? Herbs like rosemary, thyme and basil are easy to grow in pots and add fresh flavour to your cooking.
Side Note: For a touch of whimsy, you can hang baskets outside on the balconies to enjoy homemade strawberries!
InStyle Direct: Transforming Your Balcony into a Room
Once you’ve chosen your choice of plant palette, it’s time to plan the overall design of your balcony. Living in London often means maximising every inch of space. Here’s where InStyle Direct is equipped to help.
Maximising the View
InStyle Direct’s design experts ensure that your balcony feels like an extension of your living room — by designing a seamless flow between your indoor and outdoor spaces. In some projects, this involves subtle window treatments to minimise view obstruction or installing strategically placed furniture that lets you step outside on your balconies.
Creating a Cohesive Look
InStyle Direct can also install accessories that complement your plant choices for a cohesive design aesthetic. The possibilities are endless, from comfortable seating amongst lush greenery to a small bistro table surrounded by fragrant blooms.
