How to create a balcony garden

For apartment-dwellers, any outdoor space is a coveted commodity.

So why not make the most of your balcony by creating a beautiful balcony garden to call your own? Whether this means adding a few plants or a table and chairs to sit outdoors whenever you choose, there are so many ways you can create the garden balcony of your dreams.

From maximising your space to picking the right plants, this is your go-to guide for balcony garden ideas and inspiration. Check out all the different options you could use or use our advice to come up with your unique take on what a balcony garden means to you!

When you’ve not got a lot of space to work with and likely no deep flower beds or soft grass to use either, you may be concerned about how you can turn your balcony into a garden. Well, we’re here to tell you that your garden is whatever you want it to be! There are several ways to design your dream balcony garden, regardless of your balcony’s size:

•   Take some inspiration from tiny homes and get dual-purpose furniture that can be used for multiple things – this is the best furniture for a garden balcony that is on the smaller side!
•  Get some folding furniture you can store indoors and bring out every time you want to dine al fresco.
•  Consider hanging baskets or balcony railing planter boxes to save room and ensure you still get to create your own flowering garden.

•  If you love the idea of having grass, why not invest in some artificial grass to lay on top of your balcony?
• Investing in a fire pit or patio heater will help you stay warm and toasty when the mercury drops, too!
• To channel those summer holiday vibes all year round, get yourself an outdoor bar with bar stools –  the perfect post-gardening treat!

Now it's time to consider the practicalities of your balcony garden – and while space is important, it's not the only issue. The amount of sunlight your balcony gets, plus the scope you have to make changes to your building, will determine what you can and can't do. So before laying down the groundwork, consider these planning pointers: 

• You can always stack plants vertically in a tiered plant stand if you're determined to grow your plant or veggie collection – just remember the foundation will need to be stable and you’ll have to dedicate plenty of time to maintain your plants and their soil.

• If you don’t have much room for a standing patio heater, grab yourself a wall-mounted patio heater to save space and ensure you don’t get too cold in the evenings.

• If you'd like to grow your own veg but the conditions aren't ideal, you can always get a mini greenhouse to shelter your beloved plants while they grow.

The final step in creating your private garden balcony is to fill it to the brim with beautiful blossoms and plants – but what plants are best for balconies with little space, no soil to grow in, or poor access to sunlight? Well, you’re in luck; here’s a definitive list of hardy, low-maintenance plants perfect for planting a balcony garden:

• Houseplants – any plants you can keep indoors are great for balconies unless they’re particularly fussy about temperature.
• Vertical vegetables – tomatoes, beans, peas, and courgettes are all examples of great veggies to grow on a balcony.
• Flowering baskets – these may bloom better at different times of the year, but flowering baskets are a beautiful addition to any balcony, big or small.
• Herbs – growing your own parsley, sage or thyme is a fun project that’ll also save you some pennies at the checkout! 

Don’t forget to accessorise your new garden balcony with an outdoor mirror, some plush cushions, and of course, the necessary gardening tools you’ll need to help your balcony garden ideas flourish and flower. Alternatively, check out our blog for more house, garden, and lifestyle advice and insights.