It can feel limiting when your commercial building or home doesn’t have a lot of outdoor space to tailor. As experts of driveways in Melbourne, we know a myriad of ways to take full advantage of the design and gardening opportunities of smaller spaces like balconies. From small bistro sets to planter walls or grand artistic privacy screens, there are millions of ways to plan your own garden oasis to create a relaxing outdoor space despite the small footprint of your balcony — the perfect space for admiring your driveway for years to come!
Furniture for small spaces
Balconies often can’t feature a grand, six-seat dining table but it’s still possible to create a cosy space and enjoy a morning coffee in the sunshine. Balconies can feature a wrought iron round table with two seats for a Parisian café feel or a cosy couch nestled into the corner for outdoor lounging. Play with the natural elements of this outdoor space by choosing teak or cedar seating. These materials are naturally rot-resistant and make durable outdoor furniture.
Trying to avoid taking up space unnecessarily? Consider multifunctional furniture like built-in day beds that double as storage or wooden seating that features a planter box on top or along the arms. It is also easy to transform the balcony rail into a narrow table by attaching a shelf on top of the balcony fencing. This cleverly allows a table or bench surface to be introduced without using the floor space for table legs. Pair with barstool seating that can slide underneath the table for an outdoor dining or rooftop bar experience with a view!
Greenery and privacy screens
Plants, privacy screens and art that uses vertical space can create visual interest without compromising space. A metal decorative privacy screen will distract from the small size of your balcony and give the illusion of space. Cutouts can also passively use the sunlight for a beautiful interaction with light that shifts throughout the day.
Integrating plants and herbs into your balcony can be essential for a lush garden feel. Despite the small footprint of many Melbourne balconies, it’s easy to introduce a herb garden or range of leafy plants without encroaching on the space of your seating! A herb garden, for example, can easily be placed along your balcony’s railing via hooks.
Building upwards is also a great space-saving technique. Introduce a vertical aesthetic with hanging planters, shelf installation or tiered standing planters. Remember to first evaluate how much sun the outdoor area is exposed to in order to choose the plants that suit the light levels of your balcony and investigate patio and balcony gardening tips.
Match details of your home
Balconies easily connect your home to the lush outdoors, so it seems practical to treat the small area as an extension of your living and dining zones. Matching your garden to your interior style creates a timeless look so begin by determining your home’s interior style and consider what features are visible from your balcony. Your home may feature timber flooring and walls with a warm palette and blending this with your balcony through timber planter boxes and matching pillows can inspire a relaxing sense of flow.
Also consider your surroundings, if your home has a beachside view, furnish your deck with weathered pieces to enhance the coastal feel. If your coloured concrete driveway is on display, match the features of your balcony to the hue for an effortlessly cohesive appearance. All these careful details give a sense of harmony and comfort.
Luxe balcony surfaces
By spending a small amount of time a year maintaining the floor of your balcony, you can easily create a sense of timeless elegance. If your balcony features decking, take the time to power wash the surface to quickly improve the balcony’s allure, or repaint the fencing of the balcony to match the colour of the outdoor furniture for an inexpensive and eye-catching improvement. Change the balcony’s flooring entirely by introducing patterned tiles or layer outdoor rugs for bohemian appeal.
There’s also the potential to introduce a white linen canopy to improve the relaxation level of the outdoor day bed during Australia’s hot summers. By beginning with a clean and maintained area it is easy to build a stylish space. To improve your outdoor space, consider investing in durable coloured concrete for an instantly inviting appearance for years to come.
Are you looking for a concrete driveway in Melbourne?
A Better Driveway offers a range of concrete services including patios, pathways, alfresco areas and driveways in Melbourne for the perfect outdoor design.
To learn about our decorative concrete landscaping and Melbourne driveaway solutions, contact us today by calling 03 5783 4746 for a free quote!