Enjoy your coffee or relax in the sun – the balcony is a very special outdoor retreat that is just a few steps away. How to design and plant your balcony,depends not only on your personal preferences, but also on the direction. It determines whether your balcony is in the sun or in the shade. With the right furniture, the right plants, as well as privacy and sun protection, the balcony becomes very comfortable. Read on!
On the east-facing outdoor area you can enjoy the first hours of sunshine of the day and even have breakfast in your bathrobe. That's why a sufficiently large table and comfortable chairs are useful basic equipment. More ideas for the east balcony:
– When choosing flowers, please note that the east balcony is in the shade from midday onwards. Suitable plants include daisies, lobelias, fuchsias, petunias, cranesbills and impatiens.
– Tiles are suitable as floor coverings for this because they can store the heat from the sun and release it again during the day and night. To maintain the sunny atmosphere on the east-facing balcony even in the shady afternoon hours, choose furniture and decorations in yellow, orange and red tones.
– Sun protection is actually not necessary here because the morning sun is not that strong. However, a privacy screen would be useful for those who like to have breakfast in their pajamas or bathrobe.
The south balcony is in the sun all day and is heated up mercilessly. Without sun protection it would beBalcony in the summer heathardly usable. Balcony plants are also at risk of severe sunburn.
– Invest in a cantilever umbrella or awning, which would take up little space on the small balcony and at the same time protect from prying eyes.
– Metal balcony furniture and tiled floor coverings can heat up significantly in the sun. For this reason, outdoor furniture and wooden floors are best suited for south-facing balconies. But they can also fade quickly in the sun. If the balcony is large enough for sunbathing, a sun lounger would also be perfect.
– Mediterranean herbs, lavender and tomatoes feel at home on the south-facing balcony. With sufficient watering, geraniums, petunias and lantanas are suitable for balcony boxes. Succulents and echeverias can tolerate a lot of sun and are extremely easy to care for.
A west-facing outdoor area is in the sun from the afternoon onwards and invites you to have a cozy coffee. Working people can enjoy the last rays of sunshine after work.
– Since the afternoon sun is very strong, a shade provider is a must.
– Metal furniture can also become uncomfortably hot, which is why balcony furniture made of wood or plastic is more suitable. Cozy and padded lounge furniture that invites you to chill out is also particularly great. A small table can be set up so you can enjoy an after-work cocktail or dinner. Lanterns and lanterns create a lovely atmosphere in the evening.
– On the west-facing balcony, plants are suitable for partial shade and delight with bright flowers and beautiful scents in the evening. Lines, petunias, angel's trumpet, night violet and evening primrose.
– It can be windy on the west-facing balcony, so heavy planters are a good solution.
A north-facing balcony is not considered an ideal outdoor space, but it offers pleasant refreshment, especially on hot days.
– Outdoor furniture and decorations in light yellow and red tones make the north balcony appear brighter. Wet furniture can never be properly dried by the sun in the shade. Plastic furniture with soft cushions and warm blankets are the right choice here.
– The ideal floor covering is tiles, because dew and rainwater dry very slowly here.
– White pots and planters reflect light and can brighten dark corners. Flowers, decorations, accessories and brightly painted walls provide a splash of color.
– You don’t have to do without flowers on the north balcony. Not only grasses and ferns feel comfortable in the shade, but also hydrangeas, mannequins, fuchsias, lobelias, begonias and purple bells.
In addition to the annual summer flowers, many garden perennials such as ferns, hostas and ivy also grow well in pots. Hydrangeas and rhododendrons are also suitable as container plants and tolerate shade well. Take into account the fact that perennials on the balcony need special soil. The peat in standard potting soil disappears over the course of the season, while garden soil becomes silted.
– Only buy healthy plants that have lots of buds and are not in full bloom.
– Special soil for potted plants is suitable for permanent planting. Slow-release fertilizer can be mixed with potting soil and supplies plants for months.
– Choose planters that are as large as possible so that the soil does not dry out quickly. Use containers with water storage.
– Plant rather low flowers in balcony boxes. Tall plants can bend in the wind and appear much too large.
– Remove dead flowers regularly.
– Water regularly, but not too much, to avoid root rot.
– 7 plants fit in a 1 meter long flower box. The soil should be changed every year.
Pots and plants are available in different colors, designs and made from different materials. Terracotta flower pots are heavy and guarantee that your plants will not tip over in strong winds. When overwintering the plants, the high weight of the terracotta plant pots becomes a disadvantage, which is why plastic flower boxes are more popular. You can make the large containers lighter by filling one third of the plant pot with Styrofoam balls and covering them with fleece. This idea also saves you potting soil. A layer of gravel ensures better drainage and high stability.
Concrete floors are uncomfortable to walk on and are usually not particularly nice. There are many variants to choose from and to be taken into account when redesigning the balcony.
– Wood looks warm and homely. WPC plastic floorboards with a wood look and interlocking wooden tiles are installed quickly and conceal the cold concrete.
– A special outdoor carpet can be rolled out quickly and is a good decision, even if the apartment is only rented. But make sure that no moisture is allowed to collect underneath.
– A beautiful, green artificial grass carpet looks very natural and quickly beautifies the balcony floor.
You often feel exposed to the gaze of others. A good privacy screen can protect privacy and serve as a decorative element on the balcony. There are numerous variants available: cantilever umbrellas, awnings, sun sails, balcony coverings made of fabric or a natural material such as bamboo or willow.
Large lounge furniture with soft cushions gives it a living room feel, while space-saving folding furniture is perfect for mini balconies. There is suitable balcony furniture for every balcony size with which you can design your balcony. Consider the balcony orientation when choosing materials. Metal can be uncomfortably heated by the sun, while the sun can require a lot of care. Outdoor furniture made of plastic mesh has been very popular and easy to care for in recent years. Homemade sofas made of wooden Euro pallets are a cheap and effective option for furnishing.
The right lighting can create a pleasant atmosphere in the evening. Lanterns and tea light holders create a cozy atmosphere and can be grouped in an ensemble. You can also wrap fairy lights around the balcony railing or put solar-powered bollard lights in the flower boxes. Solar lamps charge from the sun's rays during the day and provide warm light after sunset. Oil lamps and vintage lanterns also look great in daylight.
