gardens
Hidden element
Side yard
27. Repurpose old crockery Rescue chipped and mismatched teacups and pots from the back of your kitchen cupboard and use them as flower pots, vases and planters. As you can see, the makeshift vessels ooze vintage charm and quirky appeal, and are a welcome touch whether placed on your dining table or by your bed.
12. Use old cans as planters Hold off throwing used cans into the recycling bin as they make excellent planters. Smaller ones are a great holder for seedlings or for striking plants. Larger cans (such as those that hold litres of olive oil) can be used as long-term planters as long as you punch a few holes in the bottom for drainage. Leaving the labels on the cans (particularly if they look cute!) can add a bit more colour and personality to your garden as well.
Zoob has fitted large mirrors to the boundary wall at the rear of the garden to help the space feel much deeper.
1. Plant in vertical layers Think about the entire vertical space and perimeter to block noise from disturbing you in your garden. Plant different woody and evergreen species in vertical layers: upright trees and grasses as the tallest layer, shrubs and sprawling plants as the middle layer, and shorter perennials and ground covers as the bottom layer. Living walls and hanging gardens can help you achieve vertical layering with limited space. This courtyard features vertical planting and layered plants, with green walls and a variety of plants at different heights.
1. Outdoor art Turn a blank outdoor wall into a colourful eye-catching mural. Before hiring an artist or graphic designer, draw inspiration from fashion magazines, vintage postcards or landscape images. In an urban setting, consider street art – a few paint cans and a bit of imagination are all that’s needed to produce vibrant, edgy graffiti. To find a suitable artist, look online or check out your local arts centre to see if they have a list of contacts with street cred.
String up some lights Transform your tiny balcony into a magical hideaway by stringing up a strand of fairy lights or an illuminated garland across the space. Complete the scene with a comfy daybed, snuggle-worthy cushions, scented candles and mood-enhancing music, and you’re all set to romance your significant other out under the stars.
… and other decorative accents Once you’ve layered your balcony with cosy, soft furnishings, complete the look by accessorising the area with statement-making accents, like candles, ornaments, art and bunting. Though small, they’ll make a big decorative impact and inject your balcony with a hearty dash of personality.
Inject personality with upcycled furniture If you’re on a tight budget or don’t want to splash out on outdoor furniture in case your next rental is balcony-free, scour secondhand stores, sites like Gumtree or even the streets during your local council clean-up for an item you can upcycle for your space. A repurposed wooden lounge chair or small bistro table will completely transform your petite alfresco area and give it a bespoke, personalised look, especially if you dress it up in a stop-and-stare hue or pattern. When stocking up on supplies for your DIY makeover project, be sure to buy water-resistant paint, varnish and fabric with good UV protection so the refurbished statement piece can withstand the elements. And if you’re tackling the DIY project on your balcony, remember to lay down a drop sheet or newspaper to prevent damage, otherwise you may mess up your chances of getting your bond back!
Secret garden. If you love the great outdoors, why not take your nap outside? This leafy Zen hideaway sets the scene for a refreshing doze, with the sounds of nature providing a soothing soundtrack that has the power to lull anyone to sleep. The gently curved hardwood wall lends to this garden sanctuary’s tranquil vibe, while a large, inviting floor cushion sits on the deck and beckons people to sink down and rest a while.
Here, fresh neutral tones, luxurious textiles and whimsical touches (such as the gold vintage-style birdcage and draped curtains) combine to create an outdoor lounge area where people can escape to when they need to press pause on their day before returning to the real world.
This captivating garden plays with proportion and texture brilliantly. The soft no-mow grass is creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra) and the trees were transplanted from an old olive grove. The oversized urn looks like it could have been discarded there by a giant.
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