As soon as we have stowed away our winter clothes, we are ready to get the balcony in shape. After all, we want to make the best possible use of our feel-good zone and finally spend warm spring days and long summer evenings on the balcony again ❤️.

Basics for balcony design

With a few tips and tricks, balcony design is easy:

Balcony flooring: Should be coordinated with the orientation of the balcony.
Planting: Should also be adapted to the orientation and take the space into account. Which plants thrive in a pot, which in a box?
Sun protection: Most balconies can be happy about a visit from the sun, sun protection protects against too much sun and provides shade when we need it.
Balcony furniture: Probably nobody wants to stand on the balcony all evening or Sunday morning. Apart from the French balcony, also known as a cheerful balcony, seating and possibly tables and more will fit on it. This makes the whole open-air seat really cosy, so that we can stay longer on it.
Privacy screen: Is not a must-have, but can protect from curious glances of the neighbours from the terrace diagonally below or from the neighbouring balcony. Alternatively, a privacy screen is a chic decorative element that brings a feel-good flair.

North or south? Tips for your balcony

How the orientation of your balcony is, plays a significant role in your balcony design. Because not all balcony plants or balcony furniture like blazing sun! Here you will find suitable tips for your feel-good seat!

South balcony

On the south balcony you can enjoy the most hours of sunshine. Of course we are happy about that, but a sun protection should not be missing. Because in summer it can get hot and we need a remedy so that we are not mercilessly exposed to the sun. This can be an awning, in a rented flat this has to be arranged with the landlord, or a sunshade. For smaller balconies there are umbrellas that can be attached to the railing to save space.

Plants

This is where you focus on plants that like it very sunny:

Lavender
Olive tree
Citrus plants
Geraniums
Elf Spur
Jewelry Lily
Oleander

Furniture and floor covering

Metal furniture heats up quickly in the sun and is uncomfortable to sit on. Instead, you should go for wooden furniture. The same goes for the floor: Wood is more comfortable than an overheated stone floor. If you are not skilled in laying new balcony flooring: don’t bother! There are also beautiful outdoor carpets that look snazzy and protect your feet.

North balcony

The north balcony is now the exact opposite of the south balcony, because the sun hardly gets here. On hot days a relief! But even without much sun, the balcony is a real oasis of well-being. Reach for light colours, so that the outdoor seat appears much more friendly. Chains of lights and lanterns bring light onto the shady balcony and with colourful decorative elements you create exciting highlights!

Plants for the north balcony

These plants also thrive in a shady location:

Begonias
Hardworking reader
Fuchsias

Herbs like wild garlic, rocket, parsley or chives also thrive on a shaded balcony!

Furniture and floor covering

There is no need to be afraid of overheated floors or furniture. Instead, choose a surface that can tolerate moisture well, as everything dries more slowly here due to the lack of sun.

West balcony

Those who own a balcony facing west can enjoy the sun from late afternoon. I think you know where to have that drink after work, don’t you?!

Plants for the west balcony

A semi-shady location is ideal for these plants:

Lilies
Petunias
Angel trumpets
Miracle flower

Furniture and floor covering

Again, be careful with metal furniture, the sun can still heat it up well.

East balcony

Sun in the morning, shade at noon: If you like breakfast, you can enjoy your meal on an east balcony and enjoy the sun’s rays. Not only that, but also later in the day the balcony is an excellent place to relax without being at the mercy of the hot sun. Pleasant temperatures, a refreshing drink and a good book – well, who doesn’t dream of that?

Plants for the east balcony

As with the west balcony, plants with a semi-shaded location are also ideal for the east balcony:

Begonia
Clematis (so you can plant clematis)
Dahlia
Geranium
Chrysanthemums

Furniture and floor covering

For flooring, it is best to use materials that store heat well, such as tiles. The sun is not usually so strong in the morning, so you don’t have to do without metal furniture.

Easy-care balcony design

We are happy to invest time in a beautiful balcony, but this does not mean that it should always be a lot of work!

Plastic balcony furniture is easy to clean and durable. Furniture made of polyrattan is weatherproof, can withstand rain and does not fade as quickly when exposed to sunlight. Cleaning is usually very easy with water and a cloth!

Whether in the apartment, in the garden or on the balcony: textiles are a real must-have to create cosiness and atmosphere. Especially for seating furniture, only outdoor cushions are suitable for the balcony! They also tolerate a little moisture and retain their colour in the sun. An outdoor carpet made of polypropylene is also durable and hard-wearing.

Cheap decoration ideas for your balcony

You don’t always need the most expensive decoration articles to make something special! Here we show you how you can make garden decorations yourself, which also look great on a balcony. Fancy decoration articles which do not cost much are for example:

Large and small lanterns
Solar lights
Light chains
Lanterns
Fruit boxes as small shelves
Colourful flower pots to hang up
Hanging basket
Wind chime
Candlestick
Candles
Garlands
Pressed flowers
Plants, plants, plants

DIY ideas for the balcony

DIY furniture is not that difficult to make. Even homemade pallet furniture is still very popular – no wonder, since it can be individually designed and adapted to any size of balcony!

Instead of buying flower pots, you can also use them as flower pots or make lanterns to hang up:

You can easily copy this beautiful wall decoration. Get an appropriate frame (e.g. in the handicraft shop) and put an old lace doily in it – tada! Embellish your balcony in seconds!