My Balcony Makeover: How to Create a Relaxing Balcony Retreat

As scary as this looks, I have to show you the before photo. (Remember this is a judgment-free zone lol) I wanted to start the before photo because being organized doesn’t mean everything is perfect. Nor does it mean that all the spaces in my apartment are organized. Most are, but there are a few in a work-in-progress stage; this is the second largest project left on my list.

My balcony was, to put it mildly, a neglected space. Our apartment doesn’t provide storage within the building therefore much of the time we need to store items on our balcony. So you can only imagine the amount of stuff accumulating in our multigenerational household.

 

The Vision

You should always have a plan of action before starting a project like this. Here are some things to consider when creating a relaxing balcony retreat or starting your balcony makeover.

1. Measuring and Layout: Measurements are key. I measured the dimensions of my balcony to understand how much space I had to work with. This step is important because it helps ensure that you choose furniture and decor that fit well and don’t overcrowd the area. 
2. Choosing a Color Scheme: I knew that I wanted blue, grey and black tones with pops of green from the plants. Blue is our favourite colour so it made sense to find patio seating to represent that but the rest is more in neutral tones.
3. Selecting the Right Plants: Plants were a big part of my vision because I was aiming for a tropical vibe. However, I wasn’t trying to build a real garden therefore I chose a mix of fake plants for the planter pots and tall plants for the entrance area of the balcony.

Some of this project took years such as the decluttering part as we need to do this a few times to find the right products and get the patio furniture because of budget reasons. I think that sometimes when we read before and after projects it feels like they must have the money to do this project in one shot, however, for this one, it did take a while to get here.

1. Clearing the Space: The first step in the actual makeover was to clear out the balcony. Declutter, declutter and well you guess it, declutter! Trust me this part has been a journey because well as my siblings and my son grew we were able to declutter more. I removed everything that we didn’t need or use anymore, giving myself a blank canvas to work with.
2. Adding Seating: Comfortable seating is a must for any relaxing outdoor space. We opted for a cozy patio couch. I can’t remember where we got it from but it was a great price! The small table was originally my son’s SUNDVIK Children’s table I got from the as-is section of IKEA.
3. Setting Up the Planters: I used Toja Grid planters for their sleek modern design and durability. I placed them strategically around the balcony railing to create an additional focal point for greenery. Check out my full planter project here!
4. Personal Touches: To make the space truly mine, I added a few personal touches like an outdoor rug under the seating area to add some warmth and texture. Also added a couple of decorative FEJKA artificial potted plants from IKEA on the wall to complete the overall look, making the space feel tropical and inviting. Lastly, a Balcony Bar Table for Railings, stools for the bar table and a bubble machine because I heard mosquitoes hate bubbles.

I am obsessed with this balcony makeover transformation! My once cluttered and neglected balcony which I had no desire to ever go out on has become a beautiful relaxing balcony retreat. The greenery chosen brought life and colour, the comfortable seating was a great touch, and the personal touches were so fun. I now have a perfect spot to escape my apartment to get fresh air or simply unwind.