*DISCLAIMER* I MOVED!..but I suck and am super behind on my posting. So rather than scrap my posts, I'll still share some old ones but keep tuned for some updated posts/photos.
If you’re like me, you’re obsessed with the makeover videos that are splattered all over Youtube. You’re also like me if you don’t own a home so you must rent…With renting comes restrictions and with restrictions come creativity 😉 I for one love being outside and being lucky enough to have a balcony gave me opportunity to make a nice zen space. Now note, my balcony is pretty small and I’m a gal with a budget. So here’s a few things to ideas to redesign your space that won’t make you want to jump off your balcony. #renterfriendly #DIY #home
The game changer
There are a few quick things you can do to change the look of your balcony/patio (which we’ll get to later) here are the things that gave me the most impact. My first year of apartment living, I wasn’t inspired by the concrete grey floor. Easy fix, a rug. You’ll need an outdoor rug so it can withstand rain, snow (not ideal) and even extended sun exposure (sun bleaching doesn’t just happen to hair!?). The balcony much like other rooms in the home needs thought so Pinterest is your friends. I pinned the shit out of patios to get my inspiration.
Here are some of my pinspiration:
The simplest way to go is to get a rug that is more on the neutral side. This way if you style changes a few new accent pieces transforms the space without breaking the bank. My home aesthetic is more world traveler meets modern bohemian. So I gravitate towards tribal prints, natural elements and some quirky bits. You can find outdoor rugs anywhere but some that are a bit more wallet friendly can be found on Amazon, Target, Homegoods, RugsUSA, and plenty of other sites like Wayfair and Overstock. Varsity move: try to arrange your purchases near major holidays. I’m talking President’s Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day etc; this is the time you can get plenty of coupon codes. I for one don’t buy anything without comparing prices or looking for a coupon code. Now, back to your scheduled programming. You’ll need to measure out your space before you buy the rug and decide if its going to cover the whole space or act as more of an accent rug. From then on the rest of design is just furnishing and design. (You'll find that up to this point my balcony tour goes up to this point...year two and three of apartment leaving had a different story)
Now, the rug was easy but after a full year, depending on what color and quality rug you got, you’ll likely notice some wear. For me….I learned a light rug is not the way to go if you are exposed to all seasons. The snow was not fond of my rug. So out went the rug and time to figure out what’s the next move. Pinterest. I continued my search for inspiration and alas what is this teak tile design I’m seeing? Yasss, spa honey. I was sold, but my wallet wasn’t. It’s not cheap but this was worth the splurge. I was lucky enough to stumble upon a good deal at the Christmas Tree Shop. I was able to fill a good portion of the balcony with these nice teak wood tiles and was just left with the perimeter. A really inexpensive but fancy looking fix were some beautiful whites stones from Home Depot. I bought 2 10lb bags for about $14 total (steal!) and spread it out evenly. And voila, I could not believe my eyes. It looked like a freaking spa…and I live there.
Nothing is better than being excited about something you own.
So, the foundation is set, now what?
Furnishing
So your foundation is set but what you furnish your patio with defines what it is used for. Perhaps you want to find your zen and go the cushion and yoga mat route (be wary of cushions as they’ll need to be all weather). Maybe you want to enjoy a nice morning tea with the chirping of the birds or a sultry evening to dine with your S/O. Figure out the vibe and the rest will follow. For me, I wanted to be able to enjoy eating outside and feel like I’m at a bistro but I wanted the flexibility to sit and lay and be in a peaceful place. Luckily for me, I was gifted with a housewarming gift that was found on my amazon wishlist for a Woven bistro set. The dark brown coloring allows for a plethora of styles and gives off a bohemian vibe. The great thing about this set is that it is also collapsible so if I want to layout on the balcony it is extremely simple to set it aside. For me, this bistro set is the focal point of the balcony so it was crucial to get one that could last for years (I’m going on year 3 now and it’s going strong!)
A watch out, it is very tempting to go for the cheapest set. I did see a cheaper set at ikea but I highly advise you weigh your options. Ultimately, the material and foundation of the furniture made my choice. While mine was more expensive it was more worth it because I realized the exposed wood wouldn’t be able to weather the storm let alone multiple days of rain. So take your lifestyle and environment into account and then see what your budget allots.
Finishing touches
This is the fun part. We’re talking plants, pillows, lighting, pots, lanterns etc. This is the difference between a balcony and YOUR space. The good news is, if your patio space is more neutral or lacking a bit of personality this is where you can revive that personal touch. For me, I love to cook and I love to see a lot of greenery. Just because I have a small outdoor space it doesn’t mean I can’t feel like I have a tiny botanical garden. I visited my nearby farm and plant shop and picked up the veggies and herbs I use most in my cooking. I had set up about 6 hanging baskets and filled them with: basil, green onions, lettuce, kale, cilantro and a shit ton of mint. These are extremely inexpensive from the farms or your nearby Home Depot or Lowes. The plants are already ready to be planted and plucked but the best time to get these are at the beginning of spring (you can also pick up some herbs to plant all year round from Shoprite, they just don’t last as long due to the cold season). So once I planted these, I was surrounded by beautiful bountiful greenery.
Outside of my hanging baskets, I also included some hanging flowers to bring some colors in and a few potted plants including a cactus (low maintenance and just generally a cool aesthetic). I stopped by Home Goods for some nice planter pots at an affordable price. I tried to keep all my planter pots within the neutral color range but textural differences is what makes them look interesting. Remember, I’m not trying to buy a new planter pot every year. Le wallet says no. So I can change small things in my space and still use these planter pots in a variety of ways. I also bought a tiny lantern that I can keep on the top of my bistro table that just adds to the intimate feel. LASTLY, I know guys, you made it.. were the lights. Ugh…I love these lights. I purchased a set of string bistro lights (originally from Marshall’s but I’ve also found them on amazon) and then light-erally take my space to the next level. The warm tone of the lights makes you feel like you’re in the outdoor seating of a bistro. But wait there’s more…it’s solar powered. BOOM. I know, you literally set it up once and from then on it gets powered by the sun and turns on when the sun sets. So for those who can’t be bothered because they’re at work trying to get that money, check one thing off… You don’t have to turn your battery lights on ANNNND it won’t be on your electricity bill. Settle down, Lana. I get really excited about a good deal that’s also aesthetically pleasing.
And that’s it folks. Renter friendly, budget friendly and adulting-approved. Let me know if you’ve updated your space and share if you have.
Until next time,
Lana