5 Tricks to Turn Your Balcony Into an Outdoor Oasis This Spring

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Balconies make for great spots to spend lovely evenings with your friends or loved ones while watching the sunset — which is why it’s important to maintain and enhance them as a way to welcome spring properly. This could involve anything from making it spick and span to adding furniture and decorations, offering you the opportunity to stretch your creative muscles.

Now that the weather is getting warmer and trees are blooming, it’s time to grab a broom, mop and latex gloves and give your balcony a good scrub before heading to the flea market. Whether you’re looking for new pieces to add or for materials for a DIY project, it’s always a good idea to keep upcycling in mind when giving your balcony a new look — this also helps you keep the costs within your budget!

Clean out your balcony so that it feels fresh and ready for change

It might seem obvious, but cleaning the space first will really help you save a lot of time when you’re rearranging and decorating your balcony. This means sweeping up any leaves or dirt that might have piled up over the winter as well as washing surfaces with mild soap or a balcony cleaner — furniture included! There’s nothing worse than taking a break after all that scrubbing, only to realize that the outdoor furniture is dusty or rusty.

Always check for damage before bringing in new furniture or decorations

Winter months can be tough on your balcony, sometimes even causing all sorts of maintenance issues such as cracks in the flooring or walls, loose railings or wobbly furniture. That’s why it’s a good idea to check everything for damage first and repair or replace as needed. This isn’t limited to the balcony space only: If you have potted plants, make sure to check them for signs of life and don’t forget to inspect your bulbs if you have balcony lightning.

Blend in spring elements to really celebrate the changing of seasons

Once you’re done with cleaning and fixing up any issues the balcony might have, it’s time for the real fun to begin: decorating the space! Throw in some potted plants like tulips or pansies to brighten up the place, or if you like to cook, start your own little herb garden. If you don’t have much of a green thumb, you can simply add some decorations. Bright cushions or throws are great to make a space more inviting. You can go one step further and add wind chimes, lanterns or even an outdoor rug!

Always keep comfort in mind when making new purchases

Getting your balcony to look amazing is like a dream come true, at least until you realize your gorgeous new chair isn’t all that comfy to sit it. Of course, you can always solve the problem by tossing a few pillows for extra comfort, but if you want to switch things up, it might be smarter to prioritize comfort over style. Outdoor egg chairs are a good compromise — plus they’re cozy enough to use indoors during the winter months as well!

Make it feel even cozier by adding a few final touches

If you’re planning to turn your balcony into the ultimate outdoor retreat, don’t forget to weatherproof it and add some personal touches. For example, if your balcony is exposed to the elements, consider investing in treatments for its furniture and surfaces. Adding some shade options (like a small umbrella) could also be a game-changer during hot summer months when the heat might start getting to you. Lastly, if you want to make your balcony have that little je ne sais quoi, why not bring in some scented candles, diffusers or even a bird feeder? Nothing says serene retreat more than the chirping of birds in the morning right on your balcony.

 

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Adina Dragos is a creative writer at RentCafe, with a passion for reading, research and cats. As a fellow renter, Adina's articles cover various topics such as the state of the real estate market or how creative interior design choices improve the experience of living in a rental. She also enjoys exploring subjects like urbanization, green living and historical buildings. Adina has a BA in English and Norwegian Language and Literature.

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