How to Spruce up a Small Patio/Balcony

Give your balcony or patio a theme to create your own private sanctuary.

If you have a small patio or balcony that you've neglected, it won't take you more than a few hours to spruce it up and make it clean and welcoming. It doesn't take a lot of outdoor furniture or money to give a small exterior space a quick face-lift or total makeover, and the end result will be a refreshed outdoor space perfect for entertaining a few guests or enjoying your solitude.

Things You'll Need

• Cleaning supplies
• Tables
• Chairs
• Outdoor home decor items
• Live or fake plants

Instructions

1. Model your patio or balcony after an outdoor European-style cafe, giving you a pleasant space to read, enjoy your coffee or just sit outside. A high table and a few chairs can double as a breakfast nook and a place to serve evening cocktails; add folding bistro-stye furniture that can be easily moved to accommodate guests. Incorporate warm color schemes and soft lighting fixtures such as candles or strung lanterns, and add fake or live ornamental plants to create a simple, romantic atmosphere.

2. Transform your balcony or patio into a relaxing sun deck. Even if you only have enough room for one pulled-out lawn chair, creating a sanctuary where you can sun yourself throughout the day can be as easy as adding a few beach mats, magazines or sun umbrella. If your space is under a constant canopy of shade and a sun deck is impossible, turn it into a mini gym, where you can lift weights, jump rope or do push ups, or a space where you can practice yoga or meditation.

3. Create a small flower, vegetable or herb garden on your patio or balcony by taking advantage of its height and areas of open space. Hanging baskets in shady spots are good options for most herbs, and you can easily raise peppers, tomatoes and flowers in easy-to-move pots. Dedicate one area of your space to a small vegetable patch using a raised bed method; raise root vegetables and dwarf fruit trees in containers of various sizes.

Tips & Warnings

• Give your patio or balcony a thorough cleaning and get rid of any unwanted items before making any major changes.

• The most important aspect of sprucing up small spaces is simplicity. Remove anything that is unnecessary or creates clutter.

• Don't use fragile items or items that will be adversely affected by the elements, such as breakable glass, indoor fabrics or canvas artwork, on your patio or balcony.

References

• KABC-TV Los Angeles, California: Brighten Up Your Patio, Balcony or Deck
• Dare to Be Domestic: My Balcony Oasis -- How to Spruce Up Your Stoop
• Veggie Gardening Tips: Grow an Orchard on the Patio or Balcony
• Ohio State University; Horticulture and Crop Science; Container Vegetable Gardening
• "Popular Science" Magazine: Three Simple Steps to a Lively Sun Deck (1978)