5 ways to upgrade your balcony for summer

With the summer months approaching, many in apartments with balconies will be looking for ways to give their outdoor space a well-needed refresh. In fact, searches on Pinterest for balcony ideas have seen a 108% increase¹ in the last three months.

Experts at Tapi have shared their tips for giving your balcony a summer re-haul on a budget and without risking your deposit for those in rented spaces.

Johanna Constantinou, brand communication director at Tapi, advises on how to create the ultimate balcony, perfect for summer:  

1. Upgrade your flooring

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Flooring can be one of the main things that makes your balcony feel less inviting – especially on a property that hasn’t had the wooden decking boards replaced in a long time. The good news is, there are many budget-friendly ways you can try to make your balcony floor look brand new, without just cleaning them.

Firstly, you can try adding a rug to your balcony space, to create a cosier setting. If you have any offcuts of carpet, Tapi offer a carpet whipping service to turn your offcuts into a rug which is a great budget-friendly option.

Alternatively, you can use offcuts of laminate flooring and lay it out along your balcony floor. This can also be a great way of adding some colour and pattern to your balcony as laminate can come in a wide variety of shades and funky patterns.

Lastly, you can also purchase balcony tiles that simply click together and can be removed when you leave.

2. Fairy lights are a must

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Nothing makes a space feel more inviting than fairy lights, so they’re a must if you’re looking to upgrade the look of your balcony. You can run them around the floor of your balcony or even wrap them around your railings, perfect to add a cosy vibe on warm evenings after the sun has set. With them being outdoors, you can also get solar powered lights!

3. Give your furniture some TLC

Instead of buying brand new outdoor furniture, simply refresh the ones you currently have with a fresh lick of paint. Try going for bold colours to bring more life to the space, which will also make more of a feature out of what you already have! You can then add some outdoor-friendly cushions to your chairs, to add that extra layer of comfort.

Don’t just stop at DIYing your furniture either, you can also upgrade any weathered accessories you have, such as plant pots!

4. Add plenty of plants

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You can add plants to your balcony’s fence with the appropriate flower boxes, and ensure you fill them with a variety of colourful flowers. Not only is this great for wildlife, but it also creates a space that makes you feel more like you’re in nature.

If you have a shaded balcony then try planting begonias, busy lizzies and hydrangeas².

For those with more sunlight, you’ll want to try planting coleus, zinnias, and pelargoniums³.

5. Create some privacy

Adding a little more privacy can be a great way to make your balcony feel more secluded and luxurious. To do this you can wrap greenery around the railings or add taller planters to create spots that are harder to look in to.