Wooden duckboards underfoot, climbing plants rising from deep boxes along the walls, a string of small lights over a folding table: a balcony, courtyard or scrap of roof can be built up into a real garden. Choose each species for the exposure its corner receives, and a barren space becomes a pocket garden of Eden.
Even if it is small, having a space that is open outside is a true piece of luck. It is possible to set up a balcony, terrace, portion of a roof or courtyard to transform it into a true garden where every task of the day can become a true pleasure to perform. For that, such elements as plants, pots, and furniture and ornaments must be selected accordingly.
Begin with the flooring, since covering it can add a touch of style and comfort. Wooden duckboards, interlocking tiles, gravel and artificial grass (to glue to the floor like carpet, clean with a vacuum cleaner) are some of the easier options to set up.
It’s a good idea to pair them, too, to mark different spaces that will create the illusion of having more space: tiles for the eating area, wood for sunbathing, and grass for a softer touch where the kids can play…
Covering the floor is the first job, and each of the easy-to-fit options suits a different corner of the space. Pairing two or three of them marks out separate zones and makes the whole area feel larger.
| Floor covering | Zone it suits | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Wooden duckboards | Sunbathing corner | Warm, easy to lay over an existing floor |
| Interlocking tiles | Eating and dining area | Clip together, no building work needed |
| Artificial grass | Play area, softer underfoot | Glued down like a carpet and vacuumed clean |
| Gravel | Marking off a separate zone | One of the simplest coverings to put down |
Combining two coverings is often worth more than a single one, because the change of texture reads as a change of room.
Once your areas are marked, procure relevant furniture, considering colors and textures for a harmonious result.
Tiny patio with a low-lying table and armchairs to snack on tapas before dinner, small table with folding chairs for dinner, a hammock or bean couch for sunbathing… smaller sizes or easy-pack versions are available everywhere. You’ll discover very convenient small tables that simply attach to the rails of your balcony and fold back for easy storage, or benches that double as a storage box, etc…
Wrap it up with a little mood lighting, garlands or small lights (with rechargeable batteries so you don’t have the hassle of a cord), and a table or electric barbecue.
Don’t scrimp on the plants! They add color, life and oxygen, they hide you from your neighbor’s eyes and are the key to transforming a small barren space into a pocket garden of Eden.
In a courtyard, splurge for climbing plants and shrubs, these can be planted in deep garden boxes along the walls. Select the species in play well, depending on the exposure that each portion of the space gets.
On a balcony, shut the street commotion out or block off viewers from fronting buildings with pot arrangements, garden boxes, and hanging plants.
Better yet, set up a plant wall with an entire range of plants on a pot holder rack or a shelf. An extremely enjoyable touch is to set up a pergola on a portion of your balcony (over the dining area for instance) to create a true hanging garden in the urban desert.
Laure Hamann
