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Creating an Outdoor Oasis in Your Rental

Creating an Outdoor Oasis in your Rental

When you live in an apartment, having a balcony can be a major perk (go you!). Your balcony area serves as the perfect outdoor space for kicking back and relaxing, whether that involves a nice cup of coffee in the morning or a cocktail at sunset. But how do you arrange a small balcony into a beautiful outdoor oasis? 

There are plenty of exciting ways to transform your balcony into a relaxing outdoor retreat. That’s why we created this guide on how to decorate your balcony on a budget — so you can create a cozy hangout space perfect for entertaining, dining, unwinding and gardening! 

1. Create a Lounge Space 

If you like the idea of sipping your morning coffee, working on your laptop or reading a book while outside, some comfortable furniture will be the perfect addition to your apartment balcony. Depending on your decor style, space and budget, there are various furniture styles to incorporate. A few popular options include: 

  • Egg chairs.
  • Rocking chairs.
  • Outdoor armchairs. 
  • Adirondack chairs.
  • Outdoor beanbag chairs. 
  • Outdoor chaise lounges. 

Be sure to give your lounge space an extra comfy feel with some throw pillows and a blanket. Alternatively, you could go for a cozy cafe aesthetic and set up your balcony with a tiny dining table and chairs. 

2. Add Some Greenery 

Give your balcony a homey feel by adding some greenery. There are numerous ways to incorporate plants into your apartment balcony decor: 

  • Camouflage the railing with greenery: Wrap some fake vines or other twining plants around your balcony railing for an ethereal look. 
  • Use hanging plants: If you have limited space, try hanging some plants instead! 
  • Add vertical planters: Another charming small space idea is to stack your plants in one corner space to create a vertical garden. 
  • Embrace them all: If you’re a real plant lover, arrange your plants to stand all along the balcony railings, wall and hang a few, too, to create the perfect outdoor escape. 

3. Decorate With Aesthetic Lighting 

Create mood lighting on your balcony at night with various outdoor lighting options. What’s great about the following choices is that they don’t need electricity — you could either opt for eco-friendly solar-powered lights or battery-powered ones! 

  • String lights: String lights illuminate your balcony at night, especially since they come in many colors and styles to cater to your aesthetic. 
  • Lanterns: You can create a warm and welcoming vibe by hanging lanterns or placing them on the ground, even on colder nights during the fall! 
  • Candles: Candles are a classic way to create that homey feel, whether you opt for open-flame candles or battery-powered ones. 

4. Cozy up With Some Rugs 

Outdoor rugs are a fantastic way to make your balcony look fresh or cozy, depending on the type of rug you get. If you add an artificial grass rug, you get to feel like you’re really sitting on a lawn while you soak in the morning sun. Alternatively, you can add a cozy rug and complement it with some matching pillows. Rugs are wonderful because they’re easy to install and remove, making them rental-friendly.

Cozy up With Some Rugs

5. Create a Privacy Wall 

We all need our privacy. If you prefer a private outdoor space, there are plenty of stylish apartment balcony decor ideas that enhance your privacy:

  • Create a wall of plants: Line up some greenery along your balcony railing to create a sense of solitude while bringing in a sense of nature. 
  • Make an ethereal barrier: One out-of-the-box solution is to hang up bedroom canopy curtains that exude a whimsical vibe and seclude you from the outside world all in one. 
  • Put up a privacy wall: Try adding some vertical or horizontal wooden privacy screens to keep the outside world separate from your oasis. 

6. Use Netting to Keep Bugs Out 

If you’re decorating in the summer, you’ll need to find ways to keep mosquitos and other insects out of your balcony space. Fortunately, there are many options. One option involves using fine mesh garden netting. While they’re great for keeping mosquitos out, they’re also perfect for blocking other insects from getting to your balcony plants. Alternatively, you could use gorgeous canopy curtains to keep insects out, create a private space and save you from excessive sunshine. 

7. Add a Hammock 

If you have enough room, adding a hammock is one of the best ways to relax in the warm summer months or unwind at the end of a long day. Some rental-friendly options are portable hammocks you can tie around poles or one with a freestanding frame, depending on the size. Be sure to make them extra comfy with some cozy cushions! 

8. Add Color and Personality 

An excellent way to incorporate a color scheme is through the decor you buy. Whether you decide to go bold and bright, simple and soft or monochrome, cushions and throws will definitely show off your vibe. Some other ways to add some personality are through trays, coasters, planter stands and fabric. There are so many exciting ways to breathe life into your outdoor oasis! 

9. Han a Mirror to Make the Space Feel Larger 

One of the best small balcony decor ideas is to add a mirror so that your space appears larger and brighter than it actually is. A big mirror will typically help with this, whether you decide to hang it up or have it lean against a wall. Depending on the general style of your balcony, you can choose from various styles and shapes of mirrors. You can even opt for mirror stickers rather than glass if you’re on a budget. 

10. Incorporate Outdoor Artwork 

Another way to spruce up those balcony walls is by putting up some mesmerizing artwork. These can include garden metal artworks in the shape of birds, natural elements or people. Your artwork might also include canvases, resin artwork or murals. Another element that’ll add some character is some fun and witty quotes on some vinyl. 

Find the Perfect Rental

Find the Perfect Rental to Decorate With Triple Crown Corporation 

We hope these top 10 tips helped you understand how to decorate your apartment balcony and turn it into the perfect oasis. Whichever decor styles you choose to go with, your apartment balcony space will be sure to shine! Still apartment hunting? Feel free to check out some of the rental communities Triple Crown Corporation provides in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Get in touch with one of our friendly professionals today to hear about the homes we offer for rent with patios and balconies included! There’s nothing we love more than helping people find a new place to call home at the best possible value.