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Our homes are getting smaller, so it is important to make the most of precious outdoor space like balconies.
Bunnings Workshop community members have shared many clever and creative ways to upgrade your balcony, including adding plants, seating and screening for privacy. Get inspiration for your home from the ideas below.
Please remember to make sure any items added to your balcony cannot be used by children to climb over the balustrade. If in doubt, consult a professional and your body corporate to ensure your project is both safe and compliant with regulations.
1. Add a privacy screen
Adding screening allows you to enjoy your balcony in privacy. Check out the Merbau feature wall by community member @weekenddiyer and @Bankzee's pergola privacy screen as inspiration for your balcony. The sliding timber outdoor screens by @wooshka could also work well.
Get advice for your project from our step-by-step guide How to build privacy screening and more ideas from our Top 10 most popular screening projects.
2. Hide unsightly features
Cover up utilities and any unsightly features on your balcony. @DoSimpleBetter built a custom cover for their air conditioning condenser, while @homeinmelbourne carefully adhered to the airflow requirements in their screening solution for an air conditioning condenser.
Other ideas include the bin storage box by @ponting72 and using lattice to build an enclosure to screen hot water tank like @diy_hausdesigns.
3. Create a vertical garden
You can utilise a wall or screening panel to add a vertical garden to your balcony. Member @RodAndo created a vertical garden using reinforcing mesh, while @KingStreetReno used hooks for her vertical herb garden. Another option is mounting pots to the wall like @Darren's vertical garden on brick wall with terracotta pots.
Follow our step-by-step guide How to build a vertical garden and get more inspiration from our Top 10 most popular vertical garden projects.
4. Build planter boxes
Planter boxes are perfect for a balcony. The popular pallet planter boxes with home-made stain by @LePallet use recycled timber, while @maknilsin created a planter box with decking timber cladding. Community member @Kaz1971 completed a balcony makeover with a D.I.Y. planter box using Pine.
Get more ideas from our Top 10 most popular planter box projects and step-by-step advice from How to build a simple planter box.
5. Add seating
A simple outdoor bench can encourage you to enjoy your balcony more. Get inspiration from the simple outdoor bench by @TheCouchman, the bench seat using Pine sleepers by @cadsman and @diy_hausdesigns bench seat with planter box.
The Bunnings team has shared a step-by-step guide How to build an outdoor garden bench. Get more ideas from 10 ways to build a bench seat and our Top 10 most popular outdoor bench projects.
6. Construct a plant stand
If a planter box or vertical garden is too large for your balcony, a plant stand is a good option. The tiered plant stand by @JI has plenty of room for many pot plants, as does @MitchellM’s recycled pallet ladder pot stand. Standalone options include the D.I.Y. plant stand by @craftyhopper or the timber plant stands by @joineryjo.
Get step-by-step directions from guides How to build a planter stand and How to build a tiered plant stand.
7. Add hanging greenery and colour
A hanging basket is a really easy way to add greenery and a splash of colour to your balcony. Community member @sammilne created a hanging herb garden with only five materials, while @mich1972 also shows how easy it is to create a colourful hanging basket.
Workshop Legend @Adam_W provides step-by-step advice How to create a hanging basket while fellow horticulturalist @Noelle shares How to choose plants for hanging baskets. You can get more ideas from 6 ways to grow plants in an apartment.
8. Install lighting
Ensure you can enjoy your balcony during balmy evenings by adding lighting. Community member @buildwithroneth used many lights to enliven their outdoor entertaining area while @sper showed how to use fairy lights in a zig-zag pattern.
Adam provides comprehensive advice in How to install outdoor string lighting.
Advice for your balcony makeover project
Need more advice for your balcony makeover project? Don't hesitate to Ask a question and our helpful community and resident Bunnings D.I.Y. experts will be happy to assist.
