5 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Apartment Balcony

Having your own private outdoor space during the summer months is what everyone dreams of, yet if you live in a city center apartment, your access to private outdoor space is likely to be limited. A lot of apartments come with their own balcony, but these are often small and lack privacy, as they can be overlooked. 

If you do have a balcony in your apartment, then now is the time to make the most of it! Even the smallest balcony can be transformed into a private oasis to enjoy during the warmer months and apartment balconies have plenty of potential and possibilities. So, if you are currently living with an unloved balcony space, here are 5 ways you can give it a whole new lease of life. 

Give it a spring clean

First things first, before you get started you need to give your balcony a spring clean. Remove any dead potted plants or clutter you may have out there, give it a sweep and get a heavy-duty scrubbing sponge and hot soapy water and give everywhere a good wash and scrub - you’ll be surprised just how much dirt comes off! 

If the exterior of your apartment building is looking a little tired and worse for wear, then it might be worth mentioning this to your landlord and seeing if there is anything that can be done. As apartment buildings are usually high and built up, they tend to attract a lot of dirt, especially in inner-city locations, and other potential issues, such as birds, which can then cause health hazards. Pigeon guano removal is a simple procedure, carried out by professionals, but can make a lot of difference! 

Furniture investments to make 

Typically speaking, apartment balconies can be lacking personality, with railings and concrete floors. Luckily, there are plenty of ways that you can spruce up the space with interlocking decking tiles or artificial grass and investing in the right balcony furniture can lead to a huge transformation of the space. If you live alone or with a flatmate or partner, then you won’t need a lot of furniture, so invest in a good quality table and chair set. If you choose materials such as wood or metal, be sure to also invest in protective coverings to put over the furniture during the winter months to prevent decay and rust and to keep your furniture looking great for years to come. 

Add some privacy

You might think that adding some privacy to your balcony is impossible, but there are some great budget-friendly ways that you can add a little more privacy to your outdoor space. Bamboo poles are relatively inexpensive and can be fitted vertically or horizontally to distort any view your neighbors may have on to your balcony and you can then paint them to add a splash of color or add some LED fairy or lantern lights to make it more atmospheric in the evenings. You could also invest in some large plants and greenery if you don’t want to reduce the amount of natural light your apartment balcony gets, but want to up your privacy. 

Style and function 

It’s easy to forget that for the large part, your balcony will likely be unused during the winter months, so you want to ensure that the space is both as stylish and functional as possible. Whilst it’s great to have a welcoming little oasis during the summer months, during the winter when you want to store bicycles or hang washing out to dry, if you have no space to do these things, then you will likely regret using up all the space. Be sure to consider all of your options when it comes to redesigning your balcony space and use space-saving ideas for when your balcony isn’t in everyday use, such as foldaway clothes airers or compact bicycle storage. 

Use your wall space

Apartment balconies tend to be quite compact spaces, but one thing that a lot of people forget to include in their plans is the wall space on either side. If you want to make your balcony feel like a true expansion of your home and indoor space, then why not look at adding some color or texture to the walls, such as paint or hanging canvases. If you have little space on the floor of your balcony for planters or flowers, then why not look at adding a greenery wall or adding some hanging baskets to the walls instead? Your balcony railings are also a good spot for adding some flower boxes or baskets and creating your very own mini jungle or balcony garden! 

4 Everyday Acts That Keep Your Home in Better Shape

While major renovation and maintenance projects may feel much more important, there are a number of small, daily tasks you can do to help keep your house in prime condition. By taking these small actions daily, you can reduce your maintenance costs over time. Here are four everyday acts that keep your home in better shape.

Wipe Up Water on the Bathroom Floor

Whenever you step out of the shower or tub, it's normal for some water to drip off of you and onto the floor. Even though bathroom flooring material is designed to resist water damage, it's still a good idea to wipe up this water as soon as possible. If you let the water sit until it evaporates, you're increasing the chance that it will seep down underneath the floor and cause water damage.

Vacuum Dust From Carpets

Although they naturally have a shorter lifespan than hardwood, carpets can last a fairly long time if they're cared for properly. One of the most important parts of carpet care is getting dust, dirt and debris off the carpet before it has a chance to become ground into the fibers. The more often you vacuum, the longer your carpets will remain fresh.

Clear Debris From Drains

If you want to prevent blocked drains, it's important to remove any debris from your drains on a daily basis. The most common examples of drain debris are bits of food in kitchen sink drains and hair in shower drains. Regularly clearing out anything that could work its way down into the pipes and form a clog will keep your drains running as they should.

Pull Weeds From Your Driveway and Sidewalks

Weeds growing in cracks in concrete surfaces can cause damage over time. To prevent this, it's best to simply pull the weeds up as you see them sprout. If you start early in the spring, you shouldn't have much trouble keeping up with the weeds. If you wait until everything is up, though, you'll have a large, time-consuming project on your hands. Pull a handful of weeds up each day, and you'll find that managing them becomes much easier.

Taking these four simple actions on a daily basis will help to keep your house clean and in good condition for years to come. While you'll still have to deal with larger maintenance projects from time to time, keeping up with daily maintenance tasks is a great way to keep major issues to a minimum.

Design Ideas for Creating an Elegant Dining Room That Will Impress Your Guests

A beautiful dining room elevates every meal, from weekday dinners to luxurious Sunday brunches. Fortunately, you don't have to knock down walls or hire an interior decorator to get the dining room of your dreams. These design ideas will help you make the most of ordinary meals and fancy dinner parties alike.

Include Some Shine

Some sparkle and shine can light up the whole room. Metallic accents are an easy way to add some shine in the room. A shimmering, modern chandelier catches the eye, and floors or ceilings adorned with glossy or lacquered paint fill the room with light. Mirrors illuminate and visually enlarge a room.

Make a Statement

Adding a dramatic item or element into your decor wows guests and makes the room feel more special. Hand-painted floors, custom wallpaper, a handcrafted wooden bowl in the center of the table, or a unique piece of furniture can transform this often-overlooked room and spark conversations when guests visit. Designing the room around a fireplace, a window with a view, or a unique architectural element has the same effect.

The furniture you use can also make a statement. Dining room furniture is often thought of as being fairly basic and straightforward, but you can get creative with it to add interest. For example, a large or unusually shaped dining room table can draw attention to the center of the room. You can choose furniture that all matches or complements each other to make a cohesive look, or you can choose contrasting furniture for a more unusual design.

Go Eclectic

Blend old and new for a big dose of charm. Pairing modern dining room furniture with old-world art or accent pieces creates visual interest and makes the dining room seem anything but ordinary. The concept can also be applied to mixing formal and casual pieces. Using color strategically works here, too; try weaving a few bold colors into a pastel-painted dining room for a little contrast.

Emphasize Texture

Texture lends warmth and interest to almost any living space, including the dining room. From covering modern metal chairs with sheepskin or using chunky placemats to swapping out smooth lampshades for textured designs or placing a thick or sculptured rug under the table, the options are endless.

Add Dimension

A big, dramatic chandelier creates drama and adds "weight" to a room design. But hanging lights aren't the only option for adding dimension to a space. 3D wall pieces, sculptures, wallpaper with a raised design, crown molding, and rustic beams can all be used to create visual weight. Layering different shapes can also make the room feel less like a box filled with furniture and more like a cozy space that envelops you upon entering it. Try mixing rounded edges with square objects or placing antique books on a modern sideboard beneath a large mirror.

Almost any dining room can become a thing of beauty. From painting the walls or adding a few carefully curated pieces to giving the area an overhaul with new furnishings, an elegant dining room is within easy reach.

Guest Post - Top 6 Ways to Get Your Dream Garden Ready This Year

Do you want to create a picturesque paradise for your friends and family to relax?

Spring is here and it is a perfect time to start designing your dream garden on time. 

But, where to start?

Here are a few proven ways to get your garden ready this year.

1. Consider the Key Elements of your Garden

There are many garden elements to consider when designing your dream garden. Some of them are:

• Hedges and fences

• Walls and boundaries

• Pathways and patios

• Lawns

• Water features

• Zones

• Plants

• Lighting

Next, pay attention to your plot. Inspect its shape and size. The goal is to determine its direction so you can choose the right design. Consider drawing a sketch of your yard. Observe it from a bird’s eye view. That helps you visualize your garden.

2. Pick your Structural Plants

Structural plants give your garden the desired structure. Those could be trees, shrubs, or vines – anything that brings your gardening elements together into a cohesive unit. 

At this stage, achieving balance is crucial. Remember that most plants and shrubs change size and shape throughout the seasons. That is why using evergreens as your structural plants may be a wise move. 

Evergreen trees give your garden an impeccable focal point and are easily combined with other garden design elements, such as flowering or ground covers.

3. Determine your Focal Points

Focal points are essential elements of every garden, regardless of its size. You use them to draw attention and direct the eye. Without them, your garden would lack focus.

Now, the choice of your focal points depends on your preferences and the overall garden design. For example, these could be:

• A large plant

• A group of plants

• Vibrant plants

• A dwarf shrub

• An unusual tree

When choosing a plant as a focal point, make sure it has a long peak period. In other words, avoid plants with short life cycles, no matter how gorgeous they may be. Focal points need to stay dominant and visually-appealing all year round. 

4. Add Texture

The more texture you add to your garden, the better. Different textures help you create interest in your garden. 

For example, you can combine a marble paver with grassed areas and timber sleepers to personalize the garden and make it more inviting.

Sure, when choosing textures, make sure they go well together and use them consistently. Also, learn to maintain them properly. For example, to take care of concrete surfaces in your backyard, you will need to fix cracks regularly.

5. Combine Plants

You do not need to create separate zones for your flowers, herbs, and vegetables. Bring them together to evoke excitement. 

Make sure your plants naturally flow, evoking consistency and balance. Once you choose your structural plants and focal points, colorful flowering plants can fill the gaps. Choose several flower types and arrange them in a repeated pattern to give your garden a sense of harmony and consistency.

6. Choose Plants You Have Time to Maintain

There are several factors to consider when choosing plants for your garden, including their size, the amount of shade they need, and the soil type they require. 

These elements are crucial since they determine the choice of your plants. For example, some plants and shrubs are highly demanding. One such example is roses that require consistent pruning, feeding, and dead-heading.

So, if you are short on time or you are a forgetful type, pick low-maintenance plants, such as catmint, peony, or coneflower.

Over to You

Designing your dream garden does not have to be difficult. 

For starters, set your goals and build a gardening strategy. 

Start by choosing the shape and size of your garden. Then, select structural plants and focal points that serve as your garden’s solid basis. Finally, fill the gaps with flowering plants and shrubs.

Do not forget to add texture to your garden. Combine plants with different materials, such as brick or timber.

Finally, choose the right plants for your garden. If you do not have time to take care of your garden, pick plants that do not require regular maintenance.

Any tips and insights on designing and maintaining a spotless garden? We are listening!

Author Bio

Eve Anderson is a marketing specialist turned blogger. Interested in sports and exciting travel destinations. Love to share content that can inform people.