If you live in a cramped city flat, it's unlikely your outdoor space (if it exists at all) is anything to write home about.
There are, however, lots of cheap ways to make your balcony look less like a ledge with ideas above its station and more like somewhere you might want to have a BBQ, maybe even drinks. Here are our favourite ideas for sorting out small balconies – all of which cost less than £10.
1. Recycle cans as planters
Planters can be expensive. And if you're short on space, they can take up a lot of room. This idea, then, for recycling old cans and turning them into hanging plant pots is a total win.
First, soak the cans in warm water to get all the labels off. Then paint them, making sure to use rust-proof paint – this multi-purpose stuff from Rust-Oleum is good. Because you're only using a little paint, you can get away with buying the tester sizes, a snip at £2 each.
Next, drill a hole or holes in the bottom of the can to let the water drain.
How you affix them depends on your options. You could drill a hole in the top and cable-tie them to a balcony railing like this. Alternatively, you could drill them to a fence or wall, in which case, follow this handy guide for wrangling rawl plugs and the like.
2. Go big on the fairy lights
Basic, but effective. Fairy lights take up no floor space and are still, despite their ubiquity, surprisingly elegant when the sun goes down. Providing they're not multicoloured or flashing like a Christmas tree, that is.
Invest in a set of solar-powered ones – they'll turn on automatically as soon as it gets dark, meaning your outdoor space will look inviting and encouraging before you've even stepped outside. These ones are just £6.99.
3. Get yourself a place to put your wine
Summer drinking is already a risky business. It starts earlier, white wine spritzers are involved and the added risk of heatstroke really gives the whole thing an edge.
Being forced to hold your drink in your hand means you're only going to drink it more quickly. Therefore, you need a table on your balcony – despite your lack of space.
Invest in this table (£13.70 – sorry) that hooks over the railings, meaning you can still make use of the floor beneath it. It also folds away, for the occasions when you're not drinking wine. Whenever that may be.
4. Suspend your plants
Please don't spend money on expensive hanging planters when you can SO easily make them for free (or cheap, if you don't already have the materials).
Check out our super-easy tutorial here – just make sure you tie those knots tight. No one likes death by succulents.
5. Protect yourself from weird neighbours
It's pretty tough to sit back and relax in the sun if your neighbour's balcony looks directly over yours. How awkward is it to be reading your book when, just a few metres away – well within a potential eye-contact zone – is your short-shorts-clad neighbour?
Obviously you don't want to block out the sun entirely by putting up a big fence so instead opt for some bamboo plants, which let the light in and look cool, too. All while blocking out neighbour boy and his short shorts. Get yourself some bamboo plants here for £9.99.
6. Get yourself a BBQ
Nothing screams student living more than one of those disposable BBQs – they're also not good for the planet. Perhaps you think your balcony is too small for an actual BBQ, but believe it or not, you can get some pretty tidy-looking ones (which will fit on a teeny-tiny balcony) for entirely reasonable prices. This mini foldaway one is just £10.99, and this bucket charcoal grill is even cheaper at £9.99. If you can afford to splash out a bit more and you're really strapped for space, then this BBQ hooks over your railings to stop it taking up any more valuable floor space. While you're at in, invest in some summery crockery to serve all your new guests – this deep blue stuff from Habitat is The One (from £10).
We've partnered with our friends at Habitat to offer one lucky reader the opportunity to win a £700 shopping spree. Simply enter here before midnight on 10th June. Rules apply.
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