One amenity some of our residents here at StoneGate Apartment Homes appreciate the most is their apartment’s balcony or patio. If you have one, make the most of it as we are enjoying this lovely spring weather here in Williamsville, NY by dressing it up this month! Today we have three suggestions to help spark your imagination when it comes to balconies and patios.
Create a Fairy Garden
Create a miniature fairy garden to put on your balcony. Purchase a fairy garden kit or gather supplies from various places like a dollar store or a craft store, or check and see what you already have on hand that may work. Begin with a container. Some ideas for containers include a bakers rack, terra cotta pots, old-fashioned orange crates, old fashioned children’s wagon or pram, or even a bird bath. Fairy gardens by definition are small, and you’ll need some miniature items to complete your garden. Of course, you can be creative and fashion items yourself, or you can orden pieces to put in your garden. Some resources include the Miniature Garden Shoppe and Fairy Garden Supplies from Oriental Trading, both online.
Container Garden to Repel Mosquitoes
Container plants that repel mosquitoes are great additions to your balcony or patio. Some good ones to use are rosemary, horsemint, marigold, lemon balm, ageratum, citronella, catnip, basil, lemon thyme, verbena, peppermint, geranium, basil, oregano, lemongrass, and lavender. Many of them have other useful properties, as well. Use this Plant Encyclopedia from Better Homes and Gardens to learn more details about these plants. The section on container plants is particularly useful when you are planning what to add to your patio or balcony at StoneGate.
Furniture
Your patio or balcony is there for you to enjoy, so as you’re decorating it, make seating a priority. It doesn’t have to be full of furniture if you don’t think you’ll use it, of course. But stock it with a cozy chair or two — or a bench — and a table for your laptop, book, or food so you can enjoy the beauty of New York without feeling crowded with furniture or other decorations.
What are your favorite ways to decorate or otherwise enjoy your balcony? Share your ideas with us in the comments. We hope you love making use of your balcony this season! Thanks for reading!