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Maintaining a green-friendly life in urban areas can be difficult. Often, people in apartments or without backyards may have a balcony that they can use to surround themselves with plants. Everyone has different tastes and preferences. Read on to find out some great balcony ideas for green living. There are suggestions for everyone, from the novice gardener to the green aficionado.
Plant rack: Photo credit http://www.bhg.com/blogs/everydaygardeners
Plant cubicles: Photo credit http://aptgardening.com/
Cubicles and racks
A balcony is only so big. Placing a standing rack or stack of shelves near the wall uses space more efficiently. You can have a variety of different plants in vases, all next to each other. Hanging plants look great and give a decorative touch.
Plant furniture: Photo credit http://www.studiogblog.com
Plant furniture
It may sound far-fetched, but they now sell chairs and sofas alike that have plants growing inside of them. These transparent chairs are for those who have a bigger budget to spend. You can simulate the experience by building a set of steps that can act as a chair, placing plants along the sides of each step. In addition, you can wrap a vine around furniture. Be sure to choose a type of vine or plant that is adaptable and versatile.
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Hooks for hanging
In some areas, a balcony may be very close to other balconies. You can use balcony ideas for green living to also create a sort of divider for privacy. Mount hooks to the ceiling or overhang and use different colours to act as shade. Even a few larger hanging plants can block others out of your balcony garden.
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Window flowerbeds
Utilize the windows to the maximum by hanging flower beds that hook onto the window panel. This is one of the easiest ways to surround your outer haven into a colourful, green space.
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Wall vines
Most balconies will have one or two walls that are made of concrete or some other durable material. Certain plants like ivy come in beautiful shades and can be grown alongside a wall. Some plants that cover buildings are certainly unwanted, but vine-covered walls can be aesthetically pleasing and calming.
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Vertical gardening
You can grow aromatic herbs, strawberries, greens, and ornamental flowers in a vertical structure in your balcony. Attach a vertical free-standing and self-draining unit with horizontal pockets in every level in which plants can be grown. Alternatively, you can choose to install tiered shelves to place pots or rectangular containers of herbs and ornamental plants. This frees up floor space so your balcony looks less cluttered. By maximizing balcony space, you can place your balcony furniture and even a few potted plants in the corners.
Don’t relegate your balcony to just a barbecue area or unused space. Make it green by creating a microcosm of the natural world right on your balcony. Since the average person’s balcony is relatively small, think of space first and foremost. Tons of options abound, from a sofa containing a plant to a wall with creeping red-tinged leaves. No matter what your level of gardening knowledge is, you can find creative balcony ideas for green living.