Your patio is your oasis and connection to the great outdoors. It’s a place to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning or a few moments of solace under the stars.
Sure, you could just throw a couple of cheap plastic chairs and still enjoy the space. But the good thing about a small space is that it only takes a small budget to transform into something truly special.
Keep Scale in Mind
Those outdoor sofas with deep plush cushions may work for a sprawling deck or terrace, but they’re simply too big for most apartment balconies. The cushions will also need to be hosed down from time to time, which is a problem if you don’t have a hose.
Rather than going big, try to think more like a French café. A bistro set doesn’t take much space and offers casual seating where you can enjoy a meal. It’s heavy enough to withstand the wind and easy to wipe down and keep clean.
Light It Up
Outdoor lights are perhaps the quickest and least expensive way to add charm to a space. Keep it simple and wrap twinkling white holiday lights around your railing, or spring for a few new strands.
Warm It Up
If the regulations of where you live allow it, a fire pit is an instant way to extend the use of your patio. The great news is that there are more options such as smaller fire columns.
Go Green
A few potted plants can add instant beauty and freshness to your al fresco dining. Think cherry tomatoes for your salad, mint for your mojitos, or thyme for your tea.
Add Privacy
A trellis, balcony curtains, and folding screens are all ways to add privacy to your patio. The advantage to a folding screen is that you can easily move it to block the sun. Balcony curtains can be mounted on a spring tension rod. A trellis is an elegant way to add privacy if regulations permit you to install one.
Winter Storage
One of the downsides of apartment living is that you just don’t have the space to store your outdoor chairs, table, and other patio accessories for the winter.
If that’s the bind you find yourself in, consider self storage as a possible solution. At StorageMart, you can rent a unit as small as 25 square feet or up to the size of a garage. We offer affordable self storage units that can be rented on a month-by-month basis and are always clean and well lit. Need more info? Check out our storage unit guide or rent a unit online today.