Brighten Up Your Balcony
We look at how you can make the most out of your balcony, however small it may be.
1. BRINGING NATURE INTO YOUR HOME
Your balcony may not be large enough for you to enjoy but there is no reason why it can’t be put to good use for other creatures. Why not welcome nature into your home by creating a friendly environment for animals? Building or putting up a birdhouse can be a fun activity for all the family and you can be sure to expect a few starlings, tits or even a parakeet (if you’re lucky) on your balcony every morning. If birds aren’t your thing, however, why not set up some butterfly netting and a few lavender plants to invite those delicate creatures onto your balcony?
2. GET YOUR GLOVES OUT
Maybe your balcony needs sprucing up a little or requires a dash of colour. Just because you don’t have a garden, it doesn’t mean that you can’t get those gloves out! Well-chosen greenery and colourful plants such as geraniums and petunias can provide your balcony with character and turn it into your own personal oasis. If you’re feeling adventurous, growing your own herbs and food plants can be an entertaining and productive activity. Sunflower seeds, tomatoes and fruit have all become integral ingredients of the Mediterrean diet and with a healthy climate almost all year round, save yourself a trip to the greengrocer’s and grow your own produce.
3. MAKE YOUR FEELINGS KNOWN
With government spending cuts, the euro crisis and rising house prices all concerns for the average Barcelona citizen, it is understandable that many people have strong political views about current affairs. Your balcony is your personal space and can be converted into a mouthpiece to express your feelings openly. Protest banners or posters are an effective way to vent your thoughts and cover up those empty spaces on your balcony.
4. SOLAR LIGHTING
One of the greatest struggles many balcony owners face is the lack of access to an electricity source. A solution to this problem can be found through the use of solar technology. With a variety of different sizes and attractive designs, many homestores now sell a range of solar lights, which absorb the rays of the sun during the day before generating energy at night to provide you with an attractive, warmly-lit place to relax in the evening.