Author: Ora Martinez

Transforming Your Balcony into a Green Oasis

Published Monday, January 29, 2024     By Ora Martinez

A beautifully transformed urban balcony garden, featuring lush greenery, a variety of plants, and cozy decorative elements

In the hustle and bustle of city life, having a personal retreat to unwind can be a true luxury. For many urban dwellers, a balcony is the closest thing to an outdoor space. However, these often-underutilized areas can be transformed into lush, green oases with a bit of creativity and planning. This article explores how you can turn your small balcony space into a beautiful and tranquil green area, complete with the right plants, space-maximizing techniques, and cozy decorative elements.

 

Choosing the Right Plants

The first step in creating your balcony garden is selecting the right plants. Not all plants are suited for balcony conditions, which can be characterized by limited space, varying amounts of sunlight, and exposure to elements. Here are some tips for choosing balcony-friendly plants:

Consider Sunlight

Assess the amount of sunlight your balcony receives. This will determine the type of plants that will thrive in your space. For sunny balconies, consider sun-loving plants like geraniums, petunias, or marigolds. For shaded areas, ferns, begonias, and peace lilies are excellent choices.

Opt for Hardy Plants

Balconies can expose plants to extreme weather conditions. Opt for hardy varieties that can withstand wind and fluctuating temperatures. Lavender, boxwood, and certain types of grasses can be resilient choices.

Add Fragrance and Color

To make your balcony an even more enjoyable retreat, choose plants that not only look good but also smell wonderful. Jasmine, lavender, and mint are great for adding a delightful fragrance. Brightly colored flowers can also add vibrancy to your space.

 

12 Decorating Ideas for Small Spaces

Published Wednesday, February 1, 2023     By Ora Martinez

12 Decorating Ideas for Small Spaces

When decorating small spaces, you have to be extra creative and use the right decor pieces in order to maximize the available space. Here are 12 decorating ideas for small spaces that will help you create a beautiful, functional, and stylish home.

 

1. Use Furniture with Storage

When decorating small spaces, use furniture that offers storage options. A coffee table with drawers or a bed with built-in shelves and cabinets help to minimize clutter and maximize the space available for decorating. Additionally, using multi-functional furniture such as ottomans that can be used both for seating and storage or desks with compartments helps to make the most of every inch of a small room.

 

2. Hang Mirrors to Reflect Light

Mirrors can help to make a small space feel larger by reflecting light throughout the room. Hang mirrors on walls across from windows or sources of artificial lighting to maximize the effect. You can use a single large mirror, or several small mirrors for an interesting decorating effect. When decorating with mirrors, it’s important to keep their placement in proportion with the size and shape of the room.