I turned my grotty balcony into a slice of Little Italy with DIY – now it feels like I’m abroad when step outside
YOU may think you need a garden or large outdoor space to make the most of the summer – but one woman has proven this isn’t true.
The savvy homeowner showed how she transformed her tiny balcony into a little slice of Italy thanks to a few tweaks.
Sarah, who posts under @saraheartmann, first of all shared the outdoor space without any items, showing how it looked bare and unappealing.
The first thing she did was add a vibrant splash of colour by painting the wall red.
Next, she painted the railing a fresh white colour and then covered the bottom half with a DIY panel wall she had made herself.
Next it was time to upcycle a wrought iron table and chairs set, and Sarah showed how she sprayed it white.
Then it was time to add a lick of paint to the wooden decking so it felt more fresh.
Sarah then bought some items for the now-colourful terrace, including an outdoor rug, two large lounger chairs, an umbrella and red cushions.
She also added some nature in the form of some potted plants, which helped create a tranquil feel.
Sarah wrote: “we made our own little Italy in Berlin Mitte.”
Many people were very impressed with her DIY work, with one saying: “Looks amazing!”
Another added: “I could do with that in this heat.”
And a third commented: “Oh you had a visionnnn.”
If your outdoor haven is small, then no fear! Because there are plenty of tricks that can make your outdoor oasis feel a whole lot bigger.
And according to one gardening expert, hiding your fence is key.
Dan Cooper spoke to The Express and proposed the idea of “borrowing” landscape from beyond your garden to help give the illusion of additional space.
He notes to avoid enclosing yourself in and to instead, make an attraction in the distance a focal feature instead.
Offering an example of how this can be achieved, he says: “Hide fences with climbers and evergreen plants, and allow paths to meander behind a hedge, panel, or trellis to create a sense that something intriguing lies beyond.”
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The gardening expert also advises for anyone with an extremely narrow plot to place beds and lawns “on the diagonal.”
He adds that this can “cheat your eye into thinking the garden is wider than it is.
Dan also goes on to highlight the importance of making your garden blend into the surroundings.
Among his top tips is to utilise shrubs and climbers to help blur any visual boundaries, making the area appear endless as a result.