I had ‘the world’s ugliest balcony’ until I transformed it using Dunelm buys – people are stunned by the ‘lush’ makeover
A CASH-SAVVY homeowner has wowed people with her budget-friendly balcony makeover.
”The ugliest balcony in the world” – that’s how one woman, Fern Oxley-Browning, described the feature of her home, before she gave it a revamp.
Unlike the gorgeous garden, the balcony was ”disgustingly dirty”, as the couple never used it and it felt like there was ”ten years” worth of grime stuck to the surfaces.
Once the pair had chucked the furniture and cleaned the area, Fern – @fernoxleybrowning – ”could already see the vision and the vibes”.
The first step of the epic transformation was repainting the balcony railings which had tiny spots of gold paint left by the previous owners.
According to Fern, who regularly shares home-related content on her page, the golden speckles made the black railings ”look even more dirty”.
Although the DIY-loving woman couldn’t was desperate to fix the mess, Fern did admit that the process was ”a nightmare” and she spent a lot of time sprucing it up.
”Landlord special – because I did paint some of the bush, I’m sorry,” she chuckled about her painting skills.
”This took hours, you would not believe. Like, it was absolutely ridiculous – and still, a lot of the gold wasn’t covered.”
After the paint had dried, Fern arranged for her brother’s garden services company to help the duo to fit artificial grass – a simple yet effective change that instantly made a huge improvement in the overall aesthetic.
”Already looks like a completely different space,” the homeowner couldn’t believe her eyes in the video.
Before the big reveal, Fern and her partner added the final touches – two comfy chairs from the Danish furniture store, JYSK, at £20 each, as well as cushions and a £10 table from Dunelm.
To make the area even more aesthetically-pleasing, especially during balmy summer evenings or around the festive season, Fern also attached ”cheap B&M lights” around the railing.
All chuffed with the results, which she had achieved without forking out a fortune, Fern said she couldn’t wait to enjoy chilling on the balcony now.
”I’m so excited to actually start spending some time on this balcony.”
Although Fern noted that she ”loves proper grass”, the homeowner was quite pleased with its artificial version – and viewers couldn’t get enough of the jaw-dropping glow-up.
More than 100 people flocked to comments to share their thoughts and praise the crafty woman, with one writing: ”Looks great..was worth the effort.”
10 DIY hacks for under £1 each
These simple and affordable DIY hacks can help you get creative while saving money
Homemade Air Freshener:
Mix baking soda with a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Place it in a small jar with a perforated lid to keep your home smelling fresh.
Upcycled Tin Can Planters:
Clean and paint empty tin cans to use as stylish planters for herbs or small plants.
Custom Phone Stand:
Use a sturdy piece of cardboard or an old plastic credit card to create a custom phone stand. Decorate it with washi tape or paint.
DIY Lip Scrub:
Combine sugar and a bit of honey or coconut oil to make a natural lip scrub. Store in a small container.
Personalised Bookmarks:
Use old greeting cards or decorative paper to create unique bookmarks. Punch a hole at the top and add a ribbon for a finishing touch.
Decorative Mason Jars:
Paint or decoupage old mason jars to use as decorative vases, storage containers, or candle holders.
Easy Cable Organiser:
Use empty toilet paper rolls to organize cables and cords. Decorate the rolls with colorful paper or tape.
Magnetic Spice Jars:
Attach small magnets to the lids of small jars and stick them to a metal board or fridge for easy-access spice storage.
Handmade Coasters:
Cut out squares from old corkboard or felt and decorate them with paint or fabric to create custom coasters.
Natural All-Purpose Cleaner:
Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Add a few drops of essential oil for a pleasant scent. Use it to clean surfaces around your home.
Another chimed in: ”Book out there in the evening with a blanket would be lush.”
Someone else agreed, writing: ”Looks lovely, just shows what we can do with not spending the earth – well done.”
”I wasn’t convinced on the artificial grass on balconies but this is actually lovely,” a fourth penned.