12 Rooms in 12 Months: Our Balcony Progress + How to Add Privacy Outdoors on a Budget

By Brittni • posted on 02/15/2024

12 Rooms in 12 Months: Our Balcony Progress + How to Add Privacy Outdoors on a Budget

This post is sponsored by First Editions® Plants and SheKnows Media.

I’ve been spending more and more time outdoors at home, which I mentioned last week too. And it’s definitely been the motivation I needed to get some of our outdoor spaces decorated and ready to enjoy.

To make things easy, I started with the smaller of the outdoor spaces – our upstairs balcony – so I could check another ‘room’ off the list quick AND solve a problem that we had with the space at the same time. Click through for all the photos AND enter to win a $100 Visa gift card to kickstart your next outdoor project.

12 Rooms in 12 Months: Our Balcony Progress (Before Photo). Click through for the reveal.

12 Rooms in 12 Months: Our Balcony Progress. Before Photo. Click through for the full reveal.

So here’s the deal! Our balcony is a relative cozy spot on the second floor (about 14 feet long and a little over 5 feet wide),which means there wasn’t much that needed to be done. The main things we needed to work out for the space were: a place to sit that was comfy but stylish AND a privacy solution for at least one side of the balcony.

Above is a before shot, so you can see what a blank canvas it was. We added some chairs (that I already had, a new rug, planters, and of course a bunch of plants).

A balcony makeover with First Editions Plants. Click through for the full reveal.

I teamed up with my friends at First Editions® Plants to make it all happen. And because I’m super familiar with their plants, especially after our last project together, it seemed like a no-brainer to partner up again. This time around, I used hearty plants with lots of leaf coverage to create a full look, that will continue to grow for privacy purposes: Coppertone™ Distylium for the modern DIY planter box, Vintage Jade for the large planter in the seating area and Cobalt-n-Gold™ Hypericum in the smaller concrete planter (flowers are just starting to bloom too).

Once we got the furniture and rug laid out, we filled in with plants and tackled privacy on the left side of the balcony by using my DIY planter box and First Editions® Plants Coppertone. We love our neighbors, but since their house is super close to ours on one side (maybe 20 feet away?), this solution felt like one that would look great now, while providing a little privacy, and continue to grow with time.

Aren’t plants a great way to bring life to a space? I just love ’em.

A balcony makeover perfect for summer entertaining or just reading a book. Click through for the full reveal and learn how to add privacy outdoors on a budget. #summer #outdoorspace #modernoutdoorspace

How to Pick Out the Right Plants for Your Project

If you’re looking for plants that can also provide some privacy, a few of my favorites from the First Editions® collection include Linebacker, Vintage Jade, and Coppertone. But with 125+ plant varieties in the First Editions® collection, there are plenty of additional options to choose from so you find exactly what you’re looking for. I was so tempted to pick up some Double Mint gardenias when I was out shopping for plants. They smell SO good!

Still need a little guidance? Learn how to create, grow, and maintain a beautiful garden with tips from First Editions® here. There are some great tips on plant pairings in there too, based on the needs of your space. And to quickly find all of the locations in your area that carry the First Editions® Plants, use this online tool. Then, when you’re out shopping, just look out for the purple pot!

A balcony makeover perfect for summer entertaining or just reading a book. Click through for the full reveal and learn how to add privacy outdoors on a budget. #summer #outdoorspace #modernoutdoorspace

A balcony makeover perfect for summer entertaining or just reading a book. Click through for the full reveal and learn how to add privacy outdoors on a budget. #summer #outdoorspace #modernoutdoorspace

A balcony makeover perfect for summer entertaining or just reading a book. Click through for the full reveal and learn how to add privacy outdoors on a budget. #summer #outdoorspace #modernoutdoorspace

Photography by Amelia Lawrence

Do you have an outdoor space that could use a little privacy like mine? Or are you in need of some fresh plants for the season? Let me know in the comments below for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card!

Entry Instructions:

No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post.
2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#Sweeps” and “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post.
3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from SheKnows via the sweeps@sheknows.com. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.This sweepstakes runs from 5/24/18- 6/15/18. Be sure to visit the brand page on Sheknowsmedia.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

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48 comments | Click here to reply

[…] porch itself is very small and the fact that it’s the exact same layout as my upstairs balcony, felt a little daunting to tackle with another makeover. Kinda like the movie Groundhog Day – […]

12 Rooms in 12 Months: My Front Porch Reveal - Paper and Stitch

I would absolutely love to have some new flowers in my home

Linda

https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/1004559129623613440

Susan Smith

We have a deck in the back that could use some privacy.

Susan Smith

we are in the process of redoing ALL of out outdoor landscaping and this would be SO helpful and great! i am thinking about building a patio also!

sina

My outdoor space could definitely use a little privacy! Recently, we’ve had to cut down some trees that were overcrowding my house and leaning on the roof … so now my deck is wide open to our neighbor’s view and my privacy is gone. I’ll probably have to get some planters at some point to replace the secluded feeling I used to have.

Tammy Gross

tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/1003357891569573889

Kelly D

I would like some plants for in front of our house.

Kelly D

tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/1003306005059592192

mami2jcn

I definitely need some fresh plants to liven up our curb appeal.

mami2jcn

https://twitter.com/RachelGriesmer/status/1002979928781008896

Rachel

The area around my hot tub is in need of extra privacy.

Rachel

https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/1002605988833157121

Vincent

Yes we have been thinking about a way to create some privacy from the neighbors over our back fence whose upstairs windows look out onto out yar.

Vincent

[…] temps rising, you’d be silly not to spend your weekends out on the patio. I’m loving Brittni’s balcony makeover, and be sure to check out these outdoor patio spaces for a little more […]

Friday Favorites | Volume Fifty-Two • Original Caroline

My back patio could use some privacy and I always love new plants around my house.

Jessica To

tweeted https://twitter.com/cshell202/status/1002106369313456129
cshell090869 at aol dot com

shelly peterson

I could use some privacy on my frond deck. Some plants would be great.
cshell090869 at aol dot com

shelly peterson

Thanks for the post! This is actually my summer project to make my tiny porch useful and enjoyable! Can’t wait to look up the suggestions, I’ve been trying to figure out which plants would be best to help create my own private oasis!

Emily Cardenas

https://mobile.twitter.com/arress83/status/1001983497865715713 Tweeted

Cheryl B

I have a deck in the front of my home with little privacy. This post inspires me to try and create a peaceful setting.

Cheryl B

I shared on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/1001944538028658689.

Jeffrey

We could really use some plants around our patio. We spend a lot time outside and the area could really use some shrubs and flowers.

Jeffrey

Tweet: https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/1001926884114993152

Elle

I am definitely in need of some fresh, colorful plants for the summer season to decorate the front of my home as well as the back.

Elle

tweet https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/1001926223046565888

Natalie

I could use a barrier of plants and trees in my backyard to make my porch more private. This year I am on the lookout for new plants including hydrangeas to add to my garden!

Natalie

We’re trying to spruce up our backyard and front yard right now with some new plants and greenery. My husband and I both love the look of different plants, but he’s the one that’s been blessed with a green thumb. I like the way plants can add color and also a vibrancy that only greenery and living things can.

Jennifer Curtis

tweet https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/1001647880921219072

Elena

I could use these for my deck. Looks so nice

Elena

Yes some new throw pillows for our outdoor furniture and a storage box for pool items and toys.

Ali

I am so in need of some fresh plants for the season. I could also use some plants for privacy in one area. I loved the pictures that you posted in this post.

heather

my tweet – https://twitter.com/myway070/status/1001627353385123845

heather

I think i’ts a beautiful place.I love this decor.They do great guys
Blog:https://thepinkpineappleblog.blogspot.com

The pink pineapple

tweet – https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/1001603193418084352

Jessie C.

We could use some new plants in the front deck. I am thinking blue salvia and cypress.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com

Jessie C.

Tweeted: https://twitter.com/peg42/status/1001585339683758081
Thanks so much.

Margaret Smith

We have a deck that is pretty secluded. I love putting plants all around our deck, especially flowers.

Margaret Smith

I could really use these for my deck.

Mita

Tweet- https://twitter.com/mitadav/status/1001573069536841730

Mita

https://twitter.com/willgriesmer/status/1001570710937063432

Will G

Our hot tub (which is currently broken) could use some privacy.

Will G

Would love these for my deck, a lot of exposure to my neighbors on it!

meghan

This post comes at the perfect time for me – In two weeks I am moving to a new apartment and have been scouring Pinterest and blogs (like yours!) for patio inspiration. There’s a large tree in front of the patio, so privacy shouldn’t be an issue, but getting some plants from First Editions Plants would be ideal. Thanks so much for all of your recommendations on the different plant varieties!

Maddie

So simple, yet so chic. I love it!!

My outdoor space only gets morning sun, but it is very private. Only the upstairs neighbors can see me. However, I don’t find myself wanting to hang out in the evening because there’s no sun! So I think with some lighting and other small decorations it might really liven it up more and make it cozy.

Rachel

This is so timely! I have a very tiny balcony that directly overlooks my neighbor’s kitchen windows, not much privacy there at all! I love the idea of a plant screen. Your balcony looks so welcoming now!

Laurie

You turned that balcony into such a beautiful space, I would love to relax there for a bit!
https://www.makeandmess.com/

Michelle

These rooms look awesome!!! Love the lounge chairs.
http://sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/

Courtney
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