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.
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).
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.
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!
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!
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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!
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 StitchI would absolutely love to have some new flowers in my home
Lindahttps://twitter.com/susan1215/status/1004559129623613440
Susan SmithWe have a deck in the back that could use some privacy.
Susan Smithwe 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!
sinaMy 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 Grosstweet
Kelly Dhttps://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/1003357891569573889
I would like some plants for in front of our house.
Kelly Dtweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/1003306005059592192
mami2jcnI definitely need some fresh plants to liven up our curb appeal.
mami2jcnhttps://twitter.com/RachelGriesmer/status/1002979928781008896
RachelThe area around my hot tub is in need of extra privacy.
Rachelhttps://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/1002605988833157121
VincentYes 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 CarolineMy back patio could use some privacy and I always love new plants around my house.
Jessica Totweeted https://twitter.com/cshell202/status/1002106369313456129
shelly petersoncshell090869 at aol dot com
I could use some privacy on my frond deck. Some plants would be great.
shelly petersoncshell090869 at aol dot com
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 Cardenashttps://mobile.twitter.com/arress83/status/1001983497865715713 Tweeted
Cheryl BI have a deck in the front of my home with little privacy. This post inspires me to try and create a peaceful setting.
Cheryl BI shared on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/1001944538028658689.
JeffreyWe could really use some plants around our patio. We spend a lot time outside and the area could really use some shrubs and flowers.
JeffreyTweet: https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/1001926884114993152
ElleI 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.
Elletweet https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/1001926223046565888
NatalieI 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!
NatalieWe’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 Curtistweet https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/1001647880921219072
ElenaI could use these for my deck. Looks so nice
ElenaYes some new throw pillows for our outdoor furniture and a storage box for pool items and toys.
AliI 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.
heathermy tweet – https://twitter.com/myway070/status/1001627353385123845
heatherI think i’ts a beautiful place.I love this decor.They do great guys
The pink pineappleBlog:https://thepinkpineappleblog.blogspot.com
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.
Jessie C.tcarolinep at gmail dot com
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/peg42/status/1001585339683758081
Margaret SmithThanks so much.
We have a deck that is pretty secluded. I love putting plants all around our deck, especially flowers.
Margaret SmithI could really use these for my deck.
MitaTweet- https://twitter.com/mitadav/status/1001573069536841730
Mitahttps://twitter.com/willgriesmer/status/1001570710937063432
Will GOur hot tub (which is currently broken) could use some privacy.
Will GWould love these for my deck, a lot of exposure to my neighbors on it!
meghanThis 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!
MaddieSo 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.
RachelThis 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!
LaurieYou turned that balcony into such a beautiful space, I would love to relax there for a bit!
Michellehttps://www.makeandmess.com/
These rooms look awesome!!! Love the lounge chairs.
Courtneyhttp://sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/