How to transform an underused balcony into a lush, functional living space

Tilly Bissett and Nick Billings, like many small apartment dwellers, found their balcony in Richmond, Melbourne to be an underutilized space. With some creative planning, the couple transformed the 11-square-metre balcony into a lush, functional living area. The north-facing balcony offered potential, but the couple needed guidance on how to maximize its use. Tilly, a keen cook and entertainer, desired a space where she could grow produce for her kitchen.

One significant change was replacing numerous small hanging herb pots with larger feature plants, creating focal points and defining the balcony with greenery. A bottle tree was planted in a sunny spot as the main feature tree, followed by a lemon myrtle and a bay laurel in sheltered areas. Lightweight pots and perlite were used to reduce weight on the balcony while maintaining proper drainage for plant growth.

A dedicated food-growing area was incorporated at one end, using modular wicking beds made from repurposed containers. These beds raised vegetables closer to sunlight and made harvesting more convenient, requiring minimal watering.

Vertical space was utilized by layering plants at various heights, adding wall planters, a fern mounted on a wall backing board, climbing edibles on a wire trellis, and small, medium, and large pots with a mix of foliage colors and textures. The combined elements created a lush yet uncluttered balcony, comprising three distinct zones: a barbecue and dining area, a productive food garden, and a cozy reading nook.

Storage was provided by repurposed floorboards from a second-hand barbecue trolley, blending seamlessly into the design. The transformation turned the once-unused balcony into a versatile outdoor space for cooking, gardening, reading, relaxation, and entertaining.