A $56, 3-Hour Makeover Gives a “Neglected” Balcony the Attention It Deserves
Sometimes small balconies are the only smidgen of outdoor space apartment-dwellers can call their own (if that). And there are some really impressive balcony makeovers that maximize style in small, sunny spots — like this renter-friendly upgrade, this cozy sitting spot, and this plant-filled beauty.
Another transformation to add to the list? This approximately $56 balcony makeover by Mo and Stef of @nothingfancyhome. And speaking of sunshine, Mo and Stef picked a bright yellow paint color.
The yellow paint provides nice contrast with the blue floors.
“When we moved in, the balcony was one of those spaces we hadn’t really thought about yet,” they share. It was “bare, a bit neglected, and clearly waiting for attention.” It had great potential, as it was surrounded by trees with a great view — it just needed a little bit of TLC.
“We wanted it to become something more — a green extension of our workspace, a cozy extra room for warm summer evenings, a place that makes us want to step outside,” Mo and Stef say, and the solution was a bold yellow color (Swingcolor’s “Banana”). “We wanted something that would feel summery and also complement the blue floor,” they add.
The bold stripes were an easy DIY.
Painting the stripes was the easy part, Mo and Stef say — just be sure to seal your tape lines by first brushing white paint along the edges before applying the color if you’re painting stripes, the architect duo says. “That way, no paint seeps under the tape, and you’ll get perfectly crisp lines.” They had to clean off the “slightly grimy facade,” but once they started painting it came together in about three hours.
The hardest part was actually picking the paint color. “Of course, we could’ve spent more time planning or testing different colors, but in the end we trusted our instincts, and it all came together the way we hoped,” they say.
A few potted plants, a table, and string lights tie the whole look together. “The balcony bursts with personality and summer vibes,” Mo and Stef say. “It’s become our small urban retreat.”
Inspired? Submit your own project here.