Updated: 8-Mar-2021
Balcony garden wall art can bring balance to a space crammed with greenery or a balcony that has little more than a view.
Wall art is somewhere to rest your eyes among the scenery. Think of it as acting like a balance. And wall art is a vital source of interest in a space that risks being devoid of character.
In a ‘real’ garden there are lots of places to put characterful objects, but on a balcony there’s less space for art. With so little options on a balcony you can’t afford to ignore wall art and the ambiance it adds.
What art works best on a balcony wall?
A mirror is an excellent piece of wall art for a balcony. We all know how much it seems to expand a small space.
What I like most of all is the layering – a hanging shelf obscures the ‘official’ wall art.
This is entirely weather-dependent – you might get away with it but where I live these hats wouldn’t last a minute unless they were nailed down.
Invisible balcony garden wall art
You can do something on a balcony that you can’t do anywhere else… You can create an empty picture to frame the view beyond. So the view is the wall art. Ok, you could do this in your living room too by knocking through a window. But in practice you can only achieve this effect on a rooftop or balcony (or in a garden to invite a close-up view).
This technique is widely used in Japanese gardens to direct attention towards the pinnacle of the creation. Here the architect isn’t focusing attention on a view of perfection, he’s opening up the balcony and connecting it to the wider world.
So how can you use this? Many balconies have a less permanent screen to one side and this may be ideal for ‘piercing’ through (provided you’re not piercing through to your neighbour’s balcony).
This is another example of an open frame to the view. If it’s too open you can fill it up with plants to re-instate the screening effect while maintaining an impression of openness. This frame is accomplishing a lot more than we expect from wall art, as if the wall-art aspect comes as a bonus.
Using a mirror to extend a space is a trusted garden design technique and it’s all the more important for a small space like a balcony. I like it here paired with airy blooms for a more natural effect.
How much weight can a balcony support?
A key consideration in balcony gardening is weight. Your walls can carry much more weight than you can stack up on the floor so this is a prime location for substantial pieces. Where I come from a piece like this would also withstand the exposed gusts that my balcony is open to.
Wall Art sounds formal. Balcony garden wall art doesn’t have to start with a capital ‘A’
Wall art can be very simple. Such as draping lights over the wall to break it up visually and keep it looking fun and informal.
These upcycled crates add a simple charm to the balcony – an area so often devoid of character. And shelves expand the scope of what you can display as balcony garden wall art.
How many times have you seen an empty balcony? Or at the other extreme a balcony where the only display space is a pile on the floor?
How about a ‘real’ shelf? I love the old-fashioned ornate supports and the unstudied arrangement of objects hanging on the wall. This might not work without the quaintness of wood panelling.
Minimalism is a rare thing on a balcony
The opposite effect of the above approach is a formal and paired-down arrangement. Gone is the clutter we associate with balconies and gone the impulse to fill up the space with over-flowing greenery. I’m not usually a fan of minimalism but it works here as it recognises that the space is small.
I’m really impressed with the inspiration I’ve found on Instagram. In particular the wonderful balcony garden images by urbanoasispl. Thank you!
