A balcony, when properly decorated, is a wonderful place to relax from the bustle of the city. The best decoration for any loggia is flowers in pots. But if the size of the space does not allow you to place planters on the floor or equip additional shelves, a flowerpot for a balcony would be an excellent option. Hanging planters can be placed on walls, indoor or outdoor railings, helping to create a true hanging garden.
Hanging flowerpots will help you create a real hanging garden
Natural motives
To acquire such an unusual container, you do not need to be a great specialist. Simply attach birch bark to a standard window box (using epoxy resin) - and you will have an original container for flowers in the hand-made style on your windowsill.
Flowers are an undoubted decoration of a home or garden. And there are never too many of them. Therefore, even if you have several flower beds at your dacha, do not be afraid to go overboard and also decorate the gazebo, patio, porch or window sills with flowering plants.
In pots on shelves, racks or the floor
If the dimensions of the balcony allow, flowers are placed on special racks or shelves. The main requirement for such a design is that it must allow sufficient light and air to pass through.
Plants are placed either simply in pots or additionally placed in flowerpots. Shelves are usually made of wood or metal.
If space allows, a pot with large plants can be placed directly on the floor.
Differences from French and classical
Mini-balconies for long flower pots are similar to wrought-iron French balconies. This is why these designs are often confused. It is easy to distinguish one structure from another: balconies for flowers have more compact dimensions, the height of the product does not exceed 30-40 cm. The height of the fencing of a French balcony is from 1.0 to 1.2 m. This indicator is equal to the dimensions of stair railings and fences for house extensions .
Forged balconies with large platforms are sometimes mistaken for structures for flowers. The main difference is also the dimensions. Structures with a base perform a wider range of functions: a place for relaxation, meals, storage, etc. Flower balconies are necessary for arranging plants and arranging a home flower bed.
But these concepts can be interpreted in two ways . Therefore, when you come across the name “window balconies” , you should remember that French structures and structures for flowers can also be included in this group.
For a clear understanding of the features of each item, it is recommended to visit the “Photos of forged balconies” section.
Which mount is better to choose?
The choice of a particular type of fastening depends on where it will be used. If you plan to use it outdoors, then it is better to purchase metal products. If the mount is used indoors, then you can choose wooden or plastic mounts.
The selected mount must meet the following requirements:
- The holder must support the weight of the pot.
- Do not place on a surface that is subject to spillage.
- The support must be made of environmentally friendly and safe materials.
Based on the type of design, it is better to choose hanging or basket options. They are easy to use and have an attractive appearance.
Plastic balcony flower boxes: how to decorate
The advantage of plastic is its cost and variety of shapes and sizes. However, in addition to fragility under mechanical and thermal influence, such a container can cause condensation and lack of natural soil ventilation for plants. Some manufacturers, using recycled materials, do not particularly care about the disinfection and safety of the composition for the human body. Therefore, when choosing a plastic base, pay attention not only to the size of balcony flower boxes, but also to all of the above aspects.
Experts advise decorating a plastic container yourself, which is both functional and decorative for your pot. Strength and, accordingly, wear resistance in this case also improve.
You can decorate plastic balcony boxes for flowers and plants in several steps:
- Prime the container . An acrylic primer is used, which is applied evenly over the entire surface. Leave the product until completely dry.
- Paint . Many people like white for its aristocracy, and in this case it will help create the effect of antiquity. Paint is applied not only to the outside, but also to the inside (at least 5 cm inward).
- Craquelure agent . It is this that gives beautiful cracks, like on ancient flowerpots. For optimal effect, contrasting paint is also applied, for example, beige or brown;
- Varnish. After the craquelure has formed and the container has dried, it is treated with varnish. The matte shade will help preserve previous layers and securely fix the result.
For decoration, you can also use polystyrene foam or plasterboard, from which a whole range of elements is now offered. After priming, you can use self-adhesive decorating films, which makes preparing a plastic container for planting even easier.
The variety of textures and sizes of plastic products and their affordability, as well as the ease of working with this material in terms of decoration, make them universal. They can also be placed in wicker boxes of the same color, which makes the plastic less noticeable and the container more attractive.
Cooking with your own hands
Flowerpots are not only purchased in the store, but also made with your own hands.
For example:
- From building materials (crushed stone, sand, cement).
- Tin cans decorated using decoupage technique.
- Old, unnecessary things (chandelier, cast iron, rubber boots, bucket and much more).
- Made from twine using the macrame technique.
Plant pots made from small wooden stumps or driftwood look most impressive on the balcony.
To make it you will need a small stump (the size depends on the plant pot), tools, sandpaper and varnish.
Then you need to:
- Drill out the core and remove it.
- Sand the edges.
- Cover with varnish.
- Replant the flower.
Look at the video for another manufacturing option:
Metal box for balcony flowers: what to choose from
Metal in any form is a heavy material. Considering the weight of the container itself and the soil for plants, it is impractical to hang such structures on the balcony railing. A more accepted option would be to purchase various kinds of forged stands or other mounts for balcony pots or containers.
If you are still planning to use metal, then you should pay attention to ready-made iron structures that are not needed in everyday life. Old original buckets and jars, various kinds of metal utensils - old teapots, deep plates and large mugs are suitable here. However, before use, all parts should be treated with anti-corrosion agents. After all, moisture gradually turns such a box into rusty scrap metal.
They can be decorated or painted, and also tied with plaits, twine, ropes, paper and fabric cords.
Forging under the window: hot and cold
There are two metal processing technologies : hot and cold forging.
Constructions created in accordance with the first method have an original design and are sold at high prices. Hot forging is carried out after heating the metal to a plastic state.
Products produced using cold technology have a standard design and affordable price.
Choosing the right size
The size of the product is selected depending on what flowers will be planted. When choosing balcony flower pots, you first need to think about where they will be placed. Based on size and placement, products are divided into the following types:
- Floor-standing ones are the largest. They are placed on the floor, flowerpots with large flowers and small trees are placed inside.
- For a flat surface - for a window sill, shelves, racks. Outwardly, they are similar to pots; most often they are made in the form of various animals, houses and other interesting images.
- Wall-mounted - small containers that are hung by special brackets, or inserted into so-called pockets, which are most often made of thread.
- Hanging pots for the balcony are also small in size and are fixed to the ceiling. Used for flowers with long hanging shoots.
A hanging balcony planter is also used if there are no window sills. This placement option has undoubted advantages and also helps to create an interesting decor.
Hanging pots on the balcony
Small and large containers - when to use
Large flowerpots can be either floor-mounted or hanging, which are attached to the walls on special brackets. Lush, sprawling and tall flowers are placed in large floor containers. They are also used if the balcony is decorated with trees, for example, thujas.
Large hanging containers are narrow but long. They are great for holding multiple pots of different flowers, creating the look of a flowering shelf.
Small balcony pots with holders are suitable for placing single and low flowers; they can be placed along the walls, on the floor or hung. The dimensions allow you to arrange several plants in one space at once, which opens up additional possibilities for decoration.
Purchasing a container of the right size is not a difficult task. The modern market is rich in a wide variety of options in shape, size and the presence of additional decor.
With the help of such devices you can place flowers on the railings
What varieties should I plant?
To decorate a balcony or loggia with a flower garden, choose unpretentious plants:
- succulents (aloe, zamioculcas, kalanchoe);
- geranium;
- zinnia;
- balsam;
- cyclamen;
- climbing plants (ivy, bougainvillea, clematis);
- ampelous (petunia, fuchsia, lobelia).
Methods for attaching flowerpots
Fasteners are rarely sold together with the finished product, but even if they are included in the kit, they are not always reliable. To avoid unpleasant situations, it is better to use durable fasteners.
Fastening materials and methods for securing hanging flower pots to the balcony:
- The material must be identical to that from which the flowerpot itself is made. If the container is metal, the hooks must be forged; if it is plastic, plastic fasteners are chosen.
- Products are screwed to the wall or ceiling using nails, screws or dowels. It all depends on the weight of the container with the flower inside.
- In the case when flower pots on the balcony are hung in so-called pockets or bags made of fabric materials, it is recommended to choose thick twine.
If the container for the flower will be hung on the wall, it is recommended to opt for hanging flower pots of a semicircular shape - on one side they are convex, and on the wall side they are flat, which ensures their tightest fit to the vertical surface.
Hook-shaped fasteners are suitable for placement on horizontal balcony railings. It is strong enough to support a pot, soil, plant.
Special hooks will help you hang the pots neatly
Legal aspect of fastening containers for flowers
Many authors suggest using a beam mounted on metal brackets embedded in the wall to place flower containers. The rigid and durable design allows you to hold hundreds of kilograms of cargo. But! Such a technical solution is difficult (almost impossible) to coordinate with territorial architectural departments.
Important! Not everything is simple with installing new brackets for attaching flower boxes to the balcony. Resolution of the State Construction Committee of Russia No. 170 dated September 27, 2003 (clause 3.8.6.) allows such manipulation to be carried out only according to a project and in agreement with local government bodies.
It should be noted that this paragraph of the “Rules and Standards for the Technical Operation of Housing Stock” is not strictly controlled. But it is necessary to know about this nuance.
Material
The product can be made from a variety of materials. The most common are the following:
Plastic
The most practical option. It is lightweight and low cost. Quite durable and easy to maintain. A wide selection of shapes, colors and sizes are available.
Ceramics
Natural material that allows air to pass through. And excess moisture comes through the walls. Ceramic flowerpots look stylish, but they are heavy. It prevents plants from overheating in summer and freezing in winter.
Metal
Features a long service life. Metal products look elegant and noble. Most often they are installed on the streets to decorate parks, cafes or in offices, but it is possible to choose options for balconies.
Some models are equipped with drainage holes or an insert bottom.
Tree
Traditional material. It looks aesthetically pleasing, but is susceptible to rotting. The surface is periodically treated with an antiseptic. Environmentally friendly.
Wicker baskets
Allows you to create an original floral composition. Often used to decorate home and garden areas. There are hanging, floor and multi-tiered ones. Made from plastic, metal, aluminum or rattan.
Climbing and hanging plants look best on balconies in wicker baskets.
Long drawers on the inside and outside
They come in a wide variety of colors, sizes and shapes. It is preferable to choose plastic ones, as they are lightweight and carry minimal load on the balcony structure.
Read about how to choose the optimal balcony box here.
Decorating the balcony with pots of flowers
To make a balcony with many flowers in pots look beautiful and cozy, and not look like a flower warehouse, when decorating it, you should take into account some nuances and recommendations for placing pots:
- Small pots with low flowers are placed on the sides. There should not be many of them so as not to block the exit.
- Wide flowerpots are placed in corners where there is no direct sunlight or draft. Large flowers can only be placed on a sufficiently large balcony.
- Tall pots with long flowers are placed along the edges so that they do not block the passage.
- Small pots with low flowers are placed along the walls. They can also be mounted outside. The main thing is to choose containers that are not bulky so that they do not take up much space and do not distract from the flowers.
Properly selected flowerpots for decorating a balcony will help create a unique cozy atmosphere, a colorful oasis among the city noise and turmoil. When choosing decorative containers for flowerpots, you need to take into account their size, materials of manufacture and appearance in order to successfully fit them into the interior.
Stationary grilles and how to hang them correctly?
Stationary flower lattices compactly accommodate several pots or boxes at once and are placed behind a balcony or window. They will help save space and create comfortable conditions for caring for flowers for a long period.
It is only important to correctly calculate the size of the lattice, its length and height, which will suit the size of the boxes and plants that you plan to plant. It is also necessary to take into account the installation height of the stand so that it is convenient to water the plants, rearrange the pots and care for them.
If the grille is placed outside the window, it is necessary to hang the structure so that it does not interfere with opening the window frame.
Typically, forged or metal grilles are made to order to fit the size of a balcony or window. It is recommended to entrust installation to specialists who have the necessary tools and skills.
Holders
The main requirement is the creation of a safe remote structure. The elements should prevent breakage of balcony boxes and provide easy access to plants for care and watering.
Stationary holders
The massive non-removable structure is installed for many years of use. It is attached to the base from the outside by electric welding (if there are metal elements) or with dowels. Does not create inconvenience on glazed balconies and loggias.
Owners of stationary holders have to constantly use flower containers of the same size. The scope for creative experiments is decreasing.
Removable holders
The most common option. Ease of use, low cost, ease of installation. Several removable holders of different sizes make it easy to create new flower arrangements.
Made from metal and plastic. The latter have low strength.
Brackets for mounting to a horizontal surface
The bracket is fixed to the wall using at least 2 dowels.
The optimal solution for miniature balconies. If space allows, floor stands made in the same style are installed on the floor.
When installing, you must strive to ensure that the hanging pot or hanging plants in it are at eye level, or 7-10 cm above the height of the tallest family member.
Ceiling mount
To securely fasten the flower pots in the ceiling, you need to use a Pobedit drill with a diameter of 6 mm to drill a hole in the slab with a depth of 6-8 cm. A smaller diameter is to eliminate the taper of the hole. Go through again with an 8 mm drill. If the slab is “empty”, hit the edge.
An expansion anchor with a hook inserted into the hole will allow you to securely hold a load weighing 80 kg.
