One in eight households have no access to a shared or private garden, and with urbanization rising, it’s safe to say this is only going to increase. Reports suggest that enjoying time outside in green spaces is one of the best ways to improve your mental health, but how can you do this when you live in the center of a city in a small flat or high-rise apartment? Luckily, Love, The Garden has you covered. They’ve reimagined six life-less spaces both inside and outside city homes into hidden green oases, showing how you can escape from the bustle of the city living with your own tranquil ‘Gardenless Garden.’
Each garden is designed in consultation with a 3D artist from the architect’s firm LeadsonViz, who utilized the latest design techniques to create six renders of each ‘Gardenless Garden’ in a different style. This was coupled with Love The Garden’s expertise in gardening and plants, who suggested the best plants and design elements to use in each.
More info: lovethegarden.com
The Living Wall
A living wall is very on-trend right now and can often be found in the hippest bars and offices, but why not bring one to your balcony instead? To get this look, the living wall should be the centerpiece of the space with the rest of the area designed with simplicity to make it pop. Use plants such as the Japanese Spurge, Ivy-Leaved Geranium, and Maidenhair Fern to utilize the style and space.
The Minimalist Retreat
Not everyone likes the use of rugs and knick-knacks to tie an area together, so why not opt for a minimalist retreat instead? This style uses a simple and sleek design to make a feature of space, allowing for a peaceful and calming environment. If you’re trying to recreate this look for yourself, nothing should be overcrowded, opt for bold yet bold plants such as Bamboo, Bonsai Trees, Eucalyptus, and the Japanese Maple.
The Nomadic Sanctuary
Got the travel bug or want to evoke memories of adventures abroad? Turning your inner-city balcony into a Nomadic Sanctuary can transport you to different cultures. We chose a warm electric color palette with terracotta pots and soft furnishings. For plants, chose ones such as the Barrel Cactus, Lady’s Mantle, or New Guinea Impatiens.
Bring The Outdoors In
Even without a balcony, a ‘Gardenless Garden’ is still a possibility. Just bring the outdoors in! Utilize space-saving shelves and hanging plant pots around areas of natural light to create a charming and inviting space. Lots of houseplants and textures are essential for this look, opt for plants such as the Snake Plant, Boston Fern, Peace Lily, and Aloe Vera.
Ways With Wood
Have a lot of wood paneling on your balcony? Why not make it a feature of the space as there are many elements in a garden that timber can be incorporated into. Just make sure to complement the natural feel and look of the wood with other natural materials. For plants, you can offset timber by using herbs such as Rosemary, Thyme, and Sage or plants like the Soft Shield Fern and Lovage.
The Wildlife Oasis
Image credits: www.lovethegarden.com
The best gardens are those teeming with animal life, but in the city, it is often hard to find such a space. Worry not, though; it is possible to create a wildlife oasis on your balcony with the right selection of plants. Just make sure you have the right mix of flowering plants, shrubs, and trees to provide cover. Opt for ones such as Jasmine, Foxglove, Honeysuckle, the Bay Tree, and Salvia.
No matter the space you’re working with – whether outside or in – or your favorite style, you can find the ‘Gardenless Garden’ to transform your home and get all the beauty and calming benefits of the outside world.