My Perfectly Pink Balcony Makeover

A few months ago, I decided to re-decorate my outdoor space with a new color scheme: pink. This makeover had to be done with just the right shades of pink that would coordinate with the brick walls of my balcony. Pink can be a tricky color to decorate with in an adult space. Ironically, my muse for this makeover was my favorite animal as a child: the flamingo.

Read along to find out how I achieved the perfect shade of pink for my brick balcony, check out my new container garden, and how I coordinated everything with a tropical and India-inspired style.

My decor style is truly eclectic (like the rest of my home) since I enjoy mixing different styles together. However, to ensure a cohesive space, I reference a few styles for most of the decor. Because my color scheme was pink, I referenced decor styles that frequently utilize this color: tropical and Indian decor.

Here’s some before & after shots of last year’s balcony vs. this year:

I like before/after shots to be identical in layout, but since I moved, this balcony is pretty much a mirror image of last year’s.

To find the perfect shade of pink, I looked to the flamingo: shades of orange-pink, like coral and salmon. These warmer versions of pink provide a harmonious complement to the rust tones found in the brick. In addition to pink, I decorated with terra cotta, red, and deeper shades of pink to ensure the space wouldn’t feel candy-coated. The neutral shades of cream and bamboo also help balance the brightness of the pinks, while the black furniture provides a dramatic contrast.

The first step of my makeover was replacing my painted slingback patio chairs. The new chairs are powder-coated and are fairly comfy, but you can’t go wrong with more padding. I bought a couple 15″ foam squares & sewed up some box cushion covers from duck canvas. Duck canvas is a great choice for outdoor use, but I also sprayed the cushions with Scotchguard for added protection.

To joozh up the chairs, I sewed some some envelope pillow covers from the same duck canvas and painted a quatrefoil design on them. The design was painted with a mixture of acrylic craft paint and textile medium.

I bought a few terra cotta planters and revamped them with acrylic craft paint and polycrylic sealer. Sealing these planters is crucial to help the plants retain moisture, as untreated terra cotta pots absorb lots of water.

This wood tray is a cheapie you can get at any craft store. I revamped it with paint and added a henna-inspired design to the inside with a permanent marker.

To help create the tropical vibe on the balcony, I used natural items to accent my furniture and decor. The long folding table in the back was accented with sisal rope, which I simply hot glued around the table. I also added a quick table skirt with Osnaburg, which helps to hide my gardening supplies & tools underneath.

This rug also has a natural vibe to it, with its khaki color and texture. It’s actually a kitchen rug I scored for $8. To use it outside, I sprayed it with Scotchguard.

I also used bamboo with some of the accessories. On the tray, I repurposed bamboo skewers and glued them to the inside. Doing this not only reinforced the tropical vibe, but also gave the tray texture and increased its durability.

This bamboo placemat was given a DIY whitewash treatment followed by a few coats of polycrylic.

The same sisal rope used to trim the long table was used to create coasters. It was a very easy DIY: simply attach the rope to a cork circle with hot glue.

My container garden also played a large part in the tropical decor. I hung a luscious Boston fern in this mostly shaded corner. Originally, I wanted a potted palm, but with the direct sun I now receive at this apartment, I didn’t want to chance it.

I’d never heard of mandevilla before, but fell in love with it at first sight. I love its glossy leaves and vines. The best part: the pink blooms with orange centers are perfect for my pink, tropical space. If it climbs all the way up this trellis, it will be heavenly.

Another plant I couldn’t resist were these New Guinea impatiens. This variety in soft pink and light coral is also perfect for my color scheme.

These are petunia-like, but are actually a different type of flower called Superbells. Um, except mine aren’t looking as super as when I first bought them. They were much fuller. These are the Strawberry Punch variety.

Also included in my garden are spearmint and basil, because I love fresh herbs. And this year, I’m venturing into the wonderful world of vegetable growing, now that my balcony faces west. My first step into this journey is with tomato plants. The smaller pot are cherry tomatoes, and the larger pot is a Patio tomato plant.

I’ve had a few cherry tomatoes ripen already and had my first tomato from the Patio Tomato plant last week. My taste buds loved me that night. Home-grown tomatoes are sooo much better than the store-bought ones.

When researching tips for growing tomatoes in containers, I came across some ideas to use 5-gallon buckets as planters and sew burlap bags to cover the buckets. I don’t know if all burlap is created equal, but the stuff I bought frayed into millions of pieces while I worked with it. Most of it stayed in one piece, but all those pieces that frayed off irritated my skin badly! I’m glad I tackled this project outside.

Instead of sewing bags, I just used my glue gun to attach the burlap to the buckets. Full disclosure: I was so eager to be done with it that I totally half-assed the project.

The final leg of my makeover (pun intended) was the addition of this plastic flamingo.

Confession: as a child, I gave myself the nickname “Flamingo Kid” after seeing the movie listed in our TV Guide. I had no idea what the movie was about but wanted a nickname like everyone else, so I rolled with it. Corny childhood moment or intuitive branding? My ego says the latter. 🙂

I know, I know, I said I wouldn’t use those ubiquitous lawn ornaments… but this is a compromise. The Flamingo Kid would just the The Kid without a flamingo.

I love to repurpose and revamp, so most of the accessories and furniture on my balcony were items I already had. The few decor items I did purchase were bought with a frugal mindset. To find out where I purchased the new items, click on the descriptions below:

Pink glass lantern:  Joann Fabrics

Coral votive: Target

Clear glass tealight holders: IKEA

Unfinished wood tray: Joann Fabrics

Patio chairs: Home Depot

Duck canvas in Pastel Pink: Joann Fabrics

Trellis: Meijer

Flamingo: Meijer

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This makeover was way outside my comfort zone, but well worth it. I can’t help but feel happy with all the pink out there. I’ve spent a lot of time outside on my balcony & will be enjoying it until the cold days of fall. If you’re feeling inspired & would like tips on how to make the most of your outdoor space, check out my past blog post here.

Do you have your own outdoor space, such as a balcony, deck, porch, patio, etc.? Does it include a garden? How does your garden grow? DId you also makeover your outdoor space this year? If so, link it up!

Thanks for visiting! Let’s stay connected!

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