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How to Decorate a Patio with Re-purposed Treasures

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As I’ve mentioned before we are downsizing from a large apartment to a smaller one which is located right below the one we are in now. Today I’ll be sharing the balcony with you.  The one that I’ve been working on these past few weeks and how I’ve decorated it frugally with repurposed treasures. Because that is what they become with a little care. 

With this small tour of this balcony you’ll be able see just how everything comes together and how everything gets used over and over again, in one form or another. 

Jar with shells, How to Decorate a Balcony with Re-Purposed Treasures, www.theboondocksblog.com
This balcony is right below the Balcony that I shared with you last year.  In fact if you take a peek you can see the same exact scenery

​This is how it looks from the top balcony.  It is actually much larger than the third floor balcony.  And it also wraps around three sides of the building but we are only using this small portion.  You see the other sides look directly onto busy streets and we do value our peace and quiet and privacy. 
overview of balcony space, How to Decorate a Balcony with Re-Purposed Treasures, www.theboondocksblog.com
Let’s start with th end facing the back of the building.  You all remember my colorful fence.  As you may have guessed by now, the branches I had originally added dried out and I was going to add some more but then I remembered the yellow faux flowers I had from last years wreath.   Not wanting anything to go to waste, I reused them to fill out the spaces and add even more color. 
colorful fence, How to Decorate a Balcony with Re-Purposed Treasures, www.theboondocksblog.com
Next to the colorful fence is my failed attempt to save the succulents (we won’t talk about that now), the nautical lantern, and the space ship planter.  Both of these were made using parts of a barbecue grill. 
the corner of the balcony with the failed attempts to grow succulents, How to Decorate a Balcony with Re-Purposed Treasures, www.theboondocksblog.com
Here is the view from the other end of the balcony.  You can see I’ve got plenty of room and lots of things in my planters that aren’t plants.  But to give due credit, my husband is growing tomatoes at the other end of the balcony. 
looking across the length of the balcony lots of planters, How to Decorate a Balcony with Re-Purposed Treasures, www.theboondocksblog.com
Why there are even a few aloe vera plants which always come in handy with sun burns and such. I do believe this one is due for a trimming. 
aloe vera plant, How to Decorate a Balcony with Re-Purposed Treasures, www.theboondocksblog.com
The view from the balcony. 
balcony view, How to Decorate a Balcony with Re-Purposed Treasures, www.theboondocksblog.com
Now back to the tour.  Here you can see the back of the  pallet couch. It looks like a hot mess but I really don’t care since it only took me 15 minutes to put together. What’s important is that I enjoy my space and get lots of rest.  

We even added an umbrella for extra shade during the day.  But truth be told, we have never sat out there during the day.  We only use it after 5 pm when the sun has gone over to the other side of the building. 
back view of the pallet couch, How to Decorate a Balcony with Re-Purposed Treasures, www.theboondocksblog.com
The front of the couch has been modified a bit. Instead of many cushions I have replaced them with a mattress  from a portable fold-up bed. It is so much easier to work with.  And of course the numerous pillows.  The mattress does not extend the length of the pallet couch but that is okay because at the end I have space to add things and use it as a side table of sorts.   

In front you can see one of my treasures, a table that was made from the base of a baby high chair topped with a dresser drawer that has now been repurposed into a table top.  Another treasure, my beloved vintage milk carton stool is front and center and has been recovered with new fabric. 
the seating area with table stool and couch, How to Decorate a Balcony with Re-Purposed Treasures, www.theboondocksblog.com
Now a little bit about the rug which is not a rug at all.  It is an old piece of heavy duty fabric which we have had in our home for years.  Many of my Greek readers may recognize it as being characteristic of vintage fabric which was woven in a loom.  I added a different fabric at the edges and simply cut them up to create a fringe. I think it adds a nice pop of color to the balcony!
a rug made from vintage fabric, How to Decorate a Balcony with Re-Purposed Treasures, www.theboondocksblog.com
The pillows are also of a complimentary fabric. We do like our reds in this house.

You can also see the area next to the seating which holds my masterpiece abstract art and the beaded lantern both made using vintage copper pots
the pallet couch and space next to the seating, How to Decorate a Balcony with Re-Purposed Treasures, www.theboondocksblog.com
And finally one of my favorite projects.  The two sided chalkboard stand on which are hung the simple lanterns made by repurposing jars
standing chalkboard with hanging lanterns, How to Decorate a Balcony with Re-Purposed Treasures, www.theboondocksblog.com
The other side…
the other side of the standing chalkboard, How to Decorate a Balcony with Re-Purposed Treasures, www.theboondocksblog.com
The dresser drawer as table top is usually full of food and wine, but when not in use it is nice to decorate it and bring a bit of the beach to our balcony. Very simple things, a few pieces of driftwood, some marmalade jars with shells and a container with a candle in it. 
dresser drawer turned into a tabletop with driftwood and jars, How to Decorate a Balcony with Re-Purposed Treasures, www.theboondocksblog.com
I got this idea of placing the candle in this glass container from my friend Sheila of My Kentucky Living.  Sheila recommends keeping the container covered when the candle is not lit, this way it stays nice and clean. She has added sand and shells to hers. 

Go over to her blog and admire her jar which is much nicer than mine. Sheila is the Queen of vignettes and she really knows how to decorate too. 
glass container holding shells and a candle, How to Decorate a Balcony with Re-Purposed Treasures, www.theboondocksblog.com
Disclosure: The items below are affiliate links and link to Amazon.com. If you purchase any of these products through the links, I receive a small commission, that way I can continue to provide you with lovely content.  There is no extra charge to you for purchasing through my affiliate links.
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glass container with lid off, How to Decorate a Balcony with Re-Purposed Treasures, www.theboondocksblog.com
Not only is Sheila’s idea practical but it looks so pretty!
g;ass container with driftwood, How to Decorate a Balcony with Re-Purposed Treasures, www.theboondocksblog.com
And when the sun goes down the atmosphere changes with the lighting of the candles and all those tea lights.  I must have about 10 of them out there. 
Lit candle inside glass container, How to Decorate a Balcony with Re-Purposed Treasures, www.theboondocksblog.com
One final look at my copper lid turned lantern which is actually not so bad when I look at it in this light. 
tea light inside glass on top of copper lid, night view, How to Decorate a Balcony with Re-Purposed Treasures, www.theboondocksblog.com
As you can see I was able to put this space together using left over items that I managed to repurpose and upcycle.  You don’t need to spend money to decorate when your house is full of treasures waiting to be discovered.  One of the best things I found was the drawers that I’ve been able to use as trays and table tops. 
pallet couch with pillows and vintage milk crate stool, How to Decorate a Balcony with Re-Purposed Treasures, www.theboondocksblog.com
And that was my balcony tour. It is easy to decorate your space when you look at things in a fresh way and instead of junk you see the makings of a repurposed treasures. Now I have a warm, inviting area where I can relax in the evenings.

Make sure you drop by Sheila’s blog, My Kentucky Living.  She is such an inspiration to me and such a sweet lady. And you can thank me below!
By using items you have at home and repurposing or upcycling them into treasures, you can decorate your outdoor space or balcony, How to Decorate a Balcony with Re-Purposed Treasures, www.theboondocksblog.com
If you like what you see, share it with your friends, or save it on Pinterest.  Above is a Pinterest worthy image!

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Quickly Make a Super Easy Pallet Couch - The Boondocks Blog

Tuesday 21st of July 2020

[…] You can see a tour of the balcony here. ​ […]

Carolann

Monday 17th of July 2017

I just love everything about your balcony, Mary. Every element of it is stunning! It looks like a wonderful place to work, relax, and enjoy!

Mary

Tuesday 18th of July 2017

And take a nap or two! ;)

Linda at Mixed Kreations

Monday 17th of July 2017

Your balcony area is lovely, you did a fabulous job decorating it. Very inviting, plenty of colors, and privacy with your pretty chalkboard sign, and pallet fence. Love the drift wood, shells and all the candles. Does give one that beachy feel. Love you aloe Vera, wish I could get mine to grow, it's just there. Doesn't do anything. Thanks for the tour Mary, everything's beautiful, you have a real knack for upcyling! 😊

Mary

Tuesday 18th of July 2017

I hardly ever water mine. And it has to have a big enough pot to grow into. That is all I know. Nothing else. ;)

Debrashoppeno5

Monday 17th of July 2017

I love how it all came together. It is a very relaxing space, an oasis. The bed is even better now with the mattress. It looks great.

Mary

Tuesday 18th of July 2017

The bed is sooo much better with this mattress Debra. Before with the cushions it was a bit lumpy! ;)

Doreen@foxdenrd

Monday 17th of July 2017

It looks so colorful and creative Mary, and I especially love the reuse of the fabric for a rug. You have an amazing view too! xxx

Mary

Tuesday 18th of July 2017

That view is going to be the end of me. It's what keeps me here even though I have other fish to fry!

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