3 × delightfully colorful balconies! “Some guests are left speechless”

Raija furnished a lush, peaceful sanctuary

Once, when Raija Rantanen was sitting on her balcony, she heard a little child’s voice from the building’s yard below say, “Look, there’s a jungle up there!” The sign reads “Raija’s flower paradise.”

On Raija’s balcony, trailing petunias and cup-and-saucer vines flourish in abundance. Geraniums, ivies, and creeping jennies always spend the winter in the cellar and return to the balcony again in spring.

“The balcony is my peaceful refuge. I eat my breakfast there, read the newspaper, or just sit and admire what I’ve created. I also often read books on the balcony. Every spring, I can’t wait for the weather to warm up enough so I can spend time out there.

My balcony is lush, colorful, and playful with its various items. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished! The hardest work on the balcony is in spring, when I plant in pots and hanging baskets. Hanging heavy baskets can be challenging at times because of my artificial joints in my knees and shoulder.

Over the years, I’ve learned which plants are worth putting in and which aren’t. I’ve tried growing black-eyed Susan vines, morning glories, and creeping gloxinias, but they always ended up with aphids. Lobelia, fuchsia, verbena, and dianthus haven’t thrived on the balcony.

Instead, I’ve found the cup-and-saucer vine to be a good choice because it doesn’t attract bugs and grows lushly. In spring, I grow pansies until their scent becomes too intense. Then I give them to my neighbors or plant them in the building’s yard. I’ve also found that portulaca, silver dichondra, and marguerites are worth planting.

Sometimes I experiment with new plants, like hostas in a big planter this year, as well as tomatoes and the herb of immortality.

“When chatting with guests, time flies on the balcony well into the late-night hours,” Raija says.

“Guests always want to see the balcony as soon as they come in. Some are left speechless, while others express their amazement out loud.”

When it comes to décor, I love color, but not chaotic mixes. I prefer harmonious color combinations at home.

After I retired, I first thought I’d start a ‘death cleaning.’ But then I decided instead to get more things I like. When I was working, I was always busy and tired. I realized I now have the time to enjoy my home and make it a cozy ‘nest’ that reflects who I am.” -Raija Rantanen

Maarit’s summer oasis is brightened by travel souvenirs—and a Christmas tree

Maarit Mandelin says she’s anything but a minimalist: “The more, the better.” She placed a large forest poster on the back wall of the balcony. In front of it stands an artificial spruce that stays out there year-round.

“As a decorator, I follow my own path and act on impulse. When I see something fun or beautiful—something that resonates with me—I get it. I’m not a minimalist. Bright artificial flowers add color in early spring before I buy my first yellow pansies. There’s also an artificial spruce on my balcony. At Christmas, I decorate it in a prime spot so it can be seen from the living room and kitchen. The rest of the year, it stays at the back of the balcony as an ‘owl tree’ where I hang different owls on its branches.

Every spring, I buy hanging baskets of summer flowers from the garden center. I’ve found fun items at flea markets, like a small toadstool stool, and from nature, I’ve collected birch trunks, sticks, logs, tree fungi, cones, stones, and pieces of wood.

Maarit bought colorful rugs from Tokmanni and Bauhaus to lay over the gray balcony carpet from Lumon.

“My two cats are enjoying the good life on the glassed-in balcony while bird-watching.” In the photo, the cats lounge in the early spring sun as they wait for summer.

My favorite things on my balcony are my various travel souvenirs. As a traveler revisiting the past in my mind, I find real joy in looking at them. I have mementos from Latvia, Turkey, and even Gothenburg, where I lived for eight years. I also have a piece of lava rock from Mount Teide in Tenerife on display.

My guests have admired and marveled at my balcony—they’re also intrigued by the sheer amount of stuff. My balcony decor is constantly evolving: I rearrange items and plants according to my latest ideas.” -Maarit Mandelin

Taina’s balcony offers three distinct atmospheres

Taina Tammekann has decorated her spacious balcony with three distinct areas. In the photo, you can see the dining area at one end and a garden-like seating area in the middle. The other end has a nautical vibe.

“Moving into an apartment building felt hard at first because I was used to having my own yard and garden. I moved into this apartment in December, drawn especially to its large balcony. I immediately began planning how I would decorate it. The fact that the balcony is glassed in was a big plus when I was considering the move. The glass enclosure significantly extends how long I can spend on the balcony.

Taina has her breakfast on the balcony whenever she’s home.

“I don’t have a specific style in mind when I decorate. My only criterion is that the objects and furniture must please the eye,” Taina says.

“My friends have admired my balcony and its colorfulness and cozy feel. One of them claimed the nautical-themed end for herself and said she’s moving in there.”

My balcony is divided into three different sections. One end, which is right in front of my kitchen, is a dining area. The idea is that I can serve food to the balcony through the kitchen window if needed. The middle section has a garden theme. There, I have wicker furniture where I often sit to enjoy my afternoon tea. The other end of the balcony has a nautical feel and reminds me of my sailing hobby. That’s where I keep a lounge chair, perfect for reading or napping.

My favorite things about the balcony are its garden-like atmosphere and enjoying tea time there. The vibrant and sunny feel of the middle section lifts my spirits, even if the weather outside is gloomy. My home is colorful overall. A stripped-down, sterile style just isn’t for me.” -Taina Tammekann