How to Spruce Up Your Apartment’s Exterior
Spring has sprung and you know what that means: spring cleaning. As the temperatures rise and the days grow longer, it’s time to cast off the dirt of winter, and re-organize. You’ll likely give your apartment’s interior a thorough cleaning and redecorating, but what about the exterior of your apartment?
The outside of a property is crucial as well, as any property manager knows: a property’s exterior serves as the property’s “face.” And for tenants, an organized balcony or outdoor space can serve as a place to relax and unwind. For Durango and Four Corners tenants especially, having a balcony or patio allows us to further savor the region’s beauty, right from the comfort of home. Let’s look at how to spruce up the outside of an apartment!
Chat With Your Landlord First
Before you begin cleaning and sprucing up your apartment’s exterior, have a chat with your landlord first. Why? They will explain what is and is not allowed when it comes to decorating your unit’s balcony or patio. For example, property management may rule out certain types of light fixtures or furniture. Once you know the rules, you can get to dressing up a unit’s outdoor space.
Less is More
Empty balconies can look sad and abandoned. And while it may be tempting to overdecorate, sometimes less is more. You don’t need tons of plants or lights to transform a space. Instead, focus on statement pieces, such as a rocking chair or a rug with a unique design. There’s no need to cover every square inch of a balcony or patio.
Four Corners Aesthetic
We are so lucky to live and work where we do. The Four Corners region is renowned for its natural beauty and Native American and Western heritage and culture. Let the area serve as an inspiration on how to decorate an outdoor space from Navajo rugs, tribal pottery, local woodwork, and more. Support local shops and artists and you’ll have a balcony that reflects the wonderful place we live.
Privacy Screens
Privacy screens keep unwanted eyes and elements out of a unit’s interior. Durango and Four Corners inhabitants undoubtedly love the area’s sunshine, but tenants sometimes need a little respite from all that Vitamin D. Privacy screens provide some relief and can be ordered online. Available in a myriad of designs, they can be purchased in neutral colors, or select from artificial boxwood panels for a natural aesthetic and pop of color.
Durable Furniture
Given Colorado’s elements – fierce sun, arid winters – you’ll want furniture to withstand the weather, especially if you have no other space to store your patio’s items. With wooden furniture, look for naturally rot resistant wood such as redwood, teak, or cedar; for further durability apply waterproof sealer. If you love the look of wicker, go with synthetic wicker as it is made with polypropylene – the same material often found in ski and winter apparel.
Go Artsy
Durango and Cortez are both known for their artsy scene, so why not incorporate that in an apartment’s exterior? From art galleries to open markets you’ll see beautiful rugs, paintings, hand crafted ceramics, and more: your balcony or patio will not only look polished, but you’ll be supporting local artists as well.
Have A Mini Garden
For those green thumb tenants, having a mini garden is a great way to enliven an apartment’s exterior. Succulents are super easy to care for and create a cute aesthetic. And if you love animals, a bird feeder is a great addition, too – but ask your property manager first if it’s allowed, first, especially if you live in a rural area. The last thing any tenant or property manager wants is a bear hanging around the property.
Add Some Artificial Turf
Miss having a backyard? Add some artificial turf. Plus, if natural, outdoorsy aesthetic is your thing, turf is an easy way to bring that vibe to an apartment’s exterior. And in the winter, if you find you’re missing the bright greenery of warmer months, incorporate some turf: it will instantly brighten up an apartment’s outdoor living space.
Use a Balcony Table
Instead of having a regular table take up most of a balcony’s space, use a balcony table instead. Basically, a shelf designed to set securely upon a balcony’s railing, balcony tables come in plenty of designs, so you can find the one that fits your aesthetic.
Deter Bugs with Fancy Lanterns
Hanging out on your balcony on a summer evening is relaxing, until the insects find you. If mosquitos and other bugs are deterring you, repel them with an outdoor mosquito lantern trap. Available online in different, unique styles, these lanterns don’t look like any old mosquito traps. Instead, they’re designed to complement surrounding décor. Such lanterns are an ingenious blend of function and style, and are a great non-chemical option to repelling and killing pesky insects.
Pet Friendly Patio
We know Coloradans love their animals. For those living in pet friendly properties, utilize that balcony or patio for your pup, or cat. Create a mini fenced in area with artificial turf, and include a doghouse, water bowl, and stash of dog toys. Pet-proof railings with plastic coverings or wiring also provide a shaded area in summer months, and sun-bathing spots in winter. For cat owners, a “catio” or fully enclosed area is a great way to let felines roam securely, outside. You can also grow pet friendly plants such as cat nip for your kitty, or rosemary, wheatgrass, or spider plants for your canine.
A Spruced-Up Exterior: A Win-Win Situation For All
A polished apartment exterior can be a relaxing spot for tenants, but it also serves as a visual representation for landlords and property management companies. When others – whether prospective or current tenants – view such a space, it serves as reassurance. How? That tenants care about the property, and that the property manager cares about who they have as tenants. Think about it: successful property management companies know that the conditions and care of both the interior and exterior of a property, create a reputable “face,” and attracts responsible tenants.
