Balcony Living Reimagined For Apartments

By June Ramli

As apartment living becomes more common and outdoor footprints shrink, balconies are increasingly being treated not as leftover space, but as an extension of the home itself.
That idea sits at the heart of Immerse, a show garden by La Muxlow Gardens, built by Liven It Up Trade Services with Aumann’s Templestowe as lead nursery, which reimagines an exposed and overlooked balcony as a private retreat designed for the realities of modern urban living. The garden was named winner of the 2026 Balcony Garden Competition presented by Bunnings Warehouse at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.
Rather than treating the balcony as a place for a couple of chairs and a few pots, Immerse was conceived as a multifunctional garden room.
Terracotta screening wraps the side of the space, helping to filter wind, soften views of neighbouring buildings and create a stronger sense of privacy and enclosure.

Planting is layered across multiple levels, including overhead troughs, so that the occupant is surrounded by greenery rather than simply looking at it from the edges.
The result is a space designed to support quiet mornings, working from home, entertaining and rest, all within a compact footprint.
Flexibility is central to the design.
Custom furniture and integrated storage allow the balcony to adapt throughout the day, with a daybed that converts into seating, and a swing-out table that can be used for laptop work, dining or tucked away when not needed.
The balcony also incorporates concealed laundry facilities and a copper pizza oven, underscoring the idea that even small outdoor spaces can serve practical and lifestyle purposes at once.
The irrigated pergola troughs drain into a wicking bed below and are planted with hardy trailing varieties such as geranium, hardenbergia, rosemary and sedum to keep maintenance low.
“Balconies are an opportunity for another room.”
“I’m a big fan of more is better but to pull this maximalism approach off like our show garden was able to, you need to be strict with your colour palette,” La Muxlow told DailyStraits.com in an email interview.

Practical choices were another major focus.
Lightweight screening, compact water features, self-watering systems and furniture that can collapse, store or serve multiple purposes were all highlighted as useful solutions for balcony settings.
“Plants. As many as possible as these guys are going to do the heavy lifting to make the space feel inviting,” she said.
At the same time, durability matters.
Outdoor furniture, materials and planting systems need to withstand the elements over time, otherwise the space can quickly lose its appeal and become somewhere residents avoid rather than enjoy.
Second-place winner Sustainable Sky, designed and constructed by HyQual Landscapes, explored a different direction by showcasing an edible balcony garden that remains visually appealing and functional for entertaining.
The installation was also featured at the 2026 Balcony Garden Competition presented by Bunnings Warehouse at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show which concluded recently.

Brent Russell, Director of HyQual Landscapes, said the project was designed to challenge homeowners and developers to think differently about balcony spaces, showing that edible gardens can be both practical and attractive.
He said smaller outdoor areas require a “smart, functional layout” and should feel like a natural extension of the interior, with subtle lighting and a consistent palette helping to blur the line between inside and out.
Russell also stressed that while no garden is completely maintenance-free, design decisions can significantly reduce the effort required.
Wicking beds, irrigation catchments, drought-hardy plants and carefully chosen furniture can all help create a balcony that remains calm, inviting and usable throughout the year.
Together, both Immerse and Sustainable Sky reflect a growing design shift in urban living as balconies are no longer being seen as secondary spaces, but as essential parts of the home.
With thoughtful planning, layered planting and adaptable design, even a compact and exposed balcony can become a place to work, eat, unwind and reconnect with nature above the city.

Balcony Design Tips From The Winners

La Muxlow Gardens – Immerse

• Treat balconies as another room
• Use privacy screening to create enclosure
• Keep utilities discreet
• Layer plants across multiple levels including overhead
• Stick to a tight colour palette for a maximalist look
• Choose multi-functional furniture
• Use self-watering systems to reduce maintenance

HyQual Landscapes – Sustainable Sky

• Create a smart, functional layout for small spaces
• Blend indoor and outdoor palettes
• Use subtle lighting for ambience
• Include edible plants for practicality
• Reduce clutter and use flexible furniture
• Select drought-hardy plants suited to conditions
• Install wicking beds or irrigation solutions