One of the first things buyers and tenants notice when they’re looking at properties is, of course, how it looks from the outside. Regardless of how attractive a property may be inside, an off-putting exterior gives a bad first impression, and a property that looks good externally will attract more people.

Good external looks aren’t only important for houses—the same can be said for apartments, which is why skyscaping is important. Simply put, skyscaping is basically landscaping for apartments, and it needs a different approach compared to normal landscaping.

While some apartments have communal gardens, others may only have a balcony. Apartment dwellers usually have limited options in terms of improving their property’s exterior. As such, in this case, it’s even more important to make the most out of any space you do have, may it be indoor or outdoor.

If you’re trying to sell or rent out an apartment, it’s wise to do a little bit of skycaping to improve its value first. Below are a few tips to help you get started.

Renovate your Balcony

A shabby-looking balcony will give potential renters or buyers the idea that you’re not staying on top of your apartment’s maintenance duties. Repaint railings and walls around your balcony, and think about upgrading your seating (beanbags and floor cushions are inexpensive options if you have the space).

Flooring is another way to upgrade the look of your balcony, especially if you have boring or plain concrete flooring. Expect to pay around $30 – $50 per square meter for balcony decking. Even a nice outdoor rug makes the balcony more cared for than a plain floor.

Add Window Boxes

Window boxes planted with colourful flowers are one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to brighten up the outside of your apartment. If you have a balcony, you can buy small planters that hang off the railings for around $15. If you don’t have a balcony or you’re not permitted to install plant boxes outside, a box of pretty plants placed on an indoor windowsill makes for a good alternative.

Consider a Feature Wall

If you have a little outdoor space and you’re permitted to repaint it, think about painting with a bright colour to create a feature wall instead of simply opting for white or beige. Colours such as red and orange can help plants and flowers to really stand out against the background and also adds a bit of character to your unit’s exterior.

Bring the Outside In

Adding a little greenery in the form of a few houseplants around your apartment can make a big difference in terms of looks and ambience. Even small apartment units have room for a few houseplants, and you can choose varieties that thrive on minimal watering and don’t need much light to make your life easier.

Low maintenance houseplants include Mother in Law’s Tongue, air plants, and Australia’s current favourite, the fiddle-leaf fig. Every room inside your apartment can benefit from the addition of a plant or two—grow herbs on the kitchen window sill, hang a fern in your bathroom, and add a little cactus to your bookshelf. The added green also makes your apartment look more refreshing and calming.

Embrace Vertical Gardening

Vertical gardening is one of the most on-trend outdoor projects you can take on right now. It’s ideal for apartments where traditional horizontal gardening space is limited but there’s plenty of vertical outdoor wall space. In fact a Sydney skyscraper won the Best Building in the World award in 2014 because of its vertical garden.

You don’t need a high-rise apartment building to benefit from vertical gardening though. You can buy a small hanging planter with pockets for hanging plants and install it on your balcony or any outdoor space. Vertical garden kits go for as low as $15 as well, making it a budget-friendly option which can have a major impact on your apartment’s overall look.

Improve your Lighting

Decorative lighting can be very effective in a small balcony space. A large pendant light provides attractive mood lighting for sitting and eating outside on the balcony in the evening. A decorative light fitting can also provide a focal point and can be used to tie design elements together. For example, you could match your pendant light’s colours with the colour of your balcony cushions, chairs, or table, enhancing your apartment’s visual appeal.

If you’re on a small budget or don’t want to mess around with electrical fittings, you can opt for fairy lights instead. All you need is a power outlet to plug them in, or you could go for battery-operated or solar LED lights. You can pick up a string of LED fairy lights for as low as $10, making it another affordable skyscaping option.

Think About your Window Dressings

Remember that the curtains and blinds you have in your windows are also visible from the outside, so it’s worth putting some thought into how they look from the reverse side. One option you could go for is to use decorative window film which provides privacy and filters the light inside. It also adds a bit of visual character to your windows, depending on the design. Good quality frosted window film is available in a variety of styles and costs around $50 per square meter.

Make the most of your Investment Property

Skyscaping is just one of the many ways you can enhance your apartment’s looks and, possibly, its value. No matter what kind of investment property you have though, it’s always wise to seek expert advice if you want to make the most out of it. We here at Clever Finance Solutions specialise in assisting and guiding our clients in their financial and investment plans. With years of experience and expertise, we’ll be able to help you make the right financial decisions on your way to securing a better future for you and your family. Set an appointment with us today and let’s start working together.