Lewis Hamilton’s Balcony Garden Shows How to Create Privacy in a Small Space
Lewis Hamilton is no stranger to impeccable style – and his design-savvy sensibilities extend far beyond the Formula One race track and red carpet. His balcony garden is a masterclass in making a small outdoor space feel considered, sophisticated and effortlessly private.
Yes, even the smallest balcony idea can become a beautifully designed urban garden. The trick is to resist the temptation to overcomplicate it. Keep hard landscaping to a couple of complementary materials, pare back the color palette and let the planting do the work. Lewis Hamilton’s balcony demonstrates how a restrained scheme can feel both luxurious and wonderfully calm.
‘Small gardens are often where good design matters most,’ says Rachel Bull, Head of Gardens at Homes & Gardens. ‘You have to think carefully about every element, from the plants you choose to how you frame the view. A well-planted balcony can feel like a private outdoor living room – somewhere that offers shade, shelter and a real sense of escape.’
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The concept of the ‘slow reveal’ can be particularly effective in a compact garden. When you can’t see the entire space at once, the garden feels larger because there is a sense of discovery. Even on a balcony, positioning planting so that it partially obscures a view or creates a tucked-away seating area can introduce that same feeling of intrigue.
Think carefully about the weather conditions, too. Choose plants according to how much sunlight your balcony receives, then make the most of vertical space with climbers, trellises, wall planters or tiered displays. A combination of structural evergreens and seasonal planting will provide year-round interest while keeping the overall scheme cohesive.
It is these smaller details that can make the biggest difference, say garden designers and landscapers.
‘Every garden, no matter how small, can be turned into an asset,’ says John Wyer of Bowles & Wyer, who constructed the medal-winning Florence Nightingale Garden for Chelsea 2021. ‘In a smaller space, every millimeter counts.’ He recommends thinking practically about how the garden will be used, while also considering how it looks from adjacent windows and from within the garden itself.
John Wyer also advises against trying to squeeze too many ideas into a small space. Instead, embrace a ‘less is more’ approach. Choose a color scheme and stick to it, he suggests, and the result will naturally feel more cohesive and impactful.
‘My focus in small gardens is to organize the space, utilizing levels, framing views, creating social seating options and making every single millimeter work,’ says Mandy Buckland of landscape design company Greencube. ‘Track the sun’s arc to optimize the best spots, screen any view spoilers and create focal points that draw the eye.’
For a balcony, privacy is another important consideration. Rather than relying solely on screens or fencing, use planting to soften boundaries and create a sense of enclosure. Tall grasses, leafy shrubs, climbers and strategically placed containers can all help turn an exposed balcony into a more intimate retreat, while still allowing light and air to flow through.
Inspiration for vertical planting in a small garden.
(Image credit: Future / James Merrell)
Another wonderful way to enhance a small or balcony garden is with a living wall or vertical garden.
‘A vertical garden makes green space accessible to the masses and as attention continues to turn to where our food comes from, we’re not hugely surprised that people are now thinking about what more their living walls can offer them,’ says Matt Lindsay, General Manager at Growing Revolution. ‘With a fixture against an external wall or on a balcony, those in flats and other urban homes can reap the physical, mental and environmental rewards that gardening for production provides.’
Ultimately, Hamilton’s balcony is a reminder that you don’t need a large plot to create an impressive garden. With thoughtful planting, a restrained palette and a little creativity, even the smallest outdoor space can become a stylish sanctuary – and one that feels every bit as intentional as the home it belongs to.
Shop Balcony Essentials
IKEA
NÄMMARÖ privacy screen
The NÄMMARÖ series is ideal for bringing the comfort of your living room to a balcony. Designed for compact outdoor spaces, it creates a relaxed setting for quiet moments, al fresco dining and summer gatherings. The NÄMMARÖ privacy screen is freestanding and easy to move, so you can create privacy wherever you need it – beside a sunbed, dining area, or as a stylish divider. Use one or combine several to define your balcony, and let climbing plants grow naturally along the frame for a softer, greener look.
Amazon
Metal Raised Garden Bed
When space is limited, think upwards. A raised planter is an easy way to introduce herbs, flowers and greenery without taking up too much valuable floor space. The two-tier design keeps plants at a comfortable height while giving you a useful lower shelf for pots and gardening essentials. For a more considered balcony garden, group plants by height and choose a mix of herbs and seasonal flowers to add interest without overcrowding the space.
Wayfair
Metal Planter Box with Wheels
A trellis planter is a smart way to make more of a small garden, balcony or patio. By giving climbing plants room to grow vertically, it adds height and greenery while creating a natural sense of privacy. Look for features that make a planter practical as well as decorative: drainage holes to prevent waterlogged soil, weather-resistant materials for year-round use, and wheels so you can move plants as light levels change. As the climbers fill out, the trellis becomes a living screen that brings a softer, more private feel to the space.
