In a Nutshell
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Client: Residential
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Product used:
- Artificial Hanging Purple and Green Will Leaf Garland Bushes
- Artificial Dense Hanging Flowering Pothos Bushes
- Artificial Hanging Dense Boston Fern Garland Bushes
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Results:
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Transformed a plain metal awning into a lush balcony feature
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Softened the industrial look of the exposed beams with layered garlands
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Improved the overall balcony aesthetic by making it look more lived-in
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Before Our Collaboration
This project began with a residential client who had recently moved into a new-build apartment. Like many modern constructions, the balcony of this building was sleek, clean, and bare.
The exposed metal beams and structural awning frames looked cool and blended well with the surroundings, but they looked cold and industrial. As a result, they left the space looking far from the warm, inviting outdoor retreat the homeowners wanted.
While planning their balcony decor, our clients decided they needed to soften the hard lines as early as possible, before adding indoor and outdoor furniture, styling, or finishing touches.
After browsing inspiration online, they discovered the Designer Plants range of ultra-realistic artificial hanging garlands and bushes, and were drawn to the full, textured, and lifelike appearance.
They then reached out asking whether these products could be used overhead to disguise the visible beams, and whether they could install them easily on their own.
The Problem
The challenge for this project was simple, but it had the potential to be impactful and set the scene for the entire balcony.
The problem was threefold:
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The awning’s exposed metal beams made the balcony feel unfinished and stark, even though it had a great foundation for an inviting space.
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The client wanted a softer and more natural-looking frame around the balcony without committing to heavy planters or high-maintenance real vines.
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They needed a solution that was DIY-friendly, quick to install, and light enough to hang securely from the structure without compromising it.
In the end, the homeowners’ goal wasn’t pure decoration, but a way to transform the balcony into a space that feels lived-in and relaxing from day one.
During the Process
Our team at Designer Plants worked with the client to help them select a mix of artificial hanging plants. Once that was done, the next step was planning a layout that looked intentional, not just a cluster of greenery tied overhead.
The homeowners started by mapping the awning beam by beam, deciding where the densest foliage should go to hide the most exposed metal. The longer, wispier garlands were placed at the outer edges to soften the frame, while the fuller pieces were arranged along the central beams to add volume.
Working section by section, they attached each faux garland with cable ties, adjusted the drape and overlapping pieces, and achieved a natural-looking canopy.
The clients layered the greenery at different heights so that it would fall in varied directions and give the structure a more “grown-in” feel.
The Solution
The solution was simple, and luckily, so was the execution. Since the clients weren’t dealing with artificial green walls that need more complex installation processes (that you can still DIY), they managed to complete the entire project in less than a day.
The clients did most of the work themselves - they planned the layout, the clusters, the alignment, and the number of hanging plants needed to wrap the beams as they wanted.
The mix of artificial hanging plants used was strategic and chosen with help from our expert stylists and a few inspiration pics from our gallery and social media.
The Purple & Green Willow Leaf garlands added color variation and a cascading silhouette that set the foundation of the decor, while the Pothos and Boston Fern bushes added volume and a natural “forest canopy” feel.
Because all three products are UV-engineered, lightweight, and crafted to mimic real hanging foliage, they blended easily and delivered the lushness of real plants without needing watering, trimming, or sunlight.
After the Process
Once the artificial hanging plants were up and clustered together, the results were clearly visible.
From below, the metal beams were now wrapped in dense, flowing, and trailing artificial hanging plants. The wispy leaves intermingled with the cold architectural features and turned them into a frame that’s much easier to admire.
The cascading faux leaves now drape beautifully between the beams, and with the occasional wind, they flow just like real plants. From a distance (and even from up close), visitors would be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the real and the fake.
From street level, the greenery forms a long, continuous line across the top level of the building. With this, the added visual interest was seen on the entire façade.
What began as a bare, industrial-looking awning is now one of the defining features of the balcony, and the first step in creating the client’s dream outdoor space.
Next Steps
While the awning and balcony decoration are now complete, these homeowners plan to continue styling the balcony with outdoor seating, planters, and additional greenery.
They were satisfied with the project and mentioned that Designer Plants may become a part of their long-term plan, perhaps with other matching faux hanging garlands or small potted faux plants to tie everything together.
This project demonstrates how even the earliest decorative choices can transform a new build into a home, starting with high-quality artificial greenery.
If you, too, would like to achieve a similar appearance for your outdoor space, get a free consultation with our design experts and let us breathe new life into the area.