Maximize Small Outdoor Spaces
Living in the city or renting an apartment doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a bit of nature. With a little creativity, even the smallest spaces can become green, inviting escapes.
Ideal Spots for a Green Touch
You don’t need a backyard to create a garden. Consider turning these often-overlooked areas into lush, personal sanctuaries:
- Apartment balconies
- Small patios or shared courtyards
- Blank exterior or even interior walls
Benefits Beyond Aesthetics
Incorporating greenery into small spaces goes beyond visual appeal. It also contributes to your overall well-being.
- Plants can help purify the air
- Exposure to green spaces has been linked to reduced stress levels
- A touch of nature can soften harsh urban environments
Why It’s Perfect for Renters
Creating greenery in non-permanent ways gives renters flexibility. Use portable planters, vertical gardens, or hanging baskets that can move with you when it’s time for a new home.
Adding plants to small spaces is a low-commitment, high-reward way to improve daily life, especially in compact city living.
Before you set up any kind of vertical setup—whether it’s for vlogging backgrounds or organizing a space—you need to get a read on the environment. First, check how the light moves through the area. Is it getting blasted by direct sun most of the day, or is it primarily in shade? This will affect not just how things look on camera, but also what kind of materials or plants (if you’re including any) can survive there.
Next, the structure. Are the walls brick, drywall, or something more industrial? You’ll need to know what kind of support you’re working with, especially if you’re mounting cameras, lighting rigs, or shelving. Don’t assume one wall fits all.
Finally, don’t make things hard on yourself. Think about how you’ll water the plants, adjust the lighting, or reconfigure gear over time. If it’s a pain to reach, maintain, or tweak, chances are you’ll stop using it. Build smart or regret it later.
Starting a plant collection doesn’t need to be complicated. If you’re new to growing things, stick with options that are forgiving and easy to care for. Herbs like basil, mint, and chives are great for beginners. They grow fast, don’t ask for much, and double as kitchen upgrades. Leafy greens like spinach or lettuce are another solid pick—satisfying and useful. Not into edibles? Succulents are almost impossible to kill and can thrive on a sunny windowsill.
Before you load up on plants, take a hard look at your setup. Climate and light matter. South-facing windows? Go for sun-lovers. Shady corner? Time to think about low-light champions like snake plants or pothos. Plants aren’t magic—they need the right environment to work.
Pro tip: Start small and go low-maintenance. Master those, then scale up. No need to turn your living room into a jungle on day one. Build your confidence, then grow your garden.
When space is tight, smart design matters. Vertical gardening isn’t just Pinterest-bait anymore—it’s a solid, functional way to grow more with less. Wall-mounted trays or planters are a go-to for making use of balconies, fences, or blank garage walls. Most are easy to install and weather-resistant, but prices can stack up fast if you’re buying custom systems.
Tiered shelving or ladder setups offer more room and flexibility. They’re great for herbs, leafy greens, or trailing plants, and they double as visual features. You can lean them against a wall or fix them in place. Practical and easy to rearrange if you’re into seasonal planting.
If you’re on a budget or like a hands-on approach, DIY options have range. Repurposed pallets, hanging shoe organizers, or cut-up plastic bottles can all get the job done. They won’t win design awards, but they can work just fine with a little maintenance.
At the end of the day, it’s a trade-off. Store-bought sets save time and usually last longer. DIY wins on low cost and customization. Aesthetics matter too—but not more than something that holds up through summer storms or surprise frosts.
Good soil does a lot of the work for you. A lightweight, nutrient-rich potting mix helps roots breathe and grow while giving plants the food they need without much fuss. Skip the heavy garden soil—it retains too much water and can suffocate delicate roots.
Drainage is non-negotiable. Without it, roots sit in water and rot. Always check that your containers have holes at the bottom. If not, make some. No exceptions.
When it comes to watering, drip irrigation systems give you control without having to hover with a hose every day. They’re great for keeping water focused at the base of your plants, where it’s actually needed. That said, manual watering still works fine—just be consistent and water early in the day.
If you want to make life easier, self-watering planters are a solid upgrade. They’re perfect if you’re new to gardening or just forget to water sometimes. They prevent overwatering and keep moisture levels stable, which your plants will love.
Staying on top of your setup means more than posting videos. First, make sure your vlogging structure—whether it’s a full home studio or a mobile kit—is anchored and secure. Dropping a camera mid-shoot or dealing with shaky lighting isn’t just annoying, it’s avoidable. Get the basics locked in and check them regularly.
Weekly tasks matter. Run through your gear: test your mic, clean your lenses, clear storage. Then there’s your channel itself. Trim what’s not working. Re-edit old content if it’s underperforming or out-of-date. Answer comments. Engage. And don’t forget quality control. Just because content is casual doesn’t mean it should be sloppy.
As seasons shift, so should your vlogging game. Natural light changes. Viewer habits shift with weather, school schedules, holidays. Swap indoor angles for outdoor when it makes sense. Maybe your fashion hauls need warmer layers, or your travel videos shift from urban day trips to cozy cabin stays. Adaptation is the difference between stale and staying relevant.
Green spaces aren’t just for big yards anymore. Whether you’ve got a patio, balcony, or a modest backyard, there’s room to make it pop. The key? Layering textures, playing with color, and embracing bold plant combos. Think leafy greens next to spiky grasses, or soft blooms set against dark pots for contrast.
Vertical gardens help you make the most of tight spaces. A well-placed trellis, wall-mounted planter, or even a recycled ladder with trailing herbs can double as art. It’s less about having a big plot and more about smart height and angles.
Containers matter too. Skip the generic plastic tubs. Choose pots, boxes, or wall systems that match your home’s vibe—clean lines for modern looks, earthy clay for a more natural style. Your outdoor setup should feel intentional, not afterthought.
Curious how all this plays into broader design moves? Check out this related read: Top Landscaping Trends to Boost Curb Appeal in 2025
Packing too many plants into a tight space isn’t ambitious. It’s a recipe for trouble. Poor airflow invites mold, fungus, and pests. Give your plants breathing room, even if that means holding back on one more trendy pothos pot.
Another basic mistake? Ignoring the light. Each plant has different needs. Some live for direct sunlight. Others fry in it. Before you hang another trailing vine or create a lush shelf of succulents, know what light they expect and what your space provides.
And if you’re going vertical, don’t forget physics. DIY trellises and hanging shelves only hold so much. Plants get heavy — especially after watering. Overload a structure and it’s not just your monstera that’s falling.
Successful plant vlogging means staying practical. Healthy plants make better content. Always.
Vertical gardening isn’t complicated. It doesn’t need a yard or years of experience. You just need a wall, some sunlight, and the willingness to start. What makes it stick is consistency. A few plants today. A few more next month. Soon, you’ve built something living that grows with you.
Whether you’re in a small apartment or a busy household, this style of gardening fits in. Herbs in the kitchen, ferns in the hallway, maybe a splash of strawberries by the window. It’s practical, yes. But over time, it becomes more than that. Each plant tucks into your daily life. Each section of your wall tells a story.
In a fast world, vertical gardening gives you something slower. Something real. And it doesn’t need much to get going.