Many of the rules for roof gardening are applicable to the balcony, although the styling of the finish should be in character with the room it adjoins as opposed to the fantasy world one can create on a roof. The balcony, however, is usually more sheltered than the roof, often being covered by another balcony above, which not allow rain water to reach your plants.

Decide exactly what it is you want from your balcony. There is inevitably a feeling of vulnerability when standing on it and this has to be overcome by screening if it is to become a place on which to sit and take the sun. glass panels, if not structurally part of the building, can be fitted within an existing metal railing to provide this, without detracting from the building's faade. Few planning authorities will allow anything more. Screening, of course, should not impede the view; neither should planting, particularly when seen from inside the house.

Weight will always be a problem on balconies and before making any radical changes, or even introducing a single tub, check whether it will be safe. Where applicable, you should also check the strength of any structure above your balcony, since hanging containers can make a pleasant alternative treatment, as can a light, removable screen of zig-zag yachting rope.

One of the hazards of many balcony gardens, unless designed with containers built-in, is that water can drip on your neighbours beneath when pots are watered. If you are not using self-watering containers, therefore, ensure that you have trays under pots to take surplus moisture once it has passed through the compost and drainage materials.

The type of plants you select should be tough, like those for a roof garden, but make sure they are in accord with the building. You might also consider using herbs in containers, they will grow well in these situations and are, of course, useful too.

Many balconies are not suitable for greenery or, receiving no sun, are rarely used as a seating area. In such cases you might consider siting a piece of statuary or sculpture on the balcony (in fibreglass for lightness), set in an area of cobbles for textural variation if the structure will tolerate the additional weight.

It is important to think about what your terrace or balcony will look like from within the house, for it is from there that it will most often be seen. Consider lighting it to make a feature of the space and station plants within it accordingly. Then try to connect the two areas, inside and outside, with fabrics, such as awnings and internal curtains. You can further enhance this interconnecting feel by using the same flooring, since quarry tiles, slate and brick are all suitable for both inside and outside use.