Simple, thoughtful choices turned this balcony from afterthought to living space

Key points

• Tilly Bissett and Nick Billings have transformed their 11-square-metre north-facing balcony in Richmond, Melbourne, into a productive outdoor room. They replaced small herb pots with larger feature plants, including a bottle tree and a lemon myrtle.
• Stacked wicking beds, built from second-hand containers, provide a ready supply of herbs, leafy greens and strawberries close to the kitchen.
• Layered vertical planting and clearly defined zones for dining, growing and reading make the small space feel generous and lush.