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You can't really "cover" the gas heater - but you could try to "disguise" it using a 'low growing' bamboo or informal hedging plant in a container that you can keep pruned and - that way you can move the plant if you need to access the heater for maintenance. If you were to put a storage unit under it you could easily disguise the heater with rosemary, or grass plants etc. Be sure to check what load bearing capacity your balcony has - so that you can safely use your balcony to its full advantage. Mirrors make a difference on the opposite wall to where your heater is - you could even use a one on that wall too - if you use a mirror opposite a garden wall your space will instantly feel bigger. To keep the maximum floor space you can on the balcony, think about a vertical wall garden and planter boxes on the railings. If you do decide to go for planters on the floor of your balcony remember to go light weight plastic as terracotta, and porcelain can get heavy quickly. For your soil - think about core peat with a slow release fertilizer - core peat is light weight but has no nutrients for your plants. I cant see that you've got a tap - if you don't then think carefully about drought tolerant plants as carrying out watering pots several times a day in summer isn't much fun. If you do have a tap - think about installing a drip irrigation system on a timer to give yourself more time to sit back and enjoy your balcony rather than working on it.

re the floor, what about garage matting tiles, as in photo attached, but lay them in a groovier pattern, perhaps a chevron or 60's pattern, if leaning towards MCM. It may not be any dearer than the cost after getting a tiler in, if laying tiles? Also, you can take them out to clean them if need to and change the look whenever you feel the need!

Any photos?