The presence of a balcony for apartments of a small area can be a real salvation, because through it you can add a few precious square meters to your home.
The functional use of a balcony room is a normal practice. And we will talk about how to make an ordinary balcony, in fact, an additional room (or part of a room), that is, functional, in this article.
Preparatory work
In order for a balcony or loggia to be fully used as a living space, it will be necessary to carry out a whole range of work to protect it from environmental factors.
The list of works will look something like this:
- First of all, the balcony must be protected from direct exposure to bad weather.. This will help its high-quality glazing, careful sealing of joints and cracks.
- Next, it is necessary to reduce the level of heat loss from the balcony, since from now on it will be a heated room.
, and preferably both outside and inside, not forgetting the waterproofing of the insulation. - The walls and ceiling can then be sheathed with drywall, and the floor can be filled with a screed, after laying a system of warm floors under it (preferably).
The balcony is ready for further decoration according to its functional purpose.
Methods of functional use of the balcony
The balcony can be used for various purposes, depending on what exactly the owners lack free space for. Consider the most relevant ways to use the balcony space.
Combined balcony
Combining balconies with other adjoining rooms in functional terms is a very popular solution. Thus, for example, you can expand the kitchen by organizing a dining room or, conversely, a cooking area in the balcony part.
For Khrushchev-type one-room apartments, where the area of \u200b\u200bthe existing room is often very small, the combination will make it larger by organizing, for example, a sleeping area in the balcony part, and a living room in the room, or vice versa.
The combination is carried out by removing the partition between the room and the balcony, which is the balcony door and the window unit.
Moreover, the pedestal under the window block can be removed or somehow "beaten" for its harmonious "fit" into. True, both cases are associated with a complex procedure for registering such a redevelopment of an apartment.
Functional purpose of the balcony
Now consider other popular ways to use the balcony area without the need for redevelopment:
A work desk and a comfortable chair, wall shelves for documents, books and other accessories, high-quality lighting - almost everything you need to arrange an office on the balcony.
Most of us are sorely lacking space in our homes. Whatever it is, all the same, values, range of interests and preferences are constantly changing. Someone needs a home office, a mini-gym, someone has a pet, or there is simply not enough space of their own. Today we will talk about how to re-equip and create a completely new one.
1. Sports corner
Naturally, not every balcony can accommodate a whole gym so that a good gym comes out, but it can be equipped in such a way that treadmills, ellipticals or bicycles are not needed (in principle, you can work out on the street). A horizontal bar, a yoga mat and several dumbbells of various weights will be enough for you to keep yourself in the required shape. Peace and closeness to nature improve well-being, relax the body and clear the mind.
2. Cabinet
If you have to work at home more often than in the office, then you really need your own office, and the loggia will be a good location for this. A small table, a suitable chair, a bedspread - and nothing else is needed! Here it will be easy for creative people to write a new bestseller, and in addition, it is easy to work here in the fresh air, just by opening the doors. And as you know, oxygen greatly affects the performance of the brain.
3. Chill out (entertainment area)
Instead of working, organize yourself a veranda where you can lie down with an interesting book or even take a nap. It's so nice to have a corner at home where you can retire and do just about anything. You can also install a small portable TV here to watch your favorite movies or TV shows. You can still use it for a romantic evening.
4. Place for ironing
With a small ironing board, perhaps place it on the balcony. And in this case, family worries will only be a pleasure! So you will not constantly cling to it, and especially if the apartment is small, you will not interfere with your household. It is also reasonable to place a clothes dryer here.
5. Bar
Set up a bar here. You can make a couple of boxes for wine, set high stools and a table by the window, so that friends can enjoy delicious cocktails right on the veranda. After a hard working day, it is very pleasant to relax in a pleasant company.
This corner, usually open to the sun and winds, is in almost every city apartment, and although its area is not so large, and the possibilities for use are limited due to natural reasons, these few square meters cannot be underestimated. Of course, we are talking about the balcony.
Surprisingly, for some reason, the phrase "Interior Design" is usually not associated with a balcony or loggia. Well, really, what is the interior? And there is not enough space, and it is cold in winter, and the furniture cannot be installed, and more than three people will not fit. So this corner of the apartment is used as a repository for all sorts of junk, which the hand does not raise to throw away.
"Decorations" from empty cans - perhaps an attempt to make this cluttered balcony at least a little more original
Meanwhile, a balcony or a loggia can be quite easily and without special expenses turned into one of the most comfortable and functional places in the apartment, you just need to show a little imagination, creativity and make some effort. I hope that the ideas suggested in this article will help you with this.
Open space
Let's start with the fact that it is necessary to approach the arrangement of the loggia and the balcony in different ways. This is due to the structural differences themselves:
- balcony - a protruding part of the building, open on three sides and adjoining the living quarters only on one side,
- the loggia, on the contrary, is surrounded by walls on both sides, rests on the load-bearing wall of the building, and on the third side has an entrance to the apartment.
In this regard, usually balconies are areas open to all winds, and if an apartment building is located on one of the central streets of the city, the authorities can strictly control the appearance of the facades of the building and demand not to violate the original state of the balcony. That is, it will not work to glaze such a balcony in an old-built house and it will be necessary to equip the open version designed by the architect.
Of course, the possibilities of using such a balcony are very limited - you can relax here only in the warm season and if the weather is good. And yet, it is quite possible to turn an open balcony into a charming garden, a place for gatherings with friends and just a relaxation area.
Traditional Italian outdoor balcony with wrought iron railings
The first thing to do when starting the arrangement of an open balcony is to choose a floor covering. More, in fact, nothing will have to be changed, except, perhaps, a dilapidated or broken fence.
Most often, in such cases, ceramic tiles are used, which perfectly tolerate temperature changes and rains, are easy to clean and endure external influences. Neither a piece of linoleum, nor a plastic "grass" rug can compare with a tile either in terms of durability or visual appeal.
Then it's up to the choice of flowers, without which this open corner will look too boring, now it will not be difficult to purchase already flowering plants in hanging planters or floor ceramic pots. Balcony grilles are an excellent support for climbing plants, and you can complement such a simple interior by planting plastic birds on the walls, building light arches as a support for creepers and decorating pots and flowerpots with original details.
By the way, the technology of growing vertical gardens that has appeared in our country not so long ago will make it possible to turn an open balcony into a real garden, where, in addition to flowers, you can grow healthy vegetables and herbs.
The first idea is vertical gardens. The simple design and small size of the vertical garden will allow you to harvest greenery on an open balcony all summer. The main condition is that you need to take care of plants and flowers! You can read more about this method of gardening in this article - Vertical gardens.
Even such a very simple, completely open balcony, thanks to the abundance of flowers, looks simply charming.
If you plan to use the balcony as a recreation area in the summer, then you can not do without furniture. It is better to use light wicker sets that are not afraid of the sun and moisture, you can decorate them with soft pillows that will have to be removed during heavy rains. Another inexpensive and common option is multi-colored plastic furniture.
The second idea - wicker furniture looks great on an open balcony, allowing you to spend warm evenings here in comfort
If the balcony is too small, you can pick up folding furniture, which, if necessary, will be removed into a corner or brought inside the apartment.
The third idea - an original set of folding furniture for the balcony - does not take up space, and you can sit comfortably
The main disadvantage of an open balcony is precisely the lack of protection from dust, wind and prying eyes. The last drawback can be tried to be corrected with a fairly thick curtain, which will be lowered if necessary, hiding the owners from passers-by. Another good option is awnings, which are widespread in southern countries and serve as reliable protection from the sun.
The fourth idea is that such awnings can cover not only the entrance to the store, but also an open balcony, they can be easily attached to the balcony of the upper floor, you can order a canopy according to individual sizes. They can have any shape, representing a metal frame covered with a latex fabric that is not afraid of the sun and rain
Thick white curtains for the balcony will hide the owners from prying eyes, but they will have to be washed quite often - street dust will settle on the fabric without hindrance
In any case, we must not forget that an open balcony also needs a lighting system, which can be an excellent addition to the design and a real highlight of the interior.
The fifth idea - it is not necessary to install one large lamp, although a forged street lamp will perfectly decorate an open balcony, you can also choose this option - a whole garland of round lanterns
Separate room
And yet, most homeowners strive to make their balcony or loggia a more functional room, which will serve not only as a green corner and a place from which to admire the sunset, but also as a real room.
This can be achieved in one single way - to glaze and insulate the balcony. The principle of warming the balcony and loggia is one - the installation of metal-plastic bags and the decoration of walls, roofs and floors with heat-insulating materials. In the case of a loggia, which is "drowned" in the facade of the building, the insulation process turns out to be less laborious, but completely finishing an open balcony is quite an expensive pleasure.
In this article, we will not consider all the stages and features of the insulation process, just imagine that the balcony or loggia has already been glazed, their walls have become warmer, and the issue of heating in winter has been resolved by installing a warm floor or an electric fireplace. However, the balcony remained a separate room with a door leading to a large living room. What can be done on this very small area, how to most effectively use the resulting narrow, cramped room?
A spacious loggia in a new building after insulation can become a full-fledged living room
On a small balcony you can arrange:
- A workplace for a needlewoman and a real home master. The table will have to be set in a corner, ordered or made independently numerous shelves and drawers for storing all the necessary items, put a comfortable chair - the working area is ready.
A real corner for a craftswoman - a huge number of useful items and a small sewing machine fit in the corner of the loggia. Almost the same functional corner, only with a blowtorch and other tools, can be equipped for a home master
- An office is also a workplace, but not for manual, but for mental labor, with a computer and other equipment. It can serve as a place where the owner of the apartment can retire and calmly work on an unfinished project.
Most likely, the furniture in such a miniature office will have to be made to order, but as a result, a comfortable workplace on the loggia will be completely ready.
- Sports section. Modern exercise equipment, for example, a treadmill, an elliptical trainer or an ordinary "bike" will fit perfectly even on the narrowest loggia, allowing you to train without disturbing the rest of the family, and in the warm season - also in the fresh air.
A small exercise bike turns a loggia or balcony into a real sports area
- Children's play corner. Yes, you can’t play hide-and-seek on a balcony or a loggia and you can’t organize noisy games with friends, but here you can calmly draw, arrange a house for a doll, a corner for tea parties and a real military base or a garage for many cars.
By laying a warm rug, setting up an easel and arranging places to store toys, you can turn a balcony or loggia into a children's corner
To arrange a children's corner on the balcony, you do not need expensive furniture - enough plastic containers for storing toys and the same bright and light chairs and a table
- Place for a pet. It's no secret that cats are very fond of watching the street, sitting on the windowsill, so the balcony often becomes the favorite place of these furry family members. So why not install a sleeping place for a four-legged friend here, which will be a great home for a dog or cat.
On the balcony you can install everything you need for a cat or dog - a claw sharpener, a house, a soft rug, a pillow, or such an original bed
- Probably the most original option is a sauna on an insulated loggia. Yes, it will be small, but quite functional. Now on sale you can find a suitable option, designed for installation in a regular bathroom, just such a ready-made sauna is easy to install on a loggia.
The interior of the rest of the loggia should be in harmony with the main object - the sauna, because it is better to finish it with wood
- Kitchen. Often, the inhabitants of small apartments decide to move the whole kitchen to the insulated loggia in order to turn the vacant room into another bedroom or a full-fledged living room. You can’t equip a large dining area in such a kitchenette, but the place for breakfast or dinner with the family is quite. An important nuance is that it will not work to bring a gas stove to the loggia, since the gas service will not give permission for such a reorganization, but an electric one is easy.
The installation of a kitchen on a loggia requires significant costs associated not only with the insulation of the room, but also with the transfer of communications - water, drains, ventilation for the hood, reliable wiring for the hob, and so on.
Part of the living room
And finally, a balcony and a loggia can become an integral part of a living room - a living room, a bedroom or a nursery. In this case, we are talking about arranging a common harmonious interior, but you can arrange something special on the balcony, yet visually separated from the common room, for example, an original seating area, a sleeping place for guests, and so on. The possibilities of using useful square meters that have become part of the apartment are limited only by the imagination of the owners and their financial capabilities:
- In the case of attaching a balcony or loggia to the living room, you can beat the rest of the wall in different ways, for example, by arranging a desktop here, installing an aquarium and hanging unusual lamps.
- The partition between the balcony and the room can be completely removed by highlighting this corner with another floor covering, arranging a pretty arch or installing a screen.
- A balcony or loggia can become part of not only the living room or bedroom, but also the kitchen. In this case, it would be especially appropriate to look in this area as a bar counter, into which you can turn the remnants of a partition wall and a window sill.
In the conditions of a small city apartment, one cannot neglect the opportunity to use a few additional square meters, which, as a result of alteration, can turn into a wonderful winter garden or a functional office, so home renovation must necessarily include ennoblement of the loggia.
And remember, whichever of the options proposed above you choose, the main thing is that the interior of the balcony or loggia is pleasing to the eye and allows you to use this corner of the apartment not only as a place to store things, but also for other, very diverse purposes.
Anna Sedykh, rmnt.ru
A modern balcony is more than just a couple of square meters outside the room. It has long ceased to be a place for storing unnecessary things, where it is difficult to turn around due to tightness and fear of breaking something.
Today, even a super-small balcony can be turned into a cozy corner, made into a mini-study, boudoir, resting place and even a winter garden. When it can become a comfortable, beautiful, and most importantly, practical and functional part of the apartment.
Even a small balcony can be very functional
Where does the arrangement of the balcony begin?
Usually a small balcony area is the lot of old houses in which residents have lived for decades. It is now that architects give these premises 5 or more square meters, and before they were generous with only two or three, maximum four. Therefore, the arrangement of the balcony must begin with the removal of rubbish from it.. It is different in different apartments - bicycles, old books and banks, baby carriages and building materials left after more than one repair. Something that is unlikely to be useful, but it is a pity to throw it away.
Cozy sofa and folding table
Balcony Purpose Ideas
Having freed up the area, you can already think about what to use it for. - then its continuation will be justified: a couple of hanging cabinets and a small hanging table will make the balcony convenient for storing kitchen utensils and home preservation, as well as a place where you can not only drink a cup of coffee, but even dine with a small company.
Workplace on the balcony
If the balcony is in the children's room, then from it - with proper insulation - you will get a play or study corner. A desk and a computer will not require a large area, but they will save space in the room. It will be much more convenient for a child to solve problems and write essays on the balcony - there will be enough daylight and nothing can distract the young child prodigy from his studies.
Breakfast place on a small balcony
The balcony in the bedroom is suitable for a small boudoir- here you can fit several small lockers for clothes. Or make a rest room out of it by placing one or two chairs and a small table. And if you want to always be in sports shape - equip a mini-gym by installing a treadmill or a bicycle. The balcony in the hall is the best place for creative fantasies - here you can equip a place of rest, a winter garden or a library.
A place to relax - the entire balcony is occupied by a soft mattress
Insulate and glaze
Before you make a functional room out of a balcony, it must be well insulated. If this is a loggia, less work will be required, if a hinged balcony is a hassle, more building materials and costs will be needed. For insulation, you need to choose hygroscopic materials that will withstand rain, frost and summer heat. And at the same time, the room will be comfortable.
The walls are usually insulated with sandwich panels. . After insulation, it is necessary to decide whether the balcony will be open or closed: to glaze it or not. The second option is rarely chosen, since extra meters of area are needed in winter.
Material selection
For the design of the balcony, various finishing materials are used:
- lining - wooden and plastic;
- tile;
- frost-resistant plastic panels;
- siding;
- plaster and paint;
- wallpaper;
- MDF and chipboard;
- bamboo and cork lining;
- drywall.
High-quality finishing of a balcony with a wooden clapboard
If the balcony is well insulated and glazed, any finishing materials for interior work will do. If the indoor temperature drops below zero in winter, it is better to think about materials for outdoor decoration.
Advice. When using wood, do not forget to impregnate it with moisture-repellent and fire-resistant materials, as well as antiseptics. Otherwise, it will be dangerous to leave the windows on the balcony open in the absence of the owners' house: there is a possibility of rain or a neighbor's cigarette butt.
How to choose a color
Today, the market has a large selection of colors and quality of finishing materials. But not everyone is suitable for a small balcony. It is better to choose a light color - in a small room it will look more natural, visually increasing the area. More often, designers prefer warm pastel colors - if the balcony is on the shady side, and cold light shades - if it is sunny.
Finishing the walls of the balcony in the color of the room
Beige, light green, blue, pink, yellowish and light metallic on small balconies look harmonious. Especially - if the shade matches the main color of the next room. So the room will look like a single, with a functional division into zones.
Advice. Materials for finishing the balcony should be selected taking into account the size of the space.
A tree that gives coziness to a room is not always justified in a very small area, since it will visually reduce it. But if, nevertheless, the choice fell on him, then it is better to choose a light color. Amber shades look good. But it is worth remembering that after a few years the wooden lining will darken slightly.
Balcony decoration with decorative stone
The same applies to the choice of stone or decorative plaster - they should not be dark and too textured so as not to “eat” even a couple of centimeters of a scarce area. The combination of these materials on the balcony looks very effective.
How to "enlarge" a balcony
There are several secret design tricks that help visually enlarge small balcony meters:
- To focus not on one of the walls - this will create an optical expansion of the area. To do this, you can use a different color or finishing material from the general one. This technique is especially suitable for narrow balconies.
- On a narrow balcony, one of the end walls can be decorated with a panel with flowers - a lot of small bright flowerpots will add harmony to the area.
- Also, for a narrow room, an end cabinet or cabinet is suitable, especially if it is finished with bamboo or gloss.
- Use glossy and mirror surfaces. To visually increase the width, you can decorate the end wall with glossy PVC, or even easier - hang a mirror.
- To increase the height of the balcony, the use of vertical lines is suitable - you can pick up tiles or striped wallpaper.
- So that the irregular shape of the room does not visually reduce it, it can be “leveled” with the right finishing materials. The corners on the balcony in the form of an iron or a boat can be decorated with stone.
- In the corners of irregularly shaped balconies, you can focus on some piece of furniture - hang a locker there or put a large planter: this way the area will not seem ridiculous.
- Photowall-paper, art painting, frescoes and fashionable today 3D-decoration visually enlarge a small space. Modern technologies make it possible to embody any design pattern: walls can be painted by hand or pasted over with a patterned canvas. It will turn out a cozy and slightly virtual shade of design.
- In the case of a hinged balcony, you should think about moving windows beyond the perimeter of the walls in order to win several tens of square centimeters. But the design will require additional insulation.
Wall decoration with flower panel
Lounge sofa on the balcony
What style to choose for a balcony
The interior of the balcony should be a continuation of the room, so the style in its design must also be taken into account. Any room needs not only a good repair, but also the right design, because it should be pleasant and comfortable to be in it.
European style balcony decoration
The choice of style depends only on the preferences of the owners. But if they love classicism, then it is better to refuse it on a small balcony - massiveness, gilding and silk will look ridiculous here. But Rococo or Baroque is very suitable - due to its lightness and airiness. The main color is always light.
Provence and Mediterranean style
Provence or Mediterranean style looks harmonious on a small balcony. They are suitable for relaxing - with a cup of coffee and reading an interesting book in a rocking chair. As the main color for them, blue, light turquoise, sand, cream are chosen. For furniture, tables and chairs made of wicker or rattan are suitable, but all wickerwork must be moisture resistant.
Wicker furniture on the balcony in Provence style
A Provence-style balcony can be successfully finished with textured plaster or light stone, even a brick of not too bright shades will do. From furniture it is better to give preference to forged racks and cabinets. If space does not allow - just place a beautiful flower stand. One or two sconces will successfully fit into the interior, especially if they are with elaborate metal trim. Roller blinds in pastel colors are suitable for curtaining windows.
White main background with bright objects
Provence and Mediterranean style necessarily involve a lot of indoor plants - the light color of the walls can be combined with bright flowerpots of the same color scheme: blue flowerpots are suitable for blue walls, chocolate ones for beige, and the color of bright lemon will look great on light yellow. If the area of the balcony is only a couple of meters, you can generally not clutter it up with furniture and arrange a small winter garden or greenhouse here. Or even a greenhouse - for a couple of tomato bushes, cucumbers and herbs, even on a very small balcony there is always enough space.
Country and oriental style
This rustic style is perfect for a balcony, especially a kitchen one. Country is the most versatile style, it is suitable for economical design budgets and for quite generous ones. Pastel shades are also chosen for the walls, but for bright “spots”, crimson, terracotta and deep blue are suitable for them. Such bright points can be small light bulbs, flower vases, photographs.
Finishing the walls with a dark clapboard, and the floor with a terrace board
Furniture should be only wooden - this is the "chip" of the country. If the area allows, then you can hang one or two cabinets or install a cabinet. If there is a deficit in meters, come up with a folding table and a couple of beautiful stools or chairs. The table can even be made hinged and attached to the wall, and laid out only when necessary. If the balcony is square, you can install a wooden bench along one of the walls and even put a rustic chest. It can be used for storing fruits and vegetables and for sitting.
Country style on a small balcony
Ideally, window frames should also be wooden; country music will not accept modern plastic. But if you still have to put it up, it’s better to choose the color of wood and with a wide window sill, on which you can place a lot of cozy “rustic” little things - ceramic pots, wicker baskets and bright flowerpots.
Balcony interior with oriental motifs
Textiles must match the style: for country, these will be chintz or linen curtains in a box or in a flower. The tablecloth on the table and a couple of pillows on the bench should be the same. Modern options for plastic blinds for such a balcony would be inappropriate. On the floor, woven multi-colored rugs will look good - like in the village with my grandmother.
Decoration in oriental style
Oriental style is not often chosen: it is justified for a balcony in the bedroom of a teenage girl or a married couple. In this case, the walls should be painted with intricate patterns, put a trestle bed or a lounger, and cover it with an oriental bedspread. Bright decorative pillows will also fit well into the interior. And light curtains with oriental patterns.