A modern balcony is more than just a couple 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 cramped conditions and the fear of breaking something.
Today, even a super-small balcony can be turned into a cozy corner, made into a mini-office, boudoir, relaxation place, and even winter Garden. 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 a balcony begin?
Typically, a small balcony area is the lot of old houses in which the residents have lived for decades. Architects now give these premises 5 or more square meters, but previously they were generous with only two or three, or at most four. Therefore, the arrangement of the balcony must begin with the removal of rubbish from it.. It varies from apartment to apartment - bicycles, old books and cans, baby strollers and building materials left over from more than one renovation. Something that is unlikely to be useful, but it would be a shame to throw it away.
Cozy sofa and folding table
Balcony destination ideas
Having freed up the space, you can already think about what to use it for. – then its continuation will be justified: a couple wall cabinets and a small hanging table will make the balcony convenient for storing kitchen utensils and homemade preserves, as well as a place where you can not only drink a cup of coffee, but even have lunch with a small group.
Workplace on the balcony
If the balcony is in a children's room, then with proper insulation it will turn into a play or study corner. A desk and computer will not require a large area, but 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 prodigy from studying.
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 turn it into a relaxation room by placing one or two chairs and a small table. And if you want to always be in sports shape, set up a mini-gym by installing a treadmill or bicycle. The balcony in the hall is the best place for creative fantasies– here you can arrange 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 turning a balcony into a functional room, it must be well insulated. If it is a loggia, less work will be required, if it is a hanging balcony, more hassle, building materials and costs will be required. For insulation, you need to choose hygroscopic materials that can withstand rain, frost and summer heat. And at the same time the room will be comfortable.
Walls are usually insulated with sandwich panels. . After insulation, you need to decide whether the balcony will be open or closed: whether to glaze it or not. The second option is rarely chosen, since extra meters of space are needed in winter.
Selection of materials
Various finishing materials are used for balcony design:
- lining – wooden and plastic;
- tile;
- frost-resistant plastic panels;
- siding;
- plaster and paint;
- wallpaper;
- MDF and chipboard;
- bamboo and cork cladding;
- drywall.
High-quality finishing of the balcony with wooden paneling
If the balcony is well insulated and glazed, any finishing materials will be suitable for interior work. If in winter the indoor temperature drops below zero, it is better to think about materials for exterior finishing.
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 when the owners are not at home: there is a possibility of rain or a neighbor’s cigarette butt getting in.
How to choose a color
Today there is a large selection of colors and quality of finishing materials on the market. 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 give preference to warm pastel colors - if the balcony is on shadow side, and cold light shades - if in the sun.
Decorating the walls of the balcony in the color of the room
Beige, light green, blue, pink, yellowish and light metallic on small balconies they look harmonious. Especially if the shade matches the main color of the next room. This way the room will look like one, 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, which 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 it, 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.
Decorating the balcony 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 up” even a couple of centimeters of the scarce area. The combination of these materials on the balcony looks very effective.
How to “enlarge” a balcony
There are several secret design techniques, which help to visually enlarge small balcony meters:
- Making an accent on more than one wall 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 - many small bright flowerpots will add harmony to the area.
- An end cabinet or cabinet is also suitable for a narrow room, especially if it is finished with bamboo or gloss.
- Use glossy and mirror surfaces. For visual magnification width is possible end wall decorate it with glossy PVC, or even easier - hang a mirror.
- To increase the height of the balcony suitable use vertical lines - you can choose striped tiles or wallpaper.
- So that the irregular shape of the room does not visually reduce it, it can be “leveled” with the correct finishing materials. Corners on the balcony in the shape of an iron or a boat can be decorated with stone.
- In the corners of the balconies irregular shape you can focus on some piece of furniture - hang a cabinet there or put a large flowerpot: this way the area won’t seem ridiculous.
- Visually enlarge small space photo wallpaper, artistic painting, frescoes and 3D decoration that is fashionable today. Modern technologies allow you to realize any design pattern: the walls can be painted by hand or covered with a canvas with a pattern. The result will be a cozy and slightly virtual design shade.
- In the case of a hanging balcony, you should think about moving the windows outside the perimeter of the walls in order to gain a few tens of square centimeters. But the design will require additional insulation.
Wall decoration with a panel with flowers
Sofa for relaxing on the balcony
Which style to choose for the 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 good repair, but also correct design, because being in it should be pleasant and comfortable.
European style balcony design
The choice of style depends only on the preferences of the owners. But if they love classicism, then on a small balcony it is better to abandon it - massiveness, gilding and silk will look ridiculous here. But rococo or baroque are very suitable - due to their lightness and airiness. The main color is always light.
Provence and Mediterranean style
On a small balcony Provence or Mediterranean style. They are suitable for relaxing - with a cup of coffee and reading an interesting book in a rocking chair. The main colors for them are blue, light turquoise, sand, and cream. For furniture, tables and chairs made of wicker or rattan are suitable, but all wicker 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 bricks of not too bright shades will do. For furniture, it is better to give preference to forged shelving and cabinets. If space does not allow, simply place beautiful stand under the flowers. One or two sconce lanterns will fit well into the interior, especially if they have an elaborate metal finish. Roller blinds are suitable for curtaining windows pastel colors.
White main background with bright objects
Provence and Mediterranean style necessarily involve a lot 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 flowerpots for beige walls, and the color of bright lemon will look great on light yellow walls. If the balcony area is only a couple of meters, you can avoid cluttering it with furniture at all and arrange a small winter garden or greenhouse here.
Or even a greenhouse - there is always enough space for a couple of tomato bushes, cucumbers and herbs, even on a very small balcony.
Country and oriental style This Perfect for a balcony, especially a kitchen one. Country is the most versatile style; it is suitable for both economical design budgets and quite generous ones. Pastel shades are also chosen for walls, but for bright “spots”, crimson, terracotta and rich colors are suitable. Blue colour. Such bright points can be small light bulbs, flowerpots, photographs.
Finishing the walls with dark lining and the floor with decking boards
Furniture should only be wooden - this is a country feature. If the space allows, then you can hang one or two cabinets or install a cabinet. If there is a shortage of meters, come up with something folding table and a couple of beautiful stools or chairs. The table can even be made hanging and attached to the wall, and unfolded only when necessary. If the balcony is square in shape, you can install along one of the walls wooden bench and even put up a village chest. It can be used for storing fruits and vegetables and for sitting.
Country style on a small balcony
Ideally, wood should also be window frames, country music does not accept modern plastic. But if you still have to install it, it is better to choose the color of wood and with a wide window sill, on which you can place a lot of cozy “country” things - ceramic pots, wicker baskets and bright flowerpots with flowers.
Balcony interior with oriental motifs
Textiles must match the style: for country, it will be chintz or linen curtains in a checkered or floral pattern. The tablecloth on the table and a couple of pillows on the bench should be the same. Modern options plastic blinds would be inappropriate for such a balcony. Woven multi-colored rugs will look good on the floor - just like in grandma’s village.
Decoration in oriental style
The 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, a trestle bed or lounger should be placed, and covered with an oriental blanket. Bright decorative pillows will also fit well into the interior. And light curtains with oriental patterns.
Not all apartments please their residents convenient layouts and spacious rooms. But the loggia, albeit in the most ordinary one-room apartment, often differs in suitable dimensions for arranging a comfortable and functional living area on it.
When making renovations, it is worth showing your imagination, because this room is a continuation of the apartment, and can also have its own special style. Below we will talk about how to make a cozy and beautiful room out of an ordinary loggia, often used as a storage room.
Arrangement of the loggia
The loggia is the place in the apartment where you can implement the most daring design ideas. Of course, it has very limited dimensions and its own characteristics. It is these factors that need to be taken into account before arranging the loggia, photo below.
The photo shows the arrangement of a loggia using various materials
Important: When choosing materials for decoration, focus not only on the overall design of the loggia, but also on whether it is glazed or not, and whether insulation work has been carried out. For cold or open loggias, you should select materials that are resistant to temperature changes and are not afraid of moisture and sunlight.The improvement of balconies and loggias begins with insulation work, if necessary, and the selection of finishing materials.
The floor can be covered with tiles, parquet, laminate or carpet. Natural wood (floorboard or lining) will add additional comfort.
The arrangement must be thought out
Not only ordinary painting, but also finishing with decorative plaster is ideal for decorating walls. It can cover all the walls or just a part. A variety of textures will help to implement any arrangement project. Finishing a loggia with decorative plaster does not require any special skills, and the cost is quite comparable to wallpaper or paint. Decorative plaster is a strong and durable material that is special effort will give the loggia an original look.
Option for decorating a loggia with decorative stone
Another option for simple and low-cost arrangement of balconies and loggias is finishing artificial stone, photo above. This material is presented in a large assortment: it imitates brick, slate, cobblestone, etc. The color can be either natural tones or painted in any shade. Decorative stone can be used to cover all the walls inside the loggia or just a part, emphasizing significant areas. This design can be done with your own hands by first preparing the walls: leveling them and applying a penetrating primer.
It is better to choose moisture-resistant wallpaper (washing, vinyl or non-woven), resistant to fading. On a small loggia, you should avoid bright and large patterns, as well as too dark tones that visually reduce the space.
How to equip a loggia with an area of 6 meters
Design in detail
It is not at all necessary to develop a design project to decorate the loggia. The most simple examples The decoration always included flowers and decorative items.
Solution for arranging a small area
Decoration with flowers
The type of plants depends on the orientation of the loggia and the taste preferences of the apartment owner. But in order for flowers to truly decorate and please the eye, it is important to place them correctly. All kinds of racks and shelves located along the walls, as well as corner shelves, will help with arrangement. Forged flower beds and all kinds of hanging pots for hanging plants look beautiful and elegant. On a small loggia, you should not grow plants in large floor pots, which take up a lot of space and visually reduce the space; they are suitable for a large area. The photo shows the design of loggias and balconies using plants.
Arranging a loggia will add a new place of relaxation to the apartment
Decor items
When decorating a loggia, the main thing is not to overdo it with decorations, since it is very easy to overload the space not only on an area of 3 meters, but also on a larger one.
Arrangement of a loggia for an office
The following will help you make your loggia stylish and modern:
- Paintings are selected depending on the style of the interior. These can be bright posters, family photographs, landscapes - something that will emphasize unique design. When arranged, the paintings do not take up much space, but the frames should not be heavy and bulky.
- Mirrors will visually enlarge the space and add light. The frame should be in harmony in color and style with the design of the loggia.
- Floor vases are suitable for arranging spacious loggias, and on small ones you can place miniature vases on a table, window sill or shelf.
- Figurines – ideally placed on shelves or racks. When decorating, they will help emphasize the style of the room.
- Original wall clock.
- Books are useful decoration. Bright covers will enliven a monotonous interior.
How to decorate a loggia in an original way
The design of the loggia in the apartment, photo below, should be done in the same style so that being on it is truly comfortable.
Beautiful balconies and loggias are the result of proper arrangement
Country - wicker furniture, simple textiles, walls and floors trimmed with wood. This style is suitable for arranging any loggias. When decorating, there should be flowers in clay or wicker pots. Windows - wooden or with a wood-like profile. Arrangement in the Provence style is very similar to country, only the walls should be covered with textured plaster and artificial stone.
Ideas for balconies and loggias - design in several styles
Oriental style - plain walls, tiled or mosaic floors, openwork elements on furniture and lamps. When decorating, bright textiles with characteristic oriental patterns are required: organza curtains, pillows.
How to furnish a small area
Minimalism – plain walls, furniture and textiles. Lamps from clear glass and chromed metal. When setting up - minimum decorative elements. Furniture of simple shapes from natural materials: wood, metal. Bright elements in the design are acceptable: flowers in simple pots, pillows, vases.
Decoration of the recreation area
Classicism - suitable for arranging a loggia of 6 meters or more, since it requires the installation of massive wooden furniture: armchairs, cabinets, sofas. Paintings in bronze frames, heavy textiles, forging, and rich colors in the design are appropriate. Instead of curtains, you can use Roman or wooden blinds when decorating.
Arranging a loggia in a classic style
Romanticism – light colors and simple forms. Floral patterns on curtains and furniture are trendy. When decorating, flowers should be placed on wrought-iron shelves, and decorative items should be placed on corner wooden cabinets. A mirror in an elegant frame will complement the interior.
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Most of the owners small apartments They don’t even suspect how convenient and profitable it is to add usable area due to properly thought-out arrangement of a balcony or loggia. That is why, despite all the advanced “innovations,” their balcony still resembles a warehouse of long-forgotten things that are simply a pity to throw away, and between which clothes are sometimes hung to dry.
Where does ideal comfort begin?
By and large, in order to make your home cozy, you need to start with basic cleaning of that very balcony, which has been so diligently filled with unnecessary things for a long time. And then, you see, the thoughts that come flooding in about the landscaping and design of the balcony. But, of course, it alone will be extremely insufficient, and own experience It's unlikely to be enough.
Therefore, you can use our website and look at ready-made ideas for arranging a balcony. It is quite possible that some option will suit you in its unchanged form, and if not, then you can contact professionals directly who will tell you how to correctly implement your option, which will be very similar to the photo you saw with the finished balcony interior.
In most cases, it is difficult to arrange a balcony in a Khrushchev-era building. This is due to the extremely small area. But this does not mean that the task is impossible. Today, thanks modern capabilities and technology can make anything you want on the balcony, for example a winter garden. Don't believe me? Yes, you can see this for yourself by looking at photos of the arrangement of balconies with a small area.
Balcony redevelopment
First of all, you must understand that arranging a balcony in one way or another entails some kind of redevelopment. Of course, no load-bearing walls and structures cannot be demolished. But you must also coordinate the issue of moving the remaining partitions with the relevant authorities.
Well, then, having decided to arrange a balcony with your own hands, first of all you need to take care of insulation. These should not only be sealed double-glazed windows in combination with the usual radiators, but also even warm floors. Well, then everything will go as usual.
Balcony options
Options for arranging a balcony can be completely different. It all depends on the area and the desired end result. Of course, in most cases, all work on the design of a loggia or balcony begins with its glazing. At the same time, old window and doorways, wiring and other necessary communications are carried out (depending on the design idea).
You may ask, what can be done when there is no space at all? In fact, it is only at first glance that it is not there. Yes, every centimeter counts, but it can also be as useful as possible. If you carefully examine the proposed photos, you can see that well-thought-out arrangement of small balconies or loggias can create a separate additional space where you can play sports, important matters or simply enjoy the panoramic view from the window.
Well, of course, all these options are possible provided there is glazing. But what if you don’t want to close the balcony? And in this case, there is a way out, which can also be found in the ideas presented on our website in the form of photos.
The presence of a balcony or loggia is an advantage for a room, regardless of its purpose. Competent, and most importantly, creative and functional arrangement of a balcony or loggia will allow you to get, even in a small area, a full-fledged room for a comfortable and useful pastime.
Depending on your needs, you can convert the “extension” into an office, a children’s room, a cozy mini-cafe for household members or office employees, a winter garden or an area for active rest, for example, by equipping it with exercise equipment and an IF sauna. The most interesting ideas How to arrange a balcony or loggia with your own hands with photos and comments are collected below.
Make the area larger - get additional opportunities
A small balcony is better than no balcony. However, in order to implement interesting ideas without restrictions, you will need to make efforts to increase the existing square footage as much as possible. What do experts in the field of redevelopment and arrangement of apartments and offices recommend to do for this?
One option is to dismantle the wall separating the balcony or loggia from the main room or kitchen.
In this case, the territory will visually become wider, it will be possible to realize the wildest fantasies, including installing a hammock in the place where there used to be a door, installation designer furniture for a balcony with an interactive partition.
Cool ideas for arranging a balcony or loggia: personal account
It's great to be able to work from home without the hassle of traveling to and from the office. Those whose work allows them not to leave their home walls will be interested in thinking about how to arrange a loggia or balcony as an office. The solution has a lot of advantages and deserves close attention:
- the work area on the balcony is isolated, that is, household members will not interfere with their presence while working;
- to equip the office, you will not need to occupy a separate room in the apartment; it will be enough to think about arranging the balcony with your own hands, analyzing thematic photos and finding time to re-equip it;
- a study on the balcony is a place conducive to work, allowing you to get inspiration every day, because at any moment you can be distracted from the flow of work thoughts by street landscapes and scenes.
The most interesting thing is that arranging a loggia or balcony as an office will not require a significant investment of time or money. To create a cozy working corner, it will be enough to place on the territory compact table, turn on the light, think about a comfortable and functional work chair. Additionally, it wouldn’t hurt to equip the walls with shelves for books and work supplies.
Pantry on the balcony - how to make it
There is nothing easier than equipping a loggia for a storage room. Depending on the degree of sealing insulation, this can be an all-season pantry for storing household supplies, or exclusively for winter.
So, for example, if the balcony is not glazed and not insulated, you can safely store perishable food on it in winter, using a home freezer in exceptional cases.
But a warm balcony or loggia opens up much more possibilities. The right finish easy to care for and practical materials with maintenance optimal microclimate, will allow 6 meters (just look at the photos of the implemented solutions) to be used as a full-fledged pantry not only for food, but also for everything that might get in the way in the house:
- sled;
- old things;
- strollers;
- rollers;
- skates;
- bicycle and other necessary but requiring storage space.
The only requirement for the pantry in this case is racks for storing things different sizes, as well as light, both general and for illuminating drawers and shelves.
Relaxation area - how to arrange it in a small area
It may seem that arranging a balcony or loggia based on a photo is only possible if you have a certain footage, even a standard 6 square meters. In practice, it turns out that it is quite possible to build a cozy corner on a small “island” outside the window.
A place for rest and restoration of mental strength is acceptable without prejudice to design idea and functionality to be arranged in an area of 3 meters (the photos only confirm this). To do this, it is enough to fit a cozy rocking chair or today’s fashionable hanging chairs made of wicker with soft pillows, a couch, a hammock, a small but unusual and comfortable tea table with a table lamp.
The design will be completed with green decoration of fresh flowers, preferably resistant to the Russian climate.
You can decorate a small balcony as a real home cafe or bar. A compact bar counter, several chairs with high legs, shelves with an assortment of drinks and a coffee machine will fit perfectly into the design. It’s great to relax in such a cafe, enjoying a cup of coffee or tea or your favorite cocktail both in winter and summer. An additional bonus of a home cafe on the balcony is cozy poufs and light music for guests with an eternal holiday in their souls.
An active way of life for the strong in spirit
You can convert a small balcony (see photo) into a full one Gym to meet your own needs for an active lifestyle. The space is used rationally by placing several exercise equipment on it, large mirror, comfortable floor covering. Naturally, in home gym It should be warm, so you need to take care of insulating the training area in advance.
To save space, it is permissible to use multifunctional folding exercise equipment, as well as fold-out shelves and cabinets for storing equipment and clothing.
Winter garden - relaxation area
An ordinary, unremarkable balcony in a Khrushchev-era building can quite easily be turned into an oasis, a piece of paradise with emerald greenery, flowers and even exotic inhabitants, contrasting with the snow-covered landscapes outside the window.
In order for plants to take root on the balcony, pleasing the eye all year round, it is enough to properly think through the lighting, taking into account its location relative to the sun, insulation and sealing. Special weather stations will help maintain the required temperature and humidity levels. As for plants, it is better to choose varieties that have proven themselves successfully in the country’s climate.
Bedroom or children's room on the balcony - a functional solution
If the quadrature does not allow for each target to be allocated separate room, a balcony or loggia will come to the rescue. In this case, even a small number of square meters can be used for conversion into a full-fledged nursery or bedroom.
To fit everything you need, the balcony inside can be equipped with folding furniture, hidden shelving, be sure to think correct lighting and curtains.
Variations on the theme of style for decorating a loggia
Interesting ideas for arranging a balcony are not limited solely to the purpose of the room. You can also fantasize and experiment when choosing a style.
A small balcony will completely change the design in nautical style. To create a unique creative design you can use blue and white color scheme, natural wood, window fabrics. Furniture covers and curtains made of canvas and linen, wicker or wooden furniture, which can be folded and unfolded to save space, look harmonious. 
Mediterranean balcony - an extraordinary solution for modern balconies. In such a corner you can relax and get a portion Have a good mood and vigor for the whole day. In the design, light colors will be appropriate, natural materials must be combined with bright accents. It is better to choose forged furniture in combination with wicker rugs on the floor and stone decorative elements on the walls. Interior bonus - hanging boxes with flowers and flowerpots.
Connoisseurs of traditional comfort can try to arrange a balcony in the Provence style with their own hands. The basis will be pastel colors, adding color decorative plaster for decoration, floors made of natural material, light linen or silk curtains with flowers, a small table with a tablecloth to match and beautiful elements decor - plates, vases, flower pots.
You can decorate a spacious loggia in a loft style. Why is a narrow balcony with classic version glazing? The highlight of the interior is panoramic glazing in combination with natural brick walls, varnished to preserve the structure. Furniture suitable for furnishing in this case is artificially aged with chrome or lute elements.
In conclusion, we note that you can arrange a balcony or loggia with your own hands even with minimum budget. The main thing is to show imagination and ingenuity, using every square meter rationally and exceptionally.
Since Soviet times, balconies have been mainly used as storage rooms for storing unnecessary things that are a pity to throw away and have nowhere to put them. But this is a room in an apartment, studio or loft with proper arrangement can become a separate office, a flowering garden, a corner for sports or a mini-rest room where you can read a book and drink a cup of tea in the evening over a leisurely conversation. A real miracle for owners of small apartments. You can beautifully decorate a balcony or loggia with your own hands, using ready-made design solutions or using your own imagination.
Layout and forms
There are several types of balcony layouts:
- Regular with wind protection;
- Angular;
- Group of balconies with protection;
- Displaced along the façade;
- With storage rooms;
- Loggias.
By design, balconies are classified into several subgroups:
- On a cantilever reinforced concrete slab;
- On cantilever beams;
- With external supports;
- Mounted;
- Attached;
- Attached.
Loggias, in turn, can be divided into several types:
- Loggias-balconies;
- Remote;
- Built-in.
Standing apart from these classifications are French balconies, which perform a decorative function. They are completely glazed, very narrow and completely unsuitable for arranging a separate room.
Important! Before starting repairs, it is necessary to study the design features of the balcony. If necessary, installation of additional fences, strengthening of the base, and creation of a frame will be required.
In Khrushchev
In Khrushchev, balconies can be of three types in length:
- 2.4 meters;
- 2.7 meters;
- 3.2 meters.
The width of such a room is always less than a meter. The dimensions of the balconies in the Khrushchev building will not allow you to “turn around” much. To arrange such a narrow room you will have to try hard. Ideal style The design will be minimalist. Furniture should be light and multifunctional. In addition, it is not recommended to make balconies in Khrushchev very heavy. Their design may not withstand a lot of weight, so ceramics, facing stone and parquet will have to be abandoned. Otherwise, the structure will have to be strengthened.
In a panel house
Panel balconies have a number of features. From the end balcony slab a thin reinforced concrete “sheet” is welded, which is located vertically. A special gap is formed between the slabs, which is used as a “drain” of rainwater in non-glazed balconies. Because of this feature, difficulties arise when glazing them. In addition, the panel does not hold heat well, and the seams are usually poorly insulated, which makes such rooms a priori very cold. A layer of thermal insulation is usually installed on all surfaces. Special attention pay attention to the floor on which it is best to install artificial heating. In panel houses, the floors are uneven. Aligning them can lead to the use of a large amount of material, which will weigh down the structure. The solution will be the technology of adjustable floors.
Series P44 and p44t - “Boat” and “Boot”
“Boats” have a characteristic shape: a wide middle that tapers towards the sides. Such loggias cause difficulties with glazing. Arranging a non-standard space is also much more difficult. To visually expand it, the balcony window and door are usually removed. A narrow room does not allow you to place full-fledged furniture on it, so the easiest way is to limit yourself to a flower gallery or a couple of chairs near the window sill-tabletop.
The “boot” of the p44t series differs from the “boat” in the presence of three planes, which further complicates the task of glazing and finishing. The disadvantages of such a room can easily be turned into advantages if you use its “creases” as additional delimiters for zoning the space.
Open balcony
Balcony design open type will allow you to turn a small “cold” room into a separate summer veranda, which residents of cramped apartments can only dream of. It is worth considering that such a room is used only in the warm season. This is one of the disadvantages of this design. The furniture used is light and multifunctional. When choosing it, the emphasis is on quick assembly, convenient storage in winter. There is no need to clutter the space with cabinets and furniture for storing things. A small table and a bench or a couple of garden chairs is enough. An open balcony will require minimal costs for its finishing. All you need to do is install beautiful grilles and make it easy flooring. This option would be ideal for growing a summer garden. If the apartment is on the ground floors, such attics are sometimes entwined with vines, which provide additional shade in the summer and at the same time decorate the facade of the house, pleasing the eyes of passers-by.
Closed balcony
Balcony glazing can be of two types:
- Cold;
- Warm.
In the first case, an aluminum profile is used. For warm glazing, an aluminum profile with a thermal insert, natural wood or PVC is used. The cold type is ideal for those balconies and loggias whose design does not allow the use of additional loads. This type is most often used in Khrushchev buildings. Insulation in this case is not required. Installation of such frames is simple and cost-effective. Warm glazing will make the balcony an “extension of the apartment”: the temperature in it will be the same as in the rest of the house, even in winter. It is worth considering that warm frames will add load to the balcony, so they cannot be used in fragile structures.
Glazing can also be partial or panoramic. With partial or classic Bottom part the parapet remains closed. This type of glazing is more common. Panoramic glazing just coming into fashion, the entire parapet is glazed, and forged grilles are located on the lower part for safety. They simultaneously perform protective function and play the role of decoration. According to the type of opening, window sashes can be rotary, sliding or tilt-and-turn. It is now common practice to install plastic windows. They are durable, sealed, easy to use, have good sound insulation and are easy to install. However, wood is not a thing of the past, thanks to its main advantage: the presence of natural micropores that allow the room to “breathe”, eliminating air stagnation.
Color design
For visual increase spaces usually use pastel colors, among which white is the leader. If a recreation area is designed, then it is shaded with light yellow, pale green and shades of brown so that the eyes can rest in such a room. For the office use all shades of brown, gray or black. For dining area apply warm colors, promoting relaxation and increasing appetite. An entertainment or sports area is designed by combining bright, aggressive shades with soft colors for balance. You can create separate “blocks” of dark or flashy shades that will attract the attention of guests.
Important! It is worth considering which side the loggia windows face. If the side is sunny, then the use of cold and warm colors is allowed. If the side is north, then warm shades should prevail in the design.
Selection of materials
To expand functional space apartments, it is necessary first of all to insulate the balcony. For these purposes they use different kinds thermal insulation materials. As an additional measure, a “warm” floor is installed. Particular attention is paid to the decoration of the room. For interior decoration walls are used:
- Wooden lining;
- Plasterboard sheets;
- Plastic lining;
- Cork;
- Siding;
- PVC panels;
- Block house.
Covering the room with clapboard will be the final stage of surface treatment. In this case, you can use your imagination only when choosing a color. Cladding with plasterboard will allow you to subsequently wallpaper the walls to your liking. Cork finishing is the most expensive and environmentally friendly. On brick balconies, sometimes the walls are left in their original form. Modern design premises often offers this idea as original solution. The brick is processed in a special way: leveled, primed and painted. Such Brick wall will become a decorative element in itself. In this case, the texture of the brick can be made perfectly smooth, rough, or a harmonious combination of different types of textures and colors. A photo gallery in metal frames or a series of abstract paintings will look great on a rough surface.
The following materials are used for finishing the floor:
- Laminate;
- Linoleum;
- Carpet;
- Parquet;
- Ceramics.
Carpet and linoleum are used for balcony structures that do not allow for heavy weighting. Laminate looks richer, but the cost is one step higher than other materials. For the ceiling, it is best to choose lightweight materials with a decorative function. The practice of using suspended ceilings is widespread.
Important! Don't forget about exterior decoration. It will not only make your balcony beautiful from the street side, but will also additionally insulate it. The best option for these purposes are corrugated sheets.
Style
Provence - easy style French countryside. It is characterized by the use of natural materials, floral patterns and light colors. The presence of an abundance of indoor flowers and cute trinkets made of glass and porcelain is a must.
Art Nouveau is characterized by soft colors and curved shapes. He does not recognize strict geometric lines. Although the rooms are decorated in pastel colors, emphasis is artificially placed on individual elements of bright colors. Paintings and photographs on the walls, a small number of vases, lamps and souvenirs enliven the atmosphere. Stained glass windows will emphasize the sophistication of the interior of a balcony in an apartment in the Art Nouveau style.
Minimalism recognizes only the presence of functional interior details. It is characterized by simplicity and conciseness. The style is based on only two basic colors, which are played with shades in big details interior Minimalism requires open spaces and plenty of natural light.
High-tech is considered modern style close to minimalism. He only accepts strict geometric shapes. The colors used are shades of black, white, and gray. It is possible to add red, blue or purple as a backlight. High-tech prefers an abundance of chrome, metal surfaces and glass. The emphasis is on artificial lighting, which diffuses and visually enlarges the space.
Furniture
Furniture for open balconies more like a garden one. The main principle when choosing it is the ability to quickly fold it and put it away in a storage room. It's a completely different matter if we're talking about about a full-fledged room in an apartment or private house closed type. The designers did their best here. Depending on the functional purpose For rooms, you can choose furnishings made of metal, glass, plastic or wood. If the room is used as a gym, it will be equipped with compact exercise equipment that will allow one person to train freely.
The loggia combined with the bedroom is used as a corner for evening preparations before bed. In this case, a dressing table, a couple of ottomans and a comfortable sofa are used as furniture. For the recreation area, they are limited to a small table with a seating area: a folding sofa or a solid ottoman with a lot of soft pillows, where guests can climb with their feet. If the space is arranged under work area, then the emphasis is on cabinets and storage racks. Transformable furniture type ZM2 will help save space. A wide selection of such furniture elements at affordable prices in the Dutch Ikea stores.
Lighting
Properly installed lighting can become the saving grace for a small balcony room. With the help of light you can visually expand the space. There are no restrictions on the choice of lighting fixtures. These can be light bulbs, chandeliers, lamps, sconces, LEDs, floor lamps and entire lighting systems. They can be placed on walls, ceilings and even on the floor. In order not to spoil the aesthetic appearance of the room with electrical wires, you should take care of their installation at the finishing stage. Then the electrical wiring will be of a hidden type, which will avoid peeping wires. Exposed wiring is masked with decorative elements and special panels. The main advantage of open wiring is its accessibility during repair work, which cannot be said about hidden wiring.