Balcony design: arrangement, projects and interior ideas

The tradition of the story that there are heaters, bicycles and sacks of potatoes on the balcony has been shaky lately. A growing number of people are beginning to realize that a balcony is not just an appendage to the main footage, but a small platform that deserves good design and application. The balcony is insulated, electricity is conducted onto it, it is furnished, decorated, and a useful and beautiful area (albeit a small one) is obtained.

But the issue of space design is not as simple as reasoning about the transformation of the balcony: however, there are options, ideas, solutions for every taste, budget and repair and design experience.

If it is difficult to decide on some experiments in the apartment, you can try your hand at the balcony. This will be a good training before a global repair. But even in the case of the transformation of a small space, the scale of repair can be very different. For example, many apartment owners today decide to open space - replace traditional materials with full glazing.

A common mistake encountered by those who began to equip a panoramic balcony - piling up in design. Nevertheless, such a platform is seen by others, and it is desirable that they contemplate a harmonious composition. Minimalism suits the idea of ​​decorating a panoramic balcony — chairs, a table, and plants in beautiful drawers or tubs.

It is worth paying attention to other features of the modern design of the balcony.

• Bright colors to many residents of the apartments seem too bold. At such a desperate step, they can decide only in dreams and plans, but do not wait for the right day and mood: try to bring color to the updated balcony. The contrasts and explosive combinations on the balcony just do not have time to bother. One of the walls (not a facade) can be painted in bright color or you can do a color focus with a ceiling. The latter does not strike the eye, but it nevertheless becomes a bright accent of space.

• Eco-minimalism - The most relevant area today, which may become a guideline even at the stage of thinking over the design of the balcony. This is a laconic and close to nature style, which is suitable for virtually any balcony and loggia. Natural materials, expressive texture, appropriate landscaping and only the necessary items in the interior - it turns out a versatile and beautiful balcony, not tied in its design to the wealth of the owner. Very democratic and fresh.

• If the balcony is large and open (but with a visor roof), you can create space on it in the aesthetics of the chalet. It is also fashionable, looks solid and stylish, and most importantly - such a balcony will not stand idle. There you can have wonderful gatherings and not only in the summer.

• Be tricky - if you cannot afford a full repair, for example, you want a Scandinavian-style balcony, but not able to change the entire finish for natural materials, mask imperfections. There is still a solid linoleum on the floor that does not fit into the concept of styles - cover it with cozy scandi-rugs.

Of course, today the apartment is once personalized. It is precisely those interiors that speak about their master, his lifestyle, profession, hobbies and habits.

To begin with, it is worth arranging a small educational program: to make sure that confusion in concepts does not exist. There is an erroneous opinion, as if a glazed balcony - this is a loggia. Of course, this is not so. A balcony is called a remote structure. The term comes from the word "beam", which originally meant exactly "ledge at the window." Then this ledge got a fence, increased in volume. And today The balcony is a plate-platform which stands for the facades of the house.

At the loggia, the walls of the house are lateral; only one side of the loggia faces the street. And this design is more reliable than a balcony, because it is more thorough in its layout. Previously, the footage of both the balcony and the loggia was included in the total area of ​​the apartment. Now they are considered property of the house, common property.

Balconies are often called bay windows. They may be as follows:

• on the console reinforced concrete plate - this type is found in old buildings, in brick houses;
• on cantilever beams - beams are made of metal or concrete;
• on external supports - either columns or brackets, or all together, may be used.

Balconies differ in the type of glazing. For instance, wood frames considered more environmentally friendly, natural designs. In addition, topical wooden double-glazed windows are also distinguished by tightness, practicality, and the absence of difficulties in maintenance. Plastic double-glazed windows are the most popular design today. Although for old balconies they are considered too heavy. Light and durable can be called aluminum frames but they do not hold heat well, so a warm balcony cannot be arranged with them.

The most modern can be considered frameless glazingin which the bay window is closed with a continuous surface of glass. Of course, by the amount of transmitted light this glazing cannot be compared with anything else, but, for example, it does not allow installing a mosquito net.

And another popular, beautiful solution - panoramic glazing. Once it was connected with such characteristics as "luxury", "premium", "elite": but today panoramic windows are considered stylish designs that are already available to the middle class. The exclusive version has ceased to be such; panoramic glazing has ceased to be a characteristic of only luxury apartments.

The best option for a beautiful space design is a large balcony. Many simply leave it virtually open, devoid of furniture, but there can be many solutions. And on the balcony, those functional zones are often taken out that lack space in the apartment. Or who in an apartment cannot comply with such an important requirement as the privacy of a person, the closeness of one zone from another. And it can provide a balcony.

For many people, for years, the balcony has served as a mini-basement at home, at best a storage room. There is a bicycle there, products (vegetables, seals) can be stored. But storage can be chaotic, devoid of any style and sensible organization. And it can be aesthetic, beautiful, convenient, thoughtful. To determine the function of a balcony, you need to clearly decide what it will serve, which first of all needs a separate space.

If the balcony will be master’s workshop it will also have ergonomics, and practicality, and convenience.

The balcony can also be used for the following purposes:

• organization of a small library;
• the creation of a greenhouse or mini-garden in the house;
• workshop device;
• device office;
• children's territory;
• expansion of the dining and dining area;
• room for personal relaxation and so on.

Several zones can be successfully combined on one balcony. For example, in one part of it there will be a desktop, in the other - shelving with books. Or a greenhouse can be combined with a relaxation and relaxation area. But what simply lies, is stored, “hibernates” and simply creates chaos on the balcony, it is worth relocating. Everyone says that there is nowhere, but those who have radically decided to transform the balcony assure that the issue of removal and placement of old things is miraculously solved.

The interior of the balcony is a continuation of your home. Even if outwardly he is modest, ordinary, it is not as important as what is inside. Therefore, it makes sense to think about the style of the balcony space. In the end, style affects the decoration, color, shape of the balcony. Let us consider in more detail which styles are well created on a small footage.

• Provence. It is not necessary to love this culture from the inside to be imbued with its aesthetics, beauty, tenderness. You can never be in the famous French province, but be able to gracefully embody her style in your home. Floral ornaments dominate here, and textiles play the most important role in decoration. If space allows, then you can put a sofa, table on the balcony. The colors are natural, muted. Olive, beige, lavender - more than appropriate.

• Chinese style. Attractive base for small spaces. Clear lines involving black and white, cream and brownish shades are characteristic of the style.On the balcony there can be a small rectangular table, benches without decorative features, the windows will be decorated with bamboo blinds. This style belongs to eastern minimalism. A variation of the latter is the "Japanese garden". A tiered lawn or a rocky garden right on the balcony is quite real.

• Boho. It is difficult to come up with something more relevant, cited, actively distributed in different areas of life. This is a bohemian, artistic, cheerful style, but it will suit people of non-creative professions. On the floor you can lay mats or carpet, they can also decorate the walls. There will be a place on the boho balcony for the grandmother's armchair, a table, knocked together independently.

• Loft. This revolutionary style can well be embodied on the balcony. Brick dark masonry on the wall is an excellent basis for a balcony loft. The decor should be original, catchy, extravagant. Retro furniture or things that were not originally associated with furniture, but that fulfill its function, will be style-forming. Pallets, boxes can serve as chairs and tables. Preferred wooden glazing frames, decorated blinds. The countertop, if it is supposed, can be deliberately rough, have uneven edges.

• Glamor This is the opposite of a loft that has not lost its relevance. Extravagant, based on brilliance and gloss, he can realize exactly those ideas that you do not dare to demonstrate in the apartment. You can safely use polished surfaces, mirrors and gold. It’s great if a new print appears on the classic-style furniture - a leopard cover or a tiger skin on the floor is also suitable. Plants should also be artsy, vibrant, in exquisite flowerpots and flowerpots.

• Art Deco. Expressive and rich style will make the balcony space incredibly elegant. But keep in mind that it requires expensive materials and pronounced ornamentality. Porcelain tiles or deck boards spread on the floor, and artificial stone is often used in wall decoration. Ornamental panels are used in decorative quality. Wooden furniture should be massive, possibly with leather accents.

• Modern minimalism. This style advocates for the purity of forms and lines, the absence of even a hint of distraction, noise, vanity. It should be the most fashionable sculptural furniture. The balcony should have a perfect finish, geometric alignment. Smooth painted surfaces, self-leveling floors and glass are used. Very expensive luxury repair, which is suitable for large balconies and loggias.

• Chalet. A space trimmed with wood will suit him. The artificial stone of large, free forms is also appropriate. Often in such a balcony interior there is a fake fireplace. Large wooden chairs with leather accents complete the look. In winter there will be fur, and in summer - linen cloaks.

• Scandinavian style It is famous for its democracy, high variability. It is relatively easy to implement, a balcony in this style will not cost you a huge amount. Natural finishes, modest furniture, a light background with bright accents, appropriate greenery - this is the basis of style.

If the foundation of the basics you consider the functionality of the balcony, it is worth considering what furniture will be on its territory. With a small balcony area, there is no need to talk about massive furniture. Even small closed cabinets are viewed with partiality: will they not create the feeling of a cluttered, endowed with exorbitant powers of the balcony.

The most suitable option is a table and two chairs. It should be modest sized furniture, this can often be found in collections of garden furniture. Often during the season there are discounts on her; it’s not so difficult to buy a suitable set for a balcony.

But the table in the usual sense of the word may not be: it will be replaced by a bar counter, which begins immediately under the windows. It can be the length of the window zone, you can make it shorter. Attach 2 bar stools to such a rack, and this will already be the established composition. If you make the tabletop wide, then you can sit behind it with a laptop, and not just coffee or a cocktail.

Very often an extra bed is arranged on the balcony. It’s not necessary to sleep there, but lying down is provided. A narrow ottoman or sofa is suitable. But it is possible, for example, to make the basis of wooden pallets, on which a mattress will later lie. Find a beautiful bedspread, pillows - and the place is ready.

More often, balcony walls are decorated with shelves or racks. You can’t do without it if you decide to adapt the balcony for vegetation, a mini-garden or a storage room. You can purchase finished shelf structures, but you can do them yourself. Restoring old furniture, repainting and other decorative procedures is also a great option.

And if you make a functional, stylish, modern space, in addition to furniture, there must necessarily be a competent lighting system.

It happens that it’s lucky, and already at the time of building the house provides for lighting a balcony or loggia. Sometimes even a house is for rent with simple lamps on a balcony area. To connect the balcony to electricity, you can use several options.

• Housing shield. This option is the most difficult, because you will need to drag the wiring through the entire apartment. But if you master it, then you can connect household appliances on the balcony.
• Opportunities of the next room. Find the junction box in the wall, draw a new line from it. But do not do it on your own: a specialist will assess whether the cable cores can withstand an additional source of energy consumption.
• An outlet in the next room. The method is similar to the previous one, but it is not the same. This is called a loopback connection. If the mounting box is close to the balcony, then the option is more than real.

On the glazed and insulated balcony to organize lighting is quite simple. But if the balcony is open, and it is a brick or concrete monolith, will have to ditch the walls. There is also an option outdoor wiring. Since the area of ​​a standard balcony cannot be called large, one light source should be enough for comfortable lighting. It is located either on the ceiling surface or on the wall. With a rather large space, functional zoning of the balcony is provided, each zone will have its own light source.

If on the balcony you have organized a corner for needlework, drawing, reading, you can’t do without local lighting. The decorative illumination looks great on the balcony, which is made in the form of an LED strip along the ceiling contour (or along the contour of the lower frame). Finally, there is no better place than a balcony to decorate a room with lanterns, garlands, candles and other decorative light elements.

The face of the balcony is determined by the decor. You can take as a basis a typical option, rather simple, not claiming to be exclusive, but it will completely change under the influence of decoration. This is what makes your space yours - alive, dynamic, warm. The decor matches the style and is considered with it, but you should never follow it blindly, denying the true desires of the owners.

And your ideas should not be design flawless: they should be pleasant to you personally, must create the right atmosphere.

Consider 10 good decorative inclusions in the design of the balcony.

• Floral panels. If you do not know how to draw, knit, and think that all arts and crafts are more talented, but you want to do something with your own hands, remember the herbariums. In childhood, probably, everyone in the books dried plants. Arrange yourself a nice flower expedition to the nearest park (meadow, garden), pick up beautiful plants, a variety of different, dry. And then, according to a simple algorithm, stick the dried samples onto a sheet of thick light paper - and in a frame under glass. Such works will decorate the walls on the balcony, he will quickly find his face. And most importantly - you will see that your artistic abilities still haven't passed you by.

• Bright pillows. Pillowcases for interior pillows can be sewn on their own - the cheapest chintz is quite suitable for this. Bright, colorful, in the style of "grandmother in the village" or "Frida always and everywhere", they will become the main shaper of the atmosphere of a small cozy room.

• Garlands in vases. If you can use electricity on the balcony, then try the option of decorating the space with luminous vases. To do this, you will need a large or not very glass vessel of any shape you like. Put a garland in a ball in it. In the evenings, including her, she will blink lights not on the wall, but behind the glass. And this heat is also able to warm - only the soul.

• Large candle holders. Today they are used everywhere - in essence they are vases, only with a rough rope on the neck. Inside such a container, either one large candle or several is placed. The flickering of natural light creates a warm mood on the balcony.

• Wicker corners planters. These are cone-shaped structures that are fixed to the wall. There is no back in them, so a can of water is inserted into the space between the wall and the wall of the pot. And in it are fresh flowers. So on your balcony there will be beautiful hydrangeas, lilacs, tulips and daisies right on the wall, not in the usual vases.

• Swing. Ready-made swings can be bought at any large furniture store. If there is no place for them in the rooms, there is just one on the balcony. It is important to equip the swing so that rest in them was associated only with comfortable sensations. A variant of the suspension design on the chain is most acceptable.

• Old watering cans, cans, teapots, enameled dishes perfectly cope with their new functions: the second life gives them the role of vases and boxes for plants. Someone repaints metal utensils, someone just polishes to a shine. Everything that was obsolete becomes a thing with a story that a person who opposes the era of consumption leaves in everyday life.

• Folding table. This is in the shape of its half circle, made of any suitable material. When folded, it is pressed against the wall under the glass, does not strike the eye, does not create inconvenience. But as soon as a table is needed in use, the half opens, fixes, and is ready to serve you. Convenient for a narrow balcony.

• Sconce in the form of lanterns. If the sconces look like street lamps, this will set a more romantic mood on the balcony. Not the most difficult stroke to implement, but it affects the general mood of space.

• Checkboxes. Along with garlands, they simply masterfully make the interior light, cheerful, elegant.And you do not need to hang them only on holidays.

They increasingly try to use the balcony to the maximum for relaxing in the summer. But there are much more options for its design, functional use, rather than just creating a relaxation corner, a tea party area and so on.

For the insulated balcony, which was illuminated, the mini-cabinet option is very organic. Such an idea often occurs to the owners of the “kopeck piece”, in which it is really difficult to find places for the zone of intellectual labor. The dimensions of the balcony determine how well it will be possible to realize this idea, but even a modest footage will let it take place. A full-fledged desk cannot be established, but it is not needed.

A sufficiently wide, solid countertop, which the sides will simply abut against the balcony walls. Under the tabletop, you can put a roll-out cabinet with drawers or build several attached shelves. Shelves can also come in handy above the table. A comfortable chair, local light - this is the basis of the office.

At the opposite end, you can install something like a bookcase or a suitable shelf. If all necessary documents, books and other things important for work are stored there, the need for shelves above the desktop disappears. Then the wall can be decorated with paintings, modern posters, panels and so on.

The main thing in organizing a mini-cabinet is comfortable conditions for intellectual work. If warming the balcony raises questions, if the local light is not good enough, if the working chair is not the most comfortable, the idea of ​​organizing an office on the balcony will be a failure.

The necessary conditions for the organization of the plant area on the balcony are to check the integrity of the balcony structures, glazing the site (if it is not), sealing all cracks, seams and cracks, warming the balcony, conducting heating. Moisture resistant materials should prevail in the decoration of spaces with such practical functions. Tiles, plastic panels, wood impregnated with special compounds, linoleum, stone and others are permissible.

Placing plants on the balcony is worthwhile, paying attention to several features.

• Palm trees, dwarf trees, as well as large cacti, shrub flowers are planted in massive flowerpots or floor pots. Safety precautions recall - more than two or three bulky flowerpots are not placed on the balcony.

• On the windowsill, long hanging pots that look suitable for ampelous flowers and decorative grass will look good. And if you want something more original, plant spices there - the aroma zone on the balcony is provided.

• If the plants are small, they can be nicely arranged on a shelf or on a wooden (or metal) whatnot. And with them on the bookcase there may be books with a botanical illustration or, for example, magazines on gardening and landscape design.

• Hanging flowerpots with ampoule plants, bindweed can be hung at the walls and under the ceiling.

In the winter garden, the furniture is selected compact, lightweight. It’s easier to make wooden seats of any type on the sides, and put drawers in them, which will store garden tools and everything else necessary for organizing the garden.Wicker furniture, rocking chairs, side tables and chests of drawers will also fit into the image of the resulting room. If possible, you can organize a desktop fountain or a bonsai with a pond. Everything is small, exceptionally decorative, but gives the impression of a very beautiful and accurate imitation of a large garden.

And, of course, any beauty, any landscaping requires constant care. But the result, the daily enjoyment of contemplating your brainchild, of caring for it, are worth the time and energy. In the case of organizing a garden or a greenhouse on the balcony, the latter will literally blossom before your eyes.

And in this case, it is necessary to begin the transformation of the balcony with ensuring the complete safety of this design. Old floors are repaired, the slab is put in order (if there are cracks in its base), the maximum possible load is calculated. The room is insulated, all joints and seams are closed. For the interior decoration of the nursery, only fireproof, environmentally friendly materials are selected. The windows are checked for sealing, because with the slightest draft, the children will be sick.

A full-fledged children's room on the balcony is a rarity, but the game room is often done there. It turns out that an ordinary room becomes a bedroom, and on the balcony there is a territory for games.

So partially the balcony is combined with the apartment, dismantling the balcony block.

In the children's room on the balcony there may be the following:

• small sports ground (horizontal bar);
• working area - tables and chairs;
• racks with toys and rugs for games;
• workshop of a young artist.

Due to the dismantling of the balcony block, the area of ​​the nursery is increasing. And often along the window, parents make a large countertop. If the balcony is insulated, it is really convenient. In a family where the child is not alone, due to the large countertops, the issue of the placement of jobs for all children can be solved. And natural light in this case would be the best.

In this case, it is usually a balcony, which the owners decided to combine with the kitchen. With this combination, the kitchen becomes more spacious and longer, its geometry changes, the balcony ceases to be a cluttered room. The combination of spaces is due to the dismantling of the window and door.

The dining area on the balcony area looks very nice and bright. If the wall under the balcony is designed as a bar or table, it is also rational. If you want to visually zone the combined room, then this can be done due to the color separation or the difference in textures. But if at the expense of the balcony you want to visually increase the space, the decoration should have unity, a reference to light colors.

If you decided not to use the workshop in the cold season, then there is no point in warming the balcony. But if you plan to install a workbench or a desktop in the workshop, if you are going to be in it all-season, definitely high-quality glazing will be required. Following are the issues of warming. Then - arrangement, because finishing the workshop requires a special kind of materials.

The carrier balcony slab will be subject to the largest load, it cannot be increased. Heavy finish is virtually eliminated. Therefore, before decorating the balcony, it is necessary to check the condition of the carrier plate, as well as assess how much weight it can withstand.

The workshop on the balcony may be as follows:

• metal and wood processing (but this is a noisy business, so it’s not always really possible);
• modeling clay products;
• to create handmade souvenirs;
• soap making;
• on tailoring, interior toys, bedding and so on.

As far as this is legal, the sphere of activity that you want to engage in on the balcony decides. If it does not carry danger, if you have not violated the law (do not engage in self-construction and do not jeopardize the life and health of you and your neighbors), the workshop may well be located on the balcony or loggia.

How exactly you can arrange a balcony is better seen in the overview photo gallery. The following selection contains the best examples, inspirational images, and contemporary design.

• Mini-bar in the house, and even with a beautiful view outside the window - This example shows that there is nothing real in this undertaking. Beautiful finishes, lighting, sustained minimalism.

• And you won’t say right away that the size of the balcony is not the most enviable. But the owners managed to make both short walls practical and beautiful, so it will be comfortable here not only to chat, but even to draw, drink coffee and so on.

• Very nice and comfortable, an ideal area for intellectual work. Strictly and touching at the same time. And most importantly, such repairs will not require large expenses.

• Delicately, subtly, expressively - such a corner of privacy or, conversely, warm family conversations can be organized on virtually any balcony. And the higher the apartment, the more interesting the landscape outside the window.

• It looks not just as a green area, but as a spa in an exotic garden. You can take a break from routine, work and household chores without leaving your home.

• The zone of comfort, freshness and light. There is nothing superfluous; the finishes and furniture are very well chosen. Do not overdo it with the decor: be it a little larger and it will destroy the idyll of this gentle space.

• Open a small sewing workshop on your own balcony - cozy and fresh. Look at the diagonal laying of the flooring, this is a visual technique for expanding the space.

• If you draw, then maybe on the balcony you can arrange your own workshop. It’s modest in size, but in terms of quality of lighting and privacy, that’s what you need.

• Lovely in its simplicity, but with a special elegance and restraint winter garden. For beginner gardeners, this design is more than enough.

• An open balcony can be just as beautiful. - and everything is simple, affordable, easily feasible, even alone. Breakfast in the warmer months is recommended here.

• Very stylish boho balcony. If this aesthetic is close to you, be sure to try to implement it. Atmospheric, stylish, concise.

• The idea is how simple, so good. If your budget for the arrangement of the balcony is very small, this does not mean a boring, inexpressive, fresh repair.

• An office on the balcony with panoramic windows - the atmosphere is conducive to creative insiders. Very beautiful, but there is one “but”, you should not have a fear of heights. Otherwise, the head will spin from such species. Although those who decide on panoramic glazing hardly have such a phobia.

Examples say that every meter of the house can be equipped with taste, care and love. And also that life and the smallest space can inspire and improve the quality of life, refuse standard solutions, approach everything with creative excitement.

Hit parade of ideas for the balcony, see below.