Shelves on the balcony: features, types and design tips

The sad legacy of Soviet times is the balcony, it serves as a warehouse of things of varying degrees of need. From a bicycle to a heater, from tool boxes to old toys - all this is ready to shelter a balcony. Many rightly note that the warehouse is formed there not because of the bad taste of the owners, but because of the lack of storage facilities. But in any situation there is a way out: you can compromise, and arrange the storage system on the balcony is such that there is no doubt about its aesthetics. And the shelves will help in this.

Shelves on the balcony are dozens of design variations that can be firmly and beautifully fixed to the walls. And to make it so that the design of a small area only won.

You can organize:

• corner shelves - Ideal for small balconies, because in this way it turns out to place as many things as possible on a small footage;
• classic wall shelves - they are proposed to be fixed on the wall firmly, without the ability to remove it at any time, and anything can sit on such shelves (seams, books, flowers);
• separate floor structures - hinged shelves can be adjacent to racks;
• open low floor - these are not racks, they are not so high, more like shoe racks.

On the loggia or balcony you can organize a multifunctional space, but you can make it thematic. For example, on the balcony you can get a small office, a mini-workshop, a miniature library, a greenhouse, a pantry and much more. You can intelligently use the space under the windowsill, organize wicker hanging shelves for something light, install metal shelving for empty cans and seals.

If your balcony is warm, then a sensible decision would be to arrange an office or creative workshop on this territory. And for this just need shelves. One of them will become a tabletop for a computer (or a variation of the desktop), since it is unlikely that a full-fledged table can be installed. We need a sturdy construction, most often they are made to order. The ends it will rest against the walls of the balcony. The material can be anything, but durable wood worktops are preferred.

If the balcony is empty, then for books, documents or boxes-boxes of the master / craftswoman will have to justify individual shelves, and better - a rack. And then the space above the "desktop" will not be overloaded. There you can hang a picture or an office calendar. And already on the shelves of the rack everything else that should be in the office will be placed. Well, if there remains a place for plants.

"Desktop" is better to organize in the so-called niche on the balcony - the farthest place from the entrance. Decorative shelves can be made of a wide plastic baseboard, it is cut to the desired length, and with the wide side up, the newly-appeared shelf is glued with "liquid nails" to the wall. It can have souvenirs, an “eternal” calendar, figurines, a pencil box, and more.

A great option, but it can also be realized only in the insulated area. If you put an ottoman, a chair-bed or even arrange a berth with a mattress and pallets on the balcony, if you conduct electricity there, then a cozy corner can become a wonderful library in miniature, and even with a convenient reading place.

Consider what you need to implement the idea.

• Project plan. You should consider the rational organization of the balcony space. How many shelves / shelves will be allocated for books, how much space will a berth take, what decor to add, what kind of lighting will be.
• Ready-made racks or shelves, or a purchase option. If the library is not the smallest, then one balcony wall will have a shelf from floor to ceiling, and a couple of open or closed shelves can be added to the opposite wall.
• Sleeping place or chair. But the chair is not such a convenient option as something like an ottoman or a balcony sofa, adding comfort with textiles, pillows and the like. It should be very convenient to get a book there, and you can sleep there too.

On the insulated balcony to implement this idea is everything. And if there is space under the berth, then you can store the previous filling of the balcony there. For example, put there tool boxes. These are hidden storage systems that will not disturb the harmony of the reading library.

If you decide to do everything yourself, then the first task is to choose material for future shelves.

For the manufacture of these structures can be used in different raw materials.

• Wood. This is a natural, environmentally friendly material with rich decorative capabilities. But remember that the tree must be impregnated for moisture protection and pest protection. It is easy to process, it will become a good basis for durable shelves.

• Metal. The durability and reliability of this material does not need advertising. Usually made of metal frames for shelves. It is worth remembering that the material reacts to humidity, and in order to extend its use, it should be painted.

• Chipboard. Easy to process material from which shelves of various types can be made. It can withstand decent loads if the shelf mounts are solid. As long shelves can not be used, only with intermediate vertical mounts.

• Glass. Delicate and fragile material, but can not withstand the smallest loads. Usually plays a decorative role.

• Plastic. Not afraid of humidity and high temperatures. But it is far from the most durable.

• Combined options. These are shelves, which in their design include several materials, for example, wood and metal.

If you are the owner of a standard, not the largest balcony, there is a danger of overloading it with the same shelves. because it will be enough on it a few corner structures and small horizontal shelves, used mainly for decorative purposes.

In the end of the balcony it makes sense to equip not very high closed shelves. They will simultaneously become chairs, as well as storage places for household items (the same tools). But on the inner front wall, you can equip a folding shelf, which "dexterous hand movement" will turn into a small table.

Blind end walls are an ideal place to create storage systems. Closed and combined racks will most comfortably fit here. Household items are stored in closed ones; open shelves serve for decorative purposes.

Finally, to talk about skis, which are traditionally stored on the balcony. They may not leave their historical territory, only placing them there can be aesthetically pleasing. In the end floor cabinets, you can make a built-in pencil case-niche. Along the inner facade of the balcony wall, you can organize low cabinets that are spacious and beautiful, and there will fit a lot of things that were previously stored randomly on the balcony.

If you have only a railing on the balcony, and the territory itself is open, with shelves it will be more difficult. Unless graceful metal will become reliable platforms for beautiful flowerpots with flowers. But the closed balcony represents much more stylish and practical features.

Introducing 10 top ideas for balcony shelves.

• Even a very narrow balcony is not a hindrance to a beautiful storage system. There is nothing complicated in this design, and even a person far from the design profession can build such a rack. It turned out cozy, fresh and cute.

• One of the options for a mini-library brought to the balcony. Ottoman, shelves, painting on the wall, stylish finish. Self-contained and comfortable space, the organization of which is not associated with high costs.

• Very stylish interior shelves on a spacious balcony. If your tasks of arranging this territory are completely decorative, then you need to look at this option. Arranging a greenhouse in your own home is possible.

• This may look like an office on the balcony. The costs are not very large, the organization is how beautiful, so simple. But in this embodiment, the balcony is combined with the room.

• Another variation of the mini-cabinet. Everything is in tune with this interior: decoration, choice of furniture, decor. You can’t even say so right away that all this is arranged on a typical small balcony. Very comfortable and practical.

• A space that conveys its atmosphere, comfort and light even through a monitor. Excellent organization of library shelves in a small area. And nothing more.

• Another option, very stylish and original. Such shelves are already more difficult to do on their own, but still possible. A very good solution for a balcony with panoramic windows.

• And this is a small pantry, organized outside the yard of the apartment.Metal shelves are very convenient, the design itself looks light and does not burden the interior.

• Another version of a multifunctional space that does not look cluttered at all. And this is all in a small area, and you can do it yourself.

• A creative workshop is how shelves can become artist's tables. The option is suitable even for an insulated balcony, just the territory will be actively used in the warm season.

See how to make hanging shelves for indoor plants on the balcony in the next video.