Kitchen on the loggia: features and design methods

Inhabitants of small apartments often face the problem of an acute shortage of usable space, especially if the family is large. Some designers recommend the use of balconies and loggias. For example, it might be a good idea to place a kitchen in these rooms, which will significantly save the space of the apartment. However, you should be prepared for the fact that This process is lengthy, and even will last for many years - technical and bureaucratic nuances do not allow you to transform a room instantly. In addition, such a redevelopment will require impressive costs.

The undoubted advantages of arranging a kitchen or dining room on the loggia include the following possibilities.

• The increase in usable area and ergonomics of the living room.
• If desired, the interior can be made creative and very original.
• Thanks to the glazing of the loggia, the natural lighting of the room increases many times, which saves on the cost of paying for electricity.

Among the disadvantages of such solutions can be identified:

• high costs of moving the main communications from the kitchen and warming the balcony;
• the need to draw up a redevelopment project and its coordination in several services - as practice shows, this "flies a penny" to apartment owners, not to mention the fact that such coordination takes several months.

Nonetheless the idea of ​​rational use of the area of ​​the loggia or balcony is very attractive to everyone who seeks order and comfort. Even with a small space of 1 meter wide, you will already add 3 or 4 square meters to the total area. m. The same owners of apartments, who were lucky enough to become owners of large loggias, can get as much as 4 or 6 square meters. m in addition to the total area of ​​the apartment.

But before using space and moving something there, You must obtain permission to redevelop. The fact is that when carrying out such work, the load-bearing structure is often destroyed, which increases the load on the lower floors, so engineering services must make sure that moving the kitchen to the balcony does not lead to serious consequences.

The package of mandatory permits includes:

• permission of the BTI;
• coordination in the Ministry of Emergencies and SES;
• certification in ZhEK and technical supervision bodies.

The project with all permits received is submitted for consideration to the housing inspection, which has the right to approve or reject it. A ban on such redevelopment can be established in the following situations:

• if it is planned to demolish the bearing wall in full;
• the radiator is placed on the balcony / loggia;
• main communications (water supply, gas pipes and heating) are reduced or completely removed;
• It is planned to connect a “warm floor” to the home heating system.

The first thing that will have to be done after obtaining all the necessary approvals is the glazing of the balcony or open loggia. It’s better to give preference three-dimensional double-glazed windows of the highest quality - they are guaranteed to retain heat indoors even in the most severe frosts. In addition, condensation does not form on such windows and they are not covered by ice. If possible, keep the number of wings small - this way the heat will be better preserved.

The second important item in the equipment of the future kitchen is the insulation of the loggia. If you do not pay enough attention to sealing the cracks and warming the walls, ceiling and floor, then the kitchen will turn out to be very cold. Most often, foam is used for insulation or mineral wool, but the most effective is multilayer combined insulation, which may include one of the following options:

• the use of metal profiles and mineral wool;
• the construction of a wooden crate and the use of foam boards.

Keep in mind that nobody will allow you to carry the radiator, therefore it will be necessary to additionally insulate the room from below. It is best to resort to the installation of an electric system "warm floor", as it spends very little electricity, it is easy to operate and highly efficient.

A good option would be to combine a kitchen with a loggia. In this version, you can simply remove the door and window, and in place of the window sill, equip something like a bar counter, which can be used for a light snack or a small tea party.

Particular attention should be paid to finishing work. Typically, the following materials are used for decorative finishes:

• washable wallpaper;
• ceramic tile;
• upholstery with plastic panels;
• paintwork.

Preferred to use ceramic tiles or decorative plaster, and lay parquet, linoleum or laminate on the floor - it is important that the materials used are moisture resistant and wash off well from grease stains and loose substances.

For the convenience of cooking and a comfortable stay in the kitchen, a high-quality organization of artificial lighting is required.If in the daytime there will be no problems, then with the onset of the evening, the loggia is darkened and unsuitable for work, rest and eating. That is why it is very important to conduct electricity in this room and install light sources. Most often in this case, turn to one of the following options.

• Installation of ceiling lights. Lamps allow you to illuminate the kitchen evenly distributed light. Keep in mind that the area of ​​the balcony and loggia is small, so there is no need to hang bright lights - there will be enough small shades, soft tapes and floor lamps.
• Very popular Wall lights, which can fully bear the burden of lighting the loggia in case the ceiling light is not provided there.

When arranging a kitchen on a loggia, the following options for designing a space are allowed.

• Loggia-dining room. This option is optimal for non-insulated rooms, if all the efforts of the owner of the premises were concentrated only on the glazing of the space and its decorative decoration. In this case, dining furniture is taken out onto the loggia - a table with chairs. If desired, as a table, you can use the inner window sill, decorated around the perimeter. High chairs will go well with it - the result is very stylish and spectacular. But this is only a summer option.

• Loggia Bar. This is an original idea for loggias that are adjacent to the load-bearing wall, which is impossible to tear down. In this case, the base of the window frame will serve to design the bar, and the lower part can be used as a place to store bulk products and various household items.

• Work zone. A similar option is possible only when the loggia was completely insulated. Usually they take out a refrigerator, sink and stove. Such redevelopment requires wiring and water supply. Some craftsmen even place a washing machine, while it is placed in a stylish cabinet. Thus, a countertop is obtained - this can significantly save usable space.

• Cellar. Freezers and a fridge for storing perishable foods are brought into the kitchen. Remember that it is possible to organize such use of the room, as well as hang pillows and equip the chest, only when the balcony is fully glazed.

The kitchen on the loggia can be performed in a variety of styles. For example, in a classic version, the balcony-kitchen is decorated in a retro style, but a loft, high-tech or minimalism can look very impressive.

Cozy kitchens, arranged in an oriental way, invariably delight - such a design turns the balcony into a real oasis, which serves the "chambers of the Sultan." The kitchen gives an elegant look in japanese style.

The space looks concise, functional and invariably elegant. And lovers of Chinese color can be advised to paint the walls in the decors traditional for this culture, as well as add spectacular accessories - fans, bamboo stems and porcelain figurines. For lovers of exotic, you can recommend African style - in this case, you can place a leopard skin on the balcony and put small palm trees.

When decorating a room, it is important to decide which zone the main emphasis will be on - working or dining. If the priorities are shifted towards the first option, it is necessary to organize a storage system for perishable and bulk products, in the second case, an impromptu rack-table is emphasized.

When moving a kitchen or dining room to a balcony or loggia, only two options are implemented.

• Removing windows and doors in full - This is the simplest option that does not require coordination. However, keep in mind that in a situation when you will sell an apartment, they will have to be returned to their original place. After such a conversion, the jumper can be used as a bar, which will give the kitchen a modern and stylish look.

• Full transfer of the kitchen unit to the balcony. It should be noted that the possibility of placing a headset and kitchen furniture on a balcony and a loggia without coordination is small - in fact, only small appliances, such as a microwave, refrigerator or freezer, can be moved here. If you intend to conduct communications, then you will need permission from all of the above authorities. Also, do not forget that you will not be able to remove the gas stove - this is contrary to safety requirements, so it will have to be replaced with an electric one. As for the withdrawal of sewage, this can only be approved by residents of the lower floor.

We invite you to get acquainted with the most interesting ideas for placing a kitchen on a balcony and a loggia.

An overview of the loggia converted into a kitchen, see the video below.