Balcony design: furnishings, projects and interior ideas

The tradition of the story that there are heaters, bicycles and sacks of potatoes on the balcony has been shaken lately. More and more people are beginning to realize that a balcony is not just an appendage to the main footage, but a small area that deserves a good design and use. The balcony is insulated, electricity is supplied to it, furnished with furniture, decorated, and they get a useful and beautiful area (albeit small).

But the issue of space design is not as simple as reasoning about the transformation of a balcony: however, there are options, ideas, solutions for every taste, wallet 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 good practice before a global renovation. But even in the case of the transformation of a small space, the scale of repairs can be very different. For example, many apartment owners today decide on an open space - they replace traditional materials with solid glazing.

A common mistake faced by those who began to equip a panoramic balcony is heap in the design. Yet such a platform is seen by others, and it is desirable that they contemplate a harmonious composition. Minimalism perfectly suits the idea of ​​decorating a panoramic balcony - chairs, a table, and plants in beautiful boxes or tubs.

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

• Bright colors seem too bold for many apartment residents. They can only take such a desperate step in dreams and plans, but do not wait for the right day and mood: try to bring color to the renewed balcony. Contrasts and explosive combinations on the balcony simply do not have time to bore. One of the walls (not the front one) can be painted in a bright color, or you can do a color trick with the ceiling. The latter does not strike the eye, but it still becomes a bright accent of space.

• Eco-minimalism - the most relevant direction today, which can become a reference point even at the stage of thinking over a balcony project. This is a laconic and close to nature style that will suit virtually any balcony and loggia. Natural materials, expressive texture, appropriate landscaping and only the necessary items in the interior - you get a universal and beautiful balcony, not tied in its design to the owner's wealth. Very democratic and fresh.

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

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

Of course, today the apartment is as personalized as it once was. Those interiors that speak about their owner, his lifestyle, profession, hobbies and habits are appreciated.

To begin with, it is worth arranging a small educational program: to make sure that there is no confusion in concepts. There is a misconception that a glazed balcony is a loggia. Of course it is not. A balcony is called an outrigger structure. The term comes from the word "beam", which originally meant exactly "ledge by the window." Then this ledge got a fence, increased in volume. And today the balcony is a slab-platform that protrudes beyond the facades of the house.

At the loggia, the side walls are the walls of the house, only one side of the loggia faces the street. And this design is more reliable than a balcony, because it is more solid 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 can be as follows:

• on cantilever reinforced concrete slab - 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 can be used.

Balconies also differ in the type of glazing. For example, wooden frames are considered more environmentally friendly, natural designs. In addition, current wooden double-glazed windows are also distinguished by their tightness, practicality, and the absence of difficulties in maintenance. Plastic double-glazed windows are the most popular design today. Although they are considered too heavy for old balconies. Lightweight and durable aluminum frames, but they do not keep heat well, so you won't be able to arrange a warm balcony with them.

The most modern can be considered frameless glazing, in which the bay window is covered with a solid glass surface. Of course, in terms of 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 one more popular, beautiful solution - panoramic glazing... Once this was associated 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 option 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 those functional areas for which there is not enough space on the territory of the apartment are often taken out onto the balcony. Or who in the apartment cannot comply with such an important requirement as the privacy of a person, the isolation of one zone from another. And it can provide a balcony.

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

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

The balcony can also be used for the following purposes:

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

Several zones can be successfully combined on one balcony. For example, in one part of it there will be a work table, in the other - shelves with books. Or a greenhouse can be combined with a seating and relaxation area. But what just lies, is stored, "hibernates" and simply creates chaos on the balcony, it is worth relocating. Everyone says that there is nowhere, but those who radically decided to transform the balcony, assure that the issue of removing and placing old things is being solved miraculously.

The inner area of ​​the balcony is an extension 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. Ultimately, style influences the finish, color, shape of the balcony. Let's take a closer look at what styles are good at a small footage.

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

• Chinese style... An attractive base for small spaces. Crisp lines employing 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, windows will be decorated with bamboo blinds. This style belongs to oriental 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 think of something more relevant, quoted, actively disseminated in different spheres of life. This style is bohemian, artistic, cheerful, but it is also suitable for people of non-creative professions. You can put mats or carpet on the floor, and you can also decorate the walls with them. There will be a place on the boho-balcony for a grandmother's armchair, a table knocked together on their own.

• Loft. This revolutionary style can also be implemented on the balcony. Dark brickwork on the wall is a great base for a balcony loft. The decor should be original, catchy, extravagant. Retro furniture or things that were initially not in any way connected with furniture, but fulfilling its function, will be style-forming. Pallets, boxes can serve as chairs and tables. Wooden glazing frames with shutters are preferred. The table top, if it is supposed, can be deliberately rough, have uneven edges.

• Glamor. This is the opposite of a loft, a style that has not lost its relevance. Extravagant, based on shine and gloss, it can embody exactly those ideas that you hesitate to demonstrate in an apartment. You can safely use polished surfaces, mirrors and gold. It's great if a new print appears on the furniture of the classic shape - a leopard blanket or a tiger skin on the floor will also work. Plants should also be pretentious, bright, in exquisite flowerpots and pots.

• Art Deco. Expressive and rich style will make the balcony space incredibly elegant. But keep in mind that it requires expensive materials and pronounced ornamentation. Porcelain stoneware or deck board is spread on the floor; artificial stone is often used in the decoration of the walls. Ornamental panels are used for decorative purposes. Wooden furniture should be massive, possibly with leather inserts.

• Modern minimalism. This style stands for 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 perfect finishing, geometric alignment. Smooth painted surfaces, self-leveling floors and glass are used. Very expensive luxury renovation, which is suitable for large balconies and loggias.

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

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

If you consider the functionality of the balcony to be the basis of the basics, it is worth considering what kind of 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 considered biased: will they not create the feeling of a cluttered, overwhelmingly empowered balcony.

The most suitable option is a table and two chairs. It should be furniture of a modest size, which can often be found in garden furniture collections. Often during the season there are discounts for it; it is not so difficult to purchase a suitable kit for a balcony.

But there may not be a table in the usual sense of the word: it will be replaced by a bar counter that starts right under the windows. It can be as long as the window area, you can make it shorter. Attach 2 bar stools to such a counter, and this will already be an established composition. If the tabletop is made wide, then you can sit behind it with a laptop, and not just with coffee or a cocktail.

Very often, an extra bed is arranged on the balcony. It is not necessary to sleep there, but lying down is provided. A narrow couch or sofa will do. But you can, for example, make a base from wooden pallets, on which the mattress will subsequently lay. Find a beautiful bedspread, pillows - and the place is ready.

Most often, balcony walls are decorated with shelves or shelves. You cannot do without this if you decide to adapt the balcony for vegetation, a mini-garden or a pantry. You can purchase ready-made shelf structures, or you can make them yourself. Restoring old furniture, repainting and other decorative procedures are also great options.

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

It so happens that you are lucky, and already at the time of building a house, lighting of a balcony or loggia is provided. Sometimes even a house is rented with simple lamps on the balcony area. There are several options to connect the balcony to electricity.

• Apartment flap. This option is the most difficult, because you will need to drag the wiring through the entire apartment. But if you master this, you can connect household appliances on the balcony.
• Possibilities of the next room. Find a junction box in the wall, draw a new line from it. But do not do it on your own: the specialist will assess whether the cable conductors can withstand the additional source of energy consumption.
• The socket is in the next room. The method is similar to the previous one, but it is not the same. This is called a daisy-chain connection. If the junction box is close to the balcony, then the option is more than realistic.

It is quite simple to organize lighting on a glazed and insulated balcony. But if the balcony is open, and it is a brick or concrete monolith, have to gouge 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 you have a corner for handicrafts, drawing, reading on the balcony, you cannot do without local lighting... Decorative lighting 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 lighting elements.

It is the decor that defines the face of the balcony. You can take as a basis a typical version, quite simple, not pretending to be exclusive, but it will be completely transformed under the influence of decorative design. This is what makes your space yours - alive, dynamic, warm. The decor corresponds to 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 must be pleasant to you personally, must create the right atmosphere.

Consider 10 good decorative inclusions for your balcony design.

• Floristic panels... If you do not know how to draw, knit, and think that all arts and crafts are for the more talented, but you want to do something with your own hands, remember the herbariums. As a child, probably everyone in the books dried plants. Arrange for yourself a pleasant flower expedition to the nearest park (meadow, garden), gather up beautiful plants of all kinds, dry them. And then, using a simple algorithm, glue the dried samples on a sheet of thick light paper - and in a frame, under glass. Such works will decorate the walls on the balcony, it will quickly find its face. And most importantly, you will be convinced that your artistic abilities did not pass you by.

• Bright pillows. You can sew pillowcases for interior pillows yourself - the cheapest chintz is quite suitable for this. Bright, colorful, in the style of “grandmother's 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 decorating the space with glowing vases. To do this, you will need a large or not very glass vessel of any shape you like. Tuck a garland into it with a ball. In the evenings, including her, she will blink lights not on the wall, but behind the glass. And this warmth is also capable of warming - only the soul.

• Large candlesticks. Today they are used everywhere - in essence they are vases, only with a coarse rope at the neck. Either one large candle or several are placed inside such a container. Shimmering natural light creates a warm mood on the balcony.

• Wicker corner pots... These are cone-shaped structures that are fixed to the wall. They do not have a back, so a jar of water is inserted into the space between the wall and the wall of the planter. And there are fresh flowers in it. So beautiful hydrangeas, lilacs, tulips and daisies will appear on your balcony 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 room for them in the rooms, there is just one on the balcony. It is important to equip a swing so that rest in it is associated only with comfortable sensations. The option of a suspended structure on a chain is the most acceptable.

• Old watering cans, cans, teapots, enamel dishes do an excellent job with their new functions: they are given a second life by the role of vases and boxes for plants. Someone repaints metal dishes, someone simply polishes to a shine. Everything that was outdated becomes a thing with a history that a person who resists the era of consumption leaves in everyday life.

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

• Sconces in the form of lanterns... If the sconces look like streetlights, this will give the balcony a more romantic mood. Not the most difficult touch to implement, but it affects the overall mood of the space.

• Checkboxes. Along with garlands, they just masterfully make the interior light, cheerful, elegant.And you don't need to hang them out only on holidays.

They are increasingly trying to use the balcony to the maximum for summer recreation. But the options for its design, functional application are much more than just creating a rest corner, tea drinking area and so on.

For the insulated balcony, on which the lighting has been carried out, the option of a mini-cabinet is very organic. This idea often occurs to the owners of the "kopeck piece", in which it is really difficult to find a place for the zone of intellectual labor. The dimensions of the balcony determine how well this idea can be realized, but even a modest footage will allow it to take place. You won't be able to install a full-fledged desk, but you don't need it.

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

At the opposite end, you can install something like a bookcase or a suitable shelf. If all the necessary documents, books and other things important for work will be 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-office is comfortable conditions for intellectual work. If the insulation of the balcony raises questions, if the local light is not good enough, if the work chair is not the most comfortable, the idea of ​​organizing an office on the balcony will be a failure.

The necessary conditions for organizing the vegetation zone on the balcony are to check the integrity of the balcony structures, glaze the site (if not), seal all cracks, seams and cracks, insulate the balcony, and conduct heating. In finishing a space with such a practical function, moisture-resistant materials should prevail. Tiles, plastic panels, wood impregnated with special compounds, linoleum, stone and others are acceptable.

Placing plants on the balcony should be done, paying attention to several features.

• Palm trees, bonsai, as well as large cacti, shrub flowers are planted in massive flowerpots or floor pots. The safety precautions remind that more than two or three bulky flowerpots are not placed on the balcony.

• Long hanging pots will look good on the windowsill, which are suitable for ampelous flowers, ornamental grass. 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 beautifully arranged on a rack or wooden (or metal) shelf. And along with them on the bookcase can be books with botanical illustrations or, for example, magazines on gardening and landscape design.

• Hanging pots with ampoule plants and bindweed can be hung near the walls and under the ceiling.

In the winter garden, furniture is chosen compact, lightweight. It is easier to make wooden seats of any type on the sides, and put boxes in them in which garden tools and everything else necessary for organizing a garden will be stored.Wicker furniture, rocking chairs, sideboards and dressers will also fit into the image of the resulting room. If possible, you can organize a table fountain or bonsai with a pond. Everything is small, extremely 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 pleasure from contemplating your offspring, from taking care of it, is worth your time and effort. In the case of organizing a garden or greenhouse on the balcony, the latter will literally bloom before your eyes.

And in this case, you need to start transforming the balcony with ensuring the complete safety of this structure. The old floors are being 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 sealed. For the interior decoration of the nursery, only fireproof, environmentally friendly materials are selected. The sealing of windows is checked, because at the slightest draft, children will get sick.

A full-fledged nursery on the balcony is a rarity, but a playroom is done there more often. It turns out that an ordinary room becomes a bedroom, and there is an area for games on the balcony.

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

In the nursery 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 increases. And often parents make a large countertop along the window. If the balcony is insulated, it is really convenient. In a family where the child is not alone, due to the large table top, it is possible to solve the issue of placing jobs for all children. And natural lighting in this case will be the best.

In this case, we are usually talking about a balcony, which the owners decided to combine with the kitchen. With such a combination, the kitchen becomes more spacious and longer, its geometry changes, the balcony ceases to be a cluttered room. The combination of spaces occurs 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 counter or a table, this is also rational. If you want to visually zone a united room, then this can be done by color separation or differences in textures. But if at the expense of the balcony you want to visually enlarge the space, there should be unity in the decoration, a guide to light colors.

If you decide not to use the workshop in the cold season, then there is no point in insulating the balcony. But if a workbench or a desktop is supposed to be installed in a workshop, if you are going to be in it all-season, definitely high-quality glazing will be required. This is followed by the issues of insulation. Then - the arrangement, because the finishing of the workshop requires a special type of materials.

The load-bearing balcony slab will be subject to the highest load and must not be increased. Heavy finishing is virtually eliminated. Therefore, before decorating a balcony, it is imperative to check the condition of the supporting plate, and also assess how much weight it can withstand.

A workshop on the balcony might be as follows:

• for the processing of metal and wood (but this is a noisy business, therefore it is not always possible);
• for modeling clay products;
• to create handmade souvenirs;
• soap making;
• for sewing clothes, interior toys, bedding and so on.

How legal it is, is decided by the field of activity that you want to do on the balcony. If it is not dangerous, if you have not violated the law (do not engage in unauthorized construction and do not endanger the life and health of you and your neighbors), the workshop may well settle on a balcony or loggia.

How exactly you can arrange a balcony is best seen in the survey photo gallery. The next collection contains the best examples, inspirational images, and current designs.

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

• And you can't tell right away that the size of the balcony is not the most enviable. But the owners managed to decorate both short walls in a practical and beautiful way, so it will be cozy here not only to chat, but even to draw, drink coffee, and so on.

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

• Delicate, subtle, expressive - such a corner of solitude 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 like a green area, but like 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 here, the decoration and furniture are very well chosen. Do not overdo it with the decor: be it a little more, and it will destroy the idyll of this delicate space.

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

• If you paint, then maybe you can set up your own workshop on the balcony. Modest in size, but in the quality of illumination and privacy - what you need.

• Nice in its simplicity, but with a special elegance and restraint, a winter garden. For novice florists, this design is more than enough.

• An open balcony can be just as beautiful - and everything is simple, accessible, easy to implement even alone. It is recommended to have breakfast here during the warm season.

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

• The idea is as simple as it is good.... If your budget for equipping a balcony is very small, this does not mean boring, inexpressive, insipid repairs.

• An office on the balcony with panoramic windows - the atmosphere is conducive to creative insights. It is very beautiful, but there is one "but", you should not have a fear of heights. Otherwise, such species will make your head spin. Although those who decide on panoramic glazing are unlikely to have such a phobia.

Examples say that every meter of the home can be furnished with taste, care and love. And also that everyday life and the smallest space can inspire and improve the quality of life, abandon standard solutions, approach everything with a creative passion.

The hit parade of ideas for the balcony, see below.