How to equip a balcony: ideas from the heroes of the Quartblog. The original arrangement of the balcony with your own hands How to improve the old balcony of a multi-storey building

Are you still using your balcony to store your old sledges, skis, and all kinds of junk that perhaps no one will ever use? Given the constant rise in real estate prices, this use of your square meters can hardly be called rational. How about getting rid of all the unnecessary stuff and turning a balcony used as a smoking room or a drying space into a potentially new space for a study, a home workshop, a place for short meals, or even a summer bedroom? Whatever area our dwellings have, but there is always not enough space. We bring to your attention a selection of interesting design projects for arranging balconies and loggias with a wide variety of functional purposes.

Where to begin?

Before turning your precious 2-5 square meters into a cozy corner that will become your pride, you need to develop a detailed plan of action. First of all, you need to decide whether your work on improving the balcony or loggia will be decorative (the structure remains open and only the facade is sheathed with finishing material) or constructive (the balcony must be glazed and insulated). The choice will depend on your personal preference and expectations. Someone lives in the south of our country and has a magnificent sea view that opens directly from the balcony. It is enough to refine such a structure and equip a place for meals with a gorgeous view of the seascape. And for someone, a non-glazed balcony will be covered with snow for most of the year and its improvement will require a considerable amount of action. But first things first.

We decorate an open balcony

Having the opportunity to be outdoors without leaving your own home is a great idea for those who live in the southern part of our country. From the point of view of the design of the facade of an open balcony, the owners do not have many options. In addition to the traditional cladding of the fence, you can decorate the structure with original forging and live plants. It all depends on how the facade of your apartment building is decorated and whether you want to join the existing options for decorating your own parapet or stand out from the general background.

In modern apartment buildings, you can most often find a solid metal frame with inserts of transparent, translucent or molded plastic of all kinds of color solutions as a fence (as a rule, the tone is selected for a harmonious combination with the color of the building facade). To create an original image of an open balcony, you can use a custom-made forged frame. In any case, before planning the reconstruction of the appearance of the open balcony, find out if the building has historical value and if residents are allowed to decorate the parapets at their discretion.

An excellent way to decorate a balcony in the case of an open structure can be the use of living spaces. In order to preserve as much as possible all the available internal space of the balcony for placing furniture, use the following devices for placing plants:

  • flowers are located along the side of the railing;
  • live decor is located at the base of the fence;
  • at the end of the balcony, you can use a cascade or stepped arrangement;
  • for climbing plants, the ideal option would be gratings that are attached to the walls on both sides of the doors.

Obviously, the decorative approach to the design of the balcony is a seasonal event, designed for warm, dry weather. Therefore, all furnishings must be mobile, lightweight and preferably foldable. Choose compact garden furniture that is not afraid of various exposure options - from moisture to burnout in the sun. And be prepared for the fact that in a strong wind with rain, you will need to bring textile elements (pillows, removable seats, blankets, etc.) inside the home. There are much more design and functional variations in the design of a closed balcony - let's dwell on them in more detail.

General list of works for a closed balcony

So, if you decide to transfer the outer part of your home into additional living space and have already decided on its functional purpose, then the following types of work await you:

  • mandatory assessment of the condition of the balcony - slabs and fences;
  • glazing of the structure;
  • insulation, waterproofing with preliminary elimination of all cracks;
  • in some cases, the dismantling of the balcony block follows (depending on the reconstruction option);
  • work on laying electrical systems;
  • alignment (filling) of walls and floors (may not be available - it all depends on the types of finishing work);
  • finishing;
  • arrangement of furniture and accessories;
  • decorating a new room.

Balcony glazing

There are two types of glazing: cold and warm. The so-called "cold" glazing is used if the balcony or loggia just needs to be protected from moisture and dust, but it is not envisaged to organize an additional room there to perform any functions. With this type of glazing, one of those options for the construction of transparent structures is usually used:

  • "Frameless" way - the barrier looks like a solid glass sheet. In fact, parts of the transparent wall can move along horizontal tracks to open and close windows;
  • wooden swing doors;
  • sliding or swing-out structures with a metal-plastic profile.

If you need to carry out "warm" glazing, then the option with the use of plastic double-glazed windows is the best way to create high-quality heat and sound insulation. Very often, in such cases, the technique of removing the frames by 15-25 cm beyond the plane of the facade is used for some expansion of the balcony area. The feeling of spaciousness and a fairly wide window sill that can be used as a work surface is a great bonus for the owners.

From the point of view of decor and bringing originality to the design of the balcony through the glazing stage, you can use tinted glass, stained glass, products with laser engraving or photo printing. Depending on the design solutions, such decor can be used both fragmentarily and for the entire surface of the protective glass barrier. Modern double-glazed windows can be made with any color scheme of the frames, imitate any type of wood. The original appearance of the glazing is the key to creating a non-trivial image of a balcony or loggia.

Installation of insulation and waterproofing

This stage of work must be taken with full responsibility - not to save on materials and specialist fees. A poor-quality installation of heat and waterproofing can subsequently nullify all finishing work, lead to damage to the furniture and, as a result, return you to your starting position with the need to rework the repair. Minor savings at this stage of work can result in significant costs for reconstruction and loss of time.

Polystyrene most often acts as a heater for floors, for walls and ceilings - expanded polystyrene or technoplex. Any insulation is mounted only after all the cracks have been removed and processed. To create a vapor barrier recently, foamed polyethylene is most often used, which is laid with the shiny side inward. Further, on the surface, it will be possible to mount the crate to create surface finishes.

The most effective way to insulate a loggia is to install a so-called "warm floor". One of the most affordable ways to install the system is an infrared film floor. In such a room it will be really warm and comfortable at any time of the year. Temperature control modes allow you to independently set the microclimate of the additional room.

Electric installation work

The amount of work on the wiring will depend on the estimated number of lighting sources and household appliances used on the territory of the balcony, the presence of "warm floors" and whether the loggia is being repaired in conjunction with the main alteration of the apartment or not. If the reconstruction concerned only the balcony, then you can not complicate the process and limit yourself to a conventional extension cord, having previously calculated the required section taking into account the maximum load.

The number of light sources will directly depend on what you expect from a balcony or loggia. If this is a place for breakfasts and rare evening romantic dinners overlooking the cityscape, then one lamp or built-in lighting will be enough. If the additional room will be used as an office, workshop or children's play area, then one light source will not be enough. The number of lamps is also influenced by the size of the balcony and its location relative to the cardinal points.

Finishing work

The choice of finishing materials directly depends on the general idea of ​​using the auxiliary room. But, regardless of how you will use the balcony or loggia (create a winter garden or install exercise equipment), there is a list of the most popular finishing options suitable for the special microclimate of the additional space:

  • MDF panels;
  • PVC finishing panels;
  • moisture-resistant drywall is perfect for eliminating irregularities and creating cladding, niches and other structures;
  • cork (creates excellent heat and sound insulation);
  • decorative plaster;
  • fake diamond;
  • painting;
  • combining different materials to create an original and durable coating.

The choice of material for creating flooring is influenced by the presence of a system of "warm floors", but in general, any modern raw materials can be used:

  • ceramic or stone tiles;
  • floor board (parquet);
  • laminate;
  • linoleum;
  • carpet.

If we talk about the choice of the color palette, it is obvious that in a modest room in terms of area, light shades will look much more organic, allowing you to visually expand the space. But, on the other hand, if all your furniture and decor of the balcony (loggia) are executed in light colors, then you can choose more colorful color solutions for the background.

Examples of using a balcony for various premises

Only at first glance it might seem that the limited space of the balcony significantly reduces the list of possible options for using this additional room. The modern owner has not used this utilitarian room as a pantry for a long time, but arranges there an office, a workshop, a greenhouse, a children's area, a playroom for adults with billiards, a gym, a hookah room, a place for meals and even a bedroom.

In order to place a complete and functional environment on several square meters with a specific geometry, it is necessary to resort to various design techniques. This involves not only the visual expansion of space through the use of light finishes, mirror, glossy and glass surfaces, but also the installation of compact furniture (more often custom-made according to individual sizes), the maximum release of the floor - folding furniture, shelving and consoles that are attached to walls.

A place for meals is one of the most popular uses for a balcony or loggia. If you have an excellent view of the cityscape from your balcony, or even better - you can see the sunrise or sunset from your windows, it will be unforgivable not to use such a wonderful opportunity. The width of some loggias allows you to install a compact dining table, while in others you have to be content with a bar counter or a narrow console (most often a continuation of the window sill). Also, an effective technique can be the installation of a compact round (oval) table or folding panel.

Another popular solution is to organize a reading and relaxation corner on a balcony or loggia. It is logical to install shelves for your home library and organize a comfortable place for reading books in a light-filled room. Even if the balcony is glazed with frames, there will still be enough natural light for comfortable placement. In this case, in addition to shelves with books, you will need to install a couple of comfortable chairs or a compact sofa, an ottoman.

In order to organize a modern office, you need very little usable space. It is precisely such a modest size that a balcony or loggia has. A small console can be used as a work surface (modern laptops or computer screens take up little space), a comfortable adjustable chair, and a pair of hanging shelves for storing documents and office supplies.

One of the most popular options for organizing storage systems in balcony spaces is the installation of shelving. Even a shallow floor-to-ceiling rack can accommodate a huge amount of household items. At the same time, the structure does not look massive due to the absence of facades.

Built-in wardrobes are no less popular. But given that it is necessary to mount a storage system from floor to ceiling in a small area, it is better to give preference to light types of wood. The use of glass and mirror surfaces will not be superfluous - they will help to lighten the image of the cabinet.

Even a small space under the balcony windowsill can be used rationally. Shallow shelves, hidden behind the compartment doors, can accommodate a large number of necessary little things.

It is effective to use corner sofas as seating places, under the seats of which there are spacious storage systems. For balconies of small width, you can use similar, but only linear models.

The balcony is the perfect place to use DIY household items. For example, building pallets can be used to design benches and sofas, tables and coasters, racks and other storage systems, even beds. Thus, you can not only significantly save money, but also create a truly unique image of an additional room.

But in modern design projects there are also completely unusual options for using the available square meters. A gym, or rather a mini-room, laundry, Finnish bath or Russian steam room, is not a complete list of creative ideas. But it is important to understand that organizing many of these original projects will require not only a lot of resources, but also the appropriate permissions.

https: //www..jpg 1084 800 Dix https: //www..pngDix 2016-11-30 10:25:16 2018-11-30 11:16:15 Design and repair of a balcony or loggia - 100 topical ideas

Not all apartments please their tenants with comfortable layouts and spacious rooms. But the loggia, albeit in the most ordinary one-room apartment, is often distinguished by suitable dimensions for settling on it.

When making repairs, it is worth showing imagination, because this room is a continuation of the apartment, and it can also. 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 a loggia

Loggia is the place in the apartment where you can realize the most daring ideas when decorating. Of course, it has a very limited size and its own characteristics. It is these factors that must be taken into account before equipping the loggia, photo below.

In the photo - arrangement of a loggia using various materials

Important: When choosing materials for decoration, be guided not only by the general design of the loggia, but also by whether it has been carried out or not. For cold or open loggias, materials should be selected that are resistant to temperature extremes, are not afraid of moisture and sunlight.

The improvement of balconies and loggias begins with insulation work, if necessary, and.

Natural wood (floorboard or lining) will add extra comfort.

The arrangement must be thought out

For wall decoration, not only ordinary painting is ideal, but also finishing with decorative plaster. It can cover all walls or only a part. A variety of textures will help to implement any arrangement project. decorative plaster does not require special skills, and the cost is quite comparable to wallpaper or paint. Decorative plaster is a strong and durable material that will effortlessly give the loggia an original look.

Option for decorating a loggia with a decorative stone

Another option for a simple and low-cost and loggias is finishing with 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. You can sheathe all the walls inside the loggia with decorative stone, or only a part, emphasizing significant areas. It is quite possible to do such a design with your own hands, having previously prepared the walls: by leveling them and applying a penetrating primer.

It is better to select wallpaper that is moisture resistant (washing, vinyl or non-woven), resistant to fading. On a small loggia, bright and large drawings should be avoided, as well as too dark tones that visually reduce the space.

How to equip a loggia with an area of ​​6 meters

Detailing

It is not at all necessary to develop a design project to decorate the loggia. The simplest examples of decoration have always been decor 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 owner of the apartment. But for flowers to really decorate and delight the eye, it is important to place them correctly. When arranging, all kinds of racks and shelves located along the walls, as well as corner shelves, will help. Forged flower girls, all kinds of hanging pots for ampelous 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. In the photo - the design of loggias and with the help of plants.

Arrangement of the loggia will add a new resting place 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

To make the loggia stylish and modern will help:

  • Pictures - are selected depending on the style of the interior. It can be bright posters, family photos, landscapes - what will emphasize the unique design. when arranging paintings, they do not take up much space, but the frames should not be heavy and bulky.
  • Mirrors - 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 put miniature vases on a table, window sill or shelf.
  • Figurines are ideal for arranging them on shelves or racks. When decorating, they will help to emphasize the style of the room.
  • Original wall clock.
  • Books are a useful decoration. Bright covers will enliven the monotonous interior.
Important: Arrangement of a loggia implies the presence of correctly selected textiles: pillows, blanket, rug. Luminaires should also be chosen based on the overall design, since they have both functional and decorative significance.

How to arrange a loggia in an original way

The decoration of the loggia in the apartment, the photo below, should be done in the same style so that it is really comfortable to be on it.

Beautiful balconies and loggias are the result of competent arrangement

Country - wicker furniture, simple textiles, wood-trimmed walls and floors. This style is suitable for arranging any loggias. When decorating, there should be flowers in clay or wicker pots. 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 a balcony and a loggia - decoration in several styles

Oriental style - plain walls, tiled or mosaic floors, openwork elements on furniture, lamps. When arranging, bright textiles with characteristic oriental ornaments are required: organza curtains, pillows.

How to furnish a small area

Minimalism - plain walls, furniture and textiles. Clear glass and chrome metal fixtures are welcome. When arranging - a minimum of decorative elements. from natural materials: wood, metal. Bright design elements are acceptable: flowers in simple pots, pillows, vases.

Recreation area decoration

Classicism - suitable for arranging a loggia of 6 meters or more, since it requires the installation of massive wooden furniture: armchairs, cabinets, a sofa. Pictures in bronze frames, heavy textiles, forging, rich shades in the design are appropriate. Instead of curtains for the arrangement, you can use Roman or wooden blinds.

Arrangement of a loggia in a classic style

Romanticism - light colors and simple shapes. Floral patterns on curtains and furniture are relevant. When decorating, flowers should be placed on wrought-iron shelves, and decor items should be placed on corner wooden cabinets. A mirror in an elegant frame will complement the interior.

A loggia or balcony is that part of the apartment that many Russians are used to seeing only as a warehouse of boxes and pickles. Few people imagine what these two meters can be turned into. The loggia can become an excellent independent room, summer kitchen or resting place, the main thing is just to try a little.

photos

Loggia and balcony: what's the difference?

Of course, you cannot talk about the arrangement of any room without knowing what it is. For example, many people call the loggia just a balcony. Of course, at first glance, these two designs are very similar - but if you delve deeper, it becomes clear that the differences are significant. The ability to distinguish a loggia from a balcony will help not only to properly equip the nook, but also to avoid mistakes when buying an apartment.

Loggia - from the Italian "loggia", premises. And the balcony is from the German "balko", a ledge. Even the translation of the definitions gives some idea of ​​the differences.

Balcony is a curtain wall structure with a guardrail protruding from the wall. It protrudes from the wall as a so-called beam, hangs above the ground, held by special fasteners.

The loggia is located indoors. This is, in fact, the same room, only on the fourth wall, it most often has a row of windows. Thus, it can be understood that the first difference is the abutment to the wall.

Second, the balcony has three open sides facing the street. They are secured with metal barriers. The room by the balcony is bordered by one wall.

At the loggia, everything is exactly the opposite - one side to the street, the other three - into the house. At the corner loggias, two parts are located on the street.

Since the balcony is a hinged structure, it has some restrictions on its bearing capacity. Roughly speaking, it is extremely inconvenient to carry out repair work on the balcony. In contrast to the loggia. The loggia can be insulated, decorated or installed there any furniture - this room will withstand everything. Equipping a loggia with your own hands is not as difficult as it seems at first glance.

Of course, dimensions cannot be ignored. A balcony is a compact room, clearly limited in size. The area of ​​the loggia can be changed at your discretion, supplemented - like any room.

We can safely say that the main feature of the loggia lies in its differences from the balcony. It can also be glazed or not.

Arrangement

When arranging a loggia, you should clean it of all things and debris. After cleaning, the glazing procedure is traditionally carried out. In order to correctly conduct it, you need to understand how and at what time of the year the premises will be used.

Glazing

The first thing you should pay attention to when arranging a loggia is a closed or open type. The first type includes glazed loggias, and they, in turn, are subdivided into several more:

Warm glazing means complete protection from all natural disasters - winds, cold weather, as well as noise and street dirt. It is performed, most often, with plastic windows. The huge advantages of warm glazing, of course, include thermal insulation and tightness. Plastic windows are a hot commodity on the market, so it is quite possible to find the desired shape and shade. However, there were some drawbacks here. The frames made of PVC and double-glazed windows are heavy, so they can only be used on proven slabs. The frame is very wide, which prevents light from entering - slightly, but nonetheless. And the swing-out flap mechanism can visually reduce and clutter up the room.

Cold glazing is the insulation of all parts of the loggia so that it can be used only in the warm season. Such glazing will not save you from the winter cold and, in principle, strong winds, since it has insufficient heat and sound insulation. As a rule, it is carried out with aluminum frames. Aluminum structures are easy to install on your own, they are lightweight and do not add "weight" to the windows. The aluminum is paintable and the frames are sold in a variety of colors.

Aluminum frames are environmentally friendly and durable - 3 times stronger than wood, 7 times stronger than plastic.

Separately, it is worth considering such an issue as changing cold glazing to warm one. Many are worried about whether this procedure can be carried out without harm to the plates. Yes, it’s quite possible. The main difficulty here is the removal of old double-glazed windows. Experienced users can try to do this on their own, however, it is strongly recommended to call the wizard or at least consult with him.

We must not forget about such a moment as semi-warm glazing. This is, in fact, a slightly simplified version of warm glazing - only the sashes here have a sliding mechanism, that is, the tightness and thermal insulation are slightly lower. It is made of the same PVC frames, only with sliding doors. It is much lighter than warm, and the load on the plates in its case is minimal. Thanks to semi-warm glazing, it is possible to solve the problem of the massiveness of the windows and the load on the brackets. It is ideal for homes or apartments with weak balcony slabs.

photos

Waterproofing

The next step is waterproofing. In other words - protection of load-bearing structures and building materials from the harmful effects of water. Indeed, during the rain, moisture can easily get into the most distant corner of the balcony. This problem is especially relevant for owners of loggias on the upper floors.

  • It is possible to independently waterproof the loggia only from the inside; for external processing, you should contact a specialist at least for your own safety. The process of waterproofing itself is that the mastic creates a protective layer, and thanks to the sealant, the damaged parts of the concrete are restored.
  • Lubricants require a screed on top, and penetrating compounds are considered the most reliable and restore strength up to 20%. But they are used only for concrete. But pasting materials made of polymers and non-polymers are unpopular, although they are also reliable - they just have a lot more fuss with them than with other compounds.
  • Floor waterproofing is a separate issue. The first step is to make a concrete screed. This can be done in three ways - depending on the seams.
  • Compensation method, or temperature. It takes place when laying the pressure layer.
  • Forced seams divide the screed into even parts.
  • The wall layer is located at the place where the balcony wall adjoins the facade.
  • After the seams, it is necessary to fill with a sealing mastic with an elastic cord. Lay the foam sheets on top.

A primer is applied to the screed to remove dust. You can pay attention to the Primer WB.

The waterproofing should also touch the wall - but literally up to 200 mm. For this, foil polystyrene foam is suitable, which is glued to the wall with a canvas. In the case of walls, it is worth applying two layers of mastic, and sealing the joints between the sheets. Next is a decorative coating, for example, coarse-relief or low-relief plaster.

Warming

The final stage of arranging the loggia is its insulation. Most often, all parts of the room are insulated - walls, ceiling and floor. As well as the previous two stages, it is quite possible to do this with your own hands. You just need to decide on the material.

  1. Styrofoam. It is produced in the form of plates with a thickness of 2 to 10 cm. It has a low price and high popularity.
  2. Penofol. It is used in combination with penoplex. The material of the latest generation, consists of polyethylene foam and aluminum foil.
  3. Penoplex. Much more expensive than his brothers above - but also different in quality. It is produced in sheets of 2, 3, 5 and 6 cm. Lightweight and not capricious to work with, has good thermal insulation properties. When working with it, a flat, clean surface is required - it is screwed to it with the help of special screws.
  4. Mineral wool. It resembles ordinary medical cotton wool. Possesses heat-insulating and moisture-repellent properties. Unlike penoplex, it is capricious in work, prickly, but can penetrate into the farthest corner. Available in rolls and sheets.
  5. Expanded clay. This is the easiest way. It is lightweight and durable, cheap, not capricious in installation - it just falls asleep on the floor surface.

As for the insulation of the ceiling, the same materials are suitable here as for the floor - with the exception of expanded clay. As in the case of walls and floors, the ceiling must be checked for cracks and holes before insulation - if available, they must be sealed with polyurethane foam. Otherwise, mold or mildew may form.

But the walls of the loggia are recommended to be insulated with penoplex. First of all, you should pay attention to the walls bordering the street. The heat insulator is attached with dowels. Above - a film as a waterproofing, after - a plaster mesh. Now you can tackle the plaster. If we are talking about working at height, then it will be safer to call specialists.

Many owners of city apartments with balconies dream of turning them into useful, comfortable and beautiful areas that organically fit into the overall design of the room. Unfortunately, few people know how to do it on their own, and not everyone has money for expensive specialists. Simple and useful tips for arranging a balcony will help you arrange it yourself.

Arrangement of a balcony - choosing an idea

Before starting work on bringing the balcony to its ideal form, you need to decide what exactly will be settled there. This, in many respects, determines the choice of materials for finishing and the location of additional support structures. The options are incredible, and they are limited only by the imagination of the owners. The most popular glazed balcony ideas are as follows:
  • Office for work or study - a small computer desk is installed in one of the ends, shelves with books and the necessary work / study materials are hung on the walls. In the opposite end, it is possible to install a rack, and with a sufficient width of the balcony, there is a reason to place a small sofa for relaxation.
  • Workshop for creativity or household work - a work table with equipment (sewing or knitting machines, a potter's wheel, mini-goats, carpentry tools) is placed on the balcony, auxiliary bedside tables and lockers are installed or hung. Even if the hobby is associated with the appearance of unpleasant odors (burning out, soldering, etc.), you can always quickly ventilate the room.
  • Children's playroom - a warm carpet, boxes with toys, shelves for books and designers, Barbie houses and multi-storey parking - will be conveniently located on the territory allocated for children.
  • Relaxation area - a small table for coffee, a couch for reading or sunbathing, a cozy blanket - a secluded place for relaxation is ready. The interior will be well complemented by several colors on the walls or the floor, and a romantic lamp.
  • The sports area - a compact exercise machine, a horizontal bar, a pair of sports mats - will allow both adults and children to exercise on the balcony. Small lockers can be installed for sports equipment.
  • A cafe-bar or a continuation of the kitchen-living room is suitable as a decoration for a balcony adjacent to the kitchen area. On such a balcony, you can install a refrigerator or a coffee machine, an electric kettle or a multicooker. Wall-mounted or wall-mounted cabinets are ideal for storing food or dishes. For tea or coffee evenings, you can install a small table or arrange wide window sills, as a replacement for the bar counter.
  • A winter garden or vegetable garden is a space for the imagination of amateur flower growers. Wall-mounted pots and planters with large plants, mini-greenhouses and trellises with vines, flower boxes, from the outside and inside of the balcony - experiment and look for the perfect solution for yourself.
Sometimes, bedrooms or dressing rooms, rooms for drying clothes and storing large household appliances are equipped on balconies.

Only after a clear understanding of what the balcony will be used for, it is worth starting its equipment.

Balcony arrangement - room preparation

Balcony glazing

If an apartment with a balcony is not located in a zone of stable warm climate, or faces a busy city highway, it is advisable to glaze the balcony. Most of the options for arranging balconies are designed specifically for enclosed spaces.

Glazing, of course, is not worth doing on your own, but it is imperative to choose the best option. There are two main types of glazing: cold - with the installation of single glasses in aluminum or wooden frames, or warm - with the installation of modern double-glazed windows that retain heat well.

Cold glazing is suitable for residents of warm regions, and for those who plan to use the balcony only during the summer period. In all other cases, it is desirable to "glaze" thoroughly, in a warm way.

Balcony waterproofing and external finishing

The main waterproofing is carried out by craftsmen: they carefully seal all the gaps between the windows and the base of the balcony. However, if the balcony is lattice, some of the waterproofing work will have to be done independently during its internal and external finishing.

From the outside, the balconies, as a rule, are finished with vinyl siding or corrugated sheets, which are treated with waterproofing mixtures and pasted over with foil polystyrene foam. All balcony seams are also treated with protective mixtures, additionally reinforced with a reinforcing mesh. Do not forget about the balcony roof, especially if the floor is the last one, or the neighbors from above are not engaged in their balcony.

Balcony insulation and interior decoration

The interior decoration of the balcony, as a rule, is combined with insulation, since it is convenient to bookmark it during finishing work.

Wall and ceiling decoration can be done with different materials, depending on the chosen idea, financial capabilities and existing building skills: gypsum board, wooden or plastic clapboard, plastic panels or decorative tiles.

In all cases (except for tiles), the installation of the coating is carried out on a wooden or metal crate, between which an insulating material is laid. Foam plates or mineral wool are used as insulation. Electrical wiring is also placed under the decorative coating, and its ends are led out in the place of the planned location of sockets or lamps.

The floor on the balcony can be simply painted and covered with carpet or linoleum, or you can make a wooden covering on the logs for more warmth and comfort. Waterproofing and insulating material is also laid between the concrete base of the floor and the wooden covering. Laying a tiled floor on the balcony or installing a "warm floor" system - for an amateur.

Balcony heating, lighting and sun protection

Since the introduction of central heating to the balconies is prohibited, the problem of heat in this part of the apartment has to be solved in other ways. In addition to underfloor heating, oil and infrared heaters can be used to heat balconies. Modern models can be mounted to walls or ceilings and effectively warm the room. Alternatively, it makes sense to consider installing an electric mini-fireplace.

Lighting is mounted on the walls or ceiling, and if there is a desire and skill, it can be done on the balcony and a suspended ceiling with built-in lamps.

As protection from the sun, on the balcony, most often, blinds or roller blinds are used - they are easy to attach, easy to maintain and have many different colors and shapes.

After finishing the finishing work, you can start decorating: installing furniture, placing shelves and cabinets, gluing wallpaper (if the finish was made of plasterboard), etc.

Arrangement of an open balcony

There are not so many options for arranging open balconies, but they are. Basically, all ideas for arranging open balconies are seasonal in nature:
  • Summer flower garden or mini-vegetable garden.
  • Open terrace for tea drinking and relaxation.
  • Office for outdoor work.
The principles of finishing and decorating such balconies, as well as the selection of furniture for them, are similar to the rules for decorating open country terraces.

For finishing materials, moisture-resistant and temperature-resistant materials are used. Weatherproof paints, decorative plaster for outdoor use, porcelain stoneware tiles or siding for walls and ceilings. Frost-resistant floor tiles, garden parquet (decking) or wood treated with special compounds - for the floor.


Furniture and decorative elements are also selected according to the principle of moisture and frost resistance. The folding furniture models have proven themselves quite well for balcony use. Lightweight and reliable plastic products or elegant forged furniture - the choice depends on the overall design of the site and financial capabilities.

To illuminate open balconies, decorative street lamps, closed-type lamps or lighting devices with a high climatic protection function are used. The entire wiring system and outlet points (sockets, switches) need additional protection. It is recommended to place the wiring in a protective corrugated box, and choose sockets and switches with covers and rubber gaskets that protect against moisture ingress.

Arrangement of a balcony is a troublesome and time-consuming business, but interesting, forcing to show imagination and creativity. Works of various complexity and quality should not frighten beginners - they all do not require special knowledge and specific skills (except for connecting an electrician). Try it, and a self-made balcony will become your pride.

Not everyone can afford to go out of town for the whole summer, so a beautiful balcony is the only place where we can be alone with nature every day. What is the best way to arrange a balcony so that it is also a place for us to rest and can serve as a place to store some of our things. We present for you 25 photos of beautiful balconies, where a practical and aesthetic challenge using various approaches.

The only thing that is located on this beautiful narrow balcony is a window sill-table top at the level of the railing and high bar stools. The only decorative element - the boxes with grass between the table top and the railing look very unusual. More practical natures can use them to grow herbs, more romantic balcony owners - for flowers.

A balcony decorated in the same style looks beautiful. Simple storage boxes are complemented by nautical pillows, and the same fabric is used to make an impromptu curtain for the bottom of the balcony.

Such a solution is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also quite economical; any hostess can always change the fabric on the pillows and curtains according to her taste and mood.

Beautiful balcony with your own hands.

Luxurious landing on the balcony is the basis of its aesthetic appearance. It is good if you are friends with flowers and they respond to your concern with healthy growth and abundant flowering. Then, instead of numerous pots on the balcony, you can make a small box under the railing, where you can collect all your indoor plants into a single composition. Fill in the spaces between the pots with gravel and minimally decorate the surface of the box, you will get a stunning effect.

If your scale suggests fewer plants, then the same idea can be implemented with small wooden boxes.

Elements made of natural materials give a special mood to the balcony.


If you like tinkering, then making such a pot from a wooden saw cut will not be difficult for you.

For this idea, both the horizontal surface of the saw cut and its side part are suitable - in this case, the piece of wood should be larger in height, but smaller in diameter.

The same approach can be used to create miniature flower pots from wood scraps. This option is perfect for a collection of succulents or cacti.

A beautiful balcony means that it will be pleasant and interesting for you to observe all the small details of its design and the development of plants. A simple wooden flower stand can unexpectedly become the highlight of your balcony.

Flower pots of the original shape can be made with cement.


Cement will allow you not only to show your imagination in the form of pots, but also to create a roomy flower container with your own hands - inexpensively, stylishly and practically of any size.

If you don't like the concrete surface, simply decorate the surface of the pot with twigs. They can be put on glue and glued to the pot, but it is better to tie them together on a thin wire, because their service life is short, and next year, the branches glued to the pot will turn into dust.

A beautiful balcony is different for everyone - for someone it is simplicity and convenience, for someone a small garden, but there is no doubt that its original inhabitants will appeal to everyone.

Nice balcony. Choose your style.

Experiment, try different plants, different styles, different moods. It is important that your beautiful balcony pleases you.

On a small balcony, storage boxes can serve as a support for shelving, which in this case does not need to be fixed to the concrete wall of the balcony.


If you arrange a storage box on a small balcony not along the wall with a window, but under the wall of the balcony itself, you will get a longer bench for rest, on which you can even lie down.

Maybe someone was not lucky with an apartment in the attic, but the balcony was a success here.

A successfully and beautifully designed balcony is not only comfortable and practical inside, but also delights with its appearance from the outside.

Bright colors of the balcony can cheer us up after a busy day at work. Even if there are no flowering plants with bright colors on the balcony, you can always add color with the help of textile elements.

The artificial turf covering looks great on the balcony - a green "lawn" flooded with sunlight causes pacification and relaxation.


Wooden bu pallets can help you make inexpensive and reliable balcony benches.

For even more pallet furniture ideas, check out our "100 Pallet Furniture Ideas" Android app.

In this version of the professional solution for the design of the balcony, flowers are used in containers that are lowered below the floor level, and an artificial turf is used for the floor itself. So the plants look more natural and harmonious, and our eyes are not distracted by the many small details of different styles, such as flower pots. This technique visually expands the space.

The same techniques can, if desired, be used when designing a very tiny balcony.

In order to create the atmosphere of a country house on the balcony, we use wicker furniture, garden lights, and, of course, fragrant flowering plants.

Even when it comes to decorating a balcony in a country house, adding an artificial turf as a floor covering will make our wonderful balcony even more beautiful.

Chair-pillows will help us hide from prying eyes on the balcony.

For delicate and aesthetic natures, you can make a Japanese-style balcony design with a waterfall, pebbles and natural wood.

For those who are passionate about yoga and meditation. this rock garden on the balcony will serve as a real retreat.

For energetic people, a bright juicy accent in design is more attractive. It is enough to paint flower pots in the most incredible colors - and you already have a more active and positive attitude.

Every indoor plant lover wants to heal their flowers under the summer sun. In order to prevent the flower pots from creating a little chaos on the balcony, you can visually combine them with such a decorative fence.

Your beautiful balcony is your creativity: someone needs a relaxing swing, someone needs flowers or original design techniques.

For example, you can use small solar-powered garden lights on your balcony. Or make such a simple but original flower shelf. In my opinion, it would be safer if the pots fit into the hole in the board. Although, if these are plastic containers, they can be securely glued to the board with superglue.

A person naturally relaxes in nature - make your balcony a cozy little garden.

Use the view outside the window to decorate your balcony.

Transform your beautiful balcony into a real relaxation area!

Using a minimum of natural materials and the maximum of your imagination, turn a small open space in your home into a real oasis in the midst of everyday work. And your beautiful balcony will become a favorite vacation spot for the whole family.

Tags:,