What can a balcony look like?
They are usually divided into two types:
- Open – is an unglazed space. It will be appropriate to use it if you live in a warm climate. If it is not glazed in cold weather, then it will only be available in the summer. Then you can use it as a relaxation area or even plant a small garden on it. If the climate is cold, it is better to glaze the space;
- It can be closed initially or you can bring it into this form yourself. Even in warm climates it will be appropriate, because no one is immune from precipitation in the form of rain.
Loggia design options
You can arrange a balcony not only within a certain style, for example, oriental or high-tech. A loggia can become more than just another beautiful room: the functionality of the interior allows you to turn even a limited area of the apartment into a full-fledged area for a specific purpose.
Rest zone
A small balcony can easily turn into a real relaxation area. A soft, comfortable ottoman, which you can make with your own hands, will be the optimal solution for limited space.
If the width of the balcony allows, instead of an ottoman, you can place a folding chair on the balcony. In the warm season it can be used as an additional sleeping place.
You can also install a hammock on the balcony, where you can relax after a hard day at work. The hammock is attractive because of its ease of installation: if desired, it can be removed at any time and the space can be used for another purpose.
When arranging a balcony as a relaxation area, lighting plays a special role. Opt for lamps and floor lamps that allow you to adjust the brightness of the light. Thanks to this option, any member of the household will be able to create a peaceful atmosphere.
Study
Decorating a work office on the balcony is the optimal solution for those who work at home. Arrange the loggia depending on the type of activity. But no mini-office can do without a computer or desk. A small table of non-standard sizes can be ordered from a private furniture studio.
Proper lighting is especially important in occupational hygiene. The undeniable advantage of a balcony is the abundance of natural light. But don’t forget about an additional table lamp, which will be a real salvation in cloudy, gloomy weather.
When thinking about the design of a balcony-office, do not forget about shelves and compact hanging modules. In hollow niches it is convenient to store office supplies, reference books necessary for work, and documents that should always be at hand. Under one of the windows you can add a narrow bar counter or folding table, where you can have a snack during a break.
Storage area
You can unload your apartment by freeing it from things that are rarely used using a balcony. A built-in cabinet with shelves or a niche will help hide tools, small household appliances and boxes from prying eyes.
In the loggia you can provide a separate cabinet for household chemicals or building materials, in which you can store washing powders, detergents for various surfaces, flower fertilizers, varnishes, paints, etc. Inhalation of particles of cleaning powders and fumes of finishing materials can negatively affect health and cause allergies. Placing household chemicals on a constantly ventilated balcony will protect homeowners and prevent the development of diseases.
The balcony will also help to partially free up space in the kitchen. You can move part of your food supplies, groceries, canned goods, vegetables and fruits to the loggia.
Greenhouse on a closed balcony
An open balcony can be used exclusively for growing seasonal light-loving plants. And the glazed room can be turned into a real winter garden. The presence of heated floors will help to grow flowers in an improvised greenhouse even when a duet of blizzards and severe frost is raging outside the window.
The choice of plants that can be placed on the balcony is quite large. Moreover, it is here, in the coolness, that flowers that are difficult to grow in an apartment during the heating season will feel great. For example, luxurious azalea bushes do not tolerate hot air and very quickly shed both leaves and flowers. The loggia with its relatively low temperature will become a real paradise for this capricious plant.
Orchids will also feel great on the balcony. To form a peduncle, these plants need a difference in day and night temperatures, which is easy to achieve in a closed balcony.
In winter, flowers may need additional lighting. Therefore, it is appropriate to place economical phytolamps that will provide plants with light of a certain spectrum, which stimulates flowering and full vegetation.
Cozy place to drink coffee
A small balcony of an old brick house is an ideal place for a morning cup of coffee or a romantic dinner with your loved one. To arrange a place for dining, choose a compact set of furniture, for example, made of rattan.
You can also have a cup of tea on a miniature wooden bench. For comfort, place soft pillows on it that will help complement the interior of the balcony.
A folding table will also be the optimal solution in conditions of limited space. The presence of an additional window sill around the perimeter of the balcony can serve as an impromptu bar counter. Also suitable for breakfast are folding tables, which take up virtually no space when folded.
Volumetric bean bags are a great alternative to sofas. They will appeal to those who like to smoke hookah in the close company of close friends.
Layout features
As a rule, a balcony in a small apartment is not distinguished by its scale.
But along with this, it also has its advantages:
- The compact size will not allow you to store a lot of things in such a space, which means there won’t be much clutter. Only the necessary things will be stored on it;
- The design of a small balcony can be developed individually; it can be unique to your apartment;
- In addition, you will need few materials, because the area is small.
Such a balcony can be square, rectangular or in the form of a semicircle.
The fence can be made of concrete, lattice or metal. It may also have or lack a septum.
Main stages of insulation
Many apartment owners, looking at photos of 6-meter or 3-meter balcony designs, decide to insulate it so that this zone is as comfortable as other rooms in the apartment. This option makes it possible to increase the usable area, which is especially important for small-sized housing, where you have to save every centimeter.
Some owners have doubts about the advisability of insulation. Laying several layers will have an impact on the area, reducing the area, which is already small in size. But you need to understand that the dimensions of the room will suffer slightly, but comfort will be complete.
The glazing of small balconies uses sliding systems that do not require space to open the sashes. They perfectly complement any small balcony design style. Protection of walls, floors, and ceilings from cold penetration is provided by a “pie” that includes:
- waterproofing material;
- insulation layer;
- vapor barrier film.
Balcony insulation scheme
The total thickness of this sandwich may not exceed 5 centimeters. At the same time, high-quality protection from the cold will be guaranteed. This parameter depends on the type of base and type of insulation. The most popular material now is penoplex. Experts recommend using sheets 4 cm thick in our climate region. This is enough to create a comfortable temperature and maintain it even in frosts of 25°C.
Beginning of arrangement
Before finishing a small balcony, you should complete a number of preparatory procedures:
- Cleaning the premises. At this stage, unnecessary things are thrown out, all the garbage is taken out, the walls are thoroughly swept off dust, and the floor is washed. If there are cobwebs on the walls, they also need to be removed;
- After cleaning is completed, you should evaluate the condition of the balcony. How durable is its coating, perhaps the old wooden windows need to be replaced with plastic ones. You need to look at all the nuances so that there are no holes or leaks;
- Next you need to repair what needs repair.
Breakfast place
A space flooded with light attracts the sun in the morning, and the view from the window attracts the eye?
Perhaps you should start your day with a cup of coffee, sitting at a table on the loggia. For a small area, transformable furniture is suitable: a folding table and folding chairs. Such an inspiring start to the day will lift your spirits and help you wake up.
What to place on the balcony
Repairing a small balcony can be done when you have decided what can be placed in the space.
Good for this:
- Winter Garden;
- Office for work;
- Game Zone;
- Lounge area;
- Room for relaxation and tea drinking.
At this stage, you should think about how often the balcony will be used - all year round or not. If for 12 months, then you should think about insulating it, replacing the glass with thick double-glazed windows.
If only in warm weather, then you don’t have to think about additional expenses.
- Since there is a lot of natural sunlight in such a space, you can adapt the balcony for growing plants. The green area will not only decorate the balcony, but also purify the air in the apartment. If the space is insulated, then the plants will feel comfortable there even in winter.
- Since small apartments often do not allow for a separate space for a child, dedicating a balcony for these purposes would be a reasonable solution. You can also install a desk so that the baby not only plays, but also learns homework and does creative work.
- Often the space is used as an office. Furniture can be purchased not only ready-made, but also made to order, specifically tailored to the size of your space. A separate zone will allow you to work in silence without compromising the workflow.
If you put a table with chairs on the balcony, it will be quite suitable for receiving guests. Some even equip an entire lounge area, installing sofas or bean bags there.
Small balcony - basic design rules
When decorating a small balcony, you should make the most of the space.
Before you start decorating, you should definitely consider the items on your balcony. With the exception of items like cabinets and tables that you can use through conversion, you should definitely remove items from your balcony that you will never use.
This way you can create a stylish and spacious environment. Thin, small folding tables and chairs are ideal for small balconies. Using accessories and plants on the walls is beneficial in terms of gaining space. With a few shelves, you can place your favorite candles, decorative items and favorite plant in the corner of the wall, or you can create a special corner for yourself.
When arranging a small balcony, it is enough to follow a few basic rules:
- First of all, you need to prepare a detailed plan of what you want to put on the balcony. You don't need a specialist to do this, all you need is a piece of paper, a pen and a few ideas that we will test, change and correct on an ongoing basis. It is necessary to visually and measurably (on a piece of paper) calculate what furniture will fit on the balcony and where to put the flowers.
- Do not forget to maintain the design of the balcony in the same style. It may seem that it is easier to maintain a consistent style in a small space, but this task must be approached very carefully, because the final effect may disappoint us.
- When arranging small balconies, something else seems most important, namely the use of all available tricks to deceive the space. This is due to maximizing the functionality of the space, i.e. using not only square meters, but also cubic meters. In other words, not only a horizontal arrangement, but perhaps most of all a vertical one.
- In addition, it is worth thinking about placing a light composite board on the floor, this will visually increase the area of the balcony.
- And with the help of light, functional furniture with many drawers and compartments, we will make the balcony very practical. The most important thing in arranging small spaces is functionality; if we remember this at every stage, then the task should end in complete success.
Storage space
Do not categorically refuse the storage area. It involves arranging a space with careful thought and a whole system, and not just an accumulation of rubbish.
A spacious and compact cabinet, built into the side wall, will look compact. You can put a shelving unit instead of a cabinet, but in this case it will be open and all its contents will be visible.
A light finish will help visually expand the space, and grouped shelves or one cabinet will leave a lot of free space.
Small balcony - charming and cozy design (88 photos)
If your balcony is small, this is not a reason to be upset or to store unnecessary things there (sleds, bicycles, buckets and bags of potatoes, etc.). You can find a place for them in the pantry.
Designers suggest turning any balcony into a separate room. It can continue the style of the apartment or be completely different.
There are many ideas for turning your balcony into a beautiful, comfortable nest. It is necessary to take into account the wishes of the owners and clearly measure the area.
It is important to choose a basic idea rather than jumping into everything at once. Please note that you will not be able to fit everything on the balcony.
To create a fashionable interior or even a new room on a small balcony, you need to follow the recommendations of experienced designers.
To insulate or not
The photo of a small balcony shows that everyone uses the space as they see fit. However, owners of an uninsulated lodge often wonder whether it is worth insulating it or not?
An ordinary glazed balcony, used only in summer, will be more profitable because you will not have to spend money and materials to make it functional for the whole year. It will be protected from dust, wind and rain by glass. The window sashes can be sliding to provide free air flow.
If the room is planned to be used year-round, then you will still have to deal with insulation. But you will have additional space where you can place a winter garden, a playroom for children or a study.
To be comfortable in such a space, you need to think about heating. For this you can use:
- Additional heating and heating elements;
- You can install a heated floor system;
- You can connect the heating system.
Textile decor in the balcony interior
In any interior, textile decor plays a special role. It can be an ideal backdrop for furniture, other furnishings, or become the main accent. In the photo of designs of small balconies you can see a variety of items in this category:
- carpets,
- curtains,
- blankets,
- tablecloths,
- napkins.
Textile decor must be resistant to fading
Moreover, textile decor can be used not only in the design of insulated balconies. Synthetic materials do not lose their qualities when exposed to humid air and low temperatures. When choosing textiles, it is necessary to take into account the intensity of natural light. There are materials that are not affected by ultraviolet rays. For example, fleece and acrylic blankets do not lose their brightness of color or quality in such conditions.
In the design of a balcony of 6 meters, 3 meters, you should not use traditional curtains on the eaves. Roman blinds, roller blinds, and blinds perfectly cover windows, but do not affect the area of the room.
Roller blinds cover windows perfectly
Manufacturers produce a wide range of these window opening designs, so it’s easy to choose a good option. If you need to create comfortable conditions for sleeping during the day, you can use innovative blackout curtains that do not let in sunlight.
Which style to choose
In such a small space you can use any style - from classic to modern. Nowadays there is a very large selection of various finishing materials in stores, so you can realize any idea.
The style will also depend on what is planned to be placed in the space. If we are talking about a winter garden, an antique design will fit well. If it’s a study, then strict hi-tech or minimalism.
Country and classic are suitable for rooms where you plan to relax.
A selection of design ideas
Let's look at the photographs that show interior design ideas.
Premises with an area of 3 sq. m
PVC panels were chosen for covering the walls of the room. This method is one of the most practical and does not require large investments of money and time for installation. The texture of the panels is perfectly complemented by PVC window frames, the surface of which imitates wood.
Relaxation area on the balcony with an area of 3 sq. m. A pastel range of shades was used as a basis, complementing the interior with active colors through decorative items, furniture, and light sources. A panel with a city perspective fits into the general idea of the style and creates the atmosphere of a street in Paris.
The cabinet is designed specifically to save space and maintain order - with panoramic glazing, the area can be seen from the street if there is no tinting. The ironing board does not interfere with the passage into the apartment. Furniture material: painted chipboard elements. The walls are lined with black ceramic tiles in the shape of a brick.
Design of a balcony of 3 square meters. m in black and white. Chairs, coffee table, carpet, pillows, dishes and decorative items - everything is designed in the same style.
Modern interior. Finishing with natural materials - wood, decorative plaster, textiles.
Decorative plaster in the design of a hookah room (3 sq. m).
Loggia – continuation of the apartment
Two rooms are combined into one. The balcony area includes a dressing table with a pouf and a built-in wardrobe.
The loggia continues the idea of living room design. Residents read books behind a sliding glass system without being distracted by extraneous sounds in the apartment. If you open the partition, you can thereby increase the area of the room.
Country style in the interior of the work area.
Kitchen
Not everyone needs a kitchen that takes up a lot of space. In the space of an insulated balcony, you can make a kitchen with a compact set, a dining area, a domino hob, a coffee machine or a microwave.
Mini-set on the balcony in a studio apartment with a sink and domino hob.
The window sill serves as a bar counter. Finishing materials: ceramic tiles, linoleum.
Children's
Creative corner for children's activities.
The loggia is combined with the adjacent nursery.
Cabinet
Interior in country style with a workplace.
Decorative stone, paintable wallpaper and moldings are used in the cabinet design. The backlight effectively reveals the texture of the material.
It is better to order furniture for arranging an office in a workshop according to individual sizes. Thus, the interior of the room will be as convenient as possible for further use.
Visualization of a home office in a modern style on a loggia with panoramic glazing.
A cozy place to work at the computer.
Space for relaxation
Despite the small area, the recreation room allows you to retire from the general space of the apartment.
Swing chair in room design.
Mini living room with sofa.
Modern interior style.
A place to relax in a small room. The base is used to store various items.
Green corner
The plants will be comfortable on the loggia; here they will not lack natural light.
A shelf for flowers on a balcony greenhouse.
Recreation area and winter garden.
We increase the space visually
The finish is chosen based on style. There are certain criteria that need to be used in a particular design. But there are universal techniques that will fit into any room and at the same time can visually expand the space.
These include:
- Maximum glazing;
- Light finish;
- Lightweight materials to frame the window;
- Using small things for decoration.
If space allows, you can make panoramic glazing. Nowadays, modern glass is quite safe and stable to use for a long time. The space can also be expanded by installing a mirror.
Decor ideas
In order for your balcony to look original, it must contain decorative details. Many beautiful balconies contain items such as:
- pillows;
- blankets;
- flowers
- decorative lamps.
In addition to the main decoration, you can use original interior items to decorate the balcony. The most effective option is to install a safe fireplace. However, this item will be appropriate only on balconies with a large area. The portal can not only serve a decorative function, but also heat the room.
Textiles play an important role in the interior. Choose your curtains especially carefully. They are required to provide good protection from exposure to sunlight without burdening the design of the room. You can choose simple but functional curtains that will look amazing with a textured image that matches the fabric.
Such components will give your room a unique image. Do not forget that the balcony can be used not only as a place to store unnecessary things, but also as a relaxation area. Here you can take a break from boring activities and enjoy peace. It is also worth noting that balconies need to be decorated not only from the inside, but also from the outside. Moisture-resistant materials sold in any hardware stores are suitable for these purposes. Using these recommendations, you can come up with 20 cool ideas for your balcony.
Photos of renovation for small balconies
Reading corner
If you like to spend time reading a book and need a quiet, secluded place, arrange a loggia for comfortable reading. You will need a soft chair and good lighting. Alternatively, consider a hanging chair or frameless ottoman.
If the loggia is insulated, set aside one wall for a collection of books. A mini-library in the form of an open shelving will not take up much space if placed from floor to ceiling.
