Probably, the apartment will never be large enough to fit everything you need: sometimes there is nowhere to set up a workplace, sometimes the living room is too small. And most often the problem is that there is nowhere to put a closet in which all things can be conveniently placed. Well, if there is not enough space in the apartment, we will try to solve the problem with the help of a balcony or loggia.
Arranging a dressing room on the balcony is a great way to expand the usable space in a small apartment
Advantages and disadvantages
So what is this: a whim or a necessity? Functional solution or complete recklessness? Let's try to figure it out. This design decision is unusual, but this fact does not mean that it has no right to exist.
Before you decide to remodel your balcony, you need to weigh all the pros and cons of this decision.
First let's talk about the advantages:
- Additional meters due to the area of the loggia.
- Usually there is good ventilation on the balcony, and things will thank you for it. Note that lack of ventilation is a problem in most storage rooms inside apartments.
- The loggia is “roomy” enough for all your things to fit on it, which means the apartment’s square meters are “freed” from the need to have cabinets or shelves for things. By the way, in addition to clothes, other everyday items can easily be placed on the balcony.
Now let's talk about the sad thing - about the disadvantages of such a dressing room:
- In most cases, a balcony or loggia has an elongated shape, in which it is quite difficult to install a convenient storage system; in addition, it is inconvenient to move around such an area.
- Most likely, the dressing room will not be equipped with a dressing room - there will not be enough space.
- The issue of insulating a loggia is very acute, even if it is glazed. Batteries may need to be installed.
- There is no guarantee that glazing and light heating will solve the problem of temperature and humidity changes, which means your belongings are in danger.
In general, as an option, this idea has a right to exist, but before you start implementing it, weigh the pros and cons.
The layout of the dressing room and ease of use directly depend on the size of the balcony or loggia.
If the space is small, separate elements of the dressing room are placed on the balcony. For example, under the window you can organize cabinets for storing shoes
An interesting idea - a compact mobile module with a hanger and shelves
Photo ideas
Converting a balcony or loggia into a dressing room is not always appropriate. But with the right approach, everything is possible. If having a separate room for conveniently storing clothes is an old dream, take a closer look at your balcony. Perhaps one of the options described above will suit you.
Types of dressing rooms
Of course, in addition to personal wishes and preferences, existing conditions must also be taken into account. If your balcony is small, then a baby closet is definitely your option. It is ideal for one person.
On a small balcony you can install narrow cabinets or hanging shelves with drawers
Typically, such a “set” includes a small cabinet and several shelves. Well, in order not to attract prying eyes, use regular window curtains, thick but not thick.
A hinged wardrobe built into the end wall of the balcony can be a suitable solution for a small room.
The medium-sized option is quite suitable for a married couple. In this case, it will be possible to install a closet and arrange shelves for shoes under the window - they will not take up much space, but will be able to hide a sufficient number of shoes and accessories in their depths. Place a mirror on the cabinet door. Firstly, this necessary element of the dressing room will make your stay more comfortable, and secondly, it will help to visually expand the space. And don’t forget about the decorative elements, because if the loggia turns into a functional area, this does not mean at all that it does not need to be supplemented with little things dear to the heart.
Large mirrors will visually increase the area of the room and give you the opportunity to see yourself in full height
Large loggia – more options for implementing ideas. Designers recommend dividing a large loggia into zones, for example, in addition to the dressing room, setting up a small recreation area. And to place clothes and accessories, use not only a closet and shelves, but also install a metal hanger, hang a mirror with sconces on the wall, and put a comfortable rug under your feet. Compact balcony furniture is an ideal choice for a relaxation area.
On the spacious loggia you can organize a full-fledged dressing room
Another option is a balcony without windows. Its area will perfectly accommodate a spacious boudoir, on both sides of which you can install cabinets and shelves. There is enough space for a mirror and an ottoman. Don’t forget about lighting; in a balcony space without windows, this is an essential item.
On a narrow balcony, furniture is placed along one wall
Preparatory work
When organizing a wardrobe on the balcony, first of all you need to take into account the individual parameters of the room. If there is a balcony and not a loggia, then it cannot be overloaded. To avoid destructive consequences, it is necessary to call a specialist before repairing, who will calculate the maximum permitted load. After calculating all the parameters, you can begin finishing.
In order for the new dressing room to be reliable and comfortable, it is necessary to carry out a number of preparatory work.
Glazing
Glazing of the future wardrobe is mandatory. On a loggia or balcony, it is necessary to install only high-quality wide-profile double-glazed windows that will not let in moisture and cold air from the street. To hide what is happening in the room from prying eyes, you can use tinted, stained glass or mirrored glass from the outside in double-glazed windows.
It is very convenient to organize a dressing room in loggias, because the open space is only on one side.
On the balcony, glazing is usually located on all three. This problem can be solved using OSB or fiberboard, which can be used to cover one or two sides. Only such improvised walls need to be filled with insulation. These materials can serve as the back wall of future built-in wardrobes.
If there is no need for natural light to penetrate into the adjacent room, then the loggia can be converted into a full-fledged room by replacing the windows with brickwork. True, in this case you will have to think through the ventilation system.
Leveling walls, ceilings and floors
A mandatory step is preparing the walls and ceiling for use. They need to not only be leveled, but also insulated. If you want to cover the walls with clapboard or wooden panels, then it is necessary to carry out a number of additional works. In both options, to avoid drafts and dampness in the dressing room, you must first seal all the seams with foam or mortar.
Next, you should take care of waterproofing the ceiling.
The walls and floor must be leveled using cement screed. If lining or wooden panels are used, then waterproofing is first laid for them. Afterwards, a sheathing is installed, which is filled with insulation. After these steps, installation of the panels begins.
Heating
The best option for heating a balcony is electric floors with a control panel. They can be installed under any floor covering: laminate, linoleum or parquet. And with the help of the regulator you can set a comfortable temperature at any time of the year.
If you want to connect a balcony room with a living room, then it is best to run a water-heated floor from the central network or remove the battery.
But we must remember that these actions must be registered with the appropriate authorities.
Wiring
An obligatory point in preparing a room for a wardrobe is the conduction of electricity. It is necessary to install high-quality lighting, as well as install a couple of sockets in a pre-designated place where a compact ironing board could be located in the future.
To create coziness, you can choose various small lamps that will illuminate your wardrobe in the dark.
Designer room decoration
To decorate the walls and floor of a medium-sized loggia, wooden panels, lining, natural stone or decorative brick, as well as cheaper plastic panels, are suitable. Using these materials you can create a harmonious design that does not require complex maintenance.
For small balconies, it is necessary to use a type of finishing that does not require additional space for installing beams or sheathing.
These include wallpapering or painting the walls. It must be remembered that white and soft light colors visually increase the space.
Furniture installation
Furniture for the wardrobe on the balcony is the most important stage. For a narrow and long room, you will most likely have to make furniture to order or yourself.
You can only load walls that are free from windows. Narrow cabinets, chests of drawers and cabinets for storing clothes and shoes should be placed near them.
Ideal place
An apartment may have not one balcony, but two or three, and access to it is possible from any room: bedroom, living room or kitchen. Therefore, you will need to choose. Of course, ideally, the most suitable would be a balcony with an exit from the bedroom.
The photo shows a small dressing room on the balcony combined with the children's room
But if in your case you can only access the loggia from the living room, and you really want to set up a dressing room on the balcony, don’t let this fact stop you.
Please read the specifications carefully before starting the project. The thing is that balcony slabs tend to collapse. If your apartment has a loggia, the issue is removed, since it rests on the foundation and can withstand more severe loads than a balcony.
If the reliability of the balcony or loggia is beyond doubt, start planning. For example, cabinets can be installed either on one side or along the entire perimeter. If the balcony is long and narrow, then, for obvious reasons, the first option will have to be implemented.
In most cases, a linear layout of the dressing room is chosen for a balcony or loggia.
The dressing room loggia is often equipped with a heated floor. This “move” can easily compensate for the lack of heat and help you feel more comfortable.
Electric systems are used to heat the floor on the loggia.
Cabinet layout options
The main task of properly placing a cabinet on the balcony is to save space without losing functionality. Depending on the layout, the furniture can be located in the corner (the most common option is when the back wall is adjacent to the wall) or under the window if the loggia is wide enough.
The photo shows a narrow mirror cabinet that does not occupy the second corner and makes it possible to rationally use the niche.
The original way to place the cabinet is in the floor. For this purpose, a podium is built into which you can put things away and also use it as a sleeping place.
In the photo there is a closet in the floor on the loggia combined with the room.
Photos of dressing rooms on the balcony and loggia
What material is better to choose for a loggia?
Over time, furniture on unheated loggias is exposed to external factors: humidity, UV radiation, mold. The best solution in this case is to insulate the balcony, but if this is not possible, you should choose wear-resistant materials. Manufacturers offer the following cabinet options:
- plastic;
- Chipboard/chipboard;
- wood;
- metal.
The photo shows a balcony with a double-leaf wardrobe made of PVC panels.
Solid wood furniture is more expensive than plastic, but is less resistant to moisture (if it is not treated thermowood). Plastic can become deformed over time due to temperature changes, and metal products are susceptible to corrosion. Most often, furniture made of laminated chipboard or MDF is installed on balconies: the top layer of plastic protects the chipboard from wear, and if damaged, budget models can always be replaced.
The photo shows a fashionable wooden rack with a metal frame.
Expanding the space
Since we are dealing with a small room, all available designer tools will come in handy to help visually make the room more spacious.
- Use more white. The dressing room on the balcony will be transformed! Be sure to combine white with other muted, “cozy” and warm shades.
- Natural light is your friend. In cramped dressing rooms on the balcony, it is not recommended to get rid of windows. On the contrary, it is better to leave as many of them as possible. And so that the room does not lose visual space even at night, equip it with a sufficient number of lighting sources.
- There should be mirrors inside. The bigger, the better. They do an excellent job of visually expanding space. The standard option is a full-length mirror on the cabinet doors.
- Do not use massive furniture. On small balconies it is better not to organize a changing area at all; you will simply clutter the space in this way.
