A bright, cozy office with a comfortable chair affects work productivity much more than it seems. But what if there is no way to allocate a separate room for this in an apartment or house? Of course, it is possible to zoning existing premises, but this is not always convenient. A much better idea would be to equip an office on the balcony.
Organization of a personal account
Everyone wants the family nest to be cozy, so one of the most important issues is the territorial division of the apartment space. Any family member needs privacy from time to time in order to work productively.
The only drawback is if the family nest is too small, and the joint budget does not allow for the purchase of more spacious housing.
You can expand the space of the apartment due to the adjacent territory. For example, loggias.
Workplace on the balcony
design an office on the balcony yourself.
Professional experts give the following useful tips for arranging a personal office on the balcony:
- The quality of the windows plays an important role when organizing a workplace on the balcony. The best option is soundproofing and sealed double-glazed windows made of metal-plastic;
- As a rule, insulation material is not provided on loggias. Insulating the walls, ceiling and floor will help ensure a comfortable stay in the work area.
The quality of windows plays an important role in the workplace
For heat and sound insulation, polystyrene foam is most often used, on which mineral wool is laid. The walls are covered with plasterboard, and the floor is covered with plywood.
It is better to entrust the insulation of a balcony to professionals;
- professional designers recommend insulating the floor so that a personal office on the balcony is available for solving work matters at any time of the year.
However, insulating the floor requires considerable financial investment, so the best option may be a modern air conditioner equipped with a “winter-summer” mode.
To ensure that the workplace on the balcony is available all year round, carry out insulation work
Such innovative equipment is capable of warming up a small space in a short period of time;
- many balconies are decorated with concrete slabs. When converting a loggia into a workplace, concrete decorations must be removed, then the area on the balcony will increase by several centimeters;
- Lining is especially popular in interior decoration. This building material is very easy to maintain.
Balcony finishing with clapboard
This coating has a wide variety of shades, is characterized by strength, wear resistance and moderate cost.
By purchasing lining for a loggia, the owners will significantly save money, and the simplicity of finishing will allow them to design a workplace on the balcony on their own, without the help of qualified specialists.
A personal office on the balcony is a convenient and practical place where you can spend time in solitude while working.
A study on the balcony is a convenient and practical place
When designing an office on a balcony, it is advisable to minimize the use of decorative elements. From furniture it is enough to install a computer desk and an armchair, as well as bookshelves. It is better to place flower pots at the back of the workplace.
Insulation
Before you start wallpapering or plastering the walls, you need to lay out all the cables and wires. Then the top layer is applied - a decorative coating. You can wallpaper the room or paint it.
To insulate the front side panel, a special heat-insulating material is used. The surface is puttied and painted in advance, and only then covered with wallpaper. Since the remaining walls are heated due to the presence of neighboring rooms, there is no need to waterproof and insulate the floors, provided that high-quality glazing of the room is done.
If you decide to expand or divide the space using drywall and plastic, then first make metal structures that are suitable in size
To install the frame and divide the zones, you need to use a screwdriver, metal scissors, a hammer drill and a building level. First, a base is installed in the corners, which is brought to the frames, doors and windows. Using dowel nails and self-tapping screws, the base is attached to the walls.
The next step is to install the profile sheathing. It should be located on the ceiling and between the racks. The free space is filled with insulation or other heat-insulating material. Then the profiles are covered with foam plastic and additional walls are obtained. This is a great way to zone without building brick and block walls.
How to create a workplace on the balcony
You need to start organizing your personal office on the balcony by insulating the walls. Despite the fact that the balcony is glazed, this will not be enough, especially for the winter season.
The walls are insulated with various materials. One of the practical and budget options for insulating a loggia is penofol. It has thermal insulation properties that are in no way inferior in quality to polystyrene foam.
Balcony insulation with penofol
This material does not dry out or collapse. Its thickness is no more than 4 mm compared to foam plates (they are much thicker).
Before insulating the balcony, it is necessary to prime the walls. Gaps and voids under slabs can lead to mold or mildew.
Hermetic material is designed for treating hard-to-reach places.
Before insulation, the balcony walls are primed
After installation work, a thin layer of finishing is applied. It is best to choose moisture-resistant wallpaper. This is a very important condition. Otherwise, repeated repairs cannot be avoided.
Having completed the basic preparation of the walls for insulation, you can move on to the floor. It’s great when financial capabilities allow you to install a heated floor on the loggia. An alternative option is carpet.
Carpet - an alternative to heated floors
The main thing is that the floor is level, without cracks or holes. If there are any, they need to be eliminated and sealed.
It is not advisable to cover the floor on the balcony with linoleum, since fungus can form under the covering.
The disadvantages of laminate are that it is susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity. In addition, you won’t be able to move on laminate flooring without making noise; it knocks and rattles.
It should be remembered that a small room needs daily ventilation to avoid air stagnation. In winter, after such procedures, it will be too fresh in your personal office on the balcony.
The workplace on the balcony must be ventilated daily
An electric heater will help keep your work area warm. But if financial possibilities allow, you can install central heating on the loggia.
Heating
Considering the fact that steam heating can only be installed on the balcony with the permission of the relevant organizations, then for heating, an electric heated floor is usually installed or heating devices are used, but first you need to thoroughly insulate the balcony.
It can be:
- Oil heaters are highly safe and mobile during operation, do not dry out the air in the room, heat transfer can be adjusted and are environmentally friendly devices. The disadvantages include high energy consumption, in other words, they are not economical;
- Infrared heaters - evenly distribute the heat flow inside the room, do not dry out the air, are easy to install - usually such devices are a panel that is hung on the walls or ceiling, and fit perfectly into the interior design;
- An electric fireplace is suitable for a large balcony or loggia; in addition to heating, it serves as an original interior decoration.
Cabinet design on the balcony
The main goal when creating an office on the balcony is to visually enlarge the room and stylishly design the work area. A competent design solution will make the workplace on the balcony comfortable, allowing you to concentrate only on the main thing, without being distracted by various little things.
It is preferable to choose wallpaper in warm colors: pink, beige, sand, lemon, gray with light splashes. The wall palette should not put pressure on the psyche.
Light finishing will visually increase the size of the balcony
Dark colors are perfect for flooring.
Dark colors are suitable for the floor
It is better to hang blinds on the windows. They transmit light well and, if necessary, will provide the opportunity to hide the office on the balcony from prying eyes.
Blinds on the windows will hide the space from prying eyes
Designing an office on a balcony is not particularly difficult, since there are many modern options.
Experts recommend choosing classic-style furniture that would be in harmony with the rest of the interior details of your personal office on the balcony.
Workplace design on the balcony
Lighting
During the day, natural street light is sufficient, but for the evening and night you need to consider a suitable option. If the side is sunny, do not place the table in front of the window: in the summer the bright lighting in the loggia will be blinding. You also need to use light protection. Blinds are an ideal option: they take up little space, can completely darken a room and are easy to care for.
Thick curtains also look good, they will become an excellent design detail and will increase sound and heat insulation.
Also, it is better to hang curtains on the window and door to the room, ideally from the inside. This will also get rid of annoying eyes, unnecessary lighting and noise from the next room. There shouldn’t be too much light in the office: the space is already small, and it’s better to get by with a few lamps. The first must be on a personal work surface, the second - an overhead light. When arranging a recreation area, you need to provide good lighting there too. For this purpose, a tall floor lamp or a lamp on a small coffee table is best suited.
How to decorate a balcony
When planning a design project for a workplace on a balcony, it is necessary to take into account every little detail: how to install lighting, install heating, whether sockets are provided, whether the wiring will reach. Therefore, the functionality of the office on the balcony is of paramount importance. Only after this should you think about what style the room will be in.
The design of an office on a balcony does not present any particular difficulties, but there are also a number of nuances that should not be ignored.
First of all, this is the color of the walls. They shouldn't be too bright. After all, a personal office on the balcony implies privacy and tranquility, and walls in cheerful colors will only tire you.
Design of a workplace on the balcony in soothing pastel colors
The ideal solution would be to choose wallpaper in light shades with discreet details.
It is necessary to focus on decorative elements: there should not be a lot of additional paraphernalia, since the space is microscopic, and any decorative decoration will visually reduce the area and create a feeling of disorder.
Do not overload the balcony space with decorative details
Furniture selection
Furniture should not only match the size of the space, but also fit into the overall style. If the entire balcony is made in a minimalist high-tech style, then the table, chair, and other furnishings should be selected in this style. Glass and plastic with clear shapes, white and black tones, a system of hanging shelves or racks, which will take up little space and compactly accommodate everything you need, are well suited.
Lovers of the classics should choose furniture made of wood, preferably dark tones, which will look advantageous against the overall light background of the balcony. If the size allows, you can place a small coffee table and a lounge chair on the loggia. What style the interior will look like upon completion of the work depends only on personal preferences.
How to convert a loggia into an office
A shelf with many books and folders with documents necessary in the work process will help give the office on the balcony a working environment.
You can download and install various programs on your computer that you will need during your work.
Experienced designers give the following recommendations for the styling of a personal office on the balcony:
- You can create several workspaces at once by connecting the room and the balcony with a corner table.
Such a competent design solution for an office on the balcony will allow adults and children to spend time usefully without disturbing each other;
- a workplace on the balcony is a great way to retire and work on a computer or laptop without being distracted by other family members and everyday worries;
A workplace on the balcony will allow you to work in silence
- You can separate an office on the balcony using an aquarium with exotic fish, decorative panels or upholstered furniture.
Before converting the loggia into a personal office, you should insulate the room and install lighting equipment.
According to the advice of experts, it is advisable to purchase a small-sized computer desk that has many sections for business documentation.
If possible, accommodate a computer desk
If the area on the balcony is so small that it does not accommodate a standard-sized computer desk, then you can make a custom-made tabletop of appropriate parameters. It is very practical to use. Provides comfort and convenience to the working area.
If necessary, the work surface can be made to order
Glazing
There is no need to skimp on the glazing of your future office. It is best to contact a reliable company with extensive experience and order a metal-plastic structure. If the glass and panels are too cheap, they can quickly warp or be completely defective.
Window installation is carried out by specialists. They take measurements, prepare a welded frame and install window structures. It is not recommended to remove the balcony door, since in this case the room will be connected to the loggia and there will be no privacy.
If the balcony is too old, it is also recommended to replace the balcony door and glass, otherwise there will be a strong dissonance between the appearance of the two walls on the loggia. Since space is very limited, shelves and window sills will not be superfluous.
Where to put the computer
In some cases, a window sill serves as an excellent replacement for a computer desk. It doesn't take up extra space. A computer can easily fit on it.
And the most important thing is that its height allows you to place an office chair next to it.
The work surface can be a balcony window sill.
If it is not possible to implement such an idea, and the work requires a large presence of folders and papers, then you can purchase a narrow computer desk with many shelves.
Such a small-sized office desk will fit perfectly into the interior!
A small-sized office desk will fit perfectly into the interior of a balcony
It is very rare to find square loggias in shape. Most often, balconies are elongated. But even in a small room, shelves are simply necessary. There are a large number of creative ideas and options on how to build shelves on the balcony.
Shelves in the interior of the balcony
Shelves can be either wooden or plastic. You just need to show a little imagination and imagination.
Features and Benefits
This solution has both its advantages and disadvantages. So, if your balcony is already used for storing canned goods or other things that do not fit anywhere else, then it is irrational to do this. Another important point is the design of the balcony itself. If you have it open and not heated, then you need to be prepared for the fact that you will have to spend a lot of time and money on its arrangement.
Also, the balcony may be too small. Therefore, neither a chair nor even a small desktop will fit on it. But, without a doubt, such a design solution also has its advantages. Firstly, you will finally have your own full-fledged room, where you will work alone and in silence, without being distracted by anything.
Balconies, as a rule, are complemented by high and wide windows on three sides. If you choose the French glazing option, the windows will be floor to ceiling height. This means that the natural light in the room will always be very good. Therefore, you can calmly work or read all day long without fear for your eyesight.
The balcony is very easily ventilated in good weather. And it can be protected from midges and mosquitoes with a simple mosquito net. So, if you properly design your workspace, then you will be comfortable doing your business in it.
Lighting
Proper installation of lighting equipment will turn the office on the balcony into a functional and stylish room.
It is important that there is a lamp on the computer desk. It will make it possible to adjust the brightness of the lighting, remove sun glare and shadows falling on the work area.
A table lamp will allow you to adjust the brightness of the lighting
The ideal solution is to install built-in lighting devices along the room, directed in different directions. This method will visually increase the area and perfectly complement the interior.
With properly equipped lighting in the office on the balcony, you can get a stylish and cozy workplace.
But excess light cannot be considered a superior advantage either. On fine days, sunbeams will distract you from your work process. Blinds or curtains on the wings will help correct the situation, but they should not be voluminous.
Blinds will rid the room of excess light
The office on the balcony should be well lit. It is better to use built-in lighting. These can also be fluorescent lamps.
As an economical option, a table lamp will fit perfectly into the interior.
Ceiling lighting will illuminate the balcony at night
Organizing a work area and designing an office on the balcony is a trivial matter, requiring minimal budget investments and apartment renovation skills.
Preparing the premises
Regardless of what design your office will have, you need to prepare the room for a comfortable stay. This will take about a week.
First of all, you need to glaze the balcony. It is better to use double-glazed windows - they let in less cold from the street. It is necessary to completely get rid of cracks, cracks and drafts. To do this, use polyurethane foam. But it’s better not to do this yourself: improper “sealing” will ruin the repair, increase humidity and make the room cold.
It is important not to forget about mosquito nets, since in the evenings in the summer insects can fly into the office and distract you from work.
After the balcony has turned into a full-fledged room, you need to choose a place for sockets and lighting. It is better to lay the wiring under the floor or in baseboards. For an office you need 2-3 sockets near the desktop, one overhead lighting and a table lamp. It’s better to check in advance whether the router’s signal reaches the balcony and run an Internet cable.
Afterwards you need to insulate the balcony - carefully and reliably. The ideal option is penofol, it will not reduce the space. They also need to lay a common wall with the room to increase sound insulation. A “warm floor” system is ideal for heating a balcony - it will be quite sufficient.
You can also connect a small convector, but in such a small room it will greatly “dry” the air.
Photo gallery - workplace on the balcony
Auxiliary elements
At the junction of the window and the balcony panel, it is convenient to arrange a narrow window sill on which various small items will fit. On the side of the internal window, a wide window sill installed will allow you to place flowerpots with fresh flowers. By placing the antenna on the outside of the loggia panel, you can connect a small TV.
Skirting boards with a cable channel are attached to the walls along the entire perimeter of the floor. The ceiling joints of the cladding are hidden with fillets. Mosquito nets are installed on the outside of opening transoms.
Communications
During the planning process, you need to take care of the marking of sockets, cables, lamps and switches. This is done before tiling and wallpapering begins, since the grooves for the wires need to be punched into the wall. Landing boxes are installed, and all wires are fixed with alabaster.
Wallpapering and plastering of walls are done only after all wires and communications have been laid
