Bench for a balcony with a storage box - how to make the structure yourself

Icer
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Icer September 14, 2016Specialization: master in the construction of plasterboard structures, finishing work and laying floor coverings. Installation of door and window units, finishing of facades, installation of electrical, plumbing and heating - I can give detailed advice on all types of work.

If you want to use the balcony as a relaxation area, but you have nowhere to store vegetables and homemade preparations, then the problem can be solved in an interesting way. A bench on the balcony can be a solution - it won’t be difficult to build a structure with your own hands that combines a chest and a place to rest. I will tell you in detail how to organize the workflow and what you will need to implement the project.

In the photo: the design can be made as an ordinary piece of furniture

Boxes with seat for balcony

1. Peculiarities
2. Kinds
3. Materials
4. What will you need?
5. How to do it?

If you want to set up a relaxation area on the balcony and save on space for storing out-of-season items or home preservation, there is an excellent solution - combining all this in one box, complete with a seat. This design is not always sold ready-made, but it is easy to construct it with your own hands.

Conclusion

A DIY balcony bench with a drawer is much easier to make than it might seem at first glance; with its help you get not only a comfortable place to rest, but also a compartment for storing everything you need. The video in this article will clearly show some of the points discussed above, and if you have questions, write them below in the comments.

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September 14, 2016

Accessories, Balcony and loggia

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Types of sofas for a balcony with a drawer

Today, almost all sofa models are equipped with a built-in drawer for storing various things. Therefore, choosing suitable furniture for a room of any size, in particular for a balcony or loggia, will not be difficult. The most important thing when choosing a sofa is to take into account the size of the room and installation location, as well as the type of sofa structure.

To determine the best option for upholstered furniture in a particular situation, it is necessary to take into account not only the size of the sofa, but also the layout methods, as well as simplicity and ease of use.

When choosing a sofa for a balcony with a drawer, you should consider the following rule: the shape and size should be optimal so that it does not seem too big or too small

Today the most common models of sofas can be considered:

• Sofa with a book folding mechanism . The owner of one of the simplest mechanisms for transforming a seat into a bed. To do this, just a little effort is enough to pull the lower part of the furniture forward and lower the backrest horizontally into the free space. This sofa will be a great place to relax, an extra bed and storage for a small number of things.
• Chair-bed . It will be an excellent alternative to a full-fledged sofa if there is not too much free space on the balcony or loggia. Most often, such furniture uses a “book” transformation mechanism, which is very easy to use. Unfortunately, it is not possible to fit several people on such a sleeping place, but the chair will serve as a wonderful place for reading or relaxation.
• Corner sofa . In the modern world, the angular shape of upholstered furniture is gaining increasing popularity. Moreover, the corner of the sofa is not necessarily made at 45˚; it can have a rounded shape, and even two corners instead of one. The presented design will fit perfectly into the setting of non-standard balconies, and will bring not only a practical, but also an aesthetic effect to the environment.

Most people choose small and compact sofas with drawers, since the dimensions of standard balconies are not so large

• Soft bench . Of course, a bench cannot be considered a full-fledged sofa, but this type of upholstered furniture wins not only in its small size, but also in its ease of manufacture. Therefore, many people prefer not to choose a suitable sofa from furniture catalogs, but to make a bench for the balcony themselves.

When choosing a sofa from the list of proposed upholstered furniture options, you should pay attention that most, but not all, models have additional boxes or niches for storing various things.

If the availability of storage space is a mandatory factor in the purchased furniture, when buying or ordering a sofa from manufacturers, it is worth focusing on this point.

what to buy and what to do it yourself

BALCONIES WITH LOCATION CHAIRS

And now we will look at narrow balconies, whose interior is decorated with a cozy armchair.

In the photo below we see a balcony with wooden paneling - the boards are painted in light colors. A shelf for books was made from the remains of the board. It is attached to a regular long L-shaped fastener, which was also painted in the same paint tone.

We choose a chair for the balcony from GARDEN FURNITURE - wicker from willow twigs or rattan

And in the photo below we see a large format wicker chair - which is designed for two. If your balcony is wide enough, then you can bring this interior example to life. Wooden cladding is quite simple - you can do it yourself.

Three narrow vertical slats are attached to the wall (you can see how they shine through in the photo) - and boards are placed on these slats with a slot interval of 2 cm). We put fasteners for hanging flower pots on the board panel.

And here is the balcony on which a glass greenhouse is installed. A very convenient solution for planting on a balcony - there is no need to fill the entire balcony with seedlings (they can be placed on the numerous shelves of such a greenhouse cabinet). And you can safely ventilate the balcony even on cold days, without fear that a draft will freeze our plantings on the balcony.

The design includes a cozy mat and plastic garden chairs.

Instead of a standard chair on the balcony, you can hang this sitting hammock.

The working process

All work can be divided into two parts - preparatory and assembly. We will analyze each of them separately to make it easier for you to understand all the operations performed.

Preparation

Work begins with the following activities:

• First of all, you need to take measurements on the balcony to figure out how much space you have and what the maximum dimensions can be for our benches . You can make one or several benches, you must decide for yourself how many are needed;
• For comfortable sitting, the height should not exceed 60 cm, as for the width, it should be at least 40 cm and no more than 70, otherwise it will again be uncomfortable to sit on it . As for the length, you must determine it yourself; you shouldn’t make the structure 3 meters long; it’s easier and more reasonable to make two benches;
• Once you have decided on the basic parameters, you can make a sketch of the future product. Here you don’t need to be a professional draftsman; you need a diagram that will show all the main dimensions and design features. This will help you clearly understand the final result and make it easier to understand further work, because you will have a ready-made diagram in front of you;

An example of a simple bench with a backrest

• Also, make sure in advance that the balcony is cleared of various rubbish and that all necessary materials and equipment are at hand . Also, as I noted above, you can sand the board at least on the front side, so as not to have to do this work later.

Assembly

The instructions for carrying out the work are not complicated, to make it even clearer, first I will show a diagram with the sequence of work, and below I will describe each of the points in detail:

The workflow consists of such operations

• First of all, you need to cut the elements for the frame, in our case these are four bars that will be located in the corners from the inside . You can also cut the board for all the walls. The most important thing here is to carefully take measurements so as not to cut off excess and spoil the material; when cutting, do not press too hard so as not to damage the ends;

Accurate cutting is a prerequisite for a quality bench

• You can assemble the side walls; to do this, take two bars, place them on a horizontal surface at the required distance, after which boards are placed on top and screwed with self-tapping screws . As a result, you should end up with two assembled sidewalls, it is important that they are smooth and not skewed, so control the even position of each board;
• Next, you can attach the sides; for this it is better to attract an assistant to hold the resulting shields while assembling them. The board can be attached either tightly or with slots, if you do not need a blind box, then the distance between the elements should be the same so that the bench on the balcony looks neat;

The front board should cover both the block and the end of the side board, remember this

• To secure the bottom, two bars are attached to the bottom from the inside, and transverse boards are attached to them; this is the simplest option;
• Then you need to nail it to the bottom of the support, this is necessary so that the structure does not come into contact with the floor . This will allow the board not to become damp from the floor, and in the event of a water spill, the product will not get wet. The configuration of the legs can be any, as long as they are durable;
• The top cover is assembled separately; the simplest option is to fasten two boards from the inside . To prevent the resulting shield from warping, I advise adding a diagonal spacer between the two crossbars, this will make the cover much stronger and more reliable;

This is what the simplest version of the lid looks like, which will also serve as a bench seat

• Lastly, a piano hinge is attached to the end side of the lid, cut to the required size if necessary . Next, the structure is leaned against the box and fixed on it; if the seat will lie between the bars, then, in order for the lid to move normally, it is better to lay washers 1.5 mm thick on the sides in order to accurately fix the hinge.

Fastening must be done carefully and accurately

The finished box can be used, but it is much wiser to pre-coat it with a protective compound. This could be paint, or maybe varnish, which will give the surface the desired shade, without hiding the structure of the wood. If you wish, you can paint the surface with patterns or ornaments; it all depends on your wishes and preferences.

It is better to coat the finished box with a protective compound

If you decide to make upholstery on the seat, then the easiest way to do the job is to use a furniture stapler; with it you can quickly secure the material from the inside of the cover . In order for the surface to be soft, the layer of foam rubber must be at least 5 cm; thinner material is pressed very hard.

You can not attach the upholstery, but sew several pillows; this option is both simpler and looks very stylish. In addition, if necessary, the pillows can be washed or used in another place.

This folding bench for the balcony looks very stylish

What you need for work

A bench with a drawer for a balcony can be made of different materials; I will tell you about the wood options, since it is the most reliable of all. In addition, such designs look very attractive and are easy to assemble on your own.

First, let's figure out what you will need to carry out the work:

Edged board	It is better to use options with a thickness of 25-30 mm; thinner boards are not very reliable, and thicker ones are too heavy. It is ideal to use polished elements, as they do not require additional processing, which greatly simplifies the work process
Wooden block	The frame will be made from it, so you need to choose options with a cross-section of at least 40x40 mm so that the structure is strong and reliable. When choosing, I advise you to pay special attention to the geometry of the bars; they often lead during the drying process, which is extremely undesirable - assembling a flat bench from crooked pieces is very problematic
Piano loop	A seat will be attached to it, which at the same time serves as a box lid. Such products are sold in furniture stores and are inexpensive, so you can easily purchase them. If the length is long, several loops may be required, it is important that they are located along the entire lid
Self-tapping screws	With their help we will assemble our bench, the length of the fasteners depends on the thickness of the board used, it should be approximately 25-30 mm longer to ensure reliability

Piano hinges allow you to create a reclining top in the bench without hassle

If you are making a soft seat, then in addition you will need to purchase foam rubber and furniture upholstery or leatherette. Although this work can be done later, the bench can be used either way.

Soft upholstery makes the bench much more comfortable

Another factor that needs to be thought through in advance is whether the design will have a backrest, if so, then you will need more materials. If the bench will stand motionless, then the backrest can be attached separately to the wall; this option looks good, and it can be done after assembling the main structure without any alterations.

Instead of wood, you can use furniture board; it is very durable and well processed, but its price is noticeably higher than that of a simple board.

Furniture panels can be ordered cut into pieces of the required size

For assembly we will need a set of tools; the list of basic devices is as follows:

• To cut materials, you can use a power tool or a hand saw. It is most convenient to use a jigsaw, as it allows you to quickly and accurately cut the board, while you can round the edges, make curved elements, etc. Also often used are circular saws or, as they are also called, parquet saws; they are also easy to use, but only cut in a straight line;
• Self-tapping screws are screwed in using a screwdriver; the main thing is to have bits of the required configuration (PH2 is used for wood screws). To prevent the board from cracking, you can drill holes with a 2 mm drill, this will also make it easier to screw them in;
• To sand the surface (if you have an untreated board), the easiest way is to use a sanding machine; they come in different types, and in our case, any will do. If it is not possible to find such a power tool, then you can get by with a block of sandpaper; the work will take more time, but the result will not be worse;

The board can be sanded in advance so as not to waste time on this work later.

• To take measurements you will need a tape measure; for accurate markings it is better to have a steel ruler, a carpenter's square and a pencil on hand.

The square allows you to quickly mark perfectly right angles

Decorating a box on the balcony

A do-it-yourself box for a balcony does not look chic and is not comfortable to sit in, so it needs to be decorated to give it aesthetic functions.

To improve the appearance of your drawer, just add a few pillows and a small mattress

The structure can be covered with varnish, paint or self-adhesive film. A more original look can be given to the product using various ornaments and designs.

While improving your appearance, don’t forget about convenience. In this case, the top seat cover is equipped with a piece of foam rubber cut exactly to size, covered with upholstery fabric and, using an industrial stapler, secured to the inside of the box seat.

Decorating storage space on a balcony or loggia with your own hands involves not only varnish, paint and film.

It all depends only on imagination and available materials:

• Ordinary decorative lining can be used as cladding for the finished structure. In this case, the corners of the box are decorated with plastic corners matching the color.
• It is not necessary to use fabric only for the seat; you can cover the entire drawer with it, the main thing is that the selected fabric has increased wear resistance.

Such boxes are very convenient and compact, and their benefits are much greater than you think

Another decorative element of the manufactured structure will be the soft back of the seat. It can be made from a chrome pipe that is mounted on the wall behind the seat. Especially for it, pillows with large loops through which a pipe is threaded are sewn from upholstery fabric. In this way, you can give the seating area additional comfort.

Selecting a design and creating a drawing

Before you make a cabinet on the balcony with your own hands, you should decide what kind of structure will be created. It can be presented in numerous types, differing in design, size and other characteristics.

The most popular cabinets created for balconies include:

• standard design, equipped with three compartments. The doors can be sliding, and in this case you get a sliding wardrobe for the balcony. They can also be hinged. This design is quite large in size, so it is preferable to create such a cabinet with your own hands for a large room. If the loggia is small in size, then it is allowed to make two sections for the cabinet. Different materials can be used for production, and assembling a cabinet with a simple design is quite simple using standard tools. The products are attractive and spacious. They can be open at the top, and flowers or decorative decorations can be installed here;
• corner cabinet - selected if there is a small balcony. It does not take up much space and is also considered easy to create. By using an angle that often remains unused, the central part of this design is characterized by good spaciousness. A corner cabinet can have a different design, and the frame and lining can be made from different materials;
• pencil case - if it is impossible to allocate a lot of space for a closet on the balcony, then it is allowed to make a structure presented in the form of a pencil case. It’s easy to make cabinets for the balcony with your own hands; this video will help you with this. Usually it has many small shelves and compartments, so you can store many different items here. Usually a significant height is chosen, and any design can be chosen. The frame and cladding can be made from various materials. It is equipped with standard hinged doors, and such furniture can be installed anywhere on the balcony;
• a built-in wardrobe on a loggia is considered an excellent solution if there are various niches or recesses. Its size depends on the available space. Due to independent work, the production of a cabinet with optimal dimensions is ensured.

Built-in

Angular

Pencil case

With branches

If during finishing you choose to cover the balcony with clapboard, then the same material can be effectively used to form an attractive cabinet, which guarantees a holistic and interesting interior. After choosing the optimal design, you need to start creating drawings. Often standard designs with two doors are chosen, and it is possible to choose both sliding and hinged doors. Drawings are generated independently or you can find suitable diagrams on the Internet. When working independently, the diagram must be made using special computer programs so that even the smallest details and design features can be calculated.

It is recommended to immediately create the detailing yourself, which involves highlighting all the parts, when combined, a complete piece of furniture will be obtained. Using such a drawing, building a cabinet will not be difficult.

The optimal dimensions for any cabinet are:

• height within 250 cm;
• width equal to 120 cm;
• depth from 45 to 60 cm;
• a distance of 35 cm is left between the shelves.

The above parameters are considered universal, but they can differ significantly, since when assembling the structure yourself, the space on the balcony allocated for installation, as well as its purpose, is taken into account.

Making a universal chest

We propose to make a chest that, thanks to its small size and flat lid, can be placed on the balcony, in the nursery, or in the hallway. It is universal, has a reliable design, and everyone can choose the finishing option depending on their own taste and interior requirements.

What do you need for work?

To make a chest for a balcony, you should prepare tools and finishing materials:

• hacksaw;
• jigsaw;
• screwdriver;
• piano loop;
• folding or telescopic brackets to hold the lid in the open position;
• self-tapping screws;
• clamps;
• paint;
• paint brush;
• masking tape;
• hot glue, construction gun;
• a grinding machine with attachments or sandpaper;
• wood glue.

We recommend choosing veneered chipboard (16 mm) or thick plywood as the main manufacturing material.

You need to cut it yourself or order cutting of the following blanks:

• 2 pcs. for the front and rear walls (in diagram A) – 26x85 cm;
• 2 pcs. side walls (B) – 26x37 cm;
• 1 piece for the bottom (E) – 37x82 cm;
• 1 for cover (G) – 42.2x87.2 cm;

For supports, use a wooden beam with a section of 15x15 mm:

• 2 parts (C) 820x15x15 mm;
• 2 parts (D) 340x15x15 mm.

You need to cut out the following from a 15 mm board:

• mounting rail (F) with parameters 696x15x33 mm;
• 4 leg blanks 350x15x92 mm;
• 4 leg blanks 350x15x77 mm.

In the presented version, square-shaped wooden frames made of boards (9x33 mm) are used as decorative elements. You will need:

• 12 planks of 13 cm;
• 8 planks of 10 cm each.

You will also need 1 mounting rail (in diagram H) - 80 cm.

The diagram below clearly demonstrates all the components to make a chest for a balcony.

You will also need 3 linear meters of wooden slats (16x4 mm) to make overlays - finishing the box lid. If an edge strip or a special profile is used instead of a strip, the parameters of the cover (G) should be reconsidered and the thickness of the strip should be increased.

Work order

Prepare the workpieces for work: sand their surfaces and ends with emery cloth. After that, start assembling:

1. Attach support bars D and C to the inner parts of the box walls using glue and self-tapping screws. This should be done in such a way that they become flush with the lower edges of the sidewalls. The bottom of the box will be mounted to these bars.
2. Drill holes for self-tapping screws (53x3.5 mm) in the walls of the box for assembly. Connect the parts, having previously coated all contact surfaces with glue. The overhead legs will hide the screw heads.
3. We put the bottom inside the box and screw it with self-tapping screws to the installed supports. The bottom is an important part of the entire structure, ensuring its rigidity.

1. We cut down one of the parts of the paired legs to the thickness of the joint, so the leg will be symmetrical. Glue the parts together in pairs. We fix the connections with clamps and leave until the glue dries completely.
2. Afterwards we cover all the parts with stain. To achieve a darker color on the legs, apply several layers of the product.
3. When the processing is completed, the stain has dried, we begin to open the parts with varnish. To get a glossy shine, you need to apply the varnish in 3 passes. Apply each subsequent layer only after the previous one has dried.
4. We install the box sideways to install the corner legs. We carry out the work from the inside using self-tapping screws. Don't forget to further strengthen the connections with glue.
5. We install the mounting rail F using adhesive. We fix the connection with 3 screws. The latter should be screwed into the box from its inside. We postpone the work until the glue has completely dried.
6. We attach a piano loop to the rail for further hanging of the chest lid.
7. Let's move on to finishing the lid. Glue the lining to the ends. We fix the glued strips with masking tape until they dry completely. If you consider it necessary to trim the upper edges of the walls with edging, you should pay attention to the position of the F strip; the piano hinge must be in the correct position.
8. We hang the lid on the finished box.
9. To be able to hold the upper part in the open position, we will install brackets (folding or telescopic). Sometimes, to simplify the design of boxes, brackets are not used - the chest is placed in a room or on a balcony near the wall. Therefore, when opening the lid leans against it.
10. You can start decorating the chest on the balcony with your own hands. We cut the ends of the planks at an angle of 45 degrees to form squares. We collect the elements using a mustache and glue them together. We tint the installed decor in the desired color using stain, and after drying, coat it with varnish. The product will look harmonious if the tone of the finish matches the tone of the legs. Using glue, we decorate the box (front panels) with wooden squares as shown in the photo, or choose our own option for placing the finishing.

Options for arranging a soft bench-chest seat

The box will be more comfortable for sitting if you sew a soft mattress with your own hands. To do this, measure the parameters of the cover and cut out a similar rectangular piece of thick foam rubber. Then you should cut out and sew a cover for it from the fabric. Recessing the stitches into the filling, additionally sew the mattress. This will allow it to better retain its shape. Attach the soft seat to the lid of the chest in a way that is convenient for you. We suggest drilling two holes in each corner to thread the laces that secure the product.

Beautiful bright pillows will make the arrangement more comfortable, in addition, they will decorate your balcony.

Soft products, made by yourself and in harmony with the overall style of the space, can be placed not only on top of the seat, but also made part of a wooden or improvised hanging backrest.

What should the furniture be like?

When choosing furniture for a loggia or balcony, you should keep in mind that each item must meet certain characteristics. Furniture elements should be functional, practical, and compact. In addition, if a certain design or style is implemented on the loggia, then the furniture must be selected in accordance with it, otherwise all harmony will be lost in contrast and from an emotional point of view it will not be comfortable to be in this room.

Professional designers recommend paying attention to the following nuances and features when choosing furniture for a loggia:

• For an open and closed loggia, you should choose different furniture. If the loggia is open, then an ordinary wooden table, computer desk, bed, shelves and racks made of wood will not last long, because precipitation will negatively affect them, resulting in their complete deterioration. For an open loggia, you should choose furniture that is resistant to humidity, temperature changes, and water. If the loggia is closed and well insulated, then you can install a table, bed, sofa on it, or make shelves and racks with your own hands from any materials.
• It is impossible not to take into account the size of the loggia. If the room is small, then it makes no sense to put a bulky table, bed and sofa on it, which will completely occupy the free space. In the loggias of small-sized apartments, a miniature table with several chairs, small racks and shelves attached at a height would look good. For small loggias, it would also be acceptable to install temporary folding furniture, which can be assembled with your own hands at any time or, conversely, removed.
• Furniture for the loggia should be of such a size that it fits freely through the doorway or at least through the window opening. After all, it won’t stand there forever, so taking it out with your own hands shouldn’t cause any problems.

Full bench (bench) on the balcony

The owner wanted a full-fledged shop. I want a wide bench so that I can sit down and smoke, so that there is room for the cat, just me and my son, so that I can sit down and discuss business. That's what he said. But of course, so that there is no wasted space, make a luggage compartment inside.

We offered our own option. Make the frame from 40*40 mm timber. Install a rib inside to distribute the load over the lid area. Make it yourself from 28 mm solid wood. The sides of the bench were covered with clapboard.

Work was in full swing. We bought the best material, put a cabinet in one corner, and made a desk from solid pine in the other corner. Then we set to work on the bench. The frame was installed quickly in 0.5 days, measurements were taken, the radii of curvature were approved and the dimensions were passed on to the guys in the carpentry. The next day the bench was completely assembled.

Thick base (28 mm) – gives greater strength to the structure. Using a milling table made it possible to carefully round the corners and chamfer them. The lining was screwed on with “invisible” screws (some of it went under the baseboard, some of it was invisible under the cover).

The customer received everything he wanted. A durable, neat product that will last for many years. Here, you can sit alone with your son, discuss plans, look into the distance.

Locker made of furniture board

When we arrived at the site, we saw the frame for the locker had already been completed. The customer installed it himself - the job stopped halfway. He asked us to do everything again. Then there would be holes left from the old nails. So People's Windows came up with another plan to convert the old locker into a new one.

We thought of a neat chest for storing camping equipment. Everything should fit here - my pot, grill for meat, skewers, folding table. That's what the customer wanted.

Also, make me a smooth lid. I want to sit, smoke and chat on the phone with friends. Yes, you need a place to put your laptop.

All the owner's wishes were fulfilled.

We made the top cover from solid wood 18 mm thick. This locker lid is smooth. It is convenient to move the fifth point. This chest is very similar to a shop in terms of functionality.

As a result, this furniture can accommodate one person of any weight and build.

We made and installed a folding table close to the seat.

The laptop will be located here. The table was set at a height for a specific person.

All the customer’s wishes were taken into account. He was pleased and undoubtedly spends more time on his favorite balcony.

Making a universal chest

We propose to make a chest that, thanks to its small size and flat lid, can be placed on the balcony, in the nursery, or in the hallway. It is universal, has a reliable design, and everyone can choose the finishing option depending on their own taste and interior requirements.

What do you need for work?

To make a chest for a balcony, you should prepare tools and finishing materials:

• hacksaw;
• jigsaw;
• screwdriver;
• piano loop;
• folding or telescopic brackets to hold the lid in the open position;
• self-tapping screws;
• clamps;
• paint;
• paint brush;
• masking tape;
• hot glue, construction gun;
• a grinding machine with attachments or sandpaper;
• wood glue.

We recommend choosing veneered chipboard (16 mm) or thick plywood as the main manufacturing material.

You need to cut it yourself or order cutting of the following blanks:

• 2 pcs. for the front and rear walls (in diagram A) – 26x85 cm;
• 2 pcs. side walls (B) – 26x37 cm;
• 1 piece for the bottom (E) – 37x82 cm;
• 1 for cover (G) – 42.2x87.2 cm;

For supports, use a wooden beam with a section of 15x15 mm:

• 2 parts (C) 820x15x15 mm;
• 2 parts (D) 340x15x15 mm.

You need to cut out the following from a 15 mm board:

• mounting rail (F) with parameters 696x15x33 mm;
• 4 leg blanks 350x15x92 mm;
• 4 leg blanks 350x15x77 mm.

In the presented version, square-shaped wooden frames made of boards (9x33 mm) are used as decorative elements. You will need:

• 12 planks of 13 cm;
• 8 planks of 10 cm each.

You will also need 1 mounting rail (in diagram H) - 80 cm.

The diagram below clearly demonstrates all the components to make a chest for a balcony.

You will also need 3 linear meters of wooden slats (16x4 mm) to make overlays - finishing the box lid. If an edge strip or a special profile is used instead of a strip, the parameters of the cover (G) should be reconsidered and the thickness of the strip should be increased.

Work order

Prepare the workpieces for work: sand their surfaces and ends with emery cloth. After that, start assembling:

1. Attach support bars D and C to the inner parts of the box walls using glue and self-tapping screws. This should be done in such a way that they become flush with the lower edges of the sidewalls. The bottom of the box will be mounted to these bars.
2. Drill holes for self-tapping screws (53x3.5 mm) in the walls of the box for assembly. Connect the parts, having previously coated all contact surfaces with glue. The overhead legs will hide the screw heads.
3. We put the bottom inside the box and screw it with self-tapping screws to the installed supports. The bottom is an important part of the entire structure, ensuring its rigidity.

1. We cut down one of the parts of the paired legs to the thickness of the joint, so the leg will be symmetrical. Glue the parts together in pairs. We fix the connections with clamps and leave until the glue dries completely.

2. Afterwards we cover all the parts with stain. To achieve a darker color on the legs, apply several layers of the product.
3. When the processing is completed, the stain has dried, we begin to open the parts with varnish. To get a glossy shine, you need to apply the varnish in 3 passes. Apply each subsequent layer only after the previous one has dried.
4. We install the box sideways to install the corner legs. We carry out the work from the inside using self-tapping screws. Don't forget to further strengthen the connections with glue.

5. We install the mounting rail F using adhesive. We fix the connection with 3 screws. The latter should be screwed into the box from its inside. Putting off work until it's complete

   
   glue drying.

6. We attach a piano loop to the rail for further hanging of the chest lid.
7. Let's move on to finishing the lid. Glue the lining to the ends. We fix the glued strips with masking tape until they dry completely. If you consider it necessary to trim the upper edges of the walls with edging, you should pay attention to the position of the F strip; the piano hinge must be in the correct position.
8. We hang the lid on the finished box.
9. To be able to hold the upper part in the open position, we will install brackets (folding or telescopic). Sometimes, to simplify the design of boxes, brackets are not used - the chest is placed in a room or on a balcony near the wall. Therefore, when opening the lid leans against it.
10. You can start decorating the chest on the balcony with your own hands. We cut the ends of the planks at an angle of 45 degrees to form squares. We collect the elements using a mustache and glue them together. We tint the installed decor in the desired color using stain, and after drying, coat it with varnish. The product will look harmonious if the tone of the finish matches the tone of the legs. Using glue, we decorate the box (front panels) with wooden squares as shown in the photo, or choose our own option for placing the finishing.

Options for arranging a soft bench-chest seat

The box will be more comfortable for sitting if you sew a soft mattress with your own hands. To do this, measure the parameters of the cover and cut out a similar rectangular piece of thick foam rubber. Then you should cut out and sew a cover for it from the fabric. Recessing the stitches into the filling, additionally sew the mattress. This will allow it to better retain its shape. Attach the soft seat to the lid of the chest in a way that is convenient for you. We suggest drilling two holes in each corner to thread the laces that secure the product.

Beautiful bright pillows will make the arrangement more comfortable, in addition, they will decorate your balcony.

Soft products, made by yourself and in harmony with the overall style of the space, can be placed not only on top of the seat, but also made part of a wooden or improvised hanging backrest.

Improvise, use your imagination, and the chest-bench will help you organize the storage of necessary things and sit comfortably on the balcony.

Can you make a bench for the balcony with your own hands?

DIY folding bench: 2 in 1

How to make your own bench from chairs for indoors or outdoors

Buy furniture or make it yourself?

The modern market offers a huge variety of furniture for balconies and loggias, so there will be no problems with choosing a specific option. If you wish, you can even buy a specialized narrowed computer table to place a laptop or game console on it. And it cannot be said that such furniture will cost a lot of money - many companies manufacture it, and given the high competition in the market, most models have quite affordable prices. That is why today there is no urgent need to grind and measure out a bed, table or sofa for a loggia, since there will be no problems with their purchase.

It’s worth noting right away that even before purchasing furniture, you need to measure your loggia, measure all the dimensions, and also decide in advance on the location of specific furniture elements.

Taking into account the fact that loggias in different houses have completely different sizes, it will be extremely difficult to find a universal option for beds, tables and sofas for a loggia. Therefore, you will have to go to several stores to find the right size option.

As an alternative, you can consider purchasing custom-made patio furniture. If you contact a specialized company with this issue, you can get the following advantages:

• Consulting and professional assistance from craftsmen in the selection of furniture;
• Exact dimensions of the table, chairs, bed, sofa (down to millimeters);
• Required functionality of furniture;
• Required characteristics of furniture (desired shade, design, design features).

For those who like to do everything with their own hands, when creating chairs, tables, beds and sofas for the loggia, a wide scope opens up for the implementation of various plans and ideas.

If you have experience in creating furniture with your own hands, then you can get all the advantages that arise when ordering tables and chairs from a specialized company. Of course, it will be quite difficult to make wicker furniture with your own hands, since this will require certain skills and abilities, but from scrap materials and wood it is quite possible to create something suitable for use on a loggia and balcony.

Very often, homeowners independently install shelves and cabinets on the loggia, which can be placed anywhere in the room at the discretion of the owners. Shelves, racks and cabinets can be made of wood, plastic, metal and other suitable materials that fit into the design.

Of course, you can always buy shelves and racks in the store if you don’t want to make them yourself - there are a lot of similar interior items on the market.

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Recommendations for novice carpenters

To minimize the risk of errors creeping into the calculations, it is better to act together when taking measurements. In this case, checking the results will make it possible to find at this stage all the shortcomings, the consequences of which are unsightly cracks, or, conversely, a sofa that inexplicably “grew fat” during the assembly process. There are some more tips:

• human comfort is the main criterion when choosing a size: a narrow seat or low back will make the sofa not very comfortable furniture;
• the drawing helps to calculate not only the amount of lumber and fabric, but also the number of fastening elements - corners, hinges, screws;
• minimalism is the best style for sofas forced to live on balconies, since the abundance of “decorations” is the fate of full-fledged upholstered furniture in the corresponding interiors;
• materials purchased with a reserve are a blessing, because defects are an almost constant companion for beginners, and surpluses are always easy to find another use for;
• When laying foam rubber, it is recommended to glue it in several places; this operation will prevent its possible displacement during intensive use;
• rushing during production is the enemy of quality, so before working on creating a sofa, it is better to spend more time studying the topic.

How to do it?

It is not at all necessary to have professional carpentry skills to create a storage box on your balcony with your own efforts. All you need is inspiration, desire and the ability to use basic tools. All work is divided into two stages: preparation and assembly.

Before starting construction work, it is necessary to outline an exact action plan and subsequently follow its points exactly.

The dimensions and shape of the balcony box are determined according to its area.

Source

Sequence of work execution

• The first priority is to prepare the elements for the base of the structure.
• To do this, you should cut four beams, which will subsequently be located from the inside at the corners of the frame. Prepare material for all types of walls in the same way. The main condition for this work is the accuracy of measurements and careful cutting.
• Assembling the side walls. To do this, you need to attach boards with self-tapping screws to two horizontally located bars placed at the appropriate interval. The result is two folded side walls. The point is to make them even; for this we must not forget about the level of each board.
• It is better to fasten the sides with outside help. The fastening must be done based on what the seat box will be used for in the future. The boards can be attached either end to end or at a distance. It is important that the gaps between the boards are the same. This will give the box a neat appearance.

• A simple option for fastening the bottom would be to fasten two bars from the inside of the lower part of the structure, then cross boards are nailed to them.
• The lid should be assembled separately by attaching two boards from the inside. For complete reliability, it is advisable to install a diagonal spacer between the crossbars, this will avoid distortions of the shield. This simplest version of a lid for a box can be thoroughly used as a seat on the balcony.

• To complete the work of fastening the cover, a piano hinge is attached to the transverse side of the shield and connected to the main structure. For better functioning of the lid and precise fixation of the hinge, washers can be installed on the sides. For convenience, it is advisable to stick seals on the upper edges of the structure; they will soften the sound when closing the lid.
• For long-term operation of the product, it is advisable to use metal corners at the junctions of elements.
• It is advisable to install a footrest from the front side to the bottom of the box to prevent dust from getting under it, as well as to absorb additional load.
• After the seat for the balcony is built, you can move on to decorating.

Decorating a bench

There are various options for improving the appearance of a bench. The structure can be coated with varnish or paint. The product can be given special originality by applying an ornament.

Using, for example, foam rubber and upholstery fabric, the seat can be made soft. To do this, the foam rubber is cut exactly to the size of the bench cover. The upholstery fabric is cut with a margin so that its edges can be secured with a stapler on the inside of the seat.

You can decorate the bench differently - cover the manufactured structure on all sides with the most ordinary clapboard. It is necessary to cover all ends with a self-adhesive film that matches the color of the lining. The corners of the structure can be decorated with plastic corners.

In this case, the seats can also be covered with leatherette, faux fur or soft fabric. It is possible to make seats soft not only with the help of foam rubber. For these purposes, polystyrene foam is perfect, which is glued to the surface of the seat using double-sided tape.

To make the back soft, you can attach a canopy from an old tubular cornice to the balcony wall at a convenient distance from the seat. Soft pillows of the required size are sewn from upholstery fabric. Wide loops are made from the same fabric at the top of the pillows, into which the cornice tube is threaded.

Green corner on the balcony

This option for decorating a loggia space is suitable for flora lovers who dream of a secluded corner for reading and relaxation. Green plants on the balcony will complete the overall interior of the apartment in eco style. To make your stay on the loggia enjoyable, you need to create a comfortable microclimate there and purchase comfortable furniture.

1. If the balcony is open, then it is necessary to make glazing. It is advisable to install multi-chamber double-glazed windows and carefully seal all seams and cracks.
2. It is necessary to install heating and lighting in the room. You can use a heated floor system, buy a hanging heater or install an additional central heating radiator. The microclimate of the room must correspond to the selected plants.
3. Buy compact and comfortable furniture for the loggia or make it yourself. The simplest option is benches with niches for storing canned food or fresh vegetables. If you plan to use them as stands for flowerpots, then it is better to make the drawers retractable. Arrange a soft seat for the balcony, covering it with fabric that is resistant to wear and fading.

Equipment for caring for plants does not have to be hidden inside the cabinet. Watering cans and spatulas can be beautifully arranged on shelves or a bookcase. This will turn household items into decorative elements. The design of the loggia will have a complete look if you use one color and design in the same style in the interior.

For example, a loggia in the Provence style looks original, decorated with flowerpots in lilac-blue tones and furniture using the decoupage technique.

Folding furniture

The main advantage of folding furniture is that you have the ability to quickly change the purpose of the room. For example, on a warm summer night you can arrange an additional sleeping space on the balcony using a folding bed, and during the daytime you can use the space for other purposes. Folding tables and chairs allow you to set up a mobile dining group. A good solution for a small balcony is folding structures, for example, a dining table, which can be transformed into a working position only when necessary.

The simplest furniture designs can be supplemented with soft pillows, capes and blankets, which will give the furniture a cozy and presentable appearance. The disadvantages of folding furniture are insufficient structural stability and a relatively short service life.

The process of making a bench with a drawer for the balcony

The simplest bench-box for a balcony will look like a box made of chipboard with an opening top lid on hinges. The entire interior space of the bench will serve as storage space.

This bench consists of several elements:

• two side walls;
• front and back walls;
• bottom;
• top cover.

For more convenient storage organization, the internal compartment of the box can be divided into two parts by a partition and the lid can be made of two independent parts.

Making a bench with a drawer step by step:

1. Markings are applied to the chipboard bars and sheets exactly according to the dimensions of the product indicated in the drawings. Remember that the opposing parts (walls, bottom and lid) must match in size;
2. The necessary parts are sawn, their edges are carefully polished;
3. Next, markings for fastenings are applied to the parts. This must be done as accurately as possible so that the box does not become “skewed”;
4. Using an electric drill, holes are drilled for fastening all the elements of the bench;
5. When all the holes are ready, you can begin assembling the frame. If the box is not planned to be moved, its back wall can be attached to the wall of the balcony for better stability and strength of the product;

6. The walls and bottom of the bench are attached to the frame using screws;
7. The lid (or several lids) is attached last using hinges.

Video instruction:

This completes the process of assembling the bench with a functional drawer. The next step will be decorating it, but before that you need to perform a few more important steps.

The first thing is to once again go over all uneven edges, protruding chips, etc. with sandpaper. to avoid injury when using the bench.

The second is to treat the structure with protective compounds against insects and mold. This can be done by different means, just choose the one that suits you in terms of properties (for an open or closed room) and price.

Materials

A bench with a drawer for the balcony can be made from various materials.

But if a seat is supposed to be installed on the frame, stronger material is needed.

Next you will also need:

It is worth considering the presence of a backrest for the design . If it is planned, then a larger supply of materials is needed. If the bench is stationary, it is advantageous to mount the backrest on the wall, regardless of the base. This bench option looks good and is easy to finish once the main frame is assembled.

Cushioned furniture

Nothing fills a room, including a balcony, with a feeling of homeliness and comfort like upholstered furniture. In cases where the dimensions do not allow this, a soft chair will help out in which you can relax with a book. A small ottoman will fit even in the most modest area. The upholstery for balcony furniture must be resistant to abrasion, stains and fading - this guarantees long-term preservation of its aesthetic appearance.

Choose furniture elements for your balcony taking into account all the requirements and specific features of your home. It is also important not to forget about the size of the opening or balcony door in order to avoid unpleasant surprises during installation and installation.

Assembly technology for a built-in wardrobe and folding table: