With the emergence of studio fashion, more and more often owners of standard apartments are beginning to rebuild their homes and turn them into some kind of combined option. Balconies and loggias are sacrificed, which, as a rule, do not have a clear functional purpose. Having become an extension of the apartment, these (not always, by the way, tiny) premises become work rooms, gyms, dining rooms, libraries, miniature gardens and recreation areas. The design of a room with a loggia is developed depending on the needs of the owners: whichever area they need most is the one they equip. Transforming a “cold” balcony into a living area is a long process, fraught with a number of difficulties, the first of which is the project for dismantling the partition and its subsequent approval. Let's talk in more detail about how to make a fundamentally new stylish room from the abode of broken skis and three-liter cans.
Design of rooms with a loggia
Decorating the balcony area is perhaps the most enjoyable process in this construction and repair rigmarole. The owners will have to think over the design of the new room, which will organically fit into the stylistic picture of the room combined with it. Taking into account the requirements for dismantling the partition, the “natural” zoning of the space along the edge of the former door and window openings will remain, it just needs to be “polished” and supplemented. Mobile partitions or light curtains, which can be easily removed if necessary, are more popular. The “threshold” and the overhead frame are decorated to look like an artificial structure that was created for the relief of the ceiling and floor, or they are cleverly disguised.
Bedroom and loggia
A real salvation for a small bedroom will be its combination with a loggia. If the room only fits a bed and a wardrobe with a cabinet, then even a small additional space will give the owners the opportunity to create an additional cozy corner.
On the balcony there is a mini-dressing room, a green garden, and a ladies' boudoir with a tall mirror and a pair of soft poufs. If the internal clocks of the owners of the room are inconsistent (one sleeps at night, and the other works or reads), then the loggia is the optimal place for arranging a work office or home library. By the way, to decorate a room with storage shelves, you can use the same fire escape, which will organically fit into the design of a cabinet or rack.
Extra meters in the living room
In small living rooms, the balcony can become a separate functional area for receiving guests. We are talking not only about a cozy sofa and a coffee table for gatherings, but also about a mini-cinema or a full-fledged dining area. If the apartment has a small kitchen and guests have to huddle around a small dining table, then it’s time to think about a separate area for eating. In long and elongated balconies, a narrow tabletop is installed near the window, along which chairs are placed. In the same room you can set up a small gym if the owners take care of their physical health. Oversized exercise equipment, of course, will not fit, but a treadmill, punching bag, deadlift and horizontal bar will organically fit into the new room.
Kitchen design with a loggia
Kitchens are more often than other rooms combined with balconies. The option of installing a bar counter is popular. It simultaneously acts as a delimiter between two rooms and gives the room a touch of chic. Due to the difficult kitchen microclimate, not every functional area will survive its proximity. A green garden - a housewife's dream - will have to be made up exclusively of heat-loving indoor plants, preferably tropical species that can withstand high temperatures and high humidity. It is not recommended to use a large amount of textiles in furnishing the balcony, as it will absorb odors, and regular cleaning will become an unnecessary household chore. The best option is to install a “bench” or a pair of chairs around a low table. To “soften” the atmosphere, decorative pillows are used. They are easy to wash if necessary. On such a balcony, the housewife can drink tea and relax in between household chores and cooking.
Layout
If we take into account the experience of China, then the free space on the balcony can be used as a modern greenhouse. Although you can’t grow potatoes with this amount, you can grow healthy greens all year round.
You can enjoy fresh green onions, parsley, and dill for free, even in winter. Many people grow beneficial herbs in the form of mint, chamomile, sage, and aloe to treat colds or other illnesses.
The interior of a corner balcony can be focused on the sports and recreational part of life.
In practice, a balcony room can accommodate several sports positions - a horizontal bar, a punching bag, or even an entire sports wall, which is relevant for the younger generation.
Recommendations
Regardless of which room the balcony will be combined with, it is necessary to take into account some features. First of all, you need to take into account the lower weight threshold that can be placed, because the balcony is a suspended structure.
This means that it is not recommended to place heavy pieces of furniture there, such as cabinets, etc.
- The design of a balcony combined with a room has no restrictions on styles; the only parameter that must be adhered to when choosing is the size of the balcony itself or the common space when combined.
- This will allow you to make the best choice in favor of the style that can maximize the strengths of combining space.
- Additional insulation must be carried out without fail at the stage of rough finishing of the balcony space.
- Since the partitions between the room and the loggia are removed, including the door, cold air in winter will penetrate into the room itself, which will add discomfort.
Therefore, it is important to pay attention to this aspect at the initial stage.
There are several solutions to this issue:
- Warm floor system. Allows you to heat the floor around the clock, which will have a positive effect on the overall temperature in the room
- Battery. Creating a branch is a little easier, but this option will take up significantly more space
In addition to all this, it is necessary to lay insulation inside the walls and floor.
Alignment process
It is worth preparing yourself in advance for labor-intensive work, since this type of repair differs from simply finishing the “box” of a room and has a number of nuances. The combination process is divided into several stages:
- Demolition of the balcony partition (window sill block);
- Carrying out insulation of a loggia or balcony so that the “climate” in the rooms does not differ;
- Finishing.
The first stage will be the most labor-intensive and before combining the premises, it is necessary to clarify information about the features of the apartment and the entire residential building, since in some designs it is not worth touching the window sill block at all.
Dismantling the partition
Demolition of the partition is allowed in most cases, but the so-called “threshold” - the elevation above the floor in the balcony doorway - should not be touched. In monolithic and brick houses, its dismantling is permitted. But in some series of panel buildings (P-44t series, for example), the balcony slab rests on it. A small “threshold” can provoke a real collapse.
The result of dismantling may be the collapse of your balcony and damage to neighboring ones. In addition, this “threshold” also performs a thermal insulation function, and all the cold air accumulates under it. It is also prohibited to dismantle parts of the wall that are located outside the window and door “set”. This is especially true for the recess above the opening, since it is also part of the supporting structure. The next controversial point will be the heating battery, which is installed under the window by default. Many people practice moving it to the balcony itself, which goes against building codes: radiators are not moved outside the room.
You should not experiment with installing heated floors of any type. Before demolishing the partition, it is necessary to prepare a redevelopment project and obtain a technical opinion, after which the documentation must undergo the approval procedure at the housing inspection. If you are not a qualified builder, then you should not take on this work yourself. It’s cheaper and calmer to turn to a team of professionals who will do everything quickly and efficiently.
Insulation
The balcony is insulated in two ways:
- External (external). It is rarely used, as it requires coordination with organizations that supervise the appearance of buildings. Particular attention is paid to these nuances if a residential building is part of an architectural composition;
- Interior. A common option in which all the work can be done independently.
First, the room is completely emptied of furniture and other things that were previously stored in it. Then a thorough examination of the walls is carried out for the presence of cracks, which must either be cemented or covered with foam. Particular attention is paid to the junction with the parapet. Insulation begins with the floor, walls and ends with the ceiling. Surfaces must be leveled before carrying out major work. Then proceed to waterproofing. More often, a special primer is used that penetrates deeply into the concrete “pores”. If mineral wool is chosen as insulation, then a waterproofing film is used. Among the variety of materials, note:
- Styrofoam. Refers to the most budget options;
- Expanded polystyrene. Durable, non-flammable material;
- Mineral wool. Its use will require the installation of a special frame;
- Penofol. Often used in combination with other insulation materials;
- Polyurethane foam. “Liquid” insulation that is sprayed over the surface. It is good because it allows you to adjust the thickness of the layer;
- Expanded clay. It is used only for floor insulation; due to its porous structure, it copes well with the main task.
There are only two methods of insulation:
- Frame. It will “eat up” the extra centimeters, but you can’t do without it when using “soft” insulation;
- Frameless. It is used for installation of rigid materials that do not require additional “support”.
The frame is made of wooden or metal slats. The latter material is preferable, as it ensures durability of the structure. The top is covered with plasterboard sheets, the joints are sealed, after which the surface is puttied. After completing the insulation work, they begin finishing the room.
The fire escape is a special issue. Unfortunately, according to the law, it is impossible to dismantle this house structure and tightly close the hatch with anything. For such actions you can pay not only in the figurative sense of the word. Stairs are not installed in houses of the new type, but they are still found in “panel” houses.
Naturally, most owners cut them off and weld the hatches shut. Representatives of the fire department (a subsidiary of the Ministry of Emergency Situations) will establish this fact after a personal visit to your apartment. A visit could be triggered by an accident, a planned visit, a complaint from a neighbor, or a fire from which the neighbors above cannot escape because the hatches on your balcony were welded shut. For this reason, everyone decides for themselves what to do with the stairs, but the degree of responsibility must be fully realized.
What could the interior be like?
Planning the interior of a living room with a balcony is not an easy task. You need to look for the latest design solutions, and don’t forget about the existing functions of the room. Experienced designers give some advice.
When creating a stylish interior, you should take care of the presence of curtains and tulle. Sometimes beautiful blinds are used for this.
A classic interior should include calm colors in neutral shades.
The area of passage to the balcony should not be cluttered with various objects. The spaciousness in the balcony area gives a feeling of comfort.
Spotlights are used for lighting. The presence of table lamps or wall sconces will add warmth and comfort.
An installed fireplace will help give the living room an exclusive look.
As you understand, there are many options for designing a living room with a balcony. Using your own imagination, you will be able to create a stylish interior that your loved ones will definitely like.
Window and door decoration
The place where the door used to be located is usually covered with light curtains. If you decide to leave the window sill during the renovation, it will be converted into a seating area or tabletop. An empty window opening can be filled with shelves in the style of a rack. Books or decorative small things are placed on them. If the window sill has become a bar counter, then a special pole is attached to it, the top of which supports a shelf for glasses. You can decorate the opening with a series of lamps of the same type, a number of which will hang low over the work area.
Popular stylistic solutions
The need to attach a balcony indicates that the area of the room is quite small, so its interior design must be in an adequate style. How will combining a balcony with a room affect interior design?
Minimalist trends come first. This can be either pure minimalism or Japanese or Scandinavian styles. They all imply a modest, no-frills environment, but this does not mean that the room will be devoid of attractiveness. As in any bedroom, the leading piece of furniture will remain the bed, but storage systems will have to be disguised as niches and hidden in podiums. As a last resort, you can use built-in cabinets that do not attract attention. Curtains become decorative elements in such interiors. Combining a balcony with a room is a reason to use beautifully designed sliding stationary or folding mobile partitions in the design. Textiles can be used to drape not only the window area, but also decorate the walls. This will add a cozy atmosphere.
The Mediterranean style, the openwork ornateness of the East, the brutality of the Middle Ages, and Moroccan motifs would be nice in the bedroom.
Another interesting option for decorating a space is eclecticism. The directions are the product of a mix of different styles. Strong people, ready for experiments, dream of such a bedroom. In the furnishings of the room, objects typical of art deco, high-tech, gothic, and baroque interiors may appear. It is not without reason that the main criterion for decorating a bedroom in this style is the convenience of its owners.
Classics are also omnipresent and relevant. The style is not difficult to reproduce, and certainly has a certain zest. In the case of a bedroom, this is most often: a canopy or canopy over the bed, carved inlay on furniture, smooth lines. The interior will be appreciated by admirers of traditions and stability. Furniture for a classic bedroom should be made of good quality wood. The style, in principle, is characterized by a commitment to naturalness, so it should be visible in everything: in colors, and in materials, and in decorative ornaments.
Preparatory stage
The balcony space can be combined with any living room, as well as with the kitchen and even with the corridor. However, bedrooms combined with a balcony look especially cozy. A boudoir is usually made in the resulting niche.
But expanding the living space by adding square meters of balcony is quite labor-intensive and costly.
In addition, it is necessary to issue the appropriate permitting documents. Therefore, you need to carefully consider the need for this procedure.
As you can see in the photo of the combined balcony, there are the following ways to combine it with the living area:
- dismantle window and door frames;
- remove the same things plus part of the wall between him and the room.
In any case, this will be considered a redevelopment and you will need to coordinate your actions with a number of organizations.
It is best to invite a specialist architect to draft a future layout, since you may not have enough relevant knowledge.
With this document, you need to visit the BTI to receive approval and a list of authorities that will need to be visited to approve the redevelopment.
You can begin work on connecting the balcony only when you have all the permitting papers in hand.
Beginning of work
Initially, it is necessary to obtain permission from the administration to carry out redevelopment. Since the wall is not load-bearing, the project will be immediately approved and we can begin.
The design of the combined balcony can be virtually anything.
- First of all, it will be necessary to remove the threshold that separates the room from the loggia.
- Next, the wall is removed and the surfaces are leveled. The old finishing of the balcony, if necessary, is also removed, leaving rough concrete.
Proper arrangement of furniture to save space
For each room you need to select a minimum set of furniture, which you cannot do without. Multifunctional models allow you to combine several useful qualities without increasing the used area. For example, a sofa or bed can be equipped with additional storage drawers.
To arrange a small recreation area, you can use upholstered frameless furniture
It is important that the balcony space is not suitable for placing heavy objects or large household appliances that create vibrations. Therefore, it is important to be careful when selecting furniture for this area. It is better to limit yourself to an armchair, a bookshelf, a light table and other compact objects.
It is also not recommended to install furniture in the resulting empty opening. It must be free to pass through.
