But what to do if there is not enough space in the apartment, but you need to store things somewhere. Then you should take care of making a cabinet. You can put various things in it and lighten up your living space a little.
In the store you can buy various cabinets that will easily fit on the balcony space. They are made in different sizes, designs and from all kinds of materials. But they are unlikely to satisfy consumers in size, design, shape and capacity. Since all balconies are different, and as practice shows, they are not particularly large in size. It’s best to make a cabinet for the balcony with your own hands. Then it will exactly match the characteristics of the room, and your personal wishes and requirements.
Peculiarities
A cabinet on the balcony can become not only a place for storing tools, conservation and other things, but also an interesting design solution. It is recommended to do it in the same style as the interior of the balcony .
An interesting design would be:
A beautiful tabletop on which you can place a vase of flowers or any other decoration.- Location near the chair base. Then the cabinet will also turn into a small table for drinking tea.
- By adding a soft top cover, the cabinet can turn into a comfortable additional seating area.
The main requirements when creating a cabinet for a balcony are:
- Arrangement of built-in furniture without additional walls. Thus, the piece of furniture is more spacious.
- Wise choice of materials. If the balcony is glazed and heated, furniture can be made from any available materials . If the balcony is open and not heated during the cold season, moisture-resistant and durable lumber is selected for making furniture.
- Free passage to windows, doors and passages. Furniture should not clutter up the space or interfere with the entrance to the balcony.
Tip : before making a cabinet, think about whether the assembled product will fit through the doorway. If not, then it is better to assemble it directly on the balcony.
Options for sofas for the balcony
Among the most optimal options for sofas are:
Folding sofa
It is best suited for those who love to spend time outdoors, but do not have the time or opportunity to take walks. At the same time, in the summer, for lovers of guests, this can become a place for your guests to sleep. If you choose this option, you need to remember that it should fold forward and should not restrict movement on the balcony.
Sofa with storage drawers
It can be called one of the most practical options. In addition to a place to relax, you will also get a place to store unnecessary things.
Corner sofa on the balcony
It can be installed only if the area of the balcony allows it. It is also possible to install such furniture if the balcony and room are partially combined. The final option would be to install a footstool or coffee table.
Standard soft sofa
Alternatively, you can make or buy a standard soft sofa, which will be an excellent place for a comfortable pastime. One of its advantages is that it can be easily made with your own hands.
We will try to tell you how to make a sofa on the balcony for relaxation with your own hands in this article. You don't have to make some kind of masterpiece. It will be enough to build yourself a neat and comfortable place for a comfortable rest, which can be easily placed both in the loggia and on the balcony. For this, improvised means, such as unnecessary boards or boxes, are quite suitable for you. For decoration, you can use an old bedspread or leftover fabric.
Constructions
All balcony cabinets are divided according to design features into:
- stationary;
- built-in;
- corner;
- with or without doors;
- with a hinged top cover instead of doors.
In a small space, you can make corner furniture, which will visually hide the boundaries of the space and make the room less cluttered.
If the balcony space is very tiny, it is better to install a cabinet with three doors. They turn out to be shorter in length.
For mobility of the product, it is recommended to supplement it with furniture wheels. This way you can always pull the cabinet out of the corner and gain access to the window sill.
Tip : for spacious balconies you can install a cabinet-chest, a cabinet-bench and other interesting options.
Assembling a cabinet on the balcony
This block presents the technology for assembling a custom-made balcony cabinet. The assembly principle itself is universal and can be applied to any model. Differences may lie in minor details: dimensions, number of shelves, type of doors
Please note: the lack of a back wall on the balcony cabinet is a deliberate step by the customers. Thanks to this, the company’s craftsmen produced a cabinet for the balcony at the cheapest price in Moscow and the region
Photo No. 1 Photo No. 2 Photo No. 3 Photo No. 4 Photo No. 5 Photo No. 6 Photo No. 7 Photo No. 8 Photo No. 9 Photo No. 10 Photo No. 11 Photo No. 12 To assemble a cabinet on a balcony or loggia, you will need a screwdriver and a sufficient number of screws , hinges for fastening swing doors and a set of components made according to your measurements.
The bottom of the cabinet is installed in the opening between the side and inner walls of the balcony. The side walls are fixed to the bottom of the cabinet with self-tapping screws and plastic corners.
The second side wall is attached in a similar way. Then the top cover of the cabinet is fixed to the already assembled structure. The cover is fixed to the side wall with two plastic corners and self-tapping screws.
After this, the shelves are installed, and then the hinged doors are installed. The door is secured with upper and lower overhead hinges.
Then the installed door is checked for functionality. The second door of the built-in cabinet is attached in a similar way and checked for functionality.
The price of a bedside table for a loggia and balcony depends on many factors and is calculated individually. The minimum order value is 14 thousand rubles.
The cost of the order includes the production of a table for the balcony and its installation.
Please note: extensive experience has made it clear that in most cases clients are interested in inexpensive bedside tables at discounted prices. Statistics say that custom-made balcony tables are produced without some structural elements (for example, the back wall)
This approach allows you to reduce the amount of material required, and therefore reduce the cost of the balcony bedside table. As you look through the photo and video content of our resource, you will see a large number of similar bedside tables.
Each of the examples of a bedside table installed on a loggia can be implemented in your apartment. We are ready to develop an individual project of any complexity, taking into account all the wishes and features of the premises.
The Maximus Windows company works using time-tested technology using professional tools. To order a cabinet for a balcony or loggia, just call (495) 502-51-16 and (495) 502-51-16
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Drawing
Before making a cabinet, it is necessary to make a preliminary drawing of the product; it must indicate:
- width;
- height;
- depth;
- length;
- number of shelves;
- door sizes and method of fastening them.
Common sizes of cabinets for a standard balcony are:
- product height – 1050 cm;
- depth – 600 cm;
- length - 1000 cm.
It is worth noting that the dimensions mainly depend on the model of the cabinet and its design features. Most cabinets do not have sidewalls, since they are replaced by balcony walls . Also, in built-in furniture it is not necessary to make a back wall. This allows you not only to save on consumables, but also makes furniture items spacious and functional.
As for doors, they can be made:
- Sliding (allows you to save free space).
- Swing. This is a classic option and it requires free space to open the doors.
- With lifting table top. This vertical loading is convenient if you do not plan to place various things on the countertop.
- From roller shutters. This option is very convenient for small room sizes . They open and close easily and are functional. Thanks to their color palette (from white to any bright or dark), you can choose the optimal shade.
Tip : it is not necessary to make legs for the cabinet. Dust and dirt will always accumulate under them. Therefore, it is better to install a piece of furniture on the floor.
When creating a drawing of a cabinet for a balcony, you should immediately think about the materials for its manufacture.
Buy or make it yourself
Everyone chooses to make a cabinet themselves, to order, or buy a ready-made one, depending on their budget, availability of free time and personal preferences. Making it yourself will require a little effort and time, but it will be cheaper. If the money issue is not acute, then you can choose a suitable option in the store.
Important! Before you go looking for a finished bedside table, you need to measure the space on the balcony and decide on the size of the furniture.
The price of a cabinet depends on the materials and fittings. Wooden bedside tables with two hinged doors will cost 8500-9000 rubles. The same model, made of aluminum, costs 13,500-14,000 rubles.
Material
When choosing materials for making furniture, it is worth considering various factors. Namely, the materials intended for the manufacture of a balcony stand must:
Be light in weight. This will allow you to easily move the cabinet from one place to another.- Have small dimensions. So they can easily fit even into small apartments.
- Be resistant to sunlight, moisture and sudden temperature changes.
- Be resistant to corrosion. If there are metal elements, they must be treated with special anti-corrosion impregnations.
- The wood is treated with antiseptics and agents that protect the wood from pests (especially if the furniture is installed on open balconies).
You can make a cabinet for an unheated balcony from:
- MDF. This material has a soft level. Therefore, it is easily amenable to various types of processing. MDF facades can take on a variety of shapes and curves. It has a long service life of several decades. Thanks to the unique production technology of wood fiber boards, MDF is durable, practical and environmentally friendly.
Plastic.
It is resistant to frost, moisture, direct sunlight and ultraviolet rays. Plastic furniture will be an excellent solution for open balconies. It differs in designs, sizes and colors. But it is better to purchase such furniture items ready-made .If you want to make your own cabinet on the balcony out of plastic, try using plastic panels.
- Chipboard. This lumber is practical, durable, resistant to various irritants, stylish and attractive. Chipboard goes on sale in a wide range of colors, which opens up limitless imagination when choosing a design for a future piece of furniture.
- Linings. It is used when covering a room. In such an interior, a lining cabinet will look like a single whole with the balcony itself. To create a bright contrast between cladding materials and furniture items, it is recommended to choose lining with a different shade or texture.
- Tree. Wooden structures look noble and luxurious in any interior. When installing a wooden cabinet on a balcony, the wood must be treated with antiseptics to prevent it from being damaged by negative factors. When choosing wood, it is worth considering that it can be: strong, soft and hard. Hard rocks are quite difficult to work with. On the balcony, the easiest way is to build a cabinet from pine or birch . These lumber are affordable and easy to process.
Help : all of the above materials are resistant to negative factors (high moisture, sudden temperature changes, damage from direct sunlight).
As for the manufacture of furniture for a heated and glazed balcony, here you can use:
Chipboard.
Such furniture will be absolutely no different from furniture items located in living rooms. Laminated chipboard is distinguished by: moisture resistance, scratch resistance, a wide selection of textures and textures, and a variety of colors.Even a beginner in this field can cope with making a cabinet from laminated chipboard. Since the material can be easily processed with hand or electric tools.
- OSB. This material is made from wood chips. It is natural and safe for people. The main advantages of making furniture from OSB include: saving money, durability, and ease of use. It is advisable to use OSB in the manufacture of back walls, shelves, and drawers. This material can withstand heavy loads and has a perfectly smooth surface. To decorate OSB boards, they can be varnished, painted, decorated with leather or mosaic.
- Thick plywood. A material with a thickness of 8 mm is suitable here. Plywood has excellent technical characteristics. Here it is important to pay attention to the type of wood that was used in the manufacture of lumber . Attention is also drawn to the type of gluing of plywood sheets to each other. The positive aspects of using plywood for making furniture include: moisture resistance, resistance to chips, scratches and deformations, ease of use and operation.
Attention : when choosing laminated chipboard as the manufacturing material, you will need to trim all the parts so that the cabinet is as resistant to negative factors as possible.
Various materials are used as trim edges:
- PVC edge. It is distinguished by a wide range, long service life, resistance to moisture, scratches and deformation. You can glue the PVC edge with your own hands if you have a hair dryer.
- Edge tape. This is a more budget option. You can glue the tape using an iron. It is not as resistant to scratches and chips, but has an attractive appearance.
Tip : As for the color scheme, designers recommend installing furniture in light colors on small balconies. And on spacious loggias you can make furniture in wenge or dark walnut color.
Types of cabinets
Today the following types of cabinets are installed:
- made of aluminum;
- from chipboard;
- from wooden lining.
The aluminum cabinet has a fairly strong construction. It is most adapted to fluctuations in humidity. Popular cabinets are cabinets made from chipboard. This material can be chosen in any color or texture that will suit the overall interior of the room.
Chipboard material has the following advantages:
- practical, durable;
- resistant to various irritants and weather changes;
- stylish, attractive;
- convenient, reliable.
Wooden lining is used when covering a room with lining. When choosing this option, there is no contrast between the cabinet and wall decoration, since the products are made from the same material.
We advise you to read: covering the loggia with clapboard.
Any of these cabinets can be ordered from a specialist or made by yourself.
The advantage of ordering from a specialized company:
- creating a project for the future interior of the balcony, assistance in choosing materials;
- placement of the locker taking into account the available space;
- full compliance with your wishes in terms of equipment and structure design;
- your own design, color to your taste.
When choosing a cabinet, take into account that it fits harmoniously into the interior of the entire balcony. When deciding to order a cabinet for a balcony from a specialized company, you need to call them and agree on the order and its cost. It is possible to fill out an order form online. Within 24 hours, a manager or company representative will contact you, clarify the details, and send a surveyor to your home.
According to the estimate, the cost of the piece of furniture and material are agreed upon. Afterwards the contract is signed. In about five working days, a technician will come to you to install the cabinet. This work takes an average of two hours and takes place right on the loggia. You may also be offered to buy a ready-made bedside table, made entirely according to your measurements. All that remains is to bring it and put it in the right place. You can refuse to have a technician come home. In this case, you should fill out the electronic form yourself, indicating all measurements. The technician will simply install the cabinet at the agreed time.
Tools
When making a cabinet (its dimensions are indicated in our drawing), you will need to prepare the following individual materials:
lumber (chipboard, plastic, MDF, plywood or any other material of your choice);- wooden blocks with a section of 40 by 40 cm;
- metal corners;
- fasteners for shelves and hinges for doors;
- pens;
- screws and self-tapping screws;
- beams for the frame to give rigidity to the product.
When making a cabinet for a balcony, you will need the following tools:
- hacksaw;
- screwdriver or drill;
- building level;
- marker, pencil and tape measure;
- screwdrivers;
- hammer.
Taking measurements
It is convenient to take measurements using a tape measure, because it is flexible. When taking measurements, it is better to make a drawing and apply the dimensions directly to it. Do not forget to add a tolerance of 5 millimeters on each side, so that later the assembled cabinet can be inserted into place.
After taking measurements, we make a list of the so-called cutting, that is, the dimensions of the cabinet parts (width and height). We take these dimensions to the workshop where they cut MDF, fortunately there are many such “offices” now. There you choose a color and order covering with PVC tape. This will give the bedside table a solid appearance and increase its service life, since it is planned to use the bedside table on the balcony, where the microclimate is a little harsher than in the apartment. As a result, we get a stack of “spare parts” which, we hope, will turn into a bedside table.
Boards prepared for the bedside table.
How to make it cheap and beautiful? Step-by-step instruction
Before manufacturing the cabinet, its individual elements are prepared. They are cut from selected materials with an electric jigsaw. Also, details of the necessary elements can be ordered from a specialized company for cutting laminated chipboards.
In our case, the cabinet will not have side and back walls . That is, we will assemble a built-in cabinet that is spacious, compact and functional.
So, a step-by-step description of assembling a cabinet on a balcony will look like this:
First we assemble the frame. For this purpose, beams are useful, which are fixed parallel to the outer wall of the balcony.- We attach a support for the base of a piece of furniture to the floor covering.
- We check the accuracy of the location of the prepared parts with a level.
- We strengthen the supports in the load-bearing parts with metal corners.
- The load-bearing bars are connected to the stiffeners.
- Next, the hinges are installed and the doors are hung.
- The table top is laid on top and secured with corners.
- The final moment will be decorating the joints.
With a minimum of effort, you will have a stationary cabinet.
Tip : you can also put a regular wooden or aquarium cabinet on the balcony. A folding table and a balcony cabinet will increase comfort.
Assembling a cabinet for a balcony in 7 stages
The balcony cabinet must be assembled with your own hands in accordance with the step-by-step steps described below. Of course, each master may deviate slightly from this assembly sample, but in general the whole process works this way. So, the diagram for assembling a balcony cabinet with your own hands in 7 stages.
Stage No. 1. Measurements
To begin with, measure the width of the balcony at the installation site of the future cabinet design. The height of the parapet is also measured. There is no need to be lazy to double-check the results obtained, since even the slightest discrepancy in size can lead to serious consequences: the cabinet will not be able to fit properly in a limited space.
Stage No. 2. Assembling the cabinet frame
To do this, you need to apply the appropriate markings on the beam in the form of a drawing, and then use an electric jigsaw to cut the beam into elements for the frame. From the resulting elements, you should assemble a wooden frame, connecting them together using metal corners.
Stage No. 3. Installation of the frame to the balcony
The lower part of the structure is fixed to the base of the balcony using the same metal corners. For such installation work you will need a hammer drill and dowel nails.
Stage No. 4. Installation of shelves inside the cabinet
As soon as the frame of the cabinet is fixed to the floor of the balcony, you need to begin work on installing the built-in shelves. Here everything depends on the individual characteristics and needs of the person: someone will want to create several shelves, and someone will want to install drawers on a ball base.
Stage No. 5. Installation of lid and tabletop
Now it’s time to install the lid, which will turn the cabinet into a table (subject to additional reinforcement with the tabletop itself), for example, for an evening summer tea party. The lid covers the upper part of the frame of the cabinet, after which the lid is fixed using the same metal corners. Then its upper part is reinforced with a durable tabletop.
Stage No. 6. Door installation
In order for the cabinet to take on a finished look and be truly a cabinet, and not a mini-rack, you need to hang a door (or two doors) on it. To do this, hinges are installed on one side (or both sides), on which the door(s) with handles already screwed on are hung.
Photo
In the following photos you can see options for decorating the resulting furniture:
Possible solutions
A cabinet is a low cabinet or drawer. For a balcony, this is the optimal solution, since a tall cabinet visually conceals the already limited space.
The design options that can be made for installation on a balcony are varied:
- with drawers that can be located above each other or on the same level;
- with hinged or sliding doors. The design of the doors should be chosen based on the space available in front of the cabinet. If it is not enough to open them, sliding ones would be the ideal solution;
- bookcase with open shelves;
- a tall cabinet, flush with the window sill, the upper surface of which can serve as a tabletop;
- a low cabinet, which is also a bench, its top can be made folding, covered with foam rubber, covered with upholstery fabric;
- on legs, resting on the sides, the space between which is closed by a plinth, on wheels. The latter option is optimal if the structure must be mobile; such a cabinet is easier to move without scratching the floor.
You can install a deeper cabinet at the end of the balcony, and a shallow but wide one under the window. Sometimes the configuration of the balcony is such that it is most convenient to make a corner cabinet; it can be built-in, triangular or L-shaped. In general, built-in furniture without side walls and a backdrop for a limited balcony space is the optimal solution, especially if the balcony is lined with clapboard or wall panels from the inside. Design advantages:
- you will need less material to make the cabinet;
- its useful internal space will expand by a couple of centimeters;
- If the balcony is of a non-standard shape, it is easier to fit built-in furniture into its space.
