Bar counter on the balcony from the window sill or along the wall - combining the kitchen and balcony

How nice it is to drink a cup of coffee in the morning while admiring the beautiful view from the window. A bar counter on the balcony helps to realize such a dream. In addition, such an interior looks very stylish, original and unusual. You can implement a non-standard solution without even combining a kitchen or living room with a loggia. How to equip a full-fledged bar on the balcony yourself, without resorting to the help of specialists? Advice from designers will help you realize your plans and enjoy the result.

A bar counter on the balcony is an interesting and convenient solution, and it looks great

What can you make a bar counter from?

You can make a bar counter from any suitable material , it depends on the design of the balcony and how much money the apartment owner is willing to invest in its construction. Perhaps, after a recent renovation, slats, decorative panels, and bars remained. Also suitable is old furniture , which can be disassembled and adapted to make a bar counter.

What to make a stand from:

• Wood;
• Particle boards;
• Fake diamond;
• Glass;
• Plastic;
• Metal.

Wooden base and glass top
Some materials can be combined. will look good together with plastic and metal , wood with other wood materials, as well as with drywall.

Advice. If plasterboard is used in the construction of a bar counter on the balcony, you should choose a moisture-resistant type of material. Unlike the usual one, it comes in green.

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Rack design

On a small balcony or loggia, the bar counter is usually located along the glazing . In essence, it is a narrow tabletop that resembles a window sill. It is not necessary to do it along the entire perimeter of the balcony. Usually it occupies the side and part of the façade parapet on the side opposite to the door. Although the lack of space does not give much choice, you can show some imagination in creating a design. The tabletop can have curved or straight lines; you can also make several separate “islands” of the same or different configurations.

If the balcony has extended glazing, it is much easier to make a bar counter, since the tabletop is almost ready. You just need to give it the appropriate design, covering it with decorative material. In this case, the tabletop will not occupy the interior space, and the entire device will be located outside the balcony, saving space on it.

Disadvantages of a table top-window sill

A window sill table that is installed in the kitchen has several significant disadvantages. If they are not taken into account in a timely manner, then the equipped place will not bring any benefit:

• Self-installation is not for everyone. This requires knowledge in the field of construction.
• There is a high risk of getting a fake. If you chose a natural stone, but it turned out to be just an imitation.
• Moisture can get into the cracks between the countertop and the glass unit, and this is a breeding ground for fungus and bacteria.
• If the tabletop is damaged, it must be completely replaced; local restoration will not be rational.
• If the level of the window sill and the height of the floor unit do not match, you have to look for ideas on how to get around this problem.

The listed disadvantages are not worth giving up a beautiful design solution for your kitchen. The table top-window sill will emphasize modernity and concentrate attention.

Window sill with built-in sink and continuing countertop Source dizainkyhni.com

Rack Accessories

For ease of use of the bar counter, there should be dishes nearby: cups, plates, glasses. All this is placed in a cabinet with glass doors or on shelves hung on one of the balcony walls. They also house props and decor.

Without lighting, the bar counter will not be such - it will turn into an ordinary window sill. The classic option is to install a suspended ceiling above the tabletop made of material identical to the stand, and lamps are mounted in it. If such a plan cannot be realized, you can glue an LED strip to the ceiling or to the upper crossbars of the frames. In this way the issue of lighting and original light decoration will be resolved. Bar counter with lighting

An important bar accessory is chairs. For a narrow balcony, round bar stools without backs, preferably on one leg, are suitable. For DIYers, there is a chance to express themselves and make folding seats. They are convenient because when folded they do not take up space and do not interfere with movement around the balcony. But even if you make folding seats, it is better to buy a couple of real bar stools to create the appropriate atmosphere.

The bar counter on the glass balcony makes it possible to drink your morning coffee in a pleasant environment, watching what is happening outside the window, relax in the evening with a cup of tea and, of course, use it for its intended purpose. That is, get together to chat with your best friends.

Please note: We make a small cabinet on the balcony from wood with our own hands

Care Tips

In order for the product to serve for a long time, it must be properly cared for.

Firstly, the surface of the new window sill must be cleaned regularly. Especially if it is used daily for cooking.

Wash the product with soapy water and a soft sponge.

Secondly, you need to periodically pay attention to the grout joints. When installing ceramic tiles, it is impossible to do without seams. During operation, the seams quickly accumulate dirt, and pathogenic mold often develops in this place.

The seams need to be cleaned with a special cleaner at least once a week.

Thirdly, you need to pay special attention to any cracks and damage. If the tile is cracked, it should be replaced immediately. Bacteria can form in the crack.

Purpose, pros and cons

By installing a bar counter on the balcony, you can solve such a problem as the lack of free space in the kitchen or in the room adjacent to the loggia. The design can also play the role of:

• dining table;
• space for storing drinks or spices, with cabinets and drawers;
• places to retire and enjoy free time.

The main advantage of a bar counter on a loggia is the proper distribution of free space, but that’s not all:

1. Easy to implement - there is no need to coordinate the work with supervisory authorities, or to develop new documentation for housing, since the walls do not collapse, only the window and door openings on the balcony are removed.
2. Convenient - the surface can be used to perform various tasks, regardless of whether it is located inside a separate balcony, or combined with a room or kitchen.
3. Functionally, the surface can temporarily become a kitchen table or work area, relieving other rooms in the apartment.
4. Practical - by adding shelves above the counter and placing cabinets underneath it, you can save space and make the most of the space.
5. Affordable - the tabletop can be made of chipboard, which guarantees a low cost of the design while being multifunctional.

If you carefully think through the design concept, it will be difficult to find any disadvantages in it. Moreover, the bar on the balcony is installed at the individual request of the residents, taking into account all the wishes and future tasks assigned to the surface.

Step-by-step instruction

To correctly install the countertop, follow the given algorithm:

• Take the dimensions of the window sill, then measure them on the tabletop on one side, leaving overhangs. They will go onto the wall when the slopes end. Carry out similar actions on the opposite end of the surface.
• Using an electric jigsaw, cut out the design according to the parameters. If necessary, cut out a small layer of plaster above the window sill so as not to cut further into the tabletop. You can do it manually with a hatchet. But, it is better to use a drill or hammer drill.
• Place the material in place of the window sill and level it using a building level. If the slope seems too great, place cut pieces of brick or plaster logs, or wooden blocks under the tabletop.
• Fill all the cracks that are between the countertop and the wall with polyurethane foam. Check the surface level periodically, as foam tends to “push out” the material.
• Cut off the hardened remains of the polyurethane foam and fill all the holes. Ideally, you should have a flat wall under the window. If the radiator was removed before installation, it can be installed immediately after finishing the wall under the countertop.

Tabletop for a kitchen window sill made of combined materials Source akril-market.ru

Types and forms

The stand can be placed not only between the balcony and the kitchen, it can move from the loggia to the living room or bedroom, and can also be an independent multifunctional structure. Kinds:

1. No extras. The bottom line is that only the rack is placed, without any cabinets, shelves, or hanging structures. The advantage of this option is minimal costs - you only need to buy a tabletop. In addition, in the future you can always add elements that are missing, in the opinion of the owners. And you don’t have to disassemble or redo anything to do this.
2. With shelves on top. Designers offer various options. Much depends on the parameters of the rack. These can be structures for storing something necessary for the kitchen, or a decorative element with various additions: a collection of drinks, an aquarium, a structure for fruit, etc.

3. With storage system for glasses and bottles. This design is suitable for bar counters that are used for their intended purpose.
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4. Two-level structures. This is a system in which a second, slightly smaller one, rises above one tabletop at a distance of approximately 30 cm. A similar solution is to increase the working area of ​​the tabletop if it is used for family dinners.

The design can be straight in shape - the largest number of orders is for this model. It serves as a separator between the recreation area and the kitchen. You can also choose a form:

• L-shaped – suitable for accommodating a large number of people;

• rounded - this shape is chosen either for a curved balcony or as an extension of the kitchen area, which saves space;

• with rounded corners - a solution for spacious rooms; when there are a large number of people, you don’t have to worry about someone hitting the corner;

• curved - when style is more important than practicality;

• semicircular - takes up minimal space.

The shape should be chosen based on the purpose of the rack and the size of the room. This way you can be sure that the design will not take up too much space or, on the contrary, lose functionality due to its small size.

Please note: A bench with a storage box for the balcony is convenient and functional!

Answers on questions

Before installation, anyone who does it themselves may have questions. Below are the answers to them.

What size are the projections on the sides of the tabletop from the slopes?

According to the standard - 3 - 7 cm. The gap is usually adjusted to the size of the walls from the window. The longer the surface, the shorter the projections should be.

How much should the countertop-window sill protrude?

There are no strict requirements for this. It all depends on the preferences of the owner of the house. Usually, for personal comfort, a protrusion of 40-60 cm is sufficient. If the protrusion is too large, then additional supports are installed. But the countertop must cover the radiator. This is the main rule.

What should be the length and width of the tabletop?

By standard standards, the length is 3 m and the width is at least 600 mm. If the window is not standard, then the furniture production can order a product for individual parameters.

Tabletop window sill below the height of the kitchen furniture Source roomester.ru Tabletop-window sill for the kitchen with an area for storing small items Source roomester.ru

Location options

A balcony with a bar counter does not have to be wide. There are different ways to organize a place to relax, even on a narrow loggia.

Option 1. Folding bar counter

The least expensive way to increase the functionality of a loggia without breaking walls or dismantling window and door openings. The advantages of this option:

• budget - minimal costs are required to purchase a tabletop and fixtures;
• easy to install - no need to hire specialists;
• compact – when folded, it does not affect the size of the loggia.

When installing a folding bar counter yourself, you need to decide on the size of the tabletop and purchase a sheet of chipboard, wood, or composite material. Brackets are also needed (the quantity depends on the length of the finished product). After purchasing the components, the brackets are attached first, and the tabletop second. That's it - the design is ready for use.

Option 2. Along the balcony window

If there is a picturesque view outside the window, this option is for you. It also does not force you to dismantle the windows between the balcony and the room. Depending on the size of the loggia, you can install a tabletop:

• along the entire balcony;
• along the perimeter of the balcony, including the end sections;
• occupy part of the space - suitable for small balconies.

The shape can also be different; if the balcony is rounded, then the bar counter should be rounded.

Option 3. Bar counter on the window opening

Possible when dismantling the balcony block. The convenience is that the remaining structure from the balcony opening can serve as a stand; you just need to refine it. Also, to use it as a dining table, you need to expand the counter. Experiments are possible: adding shelves, hanging structures, decorative elements.

Option 4. Rack in an empty opening

The difference from the previous one is that the entire opening between the room and the balcony or loggia is freed up. Since the wall is being dismantled, decisions can be made:

• which side to install the bar counter on, and how wide to leave the passage;
• the surface will be regular or irregular in shape, with or without curves;
• place a larger rack on the balcony or extend it into the kitchen;
• build shelves under the countertop for storing drinks/food or insert an aquarium;
• how tall will the structure be?

Also, the absence of a window block under your feet allows you to sit more comfortably at the bar counter.

Option 5. Window sill stand

You can also build a bar counter on the balcony from a window sill. A similar structure will be placed near the window inside the balcony. Its advantages lie in minimal physical and financial costs. Because instead of a window sill on the loggia, it will be necessary to install only a tabletop using brackets.

For each individual case, your own option will be most convenient. Depending on the size of the balcony, the needs of the apartment owners, and financial capabilities.

Traditional rules for converting a window sill into a functional tabletop and recommendations from practitioners

When starting to redevelop the area under the window, do not forget to use several rules:

• According to the standard, heating radiators are installed under the window. It is important that after installing the countertop-window sill, air can circulate freely here. That is, the minimum distance from the edge of the battery is 5-8 cm. If the surface will play the role of a full-fledged table, then it is better to make small round holes in it closer to the edge from the window. This way, warm air will freely pass to the slopes and double-glazed windows. This will protect them from the formation of dampness and mold.
• When trying to organize cabinets under the windowsill, do not forget that their doors should be perforated, ideally lattice. This will prevent disruption of the heating function. Moreover, the inside cannot be heavily loaded with dishes.
• With a countertop and built-in cabinets, the temperature in the kitchen will drop by 2-3 degrees during the heating season. This situation can be circumvented by installing an additional radiator or underfloor heating system. Sometimes the expended temperature is compensated by the operation of household appliances: refrigerator, washing machine, dishwasher. They will transfer some of the heat to the room.
• If you are organizing a work area under the window or even a sink with a countertop, then paint the window slopes with moisture-resistant smooth paint. Splashes that fly during cooking can be easily removed with a damp sponge.
• You should not install the stove on the work surface near the window. This is prohibited by sanitary standards and is inconvenient.
• The material for the countertop must be wear-resistant. After all, it will be subject to vibrations, shocks, moisture and regular temperature changes. For this purpose, try to choose natural stone. It has a seamless surface and is resistant to culinary work.
• The space near the window in the tabletop area should be well lit. Additional light sources are not required if the opening faces the bright side, where nothing blocks the sunlight.
• From time to time (for example, in sunny weather), you can close the window opening with roller blinds or curtains. Just remember that the latter get dirty quickly and are more difficult to wash.
• In the window area, you can narrow the tabletop and make it curved. After all, if the window is far away, the additionally organized space will look impractical.

Materials

Countertops on the balcony may differ in shape, placement, and material. All of them must be correctly fit into the room and harmoniously combine with the design of the entire apartment. But the external attractiveness must be supported by such material properties as durability and resistance to moisture and mechanical damage. With such characteristics, it will be possible to preserve the original appearance of the structure for as long as possible.

Tree

The array guarantees a presentable appearance of the bar counter. Wood in the interior is associated with luxury, good quality and environmental friendliness. Popular species: pine, oak, birch. With all the advantages of the material, you need to remember the need for constant care of such a tabletop, otherwise stains and marks from glasses will remain on the surface.

Please note: Ceiling clothes dryer for balcony

Chipboards

On a loggia with a bar counter, you can install a less expensive analogue of solid wood - chipboard. But you shouldn’t think that because it’s cheap, the quality is bad. In fact, the material has good performance characteristics. It is resistant to temperatures and aggressive environments, and has a wide color palette. To reduce the influence of moisture, chipboard is covered with a special film that prevents liquids from being absorbed into the material.

Metals

Before metal structures for kitchens go on sale, they are treated to avoid rust on the material. Therefore, the metal is durable and unpretentious. Does not require special care. You can place hot dishes on metal racks without any consequences for the surface of the countertop.

Acrylic

The material is a high-quality replacement for natural stone. The artificial analogue is cheaper and has good performance characteristics:

• wear-resistant – not subject to deformation, resistant to temperature changes and various types of damage;
• ease of care - due to the non-porous structure, they do not absorb moisture, odors, dirt does not penetrate into the material;
• practical - for cleaning you only need to periodically wipe the surface with a damp sponge.

In addition, acrylic is harmless.

Stone

Noble and durable material that will serve the home owners for decades. Looks organic in spacious rooms. Among the advantages:

• amenable to processing;
• durable;
• resistant to high temperatures;
• it is not affected by chemical compounds.

From stone you can create not only a tabletop itself, but also a base for it. The disadvantage of the material is its high price.

Glass

The material is durable and not inferior to the options listed above. The only thing that needs to be taken into account is the interior design. Glass is a component of modernity. It will look harmonious in conjunction with metal and stone structures. And you don’t have to choose transparent countertops. Glass can be any color. Another feature of it is that it is cold.

Sometimes several materials are used simultaneously to create the perfect bar counter on the balcony. You can, to match the optimal tabletop height of 110-120 cm, raise the level of the opening using:

• concrete structures;
• brickwork;
• wooden shelves;
• metal tubes.

There is an option when the design style allows you to combine several materials in one bar counter. In modernity, the combination of concrete and metal elements and glass looks good.

Calculation of dimensions for drawing

Before you start making a rack, you need to build a drawing or diagram. This will help you correctly calculate all the necessary indicators, and also not get confused during subsequent assembly.

The construction of the drawing is based on the dimensions of the structural elements. There are standard dimensions that you can use as a guide:

• height: for island structures from 110 to 130 cm, for those adjacent to the set from 85 to 90 cm;
• the width can vary from 55 to 80 cm. The wider the stand, the more convenient it will be to use;
• length depends on the expected number of users. Installed at the rate of 60 cm per person.

Accessories

One of the main accessories is chairs. You need to understand that their height must correspond to the tabletop, which is located at a distance of 110-120 cm from the floor. Thus, bar stools on the balcony should be high, and even better, for the convenience of all family members, adjustable.

Also, along with the bar counter, pull-out, folding or hanging shelves, containers for fruits of various shapes are installed. They allow you to wisely use the space in the kitchen and place color accents. The designs may also include holders for glasses and bottles.

Nuances of self-installation

Installing a countertop on a window sill differs from installing a work surface in some nuances:

1. It is important to consider the battery when installing. If the circulation of warm air is disrupted, condensation will begin to accumulate on the windows, and mold may appear from increased humidity.
2. The window sill must not be installed lower than 20 cm from the edge of the window opening.
3. First, the window is replaced, then the floor cabinets are assembled and installed, after that the window sill-countertop is installed and the assembly of the remaining elements of the kitchen unit is completed.

The installation of the countertop is trusted to specialists if installation is included in its price and if the structure is made of fragile material.

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Window bench

An interesting design of the window sill is represented by its design in the form of a bench. This option is perfect for spacious kitchens with low windows. Here it is necessary to take into account at what distance from the floor the window sill is located. It should correspond to the average height of the stools, which is within 45 centimeters.

Wood is chosen to construct the bench, and the seat depth is made no less than 30 and no more than 45 centimeters. For safety reasons, it is recommended to install a low protective grille on the window, the design of which will correspond to the overall style. A dining table is installed near the bench or left open.

There are a lot of design options for the window sill area and each of them can become exclusive.