Whoever says anything, but still a large kitchen is a huge advantage of any apartment. No wonder today the so-called studios are so popular, in which all the rooms are combined into a single space. Here you have a bedroom, a living room, a kitchen, and a hallway ... True, you won’t be able to make such an apartment out of the ordinary if you just buy a new one, but everyone can try to remodel some of its rooms. And the easiest way to do this will be for those who have a balcony combined with a kitchen in a living room. By the way, there are a lot of options for re-arranging here. Of course, it cannot be said that this procedure is simple, nevertheless, there are many variations of it, so that everyone can well choose the appropriate method for themselves. We, in turn, will try to tell as much as possible in detail how the kitchens are combined with a balcony. The design ideas presented in our review will certainly help you and come across the right thought.
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So, what layout can be found in a typical apartment, in which the balcony is combined with the kitchen, or rather, is located outside its window? There are few options. If this is an old house, then most likely it will be a long narrow loggia, the entrance to which is in another room, usually a living room. The second option - the kitchen is equipped with a private balcony. And the third - besides him, there is another loggia in the apartment. Infrequently, but it happens. By the way, the best layout for those who are trying to find original ideas for a kitchen combined with a balcony. Why? Yes, if only because in this case the second loggia can be used for its intended purpose - for drying clothes and other similar purposes. And with the kitchen you can do whatever your heart desires. You don’t have to rack your brains on how to do so to increase the area of ​​the room, but at the same time not affect the functionality of the balcony. But what exactly to do, we will tell further.
Ways to combine
There are, by and large, two of them. No, true, there is a third one, we will say a few words about it below separately, but this option can be attributed more to the visual than to the concrete combination, so to speak. As for the two basic methods, here you can go in different ways: remove the window and the balcony door from the opening, or completely tear down the wall that separates the kitchen from the loggia. And if the first one is quite simple and does not cause any special problems, then for the second one will have to contact BTI for permission. Moreover, it will be possible to get it only on condition that you are going to demolish a non-bearing wall. Otherwise, you will have to do only the first option.
When the balcony is combined with the kitchen, a comfortable temperature is required in both rooms. Therefore, if a decision is made to combine these two sections, then we must be prepared for the fact that the balcony will need to be insulated, and thoroughly. And be sure to install a double-glazed window. We will not talk about how to do this, because at this stage we are more interested in not the technical issue, but specifically the design of the kitchen combined with the balcony.
And therefore, the rest of the review we will devote precisely to the ideas of combining this space.
A few words about the third method
Now briefly about the third option mentioned above. In this case, you don’t have to break anything, break it, the door to the balcony remains, however, the room is insulated and a good double-glazed window is placed in the opening. This option is suitable for those who for some reason can not or do not want to engage in voluminous construction work. In this case, the balcony with the kitchen is combined purely conditionally, as if being its logical continuation. What can be done in this case, how to originally equip this zone?
Ideas for a Balcony with Exit
Make it outside the window ... a cafe. Set a table, a few chairs, if the space permits - a small bar, hang a TV on the wall. The result is an excellent dining area and its own mini-cafe, where you can arrange romantic gatherings with a soul mate.
Arrange a chic winter garden outside the window. If there is a place, install an aquarium in it, attach a chair in the corner. As a result, you get not only a magnificent appearance from the kitchen window, but also a great place for relaxation.
Make a sports corner - put exercise machines, fix the Swedish wall on the wall. A great idea for those who can not find a place to play sports in their exquisitely furnished apartment!
Do not do anything ... Yes, yes, you heard right. Install a window on the floor on the balcony, make repairs and do not put any furniture. Today this is a very popular technique, and it is called arrangement of a transparent zone. Perfect for those who suffocate in the cramped quarters of apartments and with all their souls are eager for freedom.
This, of course, is a scanty number of ideas from the mass existing at the moment. But even these few options are perfect as a basic basis for flying your own imagination.
We remove the window from the opening ...
As a result, we get a space separated from the kitchen by two side walls and a part of the wall under the windowsill. What can be done in this case? The kitchen, combined with a balcony in this way, as a result receives quite a lot of additional space. As a rule, the window sill is replaced by a countertop, which can be made to order and of various shapes and sizes, depending on what goals are set. So, for example, it can be a small, slightly wider part of the wall below it. In this case, it can be used as a stand for the same household appliances or simply as a decorative shelf. And you can order a curly worktop, so that most of it is wrapped in a balcony. In this case, you get an additional work surface, a bar counter, just a dining table attached to the wall. A lot of options.
You can transfer the refrigerator to the balcony, it will be hidden in a niche behind the wall and will not be visible, and you will have plenty of space in the main kitchen area occupied by this unit.
You can install lockers on both sides of the balcony - exactly the same as in your kitchen set in order to store dishes, household appliances, various little things in them - in general, all those things that are not needed every day, but only needed by the hostess from time to time. A great option for those who have a small kitchen. Combined with a balcony in this way, it will become much more functional. The hostess will free up more space in the lockers of the main room for the necessary everyday things, in addition, they will not be clogged, as they say, to the eyeballs.
Well, of course, you can bring a table and chairs to the balcony, thereby equipping a separate dining area.
Large-scale reconstruction
If it is possible to completely demolish the wall between the kitchen and the balcony, then in this way you can significantly increase the area of ​​this most beloved room in every family. At the same time, you can still transfer all communications, for which, however, you will need to make a competent design of the kitchen, combined with a balcony. And, as we mentioned, get permission. Of course, there is a lot of work, however, sometimes it’s worth it if only because at the end of the process you can equip the interior of the kitchen combined with a balcony, as you wish, without adapting to the remaining walls, lintels, window sills. Below are some of the most popular options for this design.
Full transfer of the working area
As a rule, in all our apartments in the kitchens, water pipes and sewers are located in the corner, next to the bathroom. And because of this, the interior of the kitchen - combined with a balcony or not, doesn’t matter - sometimes it’s simply impossible to make it original. If you transfer all communications to the loggia, then you can place a purely working area with a washbasin and a stove on it, and equip the former kitchen as a dining room. You must admit that sometimes we order numerous drawers of kitchen sets not at all because we really need them, but then to fill the wall along which the working area is located. Our proposed option will allow us to more functionally design the usable space and will make it possible to obtain an additionally quite impressive island of free space. Which is especially true, by the way, for owners of one-room apartments.
Create a recreation area
If the kitchen, combined with a balcony, is itself quite spacious, plus a rather impressive space was also added due to restructuring, you can simply put on the loggia a chic upholstered sofa and a coffee table. You will get a cozy corner for relaxation, where you can sit out yourself and have a good time with your guests. By the way, and if necessary, use it as an extra bed.
And again the dining area
Someone can reproach us with the fact that we offered to make a table on the balcony in case of incomplete reconstruction of the room. Yes it is. Nominally, it seems, nothing has changed. Nevertheless, there is a big difference between these two options. In the first case, we are limited by walls on both sides, so we can put only a small table. In the second, we have a lot of free space. And we have the opportunity to place a large round table under the balcony window with beautiful comfortable chairs. Agree, such high-quality furniture has always been considered a symbol of prosperity and comfort. So thanks to her, your kitchen will become refined and truly elegant.
And you can place here a kitchen corner sofa with a table. Just not the same as we are used to seeing in our kitchens - modestly pushed between the wall and the refrigerator, but chic, leather, soft, with pillows. As a result, you can get a great place not only as a dining area, but also a wonderful corner for relaxation.
Small but effective tricks for small rooms
If the balcony is combined with a small kitchen, then you can also try to visually increase the area. Of course, there will be no more space from this, nevertheless, visually the room will seem more spacious. To do this, just install the windows on the floor on the balcony itself. They will help to expand the space and murals on the wall, especially related topics. For example, depicting access to a terrace lined with green trees or a suspension bridge leading into the distance.
In addition, equipping the interior of the kitchen combined with a balcony (we provide photos of some options in the review), more attention should be paid to the color scheme. No need to use too dark shades in the design. After all, by and large, all the porridge was brewed in order to expand the space. Well, then do it even more visually, using pastel, white, cheerful shades, do not strangle the space won with such difficulty with dark colors.
About interior style
Of course, ideally, the best option for interior design is considered to be when all the rooms in the apartment are decorated in the same style. However, not everyone can do it, in addition, many consider this design monotonous and boring. Therefore, the kitchen, combined with a balcony, can be designed, by and large, the way the owners like it, and not be combined with the rest of the premises. However, professionals still recommend adhering to the design of such rooms several of the most common styles that are perfectly suited for kitchens combined with a balcony.
Minimalism
Featuring amazingly high functionality and minimal use of the decorative elements available today, this style is the best suited for our purposes. After all, his motto is practicality and spaciousness. Making your kitchen in this style, it is worth paying attention to the fact that you should not clutter it with a large number of hanging drawers. After all, we got additional space at the expense of the balcony, and there you can arrange places for storing utensils and products, but the main space of the kitchen is better not to fill up to the ceiling with furniture, but to use practical hinged shelves when decorating the interior .
High tech
This style involves an abundance in the interior of chrome parts, plastic, glass. As well as the most modern kitchen equipment. Decorated in this style, the kitchen will be functional, light and, with all its trickery, spacious and elegant.
Rural style
Combining the best traditions of Provence and country, this style of interior design will make your kitchen cozy and warm through the use of natural materials. Assuming a modest decoration, the rural style will not allow you to clog the kitchen with unnecessary items and thereby deprive yourself of the hard-won feeling of spaciousness.
Conclusion
The balcony, combined with the kitchen (the photos presented in the review, only once again prove this statement), is not a fad today. The combination of these two rooms makes it possible to get a truly functional space. And to make kitchens so beloved in many families more practical, convenient and cozy.