Everyone wants a cozy and comfortable apartment. After all, it is here that we return after a hard day, here we want to relax and chat with loved ones. Therefore, modern man pays great attention to the design of his home. But sometimes its small section - the balcony - remains a warehouse of unnecessary things, a place for smoking, but anything, but not a continuation of a modern apartment.
Many citizens have already realized that a balcony can be a great place to relax, and sometimes work, if a little imagination is applied to its reconstruction. Of course, this will require certain financial expenses from you, but in return you will receive additional, albeit very small, premises in your apartment. How to make a cozy balcony? We will try to answer this question in our article.
What could be a balcony?
Today, the design of a balcony in an apartment can be of two types: open and closed. The first option is more suitable for the southern regions of our country. There are not so many ways to design such a balcony. Typically, the work consists in installing the original fencing, comfortable furniture, decorating the inner and outer spaces with living and artificial plants.
The second option is more expensive, although it involves many ways to turn precious meters into a small comfortable room. And when you consider that most of our country lives in more severe climatic conditions, it becomes obvious why most citizens prefer the second design option.
Where to start the re-equipment of the balcony?
Probably, first of all you should answer the questions: “How do you imagine a cozy balcony? What do you want to receive during the reconstruction? ” There are many design options for the balcony. Here are just a few of them:
- cabinet;
- a cozy corner for communication with friends;
- playroom for the child;
- sports section;
- greenhouse.
This list can be continued indefinitely: in this case it all depends on your imagination and the amount of money that you devote to the design of the balcony.
Preparatory work
Before starting work, you must completely clear the balcony. At this stage, perhaps, the independent activity of the apartment owners ends. Now professionals should get down to business, since it is necessary to check the strength of the partition and overlap. If they are not strong enough, they are dismantled.
Cement walls must be checked for voids, if any are found, they are cleared. If necessary, the balcony is scalded around the perimeter with steel frames. If you decide to create a cozy balcony, making it part of the apartment, you will have to go through several stages:
- glazing;
- waterproofing and insulation;
- wiring installation;
- alignment of walls and floor;
- facing of a balcony;
- furniture selection;
- decoration.
Glazing
Many owners are interested in which windows to install on the balcony. Which constructions are best to choose should be decided by the homeowner. It depends on whether you want to make the balcony part of a warm apartment or not. In the second case, you can limit yourself to cold glazing. This will protect the space from dust, wind, rain and snow. In this case, apply:
- swing wings;
- frameless designs;
- sliding systems (aluminum or plastic).
With warm glazing, it is necessary to use high-quality double-glazed windows. You can coordinate their design with a representative of the company that will carry out the installation.
Warming and waterproofing
After glazing, insulation of the floor, walls and ceiling is carried out. It is better to insulate the balcony from the outside. This will avoid moisture and condensation inside the room. But sometimes the position of the apartment does not allow insulation from the outside, so the work carried out from the inside should be well thought out: factors that contribute to the penetration of cold into the room are eliminated. If there is a parapet, then a windproofing of galvanized sheet is installed. A solid concrete parapet is closed with foam.
Then the frame is made of timber. Its size should correspond to the parameters of the insulation. Usually used sandwich panels or polystyrene. The insulation is followed by a layer of waterproofing. Most often this is a vapor barrier film. The floor is insulated in the same way, but if you want to organize an office, a playroom for a child or a greenhouse on a new balcony, it is better to use warm floors for additional thermal insulation.
How to make a warm floor on the balcony?
The balcony has a rather limited area, so laying a warm floor requires a special approach. Of course, it is better if this work is done by a specialist, but if you have certain skills, then you can completely cope with it yourself.
The base of the floor is covered with a vapor-insulating material, the joints are sealed with metal tape. The water-heated underfloor, popular today, is not suitable for installation on the balcony. Ideal are electrical options:
- infrared film floor;
- cable system;
- heating mats.
Mats - the most common option, which allows installation work without unnecessary costs and loss of room height. Mats are laid in a glue composition, which is intended for fixing tiles. Please note that the floor level will rise slightly (by 1-1.5 cm). The substrate is a concrete base or an old tile coating, which is covered with glue during installation. You can use such a heating system a week after the glue dries.
At 50% you have already received a cozy balcony. You must admit that on a rainy autumn or winter day it’s nice to sit in a comfortable chair on the balcony with underfloor heating and, while drinking hot tea, look at the passers-by, wrapped in scarves.
Wiring
If you do not carry out complex apartment renovations, then it is more advisable to limit yourself to an extension cord. The cable is pulled under the baseboard to the nearest outlet. A junction box is installed on the balcony. Here it is necessary to power all the points.
Design Tips
Naturally, each owner would like to visually enlarge a small space. Decorating the balcony will help to achieve this effect. To do this, use the advice of designers:
- Use mirrors that are especially effective in expanding the space of a small balcony. Sometimes they are successfully replaced by reflective or polished surfaces: metal, glass.
- There should be as much free space on the floor as possible: folding or compact furniture will not create a heaping effect.
- Use more light colors. Soft pastel colors will make your cozy balcony spacious and attractive. Cross strips on the floor and ceiling enhance this effect.
But expanding the space should not be your main task - it is important that the room becomes functional and cozy.
Balcony design in the apartment
So, all the most complex reconstruction works are completed. It's time to think about what will be the decoration of the balcony. Today, designers recommend instead of the usual (and, admittedly, boring) painting, to make the wall decoration more stylish. Cork or plastic panels can be used for this.
Porcelain stoneware or laminate is most suitable for the floor. It will give comfort to the room and a small fluffy rug.
Furniture selection
The successful design of balconies inside depends on many factors: finishing materials, choice of color palette, competent lighting. An important role in this matter is played by the right choice of furniture for the balcony. It should be consistent with the overall design. Do not take out on the balcony tables and chairs that have become unnecessary in the apartment.
Upholstered furniture will make the balcony as cozy as possible, so a small sofa or a compact folding chair will add truly home comfort to the room. The use of folding furniture is justified. It can be tables and chairs, as well as various racks. This type of furniture will allow you to easily transform the space according to your desire at any time. Choosing decorative pillows that harmoniously complement the interior, adhere to the integrity of style.
Cabinet on the balcony
Many owners of small apartments prefer to create a mini-office on the updated balcony. This decision is justified, because it allows you to retire and work (or work out) at any time, without being distracted by extraneous noise.
To equip your office you will need a small computer or desk, a rack for documents or textbooks, a comfortable compact chair or chair, and good local lighting above the work area.
Garden balcony
Most of the beautiful half of homeowners want to turn their balcony into a small green oasis: after all, the townspeople lack communication with wildlife. If your balcony is insulated, then such an undertaking is easily feasible. You can enjoy magnificent plants even in the harsh winter.
Plants are placed on the walls and ceiling in flower pots, on special shelving near the walls. And if you put on such a balcony a small tea table and a couple of chairs, you can meet friends in this "Garden of Eden".
To summarize
A cozy balcony today is a full-fledged living space. Along with changing the design, you must try to expand its functionality, pay attention to every centimeter in this small area. When decorating the balcony, use modern materials and try to leave more free space. Only in this case, the result of this work will please both you and your loved ones.