Design of balconies and loggias

The days when the balcony was the place where all the rubbish from the apartment was stored are in the past. Now the loggia and the balcony are increasingly considered as a full-fledged room, albeit with its own characteristics that distinguish it from others. This means that more and more often the question arises about the decoration of the balcony and its design. We will try to answer some of them.

When preparing for the repair on the balcony, think about what you have initially, and what you want to get at the exit, what functions the room will carry.

It's good if you got an apartment with a bay window. You can make an organic continuation of the room out of it. A corner balconies and rooms of irregular shape, for example, triangular, can themselves throw up ideas of how you can play them in an interesting way. But even an ordinary, rectangular loggia in a panel multi-storey building does not have to be boring. Even a minimum of square meters should be used beautifully and functionally.

A long narrow space will help make the most of transformable furniture - folding tables and chairs, seats with hidden drawers.

As for the purpose of the balcony, the most obvious is a seating area where you can relax, read a book, sit with friends or have a coffee alone. If the balcony is insulated, and temperature jumps on it are minimal, you can install a bookcase here.

After deciding what will be on the balcony, it's time to move on to the choice of materials for decoration.

When choosing a material, there are several factors that must be taken into account if you do not plan to constantly update the repair.

1. Moisture resistance. A balcony is a room with high humidity, this should not be forgotten. Wooden and metal elements located there must have a protective coating. Parquet flooring should be discarded in favor of vinyl, porcelain stoneware or laminate.

2. The window sill, furniture and wall covering must be protected from ultraviolet radiation. The windows of the loggia are most often large, the curtains may not be planned, and the burnt-out walls are unlikely to add joy to you.

3. Take care in advance of thermal and sound insulation.

4. Wall and ceiling color is not only a significant interior detail - they are able to visually expand the space. Be careful with dark colors.

From general recommendations, let's go directly to an overview of several popular materials for interior decoration of the balcony.

The most commonly used material. This is a cladding board 10-15 cm wide, the individual elements are connected to each other using special grooves. It differs in wood species, thickness, width, length and the availability of options such as increased moisture protection.

Pros:

• price;

• ease of installation;

• the ability to choose the type of wood;

• aesthetic appearance;

• environmental friendliness;

• good thermal insulation characteristics;

• relatively rich assortment.

Minuses:

• like any wood-based material, the lining does not really like water and temperature drops;

• from an unverified manufacturer, you can easily run into material affected by the fungus, boards with a wormhole and knots.

Another popular option. MDF is a compressed board based on a finely dispersed wood fraction and special binders. The top of the slabs are covered with a film imitating the appearance of wood.

Pros:

• price;

• high level of noise and heat insulation;

• ease of installation;

• high wear resistance;

• ease of care.

Minuses:

• low strength;

• afraid of moisture;

• flammability.

PVC panels compare favorably with lining and MDF in a variety of design options, and the process of their installation differs little from fixing the lining. The size range of panels is varied, they also differ in their density.

Pros:

• profitable price;

• a huge selection of drawings;

• convenient installation;

• are not afraid of moisture;

• not subject to decay;

• durable;

• safe to use, despite the synthetic composition;

• easy to care for.

Minuses:

• fade quickly;

• easy to damage.

A slightly more laborious way of finishing is covering the balcony with moisture-resistant plasterboard. Note that we will focus on a moisture-resistant, fungus and mold-proof variety that can be used on the balcony. The material consists of gypsum, compressed cardboard and special additives. The best choice when you want to give up the texture of the tree, but there is no desire to plaster the walls for painting.

Pros:

• several mounting options - on self-tapping screws, glue or a metal frame;

• relatively low price per m2;

• light weight;

• low flammability;

• good performance of sound and heat insulation;

• the opportunity to end up with a flat wall, which you can continue to design as you wish.

Minuses:

• fragility;

• risk of loss of appearance after contact with water.

As for the flooring, there are 4 main options - porcelain stoneware, vinyl tiles and its varieties, moisture-resistant laminate, linoleum. The first option is the most difficult to install and will significantly raise the floor level. Laminate, even moisture resistant, implies the risk of deterioration of the coating due to exposure to moisture and temperature. Of the two remaining options, vinyl is more expensive, but it has higher wear resistance, and in the case of using its locking option, it remains possible to partially replace the coating if one floorboard is damaged.

The interior of the balcony is a topic worthy of a separate discussion. The choice of finishing materials is just one step towards creating this space. He is not even the first, because the choice of finishes directly depends on the style in which the loggia will be executed. A piece of an Alpine chalet or a hi-tech mini-office, an Arabian tale or a bohemian loft. To understand the abundance of directions on your own is a difficult task. Let's dwell on the most popular ones.

Light, sunny style inspired by the region of the south of France. A bit rustic, detached from the bustle of the city. Very light and airy, the Provence-style balcony is the perfect place for coffee on a summer morning.

Color scheme: it is better to stay on light pastel colors. White, lavender, blue, cream, pink, pastel green, turquoise will do.

Of the prints, muted floral dominates.

For style, the use of natural materials is of great importance, plastic will be knocked out of the general direction. Furniture can be aged wood or wrought iron, with peeling white paint. This also applies to decor items. Metal bucket with flowers, unpainted fruit box as a flower stand (there should be a lot of fresh flowers in such an interior) or storage system element - many of these objects are easy to do with your own hands.

Light plastered walls, beamed ceilings, a plank floor that looks faded are typical examples of decoration. It is best to hang roman blinds on the windows. There should not be a lot of furniture - a coffee table, a few chairs or an armchair. Such a balcony is a place for a peaceful rest.

Let's begin with that "Modern style" is a rather vague concept. It includes all those areas that are relevant in this period. And although they have some common places, they differ significantly.

Once so it could be called Baroque or Art Nouveau. Now it is minimalism, techno, loft, hi-tech and others. They are characterized by:

• open spaces;

• an abundance of light;

• simple forms;

• functionality, not devoid of aesthetics;

• eclecticism, lack of strict rules.

This style is an example of the fact that the rules of modern design should not always be followed inside and out.

Oriental Style is the general name for a group of styles inspired by countries such as Morocco, China, Japan, India and others. Each style is unique. Their common features are strict zoning of premises, active use of a wide variety of fabrics, adherence to natural materials, and the presence of various ornaments in the interior.

Let's add some specifics.

Color solution: rich colors, geometric patterns, Arabic script.

Here textile decor manifests itself in all its glory. Curtains not only hang on the windows - they zone the room, decorate the ceiling and walls. The floors in such an interior are covered with carpets, various pillows and blankets are placed on sofas and chairs.

Arabian style furniture - wood carved. Low sofas or armchairs will do. If you want to make the resting place even more original, you can fence off a small area with drapery, where you can throw pillows on a carpet or a special dais.

Tiles and mosaics are suitable for finishing the floor. The ceiling, even a low one, can be tiled or draped if you are sure that there are no leaks from above.

Adherents of a more laconic design, who want a bright oriental flavor, should pay attention to the interiors inspired by China.

Color solution: red, yellow, black, green, blue will be a win-win choice. Games with contrasting colors are encouraged.

Geometry that does not reject the intricacy of individual elements is an important feature of the style. Various screens are used for zoning - if the size of the loggia allows, then you should not neglect them. Furniture should be functional, the presence of sharp corners in it is undesirable. From the materials, pay attention to bamboo. Curtains, furniture, mats, decorative elements - bamboo will help out everywhere.

The decor should convey the atmosphere of China. These can be porcelain floor vases, figurines, traditional Chinese painting, lanterns - these are only a small part of the details that can emphasize the interior.

Another design option inspired by the feeling of relaxation and life in warm countries is Mediterranean. Having many similarities with the Provence style, it is not devoid of uniqueness, and it will not be easy to confuse these directions.

Color solution: white, aqua, blue, olive, coral, pink, sand. Combinations of warm and cold shades.

The walls are whitewashed and plastered. One of the walls can be pasted over with wallpaper in a large strip. The floor can be covered with a laminate imitating bleached wood or ornamented tiles. An interesting detail can be a small section of the floor lower in level than in the rest of the room, covered with pebbles. Plants can be placed in the same zone - greenery is another required element. Aromatic herbs growing on the windowsill will also fit in.

Choose furniture forged or decorated with ropes... Accessories should emphasize the nautical theme, but keep the style laconic. Braided elements, anchors will fit well. You can hang a hammock on the balcony - this will add a touch of the sea to your rest in the city.

On the balcony, you can not only relax. If space permits, a workplace can also be arranged there. High-tech is ideal for this, because this design is most often used for offices.

Color scheme: nothing colorful, no floral patterns. White, black, gray, silver. Cool and neutral colors. The use of beige and coffee is acceptable. Bright colors are only allowed in accents.

Of the features - a minimum of wood. Hi-tech is plastic, metal and glass. Observance of geometry is extremely important. The sharp edges of the triangles will fit into such an interior, ornate patterns will not.

The ceiling is stretch or rack. The floor is plain, smooth, shiny. You can find suitable vinyl or ceramic tiles.

A minimum of furniture, and this furniture should be executed as laconically as possible. A writing desk, glass shelves and a leather chair with an irregular geometric shape will suffice. A plus for furniture will be the ability to move it quickly - the wheels are very appropriate here.

The decor is also minimal. Graphics, black and white photos, frameless mirrors, geometric figurines, open engineering structures are acceptable elements. It will be a huge plus if there is an exit to the fire escape from the balcony.

If hi-tech looks to the future, then country music takes us back to our origins. This style is a tribute to the original, village life. Calm, cozy and measured, it bears the imprint of what country you want to immerse yourself in the life of the outback. And although American country will differ from Russian, as a ranch in Texas differs from a house somewhere in a village on the Volga, they will have common moments.

Color scheme: muted tones, simple patterns, traditional for the region, "curtsey" towards which you are doing, ornaments.

Country means the use of only natural materials. And then the question may arise, how to combine this with the microclimate of the balcony. Pay attention to garden furniture. Many of its samples will perfectly fit into the aesthetics of country, and special processing will allow you to breathe calmly, without fear of sad consequences for furniture. And if you want to arrange a loggia in this style, take care of high-quality steam and thermal insulation in advance. But back to design.

The furniture should be pretty basic, a little retro doesn't hurt. If you can use old furniture from a real country house, or make it yourself, use it. Hand-made decor is welcome: embroidered paintings, knitted napkins, wicker rugs. They will be accompanied by flower pots, carved wooden figurines, and chests.

Lighting should not be conspicuous. It is ideal to choose a lamp with a simple lampshade, perhaps decorated with fringe or beads.

Created by an impoverished bohemian, the loft is one of the most popular design trends today. When decorating a loft-style balcony, you must first of all keep in mind that it came out of industrial premises converted into human habitation. All its features follow from there.

Color solutions: all furnishings that could be obtained were dragged into the loft, there was no question of a clear color scheme. Brick, black, gray are found more often than others, but this happens only because they are the colors of building and finishing materials.

A huge incentive to choose this style for decoration will be the presence of a fire escape, various hatches, communication nodes. They will need not to be covered - on the contrary, to emphasize. Beams, non-working mechanisms, winches will fit perfectly. They can perform both a purely decorative function and find a second life with the help of your hands.

Furniture and decor items can be very different. For a loft, it is normal to combine a pallet sofa with an antique coffee table, and a bobbin table with a modern sculpture. The main thing is that everything should form a harmonious picture and not clutter up the entire space. After all, initially a loft is a warehouse and former workshops, where there is a lot of free space.

In terms of finishing, a good option would be to leave one of the walls intact if the walls are made of brick or rough concrete. The rest is enough to plaster.

The design directions do not end on this list. There is fusion with its mixing of ethnic elements and flashes of color, similar to hi-tech, but more crude techno. And, of course, the now popular Scandinavian style.

If you want to stop at it, then remember about the restrained color scheme (white, beige, gray, black) with single flashes of color, an abundance of wood, knitted elements and simple furniture.

Interesting and unusual ideas for balcony design are not limited to this, but always during the renovation, when choosing a design, the question arises with the size of the space.

Making a stylish and comfortable space for rest or work out of a narrow small balcony, rather than turning it into a pantry, where people visit, just to put things in order during general cleaning, is not an easy, but doable task.

A free loggia is an additional 3-6, and sometimes more, meters of space. Another unobvious plus is a change for the better from the outside view of the house, especially if you do not live on the top floor.

It is worth considering the design options depending on the size of the balcony.

Rest area, study or small creative workshop. For such premises, a lot of furniture is not required, and you will immediately feel the advantages of separating them from the rest of the apartment, especially if you do not live alone.

A winning solution would be a winter garden on the balcony. It does not imply an abundance of furniture, which means that you can embody the idea on a small balcony.

A small balcony can be combined with a room by expanding the balcony opening or making the entrance open. Keep in mind that it is better not to embark on such adventures without a specialist.

A gym or a place to practice yoga at home is the dream of so many. Loggia is unexpectedly able to help in its implementation.

Can be turned into a bar. The bar counter will fit perfectly on long balconies. Moreover, the window sill will perfectly play its role. A loft will be a good style solution for the bar.

An area that gives complete freedom. Inside such a loggia, a full-fledged room can be located. Play with zoning, try to take part of the room under the office, and part under the rest room.

The balcony no longer seems like a pantry, suitable only for storing unnecessary things - this room can become your favorite place in the house. You just need to make an effort and turn on your imagination. Before decorating your balcony, you need to pay attention to ready-made structures.

For example, make a cozy balcony using plants. And for cladding, use a laminate.

Provence - you probably met all this in the photo illustrating examples of this style. This option is one of them.

Everything here is very cheap and tasteful. Plain wooden walls are painted white, and the abundance of plants and textiles are beautiful accents.