For many housewives, the issue of increasing kitchen space is very pressing. This is especially true for apartments, where it is very difficult, and sometimes impossible, to make redevelopment. One of the optimal and practical options is to combine the kitchen with a balcony or loggia. This approach is becoming increasingly popular, and there are a number of reasons for this.
The kitchen, which has direct access to the balcony, has hidden functionality.
Combining a balcony with a kitchen: the pros and cons of organizing additional space
Any action associated with changing the original appearance is usually considered from opposite angles, weighing all the pros and cons. This will help you make the right decision and think through all the nuances.
By removing the partition and combining the kitchen with a loggia or balcony, you can optimize the space.
Merger Benefits
- Increasing kitchen space
Any housewife knows that every centimeter of space in the kitchen is important. Therefore, additional space will certainly not be superfluous.
With this combination, instead of a cluttered balcony, we get a functional area.
A kitchen combined with an ordinary balcony will be a real boon for owners of small apartments or private brick houses. Thanks to proper redevelopment, you can turn a few meters of space into a practical and much-needed area.
- Zoning.
Using the balcony space will help separate the cooking and eating areas. This approach is not only practical, but also very convenient. Both the balcony and the kitchen area can be used as a dining room.
It all depends on the size of the additional space and the preferences of the home owners.
- Lighting.
Huge balcony windows make the kitchen brighter and airier. A big plus would be placing them on the sunny side. Then the light will not only illuminate, but also warm the room, which is very preferable in the cold season. But in summer it is better to use blinds or curtains.
The interior of such a kitchen always looks very interesting and unusual.
- Basis for experimentation.
Redevelopment and further interior design of a kitchen combined with a balcony allows you to bring not only practicality and convenience to the interior, but also color and an individual accent. Changing the shape of the opening and windows, suspended ceilings and original lighting, play of colors and textures - this is not the entire list of creative experiments that can be implemented with the help of such modernization.
By applying maximum imagination here, you can decorate and organize the free space in an original way.
Disadvantages of Merger
- The need for additional insulation.
Sealing windows and thermal insulation finishes require certain financial costs. However, without these measures it is impossible to make such a balcony suitable for living. Drafts and cold floors will not be its advantage.
Redevelopment requires legalization - this can be a long process.
- Duration of modernization.
Taking into account all the nuances of redevelopment and preparation for it, it should be noted that such repairs can take considerable time. However, after all the work it will be nice to look at the desired result. Experience shows that haste can lead to extremely negative consequences.
Changes entail large costs for insulation, glazing, finishing and floor improvements.
- "Paper work".
In most cases, to carry out redevelopment, you need to collect documents and wait for approval. Often such work takes quite a long time. However, we should not forget that only approved redevelopment is legal. Otherwise, the case will end in a fine and an administrative lawsuit.
If you only remove the window, then no paperwork or permission is needed, but during the sale of the home you will need to return everything to its original condition.
Functional solution for a small kitchen with a balcony
Instead of a work area, you can place functional elements here: a refrigerator, a washing machine, a dishwasher and other technical components that usually take up a lot of space. Then the main area will be organized in a completely traditional way - with a suite and a dining area. And here it is appropriate to think about the layout: how to make a work set convenient and which dining group to choose.
Layouts for a small kitchen combined with a balcony are quite common:
- L-shaped set, suitable everywhere and always. A combined option would be interesting here - some of the furniture with only lower drawers can be placed under the window - balcony glazing. In continuation, a linear set is installed.
- A linear set is relevant when the room is not very long, since it will be inconvenient to move along single-row furniture.
- A parallel one will be an ergonomic solution if there is a wide aisle between the rows - at least 60 cm, but more is better, since even a couple of people cannot warm up in such a narrow aisle.
Combining a balcony with a kitchen to create an additional area for recreation and leisure
The process of remodeling the kitchen space and connecting it to the balcony consists of several important stages.
- Preparing the entire room.
- Glazing and insulation of a balcony or loggia.
- Dismantling the wall.
- Finishing.
- Installation of furniture, fittings.
In order to effectively and with maximum benefit use empty additional meters, you need to glaze the loggia with special profiles made of aluminum or PVC.
All of them must be carefully planned and implemented. This is the only way to achieve the desired result.
Redevelopment ideas
- 1 Balcony-dining room. This is the most popular option, since only the cost of insulating the balcony is required.
- 2 Balcony bar.
This option is even easier to implement, since part of the former wall will serve as the basis for a bar counter. By modifying it, you can use the lower part as additional storage space, and the slopes of the former window can be used to create a wine cabinet. - 3 Balcony-kitchen.
You can move the kitchen work area onto the balcony. This option is the most difficult, as it will require laying communications. If you only take out the refrigerator, the “ergonomic triangle” is violated. But here you can take, for example, a washing machine, building it into the cabinet to get an additional countertop. You can also remove part of the countertop with the electric stove and sink. But keep in mind that they should be located on the same side of the kitchen where they stood before, so that the communication pipes do not have to be pulled diagonally. - 4You can decorate a loggia or balcony in a completely “non-kitchen” way - arrange a mini-office, lounge area, winter garden or playroom here. In this case, the design of the kitchen and balcony may differ in color, but it is advisable to leave the style the same so that there is no feeling of imbalance, since part of the balcony will still be visible from the kitchen.
Merge methods and their features
There are several types of connecting a balcony to a kitchen:
- Full.
This merging option is characterized by the complete destruction of the wall between the space of the balcony and the kitchen. It allows you to turn two rooms into one. To create a stylish and original effect, designers suggest using different flooring for these two spaces.
This solution enhances zoning and emphasizes the individual style of each zone.
A stylish and effective solution would be to use panoramic windows. This approach will make the room very bright.
Note! If you are the owner of an apartment in a panel house, then when remodeling the kitchen-balcony space, you are prohibited from removing the threshold.
- Partial.
With this connection, the doors and windows separating the balcony and the kitchen are dismantled, but the wall itself remains intact.
In the future, it can become a bar counter, an additional work surface, or simply a stand for flowers or an aquarium.
This approach during repair allows you to keep the radiator in the same place.
Where to start combining the loggia and kitchen
Combining a balcony and kitchen area is one of the options for remodeling an apartment. There are some restrictions when changing the structure of a residential area. They must be observed and fulfilled. Here you will need documentation and permission to carry out work. First you need to determine whether it is possible to combine the kitchen and balcony area together.
Rice. 9. Apartment plan.
If you start redevelopment without the appropriate permitting documents and approvals, the owner will be required to pay a fine. In this case, the condition of the apartment will need to be restored to its original condition.
Coordination of changes
In many houses, dismantling the wall that borders two rooms is prohibited, since it is load-bearing. It is also prohibited to demolish the door threshold, regardless of the type of multi-story building. Any designer will strictly prohibit this, since this element can act as a load-bearing structure. In a panel house, when dismantling the threshold, the rigidity of the hinged panel may be disrupted.
Rice. 10. Complete dismantling of the partition in a panel house is prohibited.
Partial demolition of a wall, provided that it is not load-bearing, is permitted only if the apartment is located no higher than the 7th floor. Such construction manipulations are carried out only in monolithic houses.
Collection of documents
First, you need to contact the BTI at your place of residence so that the organization issues a registration certificate. The project must be approved by the organization that designed the house. After a positive decision is made, the project should be agreed upon by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, with suppliers of light, gas and other resources.
Rice. 11. Only after receiving permission to carry out installation work can redevelopment begin.
In addition, you will need written permission from the residents of the apartment and house. After collecting all the documents, you can contact the Housing Inspectorate. There they will draw up an acceptance certificate in a “new” form, on the basis of which the BTI will issue a technical passport for the reconstructed apartment.
Combining a balcony and a room: options for using space
How to use the space obtained through such a combination is the business of every housewife. It all depends on its size, location and shape, and individual preferences. The most common options are the following:
"New dining room."
A dining room on the balcony is a practical solution for small kitchens where it is difficult to combine cooking and eating areas. When using additional space in this way, its size should be taken into account. After all, the furniture should correspond to the dimensions of the balcony and not overload it. In addition, the dining table is a place where the whole family spends time together.
Every family member should have unhindered access to it.
The most comfortable solution would be to use light colors in such a dining room. This will visually enlarge the space and make it more airy and light.
Resting-place.
The insulated balcony, which has become part of the kitchen, will also become an excellent relaxation area. It can be made both in the general style and in contrast. If you have a fairly spacious kitchen, such a seating area will serve as a place where you can relax a little while cooking or just drink tea with friends.
Most people like this option.
The key to comfort in this option will be the use of soft and cozy furniture, lamps or floor lamps.
Bar on the balcony.
An original solution for the interior of a kitchen with an extension balcony would be to use the window sill as a bar counter. This will not only bring the desired atmosphere into the interior, but also divide the space into zones. The bar counter will become an additional functional space or take over the function of a dining table (if the kitchen is small).
The latter option will also save space and make the room more spacious.
Balcony-storage room
It would be practical to use the balcony as a pantry, where you can place both food and kitchen utensils.
For greater convenience, resistant shelving and wardrobes are used.
Kitchen-office
An unusual and very effective new option would be to use the balcony space as an office. The kitchen becomes part of it. One cannot help but recognize this combination as bold and even shocking. What connects the office and the kitchen? How can you cook soup and type at the computer? These questions are most likely rhetorical. However, it is probably convenient to drink tea without leaving your workplace.
A kitchen combined with a loggia can be used not only for its intended purpose, but also to bring original ideas into reality.
Kitchen-living room with balcony
Recently, more and more often you can come across the idea of combining the kitchen and living room. Thanks to this approach, space increases. However, not all housewives agree to accept the fact that the smell of food and steam from cooking spreads throughout the house. Whatever it is, design solutions never cease to amaze us. Combining a kitchen-living room with a balcony is becoming popular for many redevelopment projects.
This use of sq. m deserves attention to the maximum.
Work area on the balcony
When placing a work area on a balcony, you must remember that the presence of a sink requires an additional branch of the water supply. This is only possible with additional permission.
If you live on the ground floor, you can get permission to completely move the kitchen to the balcony area.
When arranging elements of the work area, it is recommended to adhere to the “kitchen triangle” rule. What does it mean? The refrigerator, sink and stove should be located at the maximum accessible distance. This will make the cooking process easier and reduce the number of movements during it.
How to furnish the resulting space?
In order for all events to benefit, you need to be able to not only free up space, but also decorate it beautifully. You need to take care of furniture, lighting, color combinations, and additional accessories.
Every year this idea becomes more and more popular
Styles
In order not to think about all this anew every time, people have come up with styles - ready-made cheat sheets that suggest which design will definitely look good.
Do not clutter small kitchen areas with unnecessary furniture - only everything you need
For a kitchen with a partially attached loggia, the following styles would be suitable:
- Eastern . A low table, soft pillows, a forged lamp with an intricate pattern, light curtains, bright, natural colors and floral patterns. Mandatory - the arch must be curtained with light natural fabric with tassels. The general impression is that of the Sultan's palace.
- Eco . It can be not just eco, but with an emphasis on Hawaiian motifs. A table made of untreated wood, rattan chairs, bamboo curtains, and always fresh flowers. You can put a lamp with a real candle on the table, and curtain the arch with a rustling curtain made of wooden multi-colored beads. On the wall - a ukulele.
- Minimalism . There is no curtain in the arch, a simple table, next to it there are chairs - plastic, metal. No accessories other than a simple lamp on the table (a geometric design is a must). If there are curtains on the windows, they are roller blinds, without a pattern.
Don't skimp on lighting
Of course, any other style will do - you can edit it, or you can use it as is. For example, the Japanese way is to place a sliding door in the arch, which is closed only occasionally.
Light curtains and other textile elements with floral patterns will help emphasize the Provence style
For a kitchen that is combined with a loggia, other styles are well suited:
- Provence . Light colors, floral wallpaper, chairs with wrought iron backs and a white tablecloth on the table. Definitely flowers in a vase, a couple of landscapes on the wall. There is a cafe-style curtain on the window that will only partially cover it.
- Loft . The walls are brick, the floor is concrete, there must be a bar counter (it can be used to separate the dining area from the work area), swivel high chairs. Metal, leather, plastic. Lamps that look like spotlights, graffiti on the wall.
- Country . The table is good quality, made of wood, and so are the chairs. Be sure to have a wicker rug on the floor, curtains for the windows, and a lot of textiles in general. The colors are rich and natural.
According to the rules of design art, the kitchen and balcony should be decorated in the same style
Style is not so much a guide to action as a hint. After reviewing the list, you can figure out what will look good in the kitchen, what you like, and use the knowledge gained to get a beautiful result by combining important elements yourself.
Kitchen combined with a balcony: what you need to know before remodeling
Before you begin remodeling your balcony into an additional kitchen space, you need to take into account a number of nuances, without which all your efforts may be in vain.
Important! If, when combining a balcony with a kitchen, the wall with the window sill remains intact, then you do not need to take permission. You will only need to indicate the changes made in the apartment plan. If the wall can be demolished, permission is required.
As an original idea, you can use panoramic glazing.
In this case, you must submit a package of documents.
- House plan.
- Documents that confirm ownership of the living space.
- A project for future redevelopment (created by specialists in an architectural bureau and is a necessary component).
Types of combining loggia and kitchen
Before proceeding directly to installation, you should consider the possibility of combination and you can make it complete or partial. From this the interior style will be developed. When choosing a complete or partial combination of two rooms, you should determine the role of the balcony opening in the new room. Only after this should you start combining. Regardless of the type of association, the loggia is first improved. It is insulated, the floor is leveled and communications are installed.
Partial combination of loggia and kitchen
In case of partial changes in the kitchen, the door blocks and window are removed, but the radiator is left. In this case, permission may not be taken. If you plan to conduct communications, then it will definitely be needed.
Rice. 12. The protruding part can be used as a dining table or bar counter.
Repairs will cost less and you can use the protruding part in different ways. The former window sill can serve as a bar counter, dining table or arch. If the kitchen is small, then you won’t be able to actually enlarge it. As a result, the interior will be unfinished.
Complete combination of loggia and kitchen
A complete change in the structure of the kitchen involves demolishing the partition. At the same time, the loggia becomes its continuation. Taking this into account, communications are brought down and the heating is redone.
Rice. 13. Option for completely combining two zones.
This method of combination allows you to obtain a harmonious increase in kitchen space. Complete reconstruction requires a lot of financial costs. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain permission.
Recommendations for combining a balcony with a kitchen
- Radiators and radiators should not be placed on the balcony.
With proper insulation it will not be cold on it.
Heat will also come from the room to which it is connected.
- It is strictly forbidden to place a gas stove on the balcony.
This will be the reason for refusal to legalize the redevelopment. In addition, such placement is unsafe. After all, the gas supply system cannot be located practically outside the premises. In addition, if a balcony or loggia on which gas appliances are located is destroyed, there is a risk of fire and explosion.
- Use of outlets in the additional area is prohibited.
All of them should be placed in the kitchen.
This requirement is intended to protect against accidents and damage.
- It is not recommended to load the balcony with heavy equipment or furniture.
Such placement is not safe both for the owners of the house and for their neighbors (if we are talking about an apartment). It is necessary to adhere to certain standards that establish the maximum permissible load on balcony slabs.
Merging options
There are a lot of ideas for decorating the entire kitchen space after combining. Possible options include:
- moving the kitchen to the loggia. The work area is created on the balcony, and in place of the kitchen a large dining room or living room is created;
- partial connection , in which openings are made free without demolishing walls;
- complete alignment , with the removal of walls and openings.
The options for combining are huge; to find the right solution, you can look at the ready-made photos presented in the article, use design magazines and other sources of information.
Moving the work area
The solution is functional and helps to significantly increase the kitchen space to create an entire dining room. If you put a stove, sink, furniture and other equipment on the loggia, then to move the work area you need to additionally install water, gas and electricity.
Experts give the following advice:
- in order to leave open access to windows and natural light, all cabinets are made at the bottom, and the top ones can be located exclusively in the end part;
- if the redevelopment was carried out without demolishing the partition, then make the window sill in the form of a bar counter or countertop. Such zoning will expand the functionality of the kitchen;
- the floor on the loggia should be raised slightly, this is necessary to separate spaces and insulate.
In the case of a complete connection, it is convenient to make a U-shaped kitchen.
Decorating a small kitchen: increasing functionality
A small kitchen always requires a careful selection of furniture and appliances; if the space is connected to a balcony, then you can install a refrigerator in the additional area, and the main one will be in a classic design with a table for meals and furniture.
Layouts will be standard:
- corner kitchen - easy to use, always appropriate. After combining, it is better to connect the lower cabinets on the loggia and extend them with a linear set;
- linear arrangement - convenient for short rooms to ensure convenient movement in space;
- A parallel kitchen is an ergonomic option; there is a large passage of 60 cm between the rows of furniture.
The interior can be created to be very functional and beautiful, and in the kitchen you can not only cook, but also welcome guests.
Harmonious idea
When combining, owners often turn the balcony into a dining area. The solution is optimal for people who prefer to cook a lot often, so the kitchen itself will remain free for movement.
The design can be very interesting if the space has non-standard shapes. For example, when there are semicircular walls, several corners:
- it is permissible to use any styles, but much depends on the total area, since classic or retro design requires more space due to massive furniture;
- For the dining area, it is better to choose round tables and exclude the use of a sofa or sofa.
Pay attention not only to the functionality and technical part - you should also choose the right color, installation of the headset, and decor.
Decorating the border of the balcony and kitchen
Since redevelopment is carried out using different methods, there is a need to design the boundaries of different spaces.
If the changes are not combined, and you need to isolate the loggia and kitchen as much as possible, then French windows or transparent doors will do. This separates the two spaces but still allows natural light to flow through.
This option is more suitable for people who are decorating a loggia not using the kitchen method, but rather making a winter garden, an office, a recreation room or a playroom for children.
It must be taken into account that zoning the space using this method must be done carefully, since doors or windows take up a little space for the process of opening them.
To save money, it is better to install sliding systems, then you can place the set as tightly as possible to the door.
The second design method will be arches - an excellent method for zoning, both rooms will merge into one, but the arch will divide them according to functionality. For classic styles, a standard semicircular one is suitable, but for modern design it is better to use abstractions, square or wavy shapes. All room differences can be left as is to create a podium or a cozy place with a low floor.
Designer recommendations
It is worth considering that the balcony is not designed for heavy loads, so there is no need to place massive furniture or a lot of heavy equipment on it. Preference should be given to lightweight materials from which floor cabinets are made. They will be low and narrow and can be installed around the entire perimeter to store kitchen utensils. Wide and low cabinets are used as seats or a sofa if you put pillows on them.
With panoramic windows, designers advise extending the window sill and making a bar counter out of it. The long part will be adjacent to the window and will not block the view, and add high chairs to complete the style. It is convenient to use this option for a small kitchen.
The side walls of the balcony are perfect for adding a cabinet or open shelves. It will be beautiful and functional to install it on one wall of the cabinet and shelves on the other. This gives you enough storage space, you can build in equipment and leave the rest of the space free.
If combining spaces does not give the desired result, there is not enough space left to install a table, then you can install a transformer or a folding set. In addition, round or oval types will take up less space.
Based on the general style, you can use curtains or drapes. If you need to enjoy the view from the window, then it is better to choose roller blinds and blinds.
As for style , design solutions are as follows:
- combine classics in the kitchen with retro or country on the balcony. It turns out to achieve a harmonious appearance with a sufficient amount of wood and textiles in a delicate color palette;
- when creating a kitchen in a loft style, remodel the loggia to look retro;
- combine minimalism and hi-tech;
- Ethnic styles are great for any kitchen;
- oriental design will turn the balcony into a small palace with pleasant light.
To prevent the kitchen from turning out ridiculous and tasteless, designers recommend:
- use similar colored materials in two zones;
- threshold, room difference used for zoning;
- use arched or column structures;
- for a small balcony, do not use bulky furniture; it is better to use a folding table, shelves and light chairs;
- For lighting, it is better to use spotlights and hang sconces on the walls.
There are a lot of options; they can be used even without combining space to make a separate place from the balcony for relaxation, work or play.
Balcony and loggia: fundamental difference
For many, the concepts of “balcony” and “loggia” are almost identical. However, it should be remembered that these are different types of buildings. Therefore, combining them with the kitchen is a little distinctive. To understand all this, let’s look at the characteristics of each of them.
The main distinctive feature of the loggia is that it is built into the building (two walls and an open facade), while the balcony protrudes beyond it.
How to design the border between the balcony and the kitchen
- 1 French windows or transparent doors are a good option if you want to isolate the kitchen from the balcony as much as possible. The kitchen will still be brighter, but the balcony will be separated as much as possible.
This option is often chosen if you plan to set up a winter garden on the loggia (not all plants are resistant to temperature changes and high humidity that prevail in the kitchen). It is also suitable for those who want to arrange a rest room - the windows will protect you from kitchen aromas.What is worth considering: hinged windows/doors require additional space, which will be used when opening. If you want to save money, it is better to install sliding systems. Then it will be possible to place pieces of furniture close to the door.
- 2 Arches are a great way of zoning.
Both rooms will be combined as much as possible, but visual zoning will be present. In addition, the classic semicircular arch fits perfectly into the concept of the classic style. If the interior is decorated in a modern style, you can make an arch of a square or abstract shape; for the Art Nouveau style, an arch with wavy slopes is suitable. - 3 The difference in floor level may not be eliminated. So, if the floors on the balcony are lower, then the dining group can be installed closer to the outer wall - you will get a cozy “nest” with a low floor. If the floors on the balcony are higher, then the joint can be designed as a podium.
Design of a kitchen combined with a loggia
When planning to combine a standard kitchen with a loggia, you need to decide: is a door needed? Even with complete dismantling of the wall, you can reserve the right, if necessary, to completely separate the two spaces. You can use a sliding door for this. It is much more compact than the hinged one and when folded is almost invisible.
For loggias located on the north side, there is a stylish and colorful way of additional lighting. It uses modern LED lamps, which are placed throughout the opening.
This arrangement of lamps between zones creates a very beautiful effect.
The design of a kitchen with a loggia can be absolutely varied: ethno-style, classic, modern, Provence, baroque, hi-tech, etc. Color palette and texture - their choice depends only on the imagination and desire of the owners.
When choosing furniture for a loggia combined with a kitchen based on photos of fashionable designs, you should remember the main thing: it should not be too massive or bulky.
Its main characteristics are practicality, lightness and ergonomics.
When planning a kitchen remodel and wanting to combine it with a balcony or loggia, do not forget that the result should not only be beautiful, but also safe. Recommendations and requirements should not be neglected. Choose an option that is suitable specifically for your case. Imagine, create, and let the result of such a connection please you.
Opening design
An opening lined with wood will look very neat and elegant. Natural finishes will add special elegance to the kitchen design. Stone or brick has a more massive appearance. To decorate the exit to the balcony, you can also use plaster or inexpensive plastic stucco decoration, which can be coated with paint with a gilded effect.
Volumetric elements, such as columns, will allow you to beautifully decorate the opening. They can have an antique design, be supplemented with moldings, decorated with drawings, or simply be made of wood.
The passage to the balcony is left rectangular in shape or sometimes made in the form of an arch or semi-arch. The arched portal is an original zoning element that can visually divide space and at the same time unite it.
The photo shows the design of a narrow kitchen with access to a balcony lined with brickwork.