Design of a small balcony: interesting ideas for interior design, photo examples

Specifics of small balconies

Now houses are being built according to designs that meet modern standards. In such apartments, loggias and balconies have a large area. The owners have the opportunity to turn this room into an additional room, create areas for games, work, and relaxation. In buildings built in the last century, balconies are small, making it impossible to install standard furniture or create large-scale structures. However, this is not a reason to turn them into additional storage. You can choose a suitable design for a 3 sq.m. balcony and make it a cozy area.

Balcony design 3 sq.m.

Ideas for transforming these premises may vary. When choosing, their specificity is taken into account. Small architectural elements include structures of several types:

square, rectangular, semicircular;
with concrete, lattice, metal fences;
with and without partitions.

The optimal solution can be found for any balcony. Finishing, insulating materials, and glazing systems will help implement ideas.

The optimal solution can be found for any balcony

Some apartment owners, in order to save money, decorate their balconies on their own. But you need to take into account that such work requires certain skills, knowledge of the specifics of materials, and the use of professional tools and equipment. If you want to get a high-quality result in the end, it is better to entrust the refurbishment of your balcony to experienced specialists.

Let's organize a creative studio

The beautiful view from the balcony serves as a source of inspiration and awakens creativity. Therefore, this room is perfect for adapting its design to a small studio.

In order to save space, it makes sense to abandon the table.

To do this, first of all, fence off the end part of the balcony. Install a countertop, several shelves and drawers to hold supplies.

The table can be replaced with a bookcase or sketchbook. If an artist is interested in, for example, sketching, they will not be needed either. In this case, a comfortable chair and the same folding table will be enough.

To make the atmosphere even more inspiring, add some decorative elements to the design of a small balcony: figurines, paintings, lamps.

A balcony is not a useless room, suitable only for storing unnecessary things. It is comparable to a blank sheet of paper on which a skilled artist will realize any idea. Adapting to your wishes, a narrow small balcony will become a stylish study, a cozy relaxation area or a stunning greenhouse.

As you can see, a small balcony can be transformed into zones that vary in functionality.

It can be decorated in any style and color scheme. We have suggested several ways to design this space, but there are many more you can come up with.

Think about what your balcony can become after renovation?

Types of zones on a small balcony

Regardless of whether you choose a balcony design of 6 meters, 4 or 3 meters, you must first decide on the purpose of the future room. In this area you can arrange:

room for summer or year-round recreation;
winter Garden;
playroom for a child;
study;
area for tea drinking, etc.

An important point is the specifics of the operation of the premises. If you plan to spend time in it all year round, you need to perform high-quality insulation and use double-glazed windows in the glazing. If you want to use the balcony for its intended purpose only in the warm season, you can, without spending a lot of money, install a system with aluminum profiles.

For year-round use, insulate your balcony

Intense natural light creates excellent conditions for growing plants. The green area not only perfectly decorates the apartment, it has a powerful beneficial effect on the nervous system and cleanses the atmosphere in the apartment. You can also grow flowers only in the warm season or throughout the year, for which you will need to equip a full-fledged winter garden. There are many photos of designs of small balconies with landscaping on the Internet; it is possible to choose an attractive option.

Design of a small balcony with landscaping

In a small apartment, it is usually not possible to arrange a separate room for a child. A balcony can become an excellent children's area for games, hobbies, and creative activities. You can equip a place to do homework, install a compact desk or desk.

A good option for a balcony is a study. In the modern assortment it is not difficult to find a suitable computer desk or chair. The presence of a separate, isolated area allows you to work fruitfully; other family members do not have the need to maintain silence or limit themselves in the choice of entertainment.

Workplace on the balcony

Many of us periodically have the desire to calmly communicate with friends and relatives in a calm, cozy environment. The kitchen is not a very convenient option for this. You can create wonderful conditions for pleasant conversations on the balcony. It is enough to install a folding table and comfortable chairs to create a wonderful area for communication and tea drinking.

Cozy place to relax on the balcony

Insulated and non-insulated balconies

After you decide for what purpose the design of a small balcony will be designed, you can begin preparing it for the upcoming transformation. The stages, order of design work, and choice of materials depend on whether insulation is planned.

Equipping a balcony, which will be fully operational only in the warm season, will cost less. Reliable protection from dust, wind and rain will ensure comfortable conditions for relaxation. For this purpose, glazing systems with aluminum profiles are installed. Designs with sliding shutters will fit perfectly into the design of a narrow balcony. They do not take up space, provide maximum convenience, and the ability to regulate the flow of fresh air by opening the necessary doors.

Sliding structures do not take up space

If you plan to design a winter garden, a children's playroom or a full-fledged office on the balcony, you will have to deal with its insulation. The modern assortment includes many materials that provide high-quality thermal protection. Their use makes it possible to maintain positive temperatures in the most severe frosts. To create the most comfortable mode during the cold season:

heating devices are used;
a “warm floor” system is being installed;
The balcony is connected to the heating system.

The “warm floor” system will provide heating in winter

This will require additional costs. But if the balcony must serve as a full-fledged room, such expenses are reasonable.

Where do we start?

The first step in this is to bring the balcony into proper condition:

Cleaning . Before you take on design feats, you need to throw out everything unnecessary from the balcony, and move everything you need somewhere else. Brush away cobwebs from the ceiling, wash the floor, and dust the walls with a broom.
Grade . Having left the balcony empty and clean, you need to inspect it. What is the condition of the floor and the concrete slab underneath? Are there any cracks or crumbling? What is the condition of the walls? Is the coating on them normal, are there any cracks, holes or similar defects? What's the deal with the ceiling? Doesn't it leak or threaten to collapse on your head? And, of course, what about the windows? Is it there at all or is the balcony open? If so, how do they cope with thermal insulation?
Repair . If the ceiling is leaking, it must be repaired. If there are cracks in the slab, they need to be caulked. If the windows are wooden and there is draft from them, they need to be replaced.

Small balcony design

When the immediate problems have been resolved, you can stop and examine the balcony with a critical eye. How do you want to see it next? There are two solutions.

The balcony can be:

Open . If you live in a warm climate (for example, somewhere in Krasnodar) and natural disasters like snowfall rarely occur, then you don’t have to spend money on glazing. Then it will be possible to arrange something like an observation deck on the balcony, where you can drink coffee, look at the stars or read in the fresh air. In this case, you won’t need to do anything else - clean it, put it in conditional order, and you can think about style.
Closed . If you live in Siberia and winter begins in October, an open balcony, of course, will not suit you. Therefore, you need one more step - to insulate it. You can invite specialists to do this, you can do it on your own, the main thing is that even in winter it should be warm and cozy.

Closed option

What you like best determines what results you can get and what you can use it for.

Main stages of insulation

Many apartment owners, looking at photos of 6-meter or 3-meter balcony designs, decide to insulate it so that this zone is as comfortable as other rooms in the apartment. This option makes it possible to increase the usable area, which is especially important for small-sized housing, where you have to save every centimeter.

Some owners have doubts about the advisability of insulation. Laying several layers will have an impact on the area, reducing the area, which is already small in size. But you need to understand that the dimensions of the room will suffer slightly, but comfort will be complete.

The glazing of small balconies uses sliding systems that do not require space to open the sashes. They perfectly complement any small balcony design style. Protection of walls, floors, and ceilings from cold penetration is provided by a “pie” that includes:

waterproofing material;
insulation layer;
vapor barrier film.

Balcony insulation scheme

The total thickness of this sandwich may not exceed 5 centimeters. At the same time, high-quality protection from the cold will be guaranteed. This parameter depends on the type of base and type of insulation. The most popular material now is penoplex. Experts recommend using sheets 4 cm thick in our climate region. This is enough to create a comfortable temperature and maintain it even in frosts of 25°C.

Features and advantages of a small balcony

A small living space and a compact balcony, of course, cause their owners a lot of trouble, which is associated with the arrangement of the apartment and the lack of free space. The so-called “Khrushchev” and the standard panel house P-44 gained particular fame. The location of the rooms in these properties often forces the owners to undertake a complete redevelopment of the home.

But even a small balcony and loggia have their advantages:

Glazing a small balcony will cost much less. If you don’t want to save money, you can opt for huge windows that will open up a magnificent panoramic view. For a large balcony, such a project will cost a colossal amount of money, and additional heating of the area will require serious expenses in the winter.
Compact balconies are practical in terms of maintaining cleanliness.
Insulating and arranging a small loggia is a relatively inexpensive pleasure, because modern renovation of a small space will require less building materials.
It is much easier to design in a small room than in a large area. Buying a small amount of decor will also not be expensive.

Design styles

In numerous photos of the design of balconies of 6 meters or 4.3 meters you can see all classic and modern styles. The range of finishing materials, furniture, and decorative elements is now offered enormously; any creative idea can be realized. In this zone you can use styles:

majestic empire style;
luxurious Victorian;
aristocratic English;
chic baroque;
romantic Provence;
cozy country;
avant-garde loft;
strict minimalism;
futuristic hi-tech.

Decor of a small balcony in loft style

The choice depends on personal preferences and the purpose of the room. For example, the ancient Greek style is perfect for decorating a winter garden with hanging plants. Provence provides excellent conditions for relaxation and recreation. The English style allows you to decorate a solid office; country or rustic will provide the necessary comfort for pleasant gatherings. Modern high-tech, loft, and minimalist styles are distinguished by their laconicism, which makes them good options for a small room.

Laconic modern style is ideal for small balconies

You can view photos of designs of small balconies on the Internet. They will help you find a style that suits your personal preferences.

Use of closed balconies

An enclosed balcony, even the smallest one, is a separate room that needs stylistic decoration, design solutions, and a creative approach.

The first thing you need to do to ensure all this is to choose the appropriate style. You can use one of those that are used most often, or you can, based on them, find or come up with something more original.

Closed type balcony

Loft

An ideal solution for a small balcony, which it was decided to turn into something like a living room where you can eat or receive guests. It allows you to organize a narrow space well, making it comfortable, beautiful, and interesting.

Loft design requires the following elements:

Materials . Considering that the loft originated in America, in factory premises dedicated to people's living, the materials must be appropriate. The ceiling is light, with beams. The walls are made of decorative bricks (if your house is originally brick, so much the better), they can be partially plastered. Leave a concrete screed on the floor or cover it with linoleum to match the concrete.
Colors . Loft is gray concrete, red bricks, white plaster. Among its main colors there are no bright ones, but they go well together.
Furniture . Regardless of what role the resulting room will play, the furniture should be made of leather and metal, reminiscent of an office. A bar counter made from a window sill with bar stools looks good. No worse - a leather chair in which you can relax comfortably.
Accessories . Accessories include open communications (take this into account and, when installing electricity, leave a few wires in sight), intricate graffiti on the wall, and small trinkets that show the owner’s taste. You can add fresh flowers.
Light . Fully open if natural. The artificial one should be made with small spotlights.

Loft style

Of course, what happens as a result will be far from the “canonical” loft, which implies space, high ceilings, and large rooms. But it will still be spectacular and beautiful.

Advice Just don’t make a loft-style balcony if the rest of your apartment is designed in one of the classic styles. The dissonance will be too strong.

Pay attention to the style of the apartment when decorating the balcony

Minimalism

Minimalism is great for a small balcony because it allows you to use the space wisely and the light colors make it seem more spacious. The main principle of minimalism is moderation. If you can’t put something on the balcony, you don’t need to put it.

In the style of minimalism

The design of minimalism is as follows:

Materials . Any. Light wood, thin wood-like plastic, or light colors work well. But you can fit glass, metal, natural stone, even reeds.
Colors . The colors of minimalism are light - white, cream, milky, maybe the color of light wood or light gray. Sometimes you can use light shades of brighter colors - yellow, red, blue.
Furniture . Whatever you want to get as a result, the furniture should be light and not too bulky. If it’s a chair, then it’s thin, made of metal or wood. If there is a sofa, then with light upholstery, without armrests. Simplicity, moderation - the less furniture the better, you can simply put a mattress on the floor.
Accessories . They are practically not used in minimalism. No photographs, figurines, etc. You can put a live flower in a pot on the windowsill.
Light . Natural - cover with roller blinds or blinds, they are best suited. Artificial - built-in, small spotlights.

Roller blinds or blinds are good for balconies.

A small balcony made in proper minimalism looks larger than it actually is. And thanks to the fact that windows occupy most of the walls, this feeling only intensifies.

Advice: You shouldn’t use minimalism to decorate your office - few people find the lack of accessories to be an uncontrollable desire to work. But it is more than suitable for relaxation. Especially if you make a cabinet with books.

Lockers for the most necessary things

Visually increasing space with finishing

Finishing materials and decorative elements are selected in accordance with the chosen style. Each direction has certain canons that must be followed. But for a small room, special techniques are also useful to visually expand the space. The most advantageous options include the use of:

maximum glazing;
light colors in the decoration of walls and ceilings;
light, openwork materials for window decoration;
small decorative items, mirrors.

Maximum glazing will visually increase the space

Panoramic glazing ideally expands the room. Modern systems are equipped with durable, reliable triplex and tempered glass, allowing you to create a durable, safe design.

Light shades in the decoration of walls and ceilings will help to visually enlarge the space, giving the interior lightness and a feeling of spaciousness. Delicate tulle or light plastic blinds will complement the visual effect. Mirrors are a great way to expand a room. By using them in the design of a narrow balcony, you can visually deepen it and give it more space.

For decoration, choose light shades

Design ideas

After glazing and insulation, your balcony has turned into a small loggia. The time has come to settle it in. There is not much space, every centimeter must be used rationally, but its appearance is already pleasing!

Advice. Hang blinds on your balcony windows, preferably horizontal ones. This way you can use the balcony at any time of the day, covering the blinds in bright sun or at night from prying eyes.

Greenhouse

For flower lovers, we turn the renovated balcony into a charming greenhouse. Agree with a glazing company to install a wide window sill. In addition, ask for timber inserts in the side blind plastic panels. Then you can hang pots and shelves for potted plants and various cute trinkets on the side walls. The photo below shows an interesting idea for placing shelves at 45°.

Blinds will protect your pets from direct sunlight.

Tired of white plastic panels? Look at the options for decorating with plastic and natural stone panels. Even moss grows on old masonry! And the load on the balcony slab practically does not increase. Today on the market you can buy finishing materials that will change your idea of the possibilities of the same plastic in room design.

The part of the external wall of the house, which is “inside” the glazed balcony, is finished in accordance with the overall design of the greenhouse. In this case, you don’t have to worry about the weight of the wall covering (tiles, stone, decorative plaster).

Rest zone

The main problem when decorating a recreation area on a small balcony will be the size of the furniture. Having trouble finding items in the right size? Make them yourself. Like this comfortable ottoman for relaxing. Place two sheets of plywood on timber posts. Calculate the height so that two drawers for storing things or a drawer with a pull-out table fit at the end. We throw a mattress and pillows onto the plywood, and a wonderful place to relax and sleep is ready.

A simpler option is almost “oriental”. Place pillows on the floor and relax.

Instead of an ottoman, you can assemble a small bench. Make the seat fold down to create a storage box for all sorts of things. To make it softer to sit on, we upholster the back and seat with soft material.

Don't forget about design techniques for visually expanding space. We use light colors in the decoration, enlivening the design with bright spots of color. Don't really like the view from the window? We make the side walls blank and glue beautiful photo wallpaper onto one of them.

Shouldn't we have a cup of coffee?

By placing a relaxation area on a small balcony, it is easy to create a place where you can happily drink a cup of coffee. For this you only need a folding table. A diagram of how to make such a table with your own hands and several photographs are given below.

There is even room for a small soft corner.

Such an unusual table will fit comfortably on a small balcony. An excellent combination of compactness and functionality.

Popular decoration for balconies

A variety of materials can be used to decorate the balcony. Wood is very popular in modern design. In the photos of balcony designs of 6 meters, 4, 3 meters, this type of wall decoration is most often found.

For the most part, lining is used to decorate this room. You can, for example, purchase pine lumber. This wood has a light shade that allows you to visually expand the room. Pine has a beautiful texture and gives the interior a cozy feel. Coniferous wood is not afraid of high humidity. Additional protection is provided by special impregnation. The material releases phytoncides into the air, destroying bacteria and microbes, filling it with a pleasant aroma that promotes relaxation and good rest. Pine lining is inexpensive and does not require large finishing costs.

Eco-friendly finishing of the balcony with clapboard

You can use other materials to decorate your balcony:

polyvinyl chloride wallpaper;
decorative plaster;
plastic panels;
MDF boards, etc.

Finishing the balcony with decorative plaster

As a finishing floor covering, you can use linoleum, tiles, and moisture-resistant laminate. A good option is cork material. It will provide additional protection from cold and noise.

Cork covering will provide additional protection from the cold

Light colors can be warm or cool. If you need to choose a design for a 3 sq.m. balcony located on the south side, you should give preference to cool shades. In the summer, they will provide a feeling of freshness and coolness. The decoration of the room on the north side uses warm colors that can compensate for the lack of sunlight.

Warm colors will compensate for the lack of sunlight

Compact furniture on a small balcony

Compact models can be found in all categories of furniture products. The choice of items depends on the purpose of the room. The design of a 6-meter balcony can use a sofa or bed, providing conditions for comfortable rest. If the area is small, you can install a comfortable rocking chair.

Folding furniture is an excellent solution for a small balcony

When decorating an area for tea drinking, it is advisable to use folding furniture. A folding tabletop can be used as a convenient table, which can be removed after gatherings. Folding chairs can also be installed only when necessary. In the design of a narrow balcony, the functions of a tabletop are sometimes performed by window sills.

The functions of the countertop are performed by the window sill

Regardless of the purpose of this room, various things will be stored in it:

dishes;
teaching aids;
toys;
devices, preparations for flowers, etc.

Cabinets or racks are equipped at the ends. If there are few items, a compact corner shelf would be a good option. The balcony design has 3 sq.m. you can arrange 2 of these shelves instead of a bulky cabinet.

The rack is installed at the end of the balcony

In the equipment of a non-insulated room, you can use furniture made of plastic, stainless steel, or metal protected with powder paint. Products made from MDF boards, wood-fiber materials coated with laminated film, plastic, and artificial veneer also tolerate high humidity well. If the balcony is well insulated, there are no restrictions in the choice of furniture.

Metal furniture is suitable for an open balcony

Interesting design

An important step will be choosing the interior for a small balcony. Based on this criterion, finishing materials and furniture are selected.

Now the most popular trends in residential design are high-tech and loft. They are characterized by maximum practicality and functionality, which is important for a small room.

Lovers of home comfort will be impressed by country and Provence style, for which details in design and an overall harmonious appearance are very important. Having chosen a suitable design and been inspired by examples of the works you like, you can begin to create the balcony of your dreams.

A quick tip on how to design different styles:

Loft implies carefully thought-out carelessness in the design of the environment. These are brick walls, decorative plaster, minimalist lamps, functional furniture and unusual carpeting.

Sea style. The design is dominated by the appropriate range. Wicker furniture, weightless curtains and themed accessories go well together.

Provence. Be sure to use decorative elements. Finishing is carried out with tiles, wallpaper and fabric elements. High-quality wooden furniture and home textiles with repeating patterns in design are preferable.

High tech. Maximum functionality in the choice of furniture, maximum lighting and minimum color variety. Typically, the palette is dominated by gray, white and black tones; sharp contrasts are not allowed, as well as decorative elements in the form of paintings on the walls or colorful pillows.

Country can be recognized by antique or artificially aged furniture, old-fashioned fabric curtains and great attention to decorative accessories. Despite some wear and tear, this style is very fashionable and homely.

Oriental style in the interior prefers rich decoration. This is massive bulky furniture, crystal and stone. For a small room, the best solution would be to stick to two or three elements so as not to overload the decor.

Lighting in balcony design

Regardless of whether the design of a 6-meter balcony or a small 3-meter room is chosen, attention must be paid to lighting. If you are creating a full-fledged area for relaxation, work, or play, you need to create comfortable light in them. Hanging chandeliers in such conditions are not the best option; they will take up space that needs to be saved as much as possible.

The following will help create the proper conditions:

overhead models;
Spotlights;
built-in light sources.

Built-in lamps do not weigh down the space

The range of such products is large; you can choose suitable models for any interior style.

Textile decor in the balcony interior

In any interior, textile decor plays a special role. It can be an ideal backdrop for furniture, other furnishings, or become the main accent. In the photo of designs of small balconies you can see a variety of items in this category:

carpets,
curtains,
blankets,
tablecloths,
napkins.

Textile decor must be resistant to fading

Moreover, textile decor can be used not only in the design of insulated balconies. Synthetic materials do not lose their qualities when exposed to humid air and low temperatures. When choosing textiles, it is necessary to take into account the intensity of natural light. There are materials that are not affected by ultraviolet rays. For example, fleece and acrylic blankets do not lose their brightness of color or quality in such conditions.

In the design of a balcony of 6 meters, 3 meters, you should not use traditional curtains on the eaves. Roman blinds, roller blinds, and blinds perfectly cover windows, but do not affect the area of the room.

Roller blinds cover windows perfectly

Manufacturers produce a wide range of these window opening designs, so it’s easy to choose a good option. If you need to create comfortable conditions for sleeping during the day, you can use innovative blackout curtains that do not let in sunlight.

Stylistic directions appropriate for balconies

The most popular and sought-after interior styles for balconies remain loft, Provence and its country variety.

Provençal motifs will appeal to romantics and vintage fans. Light translucent curtains with a floral print, wooden furniture with a patina effect, ceramic flower pots with a pattern in the French country style will easily convey the spirit of playful and relaxed Provence.

The loft will appeal to those who do not like excesses in the interior and do not plan to allocate a large amount of money to decorate the balcony. To recreate the loft atmosphere, just choose two dominant shades. It is necessary to paint the walls in these colors, choose curtains and flooring to match. The loft is in the details: stylized lamps, a couple of funny paintings, a long-pile carpet and compact furniture from pallets that you can make yourself will help completely complete the design of a small balcony.

Country is simply created for those who cannot imagine an interior without wood products. You can implement a design idea with the help of furniture and finishing materials. Wooden boards and linings are perfect for this purpose.