Introduction: Kitchen combined with a balcony: using square meters wisely
Want to optimize the area of the room and expand the functional space? A kitchen combined with a balcony will be the very design find that will transform the interior beyond recognition. This is a bold, stylish, practical solution for those who like to experiment. And we will tell you how to achieve a stunning result.
Kitchen on the balcony: when is it relevant?
Combining a kitchen and a balcony is not an easy task and is not very budget-friendly. However, the result is worth it, because the apartment will look completely different. It is not even necessary to dismantle anything and combine the rooms in the full sense of the word. It is enough to simply have an exit from the kitchen to the balcony.
When is it worth thinking about redevelopment and combining rooms:
- if you want to expand the functional space;
- the bad layout needs to be corrected;
- I don’t like the doors and walls between rooms.
If the balcony has large windows, you can create a stunning interior composition. See how a similar redevelopment was done in a modern new house. It is difficult to spoil the design of a kitchen with a panoramic balcony – you can do without pompous decor, choosing a minimalist setting.
Kitchen connected to a balcony or loggia: options for organizing space
Before you start actively remodeling, you need to understand the differences between a balcony and a loggia. First, let’s discuss the features of a balcony. This is a protruding structure that has one common wall with the apartment. When equipping a functional space, you need to remember that you cannot put too massive furniture and heavy objects on the balcony.
The photo shows ideas on how to safely arrange the premises. See what original design of the kitchen combined with the balcony can be thought up.
The loggia does not protrude from the wall of the house and touches the apartment at several points. Therefore, you can take out much more furniture there without worrying about the load. If you have a loggia in your apartment, then more opportunities open up during redevelopment. Already implemented projects prove that in reality everything is simpler than it seems.
Kitchen layout with a balcony: what is possible and what is not
Combined rooms in a house are not a standard project, so when planning, you will have to take into account some restrictions. This is especially true for the demolition of structures and the installation of household appliances.
For example, you can’t install cooktops and heating systems on the balcony. No one will give permission for such manipulations, so you shouldn’t take risks.
But after the redevelopment, you can insulate the newly-created room with metal-plastic double-glazed windows. Or carefully seal the cracks. The room will be warm, and no one will be able to make claims from a safety point of view.
Advantages and disadvantages of a kitchen combined with a balcony
Combining areas in a room is always a responsible and non-standard step. Therefore, it is reasonable to weigh all the pros and cons. Let’s start by discussing the advantages.
Why is a kitchen on the balcony in an apartment convenient:
- There will be more light in the room;
- heat and sound insulation in the kitchen will become much better;
- the room will turn into a more spacious room.
There are also disadvantages to this solution. For example, for redevelopment it will be necessary to prepare a package of documents and obtain permission. And you also need to think through the design of the kitchen with a balcony, select materials and interior items. To make the hassle of refurbishment more pleasant, we suggest drawing ideas from professional projects.
Partial Relocation: Layout Ideas
If you don’t plan to completely redesign the space, you can partially connect the balcony to the kitchen. In this case, you only need to dismantle the window and the balcony door. You won’t have to demolish the parapet – you can simply convert it into a useful structure, such as a bar counter.
Partial transfer of the kitchen to the balcony is an ideal option if the parapet is part of a load-bearing wall. Such structures cannot be dismantled, so it is easier to go the other way. In the photo you can see a way to competently implement the idea.
Full transfer
Complete unification involves dismantling the structures dividing the room. You will need to remove the balcony door and wall. You will get a single space that you can equip at your discretion.
If you have a small square kitchen, it is better to completely combine it with the balcony. To highlight functional areas, you can zone the room. For example, make a dining area in the center, place a kitchen set and a stove along the walls, and organize a place for relaxation in a free secluded corner.
Kitchens of different sizes connected to a balcony: photos, design
Any room can be decorated beautifully and practically. The area of the room plays a big role, but imagination and useful advice from professionals will help solve the problem of optimizing space.
Kitchens 7, 8 sq.m with balcony
Kitchens of 8 sq.m and less are usually combined with a balcony to add at least a couple of meters of useful space. When arranging a room, special attention should be paid to the choice and location of the kitchen set. For elongated rooms, linear models are more suitable, which can be placed along the wall. If the kitchen is very narrow, it is better to place an L-shaped kitchen set there, and move the dining area to the balcony and buy a dining table of the right size.
Kitchen design 9 sq.m with balcony
A small kitchen can also be stylish. If you combine it with a balcony, it is better to make a work space in the main room. It is advisable to install a compact sofa, table and chairs, or a bar counter on the balcony.
If you have a loggia, it is better to do the opposite – take the furniture and some household appliances there. And organize a dining room and a recreation area in the kitchen area. We do not recommend trying to complement the design of a 9-meter kitchen with a balcony using an island – the furniture will take up most of the usable space.
Kitchen design 10 meters with balcony
Usually, the layout of apartments in modern houses is typical. After combining with a balcony, a 10 sq.m. kitchen takes on a rectangular or square shape. To save space in the room, you can build in household appliances into the kitchen set and refuse a table in the kitchen . Instead, you should use a folding tabletop or a small bar counter. Then the updated room will have free space for organizing a recreation area.
The photo shows a kitchen in a Khrushchev-era building with a balcony, the design of which is made according to all the laws of ergonomics.
Kitchen design 12 m with balcony
You can use your square meters wisely by installing a set along one of the walls. The space by the window is ideal for placing a dining table. A small bar counter will fit perfectly in the middle of the room. And the balcony area can be used as a place for cooking and storing food.
Kitchen design 14 sq.m with balcony
In such a room, you can install a kitchen island with shelves for dishes and utensils. If you have a large balcony or loggia, it is most logical to arrange a dining area there. Do you want a cozy recreation area? Allocate a corner for a compact sofa or a pair of stylish armchairs.
Kitchen design 18 sq.m with balcony
If desired, you can organize a dining room and a mini-living room in a spacious room. It is important to choose a competent zoning option. You can install an island or a bar counter, separating the work space.
Different kitchen layouts with balcony
The choice of design and the method of arranging interior items directly depends on the layout of the room. Let’s consider the most common options.
Square
Several furniture placement options are suitable for such a room: linear, parallel, angular and U-shaped. The correct geometry of the space gives a lot of options for experiments. If the balcony has already become a full-fledged part of the room, you can use it as a cooking area. It is logical to place a refrigerator, a bar counter or another convenient work surface there.
Rectangular
Rectangular kitchens with a balcony may have not only the design as in the photo. This form of the room is a godsend for those who like to experiment. Furniture can be arranged both linearly and in the corners of the room. If space allows, pay attention to the decor with an island. It is better to put it not on the balcony, but in the kitchen, or between the zones of the combined room.
Narrow
The main problems of a narrow kitchen are uneven lighting and a small functional space. The main task is to visually expand the room and arrange the furniture so that the items do not interfere with free movement. You can arrange a dining room or a recreation area on the balcony, and allocate a corner for cooking in the kitchen. The design of such a narrow kitchen with a balcony in the photo.
Corner
This layout can be called successful, because the kitchen has space for organizing a work area. It is advisable to organize a corner for eating in the center of the room or on the balcony. Along two walls you can place a set, hanging cabinets and shelves. The corner kitchen with a balcony is shown in the photo.
Kitchen interior with balcony: furniture and appliances arrangement
The main task when combining rooms is to use the space to the maximum advantage. On the former balcony, you can organize a dining room, a work area or a cozy mini-living room adjacent to the kitchen. Then you will be able to cook, eat and communicate with your family at the same time. A few simple tips will help you get inspired for interior achievements.
Boiler
Installing a boiler on a balcony is a controversial issue. It is easier with a loggia, because it is more suitable for such metamorphoses, especially if it is part of a living room or kitchen.
Conditions for placing a boiler on a balcony | |
---|---|
Sufficient natural ventilation | |
Ceiling height from 2 meters | |
No sleeping place provided |
If you decide to take out the boiler, it is important to think about where it will be located and create a refurbishment project. We offer an example of a kitchen design with a boiler and a balcony.
Refrigerator on the balcony
The refrigerator is one of the largest elements in the kitchen. If the climatic conditions on the balcony allow, it is quite possible to move the device there. The temperature range for the proper operation of the device is from +10 to +43 degrees. Another important condition is heating on the balcony. Regardless of the type of device, no equipment is adapted to work in sub-zero temperatures. If you think that the room meets the requirements, think about placing the device near one of the side walls. In the photo, the design of a kitchen with a refrigerator on the balcony.
Sofa
The sofa can be placed in the center of the room, along the wall or in the corner. This piece of furniture can easily act as an independent element of the interior or be part of a designer ensemble with a table, bar counter, kitchen set. We offer stylish new items from Bernard Shaw and Avec Plaisir .
For small spaces, corner sofa models are an ideal option. If you want to organize an additional sleeping place, choose products with a transformation mechanism. Just before placing such furniture, calculate that there is enough free space.
Tables
Even the smallest kitchen with a balcony needs such an element as a table. Round tables for 2-3 persons, transformers or folding tabletops are good for small rooms. In a spacious room, you can put a product of any shape. For example, the luxurious Drinen model .
The dining area can be arranged near the window on the balcony – then the furniture will not interfere with the cooking process. Moreover, it is very pleasant to eat while watching what is happening outside. We suggest looking at a photo with an image of a successful option for placing a table.
Bar counter on a balcony or loggia: installation features and functions
The design of a kitchen with an exit to the balcony can be supplemented with a bar counter. Such a solution will add not only attractiveness to the interior, but also functionality.
The bar counter can play the role of:
- Work surface;
- dining table;
- zoning tool.
You can install a stand where there was a wall between the rooms. In this case, even furniture with a folding tabletop will do. If you wish, you can always assemble the product to comfortably drink a cup of coffee or have lunch.
And the bar counter is also a great way to separate the combined rooms. You can install it in place of the dismantled wall or window sill. Then you will get two full zones, and there will be no need to make additional partitions.
Another simple and budget option for installing a bar counter is instead of a window sill on a loggia or balcony. This idea is easy to implement even in the most compact space. We offer even more tips on installing a bar counter (go to the article bar counter between the kitchen and balcony).
Partition between two rooms
If you decide to remove the wall between the rooms, you can replace it with a plasterboard partition. This durable and easy-to-install structure is extremely popular among designers. With the help of a partition, it is easy to separate one zone from another, fencing off the work space.
The partition can be decorated in an unusual way, for example, with paintings, light hanging shelves, flower pots. Don’t be afraid to use your imagination and experiment – the structure can withstand significant loads.
A bolder, but less practical option is glass partitions. They will be an ideal addition to the interior in modern styles. For classics, plasterboard structures with a built-in fireplace or arched partitions are more suitable.
Combining a kitchen with an office, storage room and children’s room
The kitchen does not necessarily have to be combined only with the balcony – you can combine it with several other rooms. You will get a spacious studio apartment, where everything is organized as you like.
For example, you can make access from the cooking room to the pantry where food supplies are stored. Then you won’t have to be distracted from the cooking process and open several doors. It’s easier to dismantle the door structures and replace them with screens and partitions.
By analogy, you can combine a small kitchen with a balcony with an office and even a children’s room. The option is good for those who want to cook, participate in the work process and keep an eye on the children at the same time. The re-planned space can be divided into zones using partitions, furniture, lighting.
Advice! You can also set up an office on the balcony. Simply place a comfortable table and chair there and adjust the lighting. This solution has two advantages: you will have quick access to the kitchen and will be able to observe what is happening in the room.
Dining area on the balcony
When combining rooms, you can unload the kitchen and send the dining group to the balcony. This option is good if there is enough space to arrange a full-fledged dining area. If there is very little space, you can replace the table with a long bar counter. It is better to place it right next to the parapet – this technique will save space and allow you to create an interesting design.
Kitchen on the balcony
A kitchen combined with a balcony allows you to move the work area to a secluded corner. You can cook, enjoy the view from the window and not disturb your household with your chores. This arrangement option will be optimal if you take care of organizing utilities on the balcony in advance. A small table, a folding tabletop or a bar counter can be used as a work surface. Utensils, spices, and dishes can be conveniently placed on floor shelves or in hanging cabinets.
Modern kitchen design with a balcony: the question of decoration
The interior of the premises can be maintained in absolutely any style. However, such trends as loft, eco, modern, fusion are very popular now. The unusual features of these styles are intertwined with laconicism and minimalism.
Classics also have the right to exist in the design of a rectangular or square kitchen with a balcony. It is worth avoiding excessive luxury – it is better to give preference to exquisite simplicity.
Modern kitchens with a balcony can be equipped not only with the most necessary furniture, but also with additional interior elements. For example, an aquarium, fabric partitions, sliding doors. Such solutions are easily implemented in design and always remain relevant in terms of interior fashion.
TOP 5 tips for successfully combining a kitchen with a balcony
I would like to remind you once again of the main points that are important to remember when combining. Advice from designers:
- Prepare a design project for the premises in advance. You can do this yourself after carefully studying the nuances of the apartment;
- think about where the utility lines will be located;
- decide how you will zone the combined space;
- choose the interior style and design of a kitchen-studio with a balcony;
- Don’t forget about the details – they are what create coziness in a room.
Fantasy is your faithful assistant in cosmetic and major repairs of the apartment. We suggest watching the video, where there are even more ideas for design. Believe me – even a small budget will not be an obstacle on the way to the transformation of housing.