Residents of apartments no longer use the balcony purely for drying clothes and as a storage room. Now the bar counter on the balcony can be found as a convenient and original extension of the kitchen. A similar design solution is also suitable for arranging a room with access to a living room or bedroom. In this case, a mini-dining room appears where you can comfortably spend time over a family dinner or a fragrant cup of tea or coffee.
Is it worth making a bar counter on the balcony?
Each element in the design of an apartment has a purpose. The bar counter serves as an additional place for a feast, decorates the room, and makes it stylish.
Advantages of placing a bar counter on the balcony:
- since it is supposed to combine the balcony with the room: demolition of the window, part of the wall, more light penetrates into the apartment, a panoramic view from the window appears;
- the balcony is used as a relaxation area, and does not stand idle;
- if the apartment is small, it fully replaces the dining table;
- it is not difficult to install; approval from supervisory authorities is not required;
- can be used not only for a feast, but also for many other things;
- It is not necessary to use expensive materials; there are affordable options.
But there are disadvantages of such innovation indoors:
- bar stools can be high for children;
- panoramic windows can cause heat in summer and cold in winter; a sun shield and high-quality insulation of the loggia are required;
- if the counter replaces a table, then many people will not sit at it, it may seem narrow and uncomfortable;
The location of the structure can be varied..
Advantages and disadvantages
When installing a bar counter, it is worth considering many nuances.
| pros | Minuses |
| It can fully replace the dining area in a small apartment. | A narrow tabletop cannot always fully replace a table for a meal, especially for a large number of people. |
| Panoramic view from the window and good lighting. | If the balcony has panoramic glazing, it will be hot in the warm season, take care of the curtains on the windows. |
| High-quality glazing will make it possible to use the rack in the cold season. | The height of the structure makes it uncomfortable for children to sit on high chairs. |
How to position?
Not all layouts provide enough space to place a wide tabletop on the balcony. Location options differ in functionality and appearance.
Folding
Suitable for arranging a small balcony, loggia. Saves maximum usable space in the room. To install it, you do not need to dismantle the balcony block.
Advantages:
- inexpensive - due to its lightness, the tabletop is sold at an affordable price, as are the fasteners for it;
- installing the structure on the wall is simple, the participation of specialists is not required;
- compact - if folded, it becomes almost invisible and does not take up additional space;
To install such a tabletop, you will need: a sheet of chipboard (wood or other material), brackets.
Additional accessories
The stand can also become functional. Containers for cereals or fruits are placed on it. Manufacturers also offer a range of pull-out shelves and rails. Accessories add color accents. Practical materials for tabletops are glass or wood.
Accessories are used to place glasses, mugs or kitchen utensils. Napkin hangers are used. They store dishes or other necessary items. The main thing is to choose jewelry that will match the chosen style.
Table top for balcony, materials
Here you need to focus on the design of the balcony, the adjacent room, as well as your preferences. For some, the properties of the material may be fundamental.
Chipboard, fibreboard, MDF
The most versatile material, wide choice of colors. Service life is shorter than others. The chipboard material is fragile and wears out quickly. MDF and fiberboard are more durable; you can create an imitation of wood structure or marble coating on them.
Metal
Such a tabletop on the loggia should be combined with the rest of the interior. It is often painted to match the color of the surrounding decor. Individual elements are made from metal - brackets, legs, pillars. The material is coated with a special compound so that it does not rust. Countertops made from it are unpretentious, lend themselves well to wet processing and cleaning, and do not react to heat.
Acrylic
Wear-resistant, inexpensive material. Does not change shape due to temperature and moisture and is resistant to damage. It has no micropores, it does not absorb moisture or dirt. Odors do not penetrate into it. Easy to wash, reacts well to cleaning products. Easy to change shape, you can create any design and color of the tabletop. The material is harmless to humans.
Stone
Stone countertops are the most durable of all. The service life of such a bar counter tends to infinity and looks great in the interior of the loggia. Natural marble and granite are used for it. Artificial stone has performed well; its properties are not inferior to natural ones. The material is expensive.
Tree
It looks luxurious and gives the interior a cozy feel. The cost of such a countertop depends on the type of wood; valuable species can be very expensive. The material is environmentally friendly, breathable. Countertops are often made from pine, oak or birch. It is made from slabs and sawn wood, and decorative elements are added (metal, epoxy resin, etc.). Requires high-quality coating and careful care. It can serve for a very long time.
Glass
Tempered glass is used for tabletops. It is stronger, not afraid of temperature changes, and can be washed or left in the sun. It is not destroyed by humidity and detergents. Manufacturers offer glass tabletops in various shapes; you can make them to order. Mosaics, colored glass, metal, and stained glass are used as decorative inserts.
How to make it yourself
This option is easy to repeat in any space, in the kitchen or living room:
- The balcony window and door are carefully removed; only the base should remain of the entire block; the tabletop will later be placed on it.
- Accurate measurements are taken and the length and width of the future tabletop are calculated. You immediately need to choose a shape and material. They are often made to order, since universal sizes are not suitable for a bar counter on a balcony.
- A tabletop with rounded edges and finished finishing is ordered. The material is selected according to the wishes and financial capabilities of the owners.
- The tabletop is attached to the mounting foam. To fix it securely and for a long time, metal corners and liquid nails are used.
- The joints are filled with sealant, silicone. In some cases, it is appropriate to install skirting boards.
- After this, you can install accessories. Hanging shelves and pipes are used to decorate and create storage spaces. On top you can install drawers for dishes or holders for glasses.
- The final touch is the bar stools. Depending on the height of the counter, they can be classic high, in the form of poufs or stools.
When taking measurements, you need to take into account how much free space will remain after installing the countertop. It is necessary that moving around is not difficult, chairs fit freely and a person can walk through. If everything is done according to the rules, then no inconvenience will arise.
Required Tools
In order to make bar stools with your own hands, you need to have a certain set of tools in your arsenal. Most devices are universal, but there are also those that can only be used when working with wood or metal. If they are not available, you can rent them.
| Tool | Purpose | Possibility of use for wood | Can be used for metal |
| Pencil | Applying markings | + | + |
| Screwdriver | Screwing in and out of threaded parts | + | + |
| Roulette | Accurate measurements | + | + |
| Square | Constructing angles at 30°, 45°, 60° | + | + |
| Chisel | Making recesses, cleaning grooves, creating a pattern | + | — |
| Hacksaw | Cutting blanks | + | + |
| Sandpaper | Product processing | + | + |
| Fasteners | Connecting parts of the structure | + | + |
| Drill with drill bits 3 mm and 6 mm in diameter | Creating holes | + | + |
| Glue | Bonding materials | + | — |
| Electric jigsaw | Sawing materials, creating curved cuts | + | + |
| Bit | Gouging holes | + | + |
| Hammer | Impact works | + | + |
| Screwdriver | Tightening and unscrewing connecting elements, drilling holes | + | + |
| Plane | Fitting parts | + | — |
| Solvent | Giving paint liquids the desired consistency | + | + |
| stain | Surface painting | + | — |
| Varnish | Coating the outer sides of the product with a shiny layer | + | + |
| Brushes | Application of coloring components | + | + |
At first glance, it may seem that there is too much equipment and materials. But experienced craftsmen know that it is better to have an extra device in your arsenal than at the right moment, during the creative process, to interrupt and run to the construction department, for example, to get the necessary drills or a plane.
What types of tabletops are there, how are they decorated?
In modern design, bar counters on the balcony and other places are often used and are considered a sign of good taste. The design becomes multifunctional, additional functions are added in addition to the basic ones. The decor for bar counters is selected based on the design of the room, construction materials and general rules of stylish design.
Classic
The classic bar counter is suitable for a wide space; it is used when connecting a loggia when there is a lot of free space. Height is approximately 120 cm, width 50 cm. It is complemented by high bar stools. They look like chairs with footrests, complemented by backs and armrests.
Some owners prefer similar stools with leather seats. Small half-chairs look expensive; they cost according to their appearance.
To make the most of the rack's capabilities, it is supplemented with the following equipment:
- hanging holders for glasses, glasses;
- shaker;
- coffee machine;
- juicer.
You can place any small equipment or decorative elements such as a vase or dish with fruits or sweets.
Mini
For an ordinary balcony, this design is the most convenient option. There is usually not enough free space; a bar counter will replace a dining table and free up space in the room. Such models are no higher than 90 cm; they can be used as a kitchen countertop for cutting food if the kitchen area is too small. The additional elements here are the same as in the classic version.
The only caveat is that it is not recommended to place foreign objects on the mini stand; they can easily be accidentally pushed over and broken due to the compressed space.
It is convenient to use such structures if there are children or elderly people in the house. It needs low chairs; no one will have to climb onto a bar stool.
Design form
This is an important point that affects the overall impression and functionality. The choice should be based on the original idea, the availability of free space and the wishes of the owners.
Semicircle
The usual straight lines are successfully replaced by the streamlined shapes of a semicircular tabletop. The bar counter can be oval, giving the space lightness. More people can be seated at such a tabletop, like at a round table during negotiations.
Rectangle
It fits well in place of a window opening, especially as part of a kitchen set. Often they make an uneven edge on such a tabletop; it looks natural, especially if it is made of natural materials. The wood countertop is impregnated and varnished. The design looks luxurious, lasts a long time and does not react to impact.
You can supplement it with lighting from below or install a cabinet on the side with LED bulbs placed around the perimeter.
Not standard
Wood, acrylic and chipboard are universal materials. They can be given any shape, for example, a tabletop in the shape of a drop looks interesting. Zigzag countertops and even triangular bar counters fit into some interiors. The uniform is made to order at the request of the owners.
Unusual facade design options
Decorating a bar counter is not limited to plain facades or brick-like layouts. Of course, you can leave the laconic monochromatic option, but decorating in a new style requires a different solution.
One of the non-trivial solutions is installation in the lower opening of the aquarium. It looks impressive, but requires care. If the owners are not in awe of the fish, you can make it look like a real aquarium.
It’s beautiful if there is a panel with a pattern and lighting on the façade. You can change the color of the LED, then you won’t get tired of this design for a long time.
If you make a small shelf at the bottom of the bar and place pots of tall grass there, you will create the illusion of a wall of greenery. It looks fresh and unusual. The main thing is to fence off the pots with an additional partition so that they are not touched by feet.
If preference is given to natural materials in the setting, an interesting solution is to install bamboo sticks along the perimeter of the facade. The figured wooden cladding looks beautiful.
It is important to understand that decorating the facade should not burden the structure; it is good when it looks natural and light, and does not burden the eye.
Pillars
This is not a required element on the bar counter. Sometimes they are necessary and act as a support for the tabletop. Can be decorated with decorative elements. For example, in combination with a Provence style kitchen, a small decorative bird cage mounted on a pole in the upper part looks beautiful. For a party, you can decorate with LED strip or lanterns.
You can also apply a pattern to match the kitchen or living room, so that the bar counter and kitchen set become elements of a single composition.
Loft-style bar counters contain metal elements. Pipe pillars look great here; they come in uneven shapes. This design is brutal and very modern. At the same time, the tabletop should be made of valuable wood and not wide, so that the stand as a whole looks light and fits into the interior.
Design of a combined kitchen
The transition area from one room to another can be finished in several ways. The following options are most optimal:
Decorative arch. It can be made of plaster, clay stucco, brickwork, followed by a beautiful coating. It is also very practical to use a frame arch made of wood. Wood is an excellent basis for decoration, painting, opening with acrylic varnish and veneering.
Wide table top. If a zealous owner has an old wooden table in his pantry, you can restore it with your own hands. To do this you will need a set of pigment dyes, stone chips, other decorative elements and epoxy resin.
A small podium or step, along the contour of which spotlights are built-in. It is especially often used to decorate a kitchen-living room with a balcony.
At the junction of two zones, a row of LED strips, a beautiful floor lamp or a wall lamp will look original. Various floor coverings are also often used to delimit one area from another.
