Rules for choosing a chair for a balcony, optimal models

Choosing furniture for a balcony or loggia is often a difficult task, requiring careful selection of certain product parameters. This is directly related to the characteristics of the room, in which it is simply impossible to harmoniously place bulky and heavy sofas, armchairs, tables, etc. But in the lounge area and even in the office, the apartment owners must have the opportunity to sit comfortably in an armchair or on a sofa to relax after a hard day, drink tea and admire the view from the balcony window.

In this article, we’ll talk about how to choose the right balcony chair, what criteria you should pay attention to when buying one, as well as interesting ways to make a balcony chair with your own hands.

Advantages and disadvantages

Many modern apartments do not have a large area. The ability to organize even a small seating area is valuable. Installing a chair on a balcony has the following advantages:

• the compactness of most models allows you to rationally distribute free space;
• the ability to organize an extra bed in case unexpected guests arrive;
• You can have a good rest on the balcony if you don’t have time to go out of town or the weather prevents you from going to the park.

But there are also disadvantages:

1. Having decided to arrange a recreation area, the owner of the balcony is deprived of storage space. Of course, you can organize drawers in built-in furniture or a chair-bed. But their size is insignificant.
2. It is not enough to install a chair on the balcony. It is first necessary to insulate the walls and floor of the room, and replace windows if old-style frames are installed.
3. Taking into account the dimensions of most modern balconies, furniture for them should be compact in size. It is not mass produced, so the cost is high.

One of the possible solutions to the last point is to assemble the chair for the balcony with your own hands.

Compactness

Sleeping area

Rest

DIY cocoon chair: tips

Of all the types of such chairs, it is easiest to make your own soft cocoon chair from textiles: weave it from nylon or cotton cord, use the macrame technique, or sew it from fabric. To do this, you need to decide on the size, draw a rough sketch, choose a pattern for knitting/weaving, and select a base. If the weaving goes under a metal or plastic base, for example, a sports hoop as in the diagram below. As for installation, it is better for professionals to attach hanging cocoon chairs to the ceiling.

DIY round hanging hammock chair made from hoops diagram

Optimal manufacturing materials

The choice of material for the housing is dictated by operating conditions. For example, if the balcony remains glazed, then there are no restrictions. These could be the following options:

• chipboard;
• natural wood;
• acrylic;
• metal;
• rattan.

Regarding the chair for the loggia, which is not glazed, it can be noted that in this case the choice is significantly limited. Artificial and natural rattan, as well as metal, would be optimal. Of course, both of these materials are treated with special compounds that increase resistance to moisture and low temperatures.

For greater comfort, the chairs are complemented with pillows and mattresses. When choosing upholstery, you should also consider where the furniture will be placed. If it is selected for a balcony or loggia without glazing, then the following requirements are imposed on the textile:

• covers should be easy to clean using a dry or wet method;
• the fabric is chosen to allow air to pass freely;
• material is preferable with high resistance to rotting and mold, preventing the breeding of insects.

In addition, the upholstery should not fade in the sun, for which manufacturers use special dyes when painting. This requirement is also mandatory for fabrics used for seat cushion covers installed on closed balconies and loggias.

Outdoor fabrics must undergo special treatment. This helps give them the following qualities:

• repels dirt and water;
• antibacterial properties, which eliminates the appearance of dust mites.

It is optimal to cover a chair for a balcony without glazing with fabrics made from synthetic fibers with a special “outdoors” marking.

Optimal cladding options suitable for both open and closed spaces:

• microfiber;
• mixed fabric.

Natural fabrics (for example, jacquard) are not recommended for use on loggia or balcony furniture. This is explained by the fact that they wear out quickly and easily fade in the sun.

For furniture used in any conditions, it is optimal to choose synthetic winterizer or foam rubber in sheets as a filler. These artificial materials dry quickly, do not cause allergies, and do not harbor mold fungi or parasites.

Microfiber

Synthetic fabric

Rattan

Leather and fabric

From fabric

Acrylic

Tree

Green corner on the balcony

This option for decorating a loggia space is suitable for flora lovers who dream of a secluded corner for reading and relaxation. Green plants on the balcony will complete the overall interior of the apartment in eco style. To make your stay on the loggia enjoyable, you need to create a comfortable microclimate there and purchase comfortable furniture.

Important details:

1. If the balcony is open, then it is necessary to make glazing. It is advisable to install multi-chamber double-glazed windows and carefully seal all seams and cracks.
2. It is necessary to install heating and lighting in the room. You can use a heated floor system, buy a hanging heater or install an additional central heating radiator. The microclimate of the room must correspond to the selected plants.
3. Buy compact and comfortable furniture for the loggia or make it yourself. The simplest option is benches with niches for storing canned food or fresh vegetables. If you plan to use them as stands for flowerpots, then it is better to make the drawers retractable. Arrange a soft seat for the balcony, covering it with fabric that is resistant to wear and fading.

Equipment for caring for plants does not have to be hidden inside the cabinet. Watering cans and spatulas can be beautifully arranged on shelves or a bookcase. This will turn household items into decorative elements. The design of the loggia will have a complete look if you use one color and design in the same style in the interior.

For example, a loggia in the Provence style looks original, decorated with flowerpots in lilac-blue tones and furniture using the decoupage technique.

Varieties

Balcony chairs come in several types. Knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of each will allow you to optimally distribute the space of the room and organize a cozy relaxation area.

Traditional soft chairs are usually quite bulky. Therefore, they are not suitable for all balconies and loggias. The products have several features:

• can only be installed on glazed balconies with organized heating, since the frame and upholstery materials can become unusable due to temperature changes;
• massive versions of soft chairs can be installed at the ends so as not to interfere with free movement.

If you want to install upholstered furniture on a small balcony, it is better to give preference to models with a metal frame. With their help it is easy to create the illusion of lightness. Chair-beds are suitable for organizing an additional sleeping space.

If the chair is placed across the width of the balcony, it is better to choose models without armrests. This way you can use all the space to maximum advantage.

A rocking chair is often chosen by those who like to spend evenings and weekends in the company of a book. The rocking chair is conducive to leisurely relaxation, which is valuable for city residents. Possible combinations:

• bookshelves;
• improvised greenhouse.

Rocking chairs are suitable even for small loggias; just select a model with the appropriate parameters. The models are distinguished not only by their compact dimensions, but also by their often extraordinary appearance.

For many, wicker furniture is associated with summer holidays. By installing it on the balcony, it is easy to create an atmosphere for relaxation. Environmentally friendly materials are used in production, which eliminates the possibility of developing allergic reactions even in close contact with the skin. A variety of models allows you to choose the chair that is best suited for a particular room.

The furniture market also offers original products that will give the interior a special charm. For example, the Papasan chair. It is made of rattan and has a shape that vaguely resembles part of an egg. The soft quilted pillow allows you to completely relax.

For those who like to relax reclining, we can offer a chaise lounge chair. It features a retractable footrest and a comfortable headrest. A great reminder of summer vacation.

Hanging structures are a relative novelty on the furniture market. However, their popularity is gradually growing. Hanging chairs on the balcony have several features and advantages:

• due to the original appearance of the product, the interior of the loggia becomes brighter and more interesting;
• provides the opportunity to free up more space.

It is believed that it is impossible to use a hanging chair in an apartment due to the need to drill into the ceiling; the neighbors above may not like it. In this case, the mobile option will help make your dream come true. It is a stable structure, to the top point of which the seat itself is attached.

Folding models are the best option for small spaces, as well as balconies, which must simultaneously perform two tasks - a place for rest and storage. Some people mistakenly believe that a folding chair lacks comfort. The furniture industry offers many options that not only take up little space, but also allow you to sit comfortably. For example, models with a backrest adjustment mechanism. Folding chairs are most often installed on open balconies, although there may well be a place for them on glass loggias. In addition, a small table is selected.

Most apartments do not boast a large living space. Therefore, workplaces are often moved to adjacent balconies. In this case, a wide variety of computer chair models are suitable. The specific choice is determined by the tasks that are planned to be solved in the makeshift office.

If the room is not spacious, it is better to give preference to a chair that is completely retractable under the desk.

Soft chair on wheels

Frameless

Chair-bed

Chaise lounge

Hanging chair

Rocking chair

Thermobox for vegetables

Despite the opportunity to turn a loggia into a recreation area, winter garden or office, most owners of small standard apartments abandon these ideas in order to use the free space for storage for canning and root crops. In order to properly arrange a box on the balcony for fresh vegetables and fruits, it is necessary to take into account the conditions suitable for storing each crop.

There are several important nuances:

1. Onions should be stored in a dry place, separate from other vegetables.
2. Root vegetables retain their properties well in ventilated plastic containers at temperatures just above zero. Humidity can be quite high.
3. Potatoes (except for the above conditions) need to be darkened so that solanine does not form in the tubers. The box with root vegetables must be closed, and each layer covered with hygroscopic fabric, otherwise the potatoes will quickly sprout. Optimal storage temperature: from +1 to +5 degrees.
4. White cabbage should be laid out on an open surface, stalks up, and stored at a temperature of +1 to +2 degrees.
5. Fruit crops are best stored in plastic or wooden containers or cardboard boxes. Containers must have slots for ventilation. To avoid rotting, each layer of fruit must be sprinkled with sawdust or covered with paper to absorb excess moisture.

Before arranging boxes on the balcony for long-term storage of fresh fruits, vegetables or canned goods, care must be taken to create optimal temperature conditions and a suitable microclimate. In regions with a warm climate, it is enough to glaze the balcony and cover the bottom of the boxes with foam plastic. If the weather conditions are harsh, then heating must be installed in the loggia.

The most affordable way to arrange a space for storing vegetables is to build a box for the balcony from chipboard, OSB or plywood (as described above). It is optimal to place it at the end of the loggia, then it will be enough to install the front wall as a single sheet, and the walls of the balcony will serve as the back and side surfaces.

Cover the top of the box with a lid. A layer of polystyrene foam or other insulation should be placed on the bottom of the box, and the inner surface of the walls should be lined with foil insulation. Some owners prefer to use storage units with split systems, automatic heaters with thermostats.

Criterias of choice

With an armchair, even a very small balcony can become the center of attention for the whole family and those who come to visit. When choosing furniture, it is important to remember the following point: the base plate of the loggia is not designed for heavy loads. In general, the selection rules can be formulated as follows:

1. Be sure to consider the dimensions. In narrow spaces, it is better to abandon models with armrests; compact chairs will be preferable. Folding products are also a great option.
2. Purpose of the balcony. If it will be used exclusively as a recreation area, you don’t have to be particularly limited in your choice; in this case, it is important that it is comfortable and beautiful. Products with built-in niches come in handy when there is a need to use the room for storage. A balcony-office requires a special design style for the chair, as well as the presence of a table and other attributes of the work interior.
3. Combination with the overall design. If the loggia is decorated with wood, brutal metal chairs or light wicker options are suitable. Accessories are selected according to the chosen style and color scheme.
4. The type of balcony matters. Furniture that can be installed in a closed area cannot be used in conditions with unstable temperatures. For an unglazed loggia, it is important to select materials that will not rust, become moldy, mildew, or fade in the sun.
5. When choosing a suitable chair, you also need to focus on the price. Models for balconies will not be cheap, as they must meet a number of requirements (compactness, miniature size, increased resistance to aggressive environmental influences for open loggias, the possibility of transformation). Therefore, for those who want to save money, we can offer a homemade option. A thing made with your own hands always has a special value and will most accurately correspond to the wishes of its creator.

By installing an armchair on the balcony, it is easy to turn a little-used part of the apartment into a cozy relaxation corner or office. The variety of upholstered furniture makes solving this problem simple and fun.

For the office

For a narrow balcony

For an unglazed balcony

Vintage rocking chair

Conclusion

Choosing a suitable chair is not a difficult task, but it is important; it must match the balcony, both in style and in size. The video in this article will reveal some important aspects of the topic in more detail, and if you have questions, write them in the comments under this review.

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September 14, 2016

Accessories, Balcony and loggia

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Photo

Chair on the balcony

Chair on the balcony