A balcony is a unique room that allows you not only to organize useful additional space, but also to realize the most daring design ideas. And this applies to both new buildings with their panoramic loggias and old houses - the only difference is that different amounts of effort will have to be put into repairs. In any case, the result will be worth it!
Placing the bed on a spacious loggia
One of the original and bold ideas is a bedroom on the balcony. This solution will help not only create a beautiful and functional room in this space, but also free up space for other areas in the living rooms. You will learn how to bring this idea to life from our article!
Key points for planning a sleeping area on the balcony
Before you start planning a bedroom on the balcony, you need to weigh all the pros and cons of this sleeping option.
Pros:
- the sleeping place does not take up space from the apartment;
- the room serves only as a bedroom, not burdened with other functions;
- the ability to realize any design or whim of the resident;
- lots of fresh air. This is useful for quality sleep and relaxation.
Minuses:
- Additional verification and documents. Before redevelopment, you need to make sure that the balcony can withstand the additional load and have the plan certified by the BTI.
- Small room. Most balconies, especially in older houses, are small. The loggia space can be 2 - 3 square meters.
- Insulation, repair. The balcony must be glazed and insulated for a comfortable arrangement of living space.
- Too much light can be a problem for proper sleep.
How to make a bedroom out of a loggia
The difference between a loggia and a balcony is that this room is part of a residential building and is not in a suspended position, like a balcony. Both from a balcony and from a loggia, if dimensions allow, you can make a bedroom.
How to make a cozy room out of a balcony? First you need to glaze the balcony. It is recommended to install double or triple glazed windows. They will retain heat perfectly and provide sound insulation.
It is better to order frames made of wood: beech, cherry or alder. Such natural materials will create a pleasant aroma and environmental safety. Windows must be equipped with a vertical opening function for ventilation.
Balcony glazing diagram.
The passage from the balcony to the room should be quite comfortable. If necessary, you will even need to demolish part of the wall. However, a passage that is too wide will create the illusion of a single room and a loggia, but connecting a balcony with a room is also a popular option for expanding the space.
An important step in equipping a balcony is its insulation. For walls, foam plastic or mineral wool is suitable. Polystyrene foam should be chosen with high density. To insulate the loggia, you do not need to use foil insulation, since in winter it will be ineffective.
For equipping the floor on the balcony, the following technology is followed:
- pour concrete screed;
- lay the first thin layer of insulation;
- lay wooden logs, between which insulating material is located;
- laying floorboards.
If the floor is insulated using extruded polystyrene foam, then there is no need to install logs. This polystyrene has a high density, so boards can be laid on top of it.
Related article: Vibrating submersible pump “Baby” - review
The most efficient heating system on a balcony is considered to be a heated floor system. If it is present, there is no need to install a radiator. The temperature of the heated floor can be adjusted up to 50ºС, which is unrealistic in the case of a radiator.
Balcony insulation scheme.
If it is not possible to install a warm floor, then install a regular insulated floor, and attach a radiator to the wall near the window. Warm air from the heating device rises, creating a thermal barrier for cold air.
For the bedroom, it is not recommended to use electric heating devices with an open spiral: UV rays, electric fireplaces.
Start repairs on the balcony
If the decision in favor of a sleeping place on the balcony is made, then you can begin repair work, there will be quite a few of them. The first work to be done is to strengthen the balcony so that the structure can withstand the load. Strengthen reinforced structures and balcony slabs, if necessary.
Next you need to think about insulating the balcony. In this matter, it is necessary to take into account the comfortable temperature, because this is an individual indicator. Some people sleep comfortably at 14 degrees under a duvet, while others freeze at 25. The density of the insulation and the use of other insulating materials depend on this. Not only the walls should be insulated, but also the ceiling and floor of the future room.
It is advisable to glaze the bedroom on the loggia, even if it is only a summer version of the bed. It is worth choosing high-quality double-glazed windows with a high degree of sound insulation to ensure a complete night's rest. Windows with three or more cameras are perfect for this.
The choice of the area where the bed will be located and its configuration are also important. Some types of beds will require additional repair work. Such a special bed on a loggia can be a podium bed, suitable for balconies with non-standard layouts, without right angles.
Video idea: podium bed with storage drawers
How to make a podium bed with spacious storage drawers on your balcony in just 1 day.
A well-organized balcony space can turn into such a cozy and beautiful room that few people will remember its original purpose. However, it will take a lot of effort and time from you to make it so. Therefore, assess your capabilities in advance. If you don’t have the time or desire to do everything yourself, but your budget allows, hire professionals.
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Bed on the balcony: choosing a shape
Depending on the shape and size of the loggia room, you can choose the type of bed or sleeping place. This can be an individual design, which can be made according to individual measurements, with your own hands, or autonomous furniture, as in other rooms of the apartment.
Full single or double bed
Allows you to clearly designate the sleeping area. No different from a bedroom in any other room in the apartment.
The disadvantages are: small width, inability to place bedside tables, you can only approach the bed at the foot of the bed.
This option will not only allow you to use the maximum amount of usable space, but will also solve the issue of non-standard angles, oval or rounded shapes of the balcony.
Cot or folding bed
A bed that hides in a cabinet or niche in the wall saves space. With its help, the room can be transformed from a clothes drying area into a bedroom. This option is ergonomic and will allow you to use the loggia for other needs.
Lounger, armchair or sofa with sleeper function
This solution allows you to equip your sleeping area with standard furniture; it does not need to be made to order. You can use chairs and sofas that are already in the room. This significantly saves the family budget.
In one of the articles we looked in detail at how to make a sofa for a balcony with your own hands
Such furniture can also be rearranged and removed at any time without radically changing the design and overall concept of the room.
For information on what types of chairs there are, we recommend that you read the article: “Chair for the balcony“
How to make a bed with your own hands
You can make a folding bed on the balcony with your own hands. For this you will need:
- Boards for the frame with a thickness of at least 3 cm.
- Metal corners to strengthen the frame.
- Tongue and groove boards with a thickness of at least 1.2 cm for flooring.
- The slats are 4 cm wide and 2-2.5 cm thick.
- Fastening elements. The best option is self-tapping screws.
- Hook for fixing the bed against the wall.
- Door hinges as a bed reclining mechanism.
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Folding bed design
All work is done quite simply. In accordance with the available dimensions (make a drawing in advance), assemble a frame from the thickest boards. It is reinforced with metal corners, and slats are attached along the inner perimeter equidistant from each other. Tongue and groove boards are laid and fixed on them to form an even flooring.
The legs of such a bed should be retractable or folding. To do this, finished elements or sections of thick beams are secured in such a way that they can move. For example, it could be a loose bolt. The entire structure is suspended on door hinges.
You can also use wooden pallets reinforced with corners as a bed.
A place to rest and sleep made from pallets
Functionality on the balcony
Don't limit yourself to just one bedroom. If the size of the balcony allows, it is worth looking for a place to store things, a small table for equipment or morning coffee. Additional pieces of furniture will allow you not only to sleep on the balcony, but also to serve as a full-fledged room.
A small window sill is enough for a mobile phone or cup. To get a place for a full lunch or to put a laptop, you will have to use a full-fledged table. To fit it organically into a small balcony room, it is worth considering folding or sliding options.
Storing the necessary things will require a little more ingenuity and effort in organizing the space. One option could be a podium under the berth. The entire area of the bed can be divided into separate zones, with general or individual access.
Storage drawers can also be made retractable. This will make it easier to access things, but will take up additional space. Read more in the article: “Box on the balcony“
If there is additional space, then a small closet can be organized in an unused area of the balcony.
Loggias have blank side walls, which allows you to use this space for small wall cabinets, shelves, or mounting a lamp or flowerpot. All these structures should be fastened securely and in such a way that they do not fall directly on the heads of those who will sleep on the bed.
Advantages and disadvantages
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Saving space: if friends are staying overnight or a relative has come to stay from another city, then an extra room will always come in handy. | You will have to install the heating and electricity yourself. |
| There is a lot of natural light, which improves your mood and helps save electricity. | You will have to run around to the officials and get permission from the BTI. |
| The beautiful view from the windows will delight you when you wake up, and while falling asleep you can look at the stars and the Moon. | Sounds will be heard from the street, since even a high floor will not save you from poor sound insulation. |
| Now you can clean a small room, which, of course, is good news. | If a person does not like closed and small spaces, he will feel uncomfortable sleeping on the balcony. |
Sleeping place on the balcony and comfort
The sleeping space on the balcony should also be comfortable. To do this, it is worth considering several points.
A lot of natural light is very good, but sometimes it interferes with proper rest, especially in the summer, when the nights are especially short. This problem can be solved with the help of thick curtains and blinds. Since space is limited, the windows should be decorated with individual curtains for each double-glazed window.
There are roller blinds, Roman blinds with blackout material density - these systems do not take up extra space, but protect well from sunlight. The design of the pattern or texture is as varied as in traditional fabric curtains. More information in the article: “How to close windows on a balcony from the sun.”
Traditional curtains with cornices, then you should give preference to a short length, up to the window sill. Or fix the tulle at the top and bottom of the window.
Another solution for windows is a special film - glass tinting. This technology not only provides UV protection, but also helps conserve heat. Film covering the entire window area will transform the room. Tinting comes in different colors, textures, with different patterns, imitation of stained glass. Complements minimalist interior design.
You can add comfort to a small balcony space using pillows, soft surfaces for the walls around the perimeter of the bed or most of the bedroom. This will protect you from cold and accidental bruises while sleeping.
For greater comfort in a small balcony space, you should avoid sharp corners. Smooth lines of all designs will help avoid accidental injuries.
Interesting solutions in interior design
For the interior of a balcony or loggia, sofas with a functional feature are of interest. Since the main task is to place the sofa on the balcony organically, saving useful space, and even better, using it in one way or another.
This design option for the back of a sofa on a loggia can be called original.
It's easy to repeat. It is enough to attach the furniture pipe to the holders to the wall and sew the pillows. Even a branch painted or varnished will work as a holder. In this case, the pillows are attached to the branch with ribbons.
If there is no room for a table on the balcony, then a mini-table can be arranged on the side of the sofa. Then it will be very comfortable to sit with a laptop. The interior space of a sofa (or couch) drawer can be organized in any way you like. There will be order if you think through several sections. For example, place two drawers at the bottom, and under the opening base place small sections for every little thing.
Balcony sofas made from pallets (wooden pallets for transporting goods) will also be interesting and simple to make. It is enough to find new pallets, varnish the surface and sew soft seat cushions.
The balcony ceases to be a space for collecting rubbish that is a pity to throw away. Now there are many opportunities to make this room cozy and useful, where you can sit with a cup of coffee or tea, read or just work on a laptop. And with a sofa on the balcony, useful storage space will not only not be lost, but, on the contrary, will be organized.
A sun lounger on the balcony is an additional sleeping place in the form of a couch, folding bed, bed chair, chaise lounge or roll-out sofa. A sun lounger can easily turn the balcony into an additional “living space”. It will allow residents to accommodate guests for the night, if there is no room in the house, to relax themselves in a fresh place.
A loggia or balcony is more often used as storage rooms. Here residents store old things and household items. Many people use such rooms for recreation, insulating them and equipping them. But it’s best when a balcony with a loggia combines two or more functions. For example, installed furniture with built-in drawers: a sofa, a bench, an armchair, can become a piece of decor, create coziness and at the same time serve for storing various items.
Bedroom on the balcony: subtleties of design
To complete the transformation of the balcony, you should take care of the design and give the room individuality. For a small bedroom, a simple design line is suitable. The predominance of one primary color, supplemented by one additional color that shades the first.
A variant of a cave, a den for sleeping. For this interior line, it is worth using minimalism in furniture and interior decorations. You need to choose colors in dark, pastel shades. To prevent the room from seeming gloomy, you can add one or two bright objects, such as picture frames, pillows, or a bright blanket on the bed.
If the sleeping area should not differ from an ordinary room, then you can expand the small space with the help of light colors and mirror surfaces. When using a monolithic white color, you must not forget about balance. Dilute the space with small colored elements.
Open balcony: non-residential premises or full room
If you organize a sleeping area on an unglazed loggia, then you should take into account a number of inconveniences:
- precipitation. Rain with strong winds can significantly ruin your sleep in the fresh air;
- ambient temperature;
- insects. You can protect yourself from insects using ointments, sprays, and a mosquito net.
If you can spend the night on the balcony only in warm weather, you should choose furniture that is self-contained, so that when cold weather sets in, it can be easily moved into the apartment. The simplest solution is a monolithic mattress, it is easy to rearrange, and sleeping on it is as comfortable as on a regular bed. All you need to worry about is the mattress pad; no additional furniture is required.
