Over time, family life becomes overgrown with things that you want to put away and take out only when necessary. This applies to seasonal clothing, plumbing, carpentry tools, large items, such as a stepladder or folding barbecue. To solve this problem, it is enough to purchase or make your own cabinet for the balcony. This solution works equally well in a modest Khrushchev-era building and in luxurious business-class apartments.
- Room measurements
Why do you need a corner cabinet on a balcony or loggia?
Corner cabinets for the balcony have the following advantages:
- Thoughtful and rational storage of things. The compact corner cabinet has a practical design, which is important for small spaces.
- Capacity. On shelves with different depths and heights you can conveniently place different types of items.
- A light weight.
- Varied design.
- Availability. Corner cabinets are sold in any furniture store.
- Wide selection of designs and materials.
- Multifunctional and good appearance.
Where to begin
Wardrobe with shelves in the balcony niche.
Often, balconies have niches for installing cabinets (example in the photo), but before you begin installing a modernized pantry, you should know:
- Glazing the balcony will preserve the attractiveness of the wooden finish for a long time, protect it from dampness and direct moisture;
- Installation should begin with repairing the floor, if not the entire balcony, then certainly the part where the bottom of the cabinet will be located;
- Elimination of all cracks and cracks, as well as additional insulation of walls and floors will protect against drafts and sudden changes in temperature conditions.
Such simple introductory instructions help preserve the wood paneling so that it will delight you with its natural beauty for many years.
Types of corner cabinets for balconies
Corner cabinets for loggias and balconies, similar to room furniture, can be built-in or cabinet-mounted:
- Cabinet - the classic version, which has walls, doors, as well as top and bottom panels. They are installed on large and spacious balconies. Such furniture is easy to disassemble, carry and transport.
- Built-in cabinets have compact designs and are therefore in demand in small loggias. They are lighter in weight, as they are made without a bottom, lid and back panels. The furniture consists of shelves attached to the wall and doors. Corner cabinets are difficult to install, so you need to choose them taking into account the quality of materials and reliability of the design.
Cabinet furniture
MDF or chipboard are materials used for the manufacture of cabinet furniture. These are cabinets, racks, bedside tables, computer desks. They can be used in well-insulated balconies or loggias connected to the living room.
Due to the small area of space, finding a ready-made option is not so easy. Furniture is manufactured according to individual orders. This makes it possible to take into account the peculiarities of the premises and the client’s wishes.
Popular shapes and configurations
There are the following design options for balcony corner cabinets:
- In the shape of a triangle, where the door connects two balcony walls to each other, forming a triangular figure. Typically, built-in cabinets are made in this form, but sometimes cabinet cabinets are also found.
- L-shaped. There are only cabinet models of cabinets like this, with clear rectangular or square shapes. Installed on long balconies and loggias.
- Trapezoidal in shape with two side panels that connect to the door and back wall at an angle. The trapezoidal design is typical for cabinet cabinets.
Corner wardrobes for the balcony are open, sliding and hinged.
Open structures resemble bookcases, free-standing or built-in. They consist only of side walls and shelves. They are not equipped with doors; blinds or regular curtains can be installed instead.
Hinged cabinets have classic doors that open outward. At the same time, several shelves in the structure can remain open.
Calculations
When carrying out calculations, much is determined by the configuration of the balcony and the design of the cabinet. Assembly is done on site, so most elements are cut to exact size immediately before fixing. However, to start doing something, you need to purchase material. There is usually nowhere to put the excess, and if there is not enough lining or timber, it will have to be purchased, which entails additional transportation costs and loss of time.
Online services for calculating cabinets will help automate the process, but they are intended only for furniture made of chipboard and MDF. Of course, the results obtained can be adapted, but in this case it is easier to calculate everything yourself, based on the measurements taken.
Let's consider an approximate calculation for a double-leaf model with a width of 90 cm, a depth of 30 cm, a height of 2.5 m. The frame will be made of 40x40 mm timber, the perimeter of the doors will be made of 40x50 mm slats.
- Size of side face posts in mm: 2500 – 80 = 2420 (80 mm thickness of upper + lower beam);
- Middle post – 2000 mm before the mezzanine lintel + 380 mm after.
- Cross members – 900 mm (top, bottom); 820 mm mezzanine.
- Shelves – 390 mm each.
- Big doors. Be sure to subtract the gap for the porch, which depends on the canopies used. For ordinary furniture hinges – 2 mm. The width of one door is (900 – 6)/2 = 447 mm.
- Door pillars – 2000 mm; cross members – 447 – (50+50) = 347 mm.
- Small doors. Cross members – 347 mm. Racks with a gap of 2 mm between the top/bottom and 4 mm between the ceiling will be equal to 490 mm.
- The area of the required lining depends on the length of one plank. Blanks of 2.5 meters are available for sale, so the front part can be taken into account, taking into account small waste when trimming the outer parts. We calculate by usual multiplication 0.9 * 2.5 = 2.25 m2.
- The approximate area of all shelves is 0.9*0.3*4 = 1.08 m2.
Corner wardrobe for balcony
The most compact and lightweight version of a balcony wardrobe is a compartment with sliding doors that move smoothly along rails.
When choosing it, you need to take into account the following criteria:
- easy cleanability and moisture resistance of the material;
- removable shelves;
- light weight;
- Easy sliding of doors that does not require effort.
To produce such structures, several materials are used, each of which has its own advantages.
Natural wood
Expensive material, aesthetically attractive and environmentally friendly. A wooden wardrobe or wardrobe has the following advantages:
- noble appearance;
- durability;
- strength;
- Beautiful design.
The material also has a drawback - it is prone to damage by harmful insects and mold.
Metal-plastic
Cases for balcony cabinets are often made from metal-plastic.
Material is:
- practical;
- resistant to moisture and mechanical damage;
- durable and able to withstand heavy loads.
Chipboards
Shelves, walls and doors are made from double-stranded particle boards.
The advantages of the material are as follows:
- strength, resistance to cracking and deflection;
- protection from sunlight and moisture;
- service life more than 15 years;
- easy sawing;
- variety of finishing options - imitation of any wood species thanks to the lamination technique.
Drywall
Drywall is an easy to process and cheap material. A screwdriver is used to fasten the parts. The advantage is light weight, and the disadvantage is the inability to withstand increased loads.
Another popular material is MDF. It is convenient to use, but is not without such disadvantages as the likelihood of chipping and insufficient safety margin.
When buying a sliding wardrobe for a balcony, you also need to pay attention to the door opening mechanism.
The best option is a monorail, in which the rollers move smoothly along the monorail, which is reliably protected from the ingress of small foreign objects. The second type of mechanism - rail - is less reliable, since foreign objects can easily get into the rails, causing the rollers to pop out.
The advantages of a wardrobe with sliding doors are:
- Depending on the model, there are two installation options - from floor to ceiling or to window sill level.
- Visually invisible due to blending into the wall surface.
- Durability - ten years or more.
Wicker furniture
Furniture made from rattan, bamboo or wicker is especially popular today. This preference is an indicator of the owner’s good taste. Wicker furniture has a number of advantages that form the basis of its popularity. Firstly, no special care is required. It is enough to wipe the surface with a soft cloth and ordinary soap solution.
The structures give the impression of being fragile, but this is a mistaken opinion. Wicker furniture is quite durable. If you buy good quality, it can last about 15 years.
Such items are not afraid of temperature changes and high humidity. In conditions where balconies are not glazed, they will come in handy.
They are easy to move from one place to another, so if desired, you can play with the space. With the help of wicker furniture you can recreate the rustic flavor of a city apartment and make the interior original and unique. Perfect for a balcony garden.
This setting is suitable for glass and practical textiles. Flowers in pots will give the interior additional charm.
Corner wardrobe for the loggia
Depending on the size of the loggia and the tastes of the owners, you can install both a standard and a floor-standing model of a corner cabinet. Each of them has its own characteristics and purpose.
Standard designs have a height from floor to ceiling. They are characterized by a clear delineation of internal space. There are many shelves, niches and sections for this.
Depending on the purpose, they may contain:
- clothes rails;
- drawers;
- wide and narrow shelves;
- vertical ski storage compartment;
- mezzanine;
- trouser;
- shoe rack;
- cells for storing small items.
Compact floor designs combine the features of a corner table and cabinet. It can be used to store food or any items. In the first case, such a cabinet needs to be insulated.
The advantages of floor cabinets include:
- Multifunctionality. They serve as cabinets and tables at the same time.
- Spaciousness thanks to the presence of shelves and drawers of different sizes. There is a place to store building materials or tools.
- The presence of additional small drawers for storing small items.
Recommendations for placement
Arranging furniture on the balcony requires the right approach. This makes it possible to avoid cluttering space.
Recommendations for placement:
- table and chair are universal items. They are used for various purposes and can even serve as a small bedside table. It is better to give preference to models with small drawers at the bottom - additional space for things;
- a chair-bed is a good opportunity to use another sleeping place. It does not take up much space and boasts an unusual transformation mechanism;
- for relaxing and chatting with a friend, you can use a corner sofa with a reclining seat and drawers;
- When planning to equip a work corner, it is recommended to install a small folding computer table.
Typically, furniture is arranged in the shape of the letter “P”. But if the room is small, a location along one of the walls is suitable. The center will be freed up and there will be enough space for free movement. If there is space left, you can additionally equip a bar counter.
DIY making
You can make a corner cabinet for a loggia or balcony yourself.
To work you need the following tools:
- drill and hammer;
- hacksaw;
- hammer;
- building level;
- screwdriver;
- self-tapping screws;
- electric jigsaw;
- screwdrivers;
- roulette.
You need to choose the type of construction, door opening options and materials. And then perform the following steps:
- Create a sketch indicating all the dimensions of the cabinet and its individual elements. The width and thickness of the materials must be specified.
- Based on the drawing, make markings on the wall, ceiling and floor.
- Assemble the frame strictly according to the markings.
- Finish the frame with any material of your choice - plywood, plasterboard, laminate, wood or plastic panels. When working with drywall, plaster its surface, reinforce joints and corners, putty, prime and apply a layer of topcoat.
- Make doors and install them. For sliding doors, you need to cut a solid sash from a laminated sheet of plywood or chipboard. Next, you need to determine which rollers will bear the load - the upper or lower ones. Install roller mechanisms and rail guides. If you are planning classic swing doors, you should first make a strong frame from timber or boards. To strengthen the frame, it is recommended to install a transverse or diagonal jumper inside. After this, you need to firmly fix the slats and strips of panels to the frame. The next step will be installing locks, handles, hinges and trim. Having secured the hinges securely, you can install the door on them.
- Secure crossbars, shelves and other storage devices.
- Niches in the corner cabinet can be decorated with liquid wallpaper.
- For finishing you can use several methods. The mirrors look impressive. If the loggia is spacious and can serve as a small lounge or office, sandblasting or photo printing will do.
Working with lining
The appearance of the entire balcony largely depends on how to make a lining door onto a cabinet.
Therefore, we will consider the entire plating process step by step:
- To create doors, we assemble a frame of appropriate dimensions from boards or thin timber. Doors should be both light and strong, for which we recommend choosing thinner lining;
- To add rigidity, a diagonal jumper is installed in the door frame;
- Having placed the finished door frame on a flat horizontal surface using nails or clamps, we secure the lining. The nails are driven “into the secret place”;
- We complete the finished door leaf with trim (optional), handles, locks and hinges.
Decorative trims in door decoration
We place the finished door (or doors) on hinges previously fixed in the frame. After the do-it-yourself balcony cabinet made from clapboard is finally assembled, clean the entire room. Vacuum all wooden surfaces and perform the final operation - coat the product with a protective varnish.
When purchasing varnish, pay attention to the manufacturer's instructions:
- for which premises the use of this product is permitted;
- the varnish can be either colorless or contain coloring pigments;
- Observe the recommended temperature conditions when working.
All technical parameters are indicated on the label
Plastic furniture
Plastic furniture attracts at an affordable price. It is convenient to transport, it is resistant to rain, snow, and many other weather conditions. But there are also disadvantages. Such items may be blown away by strong winds. It breaks easily and gets hot in the sun.
Plastic interior elements can be built into the room.
Cushioned furniture
The idea of home comfort is inextricably linked with upholstered furniture. If a balcony or loggia is planned as a place to relax, you need to install a sofa, even a tiny one. If the area is small, you should use a soft chair. A small soft ottoman can be placed even in the most modest room.
The upholstery for balcony furniture should be selected so that it can withstand abrasion, dirt and fading. Compliance with such requirements will allow you to maintain its appearance for a long time.
When choosing furniture, you need to focus on the size of the balcony door or opening. This will help avoid unpleasant surprises.
Folding furniture
Folding furniture can change the purpose of the balcony space. On a warm summer night, an installed folding bed will turn the balcony into a sleeping area, and during the day this space can be used as a study.
On small balconies it is wise to install folding structures. Why not equip a dining table that can be converted into a work position at any time.
Folding furniture has one drawback - it is not stable and will not last long.
