Probably, the apartment will never be big enough to accommodate everything you need: there is nowhere to equip a workplace, or the living room is too small. And most often the problem is that there is nowhere to put a closet in which it would be possible to conveniently place all things. Well, if there is not enough space in the apartment, we will try to solve the problem with the help of a balcony or loggia.
Arranging a dressing room on the balcony is a great way to expand the usable area in a small apartment
Pros and cons
Content
- Pros and cons
- Types of dressing rooms
- Perfect place
- Do-it-yourself functional dressing room
- Video: Overview of the dressing room on the insulated loggia
- Photo of dressing rooms on the balcony and loggia
So what is it: a whim or a necessity? Functional solution or complete recklessness? Let's try to figure it out. This design decision is unusual, but this fact does not mean that it has no right to exist.
Before deciding to remodel the balcony, you need to weigh all the pros and cons of this solution
Let's talk about the merits first:
- Additional meters due to the area of the loggia.
- There is usually good ventilation on the balcony, and things will thank you for that. Note that the lack of ventilation is a problem in most storage rooms inside the apartments.
- The loggia is "spacious" enough to fit all your belongings, which means that the apartment square meters are "freed" from the need to place cabinets or shelves for things. By the way, in addition to clothes, other everyday items can easily be placed on the balcony.
And now let's talk about the sad thing - about the shortcomings of such a dressing room:
- In most cases, a balcony or loggia has an elongated shape, in which it is quite difficult to mount a convenient storage system, in addition, it is inconvenient to move over such an area.
- Most likely, the dressing room will not be equipped with a changing room - there will not be enough space.
- The issue of insulating the loggia is very acute, even if it is glazed. You may need to install batteries.
- There is no guarantee that glazing and light heating will solve the problem with temperature and humidity changes, which means your belongings are in danger.
In general, as an option, this idea has a right to exist, but before starting to implement it, weigh the pros and cons.
The size of the balcony or loggia directly affects the layout of the dressing room and ease of use
If the space is small, separate elements of the dressing room are placed on the balcony. For example, under the window you can organize cabinets for storing shoes.
An interesting idea - a compact mobile unit with a hanger and shelves
Types of dressing rooms
Of course, in addition to personal wishes and preferences, you have to take into account the existing conditions. If your balcony is small, then the baby dressing room is definitely your option. It is perfect for one person.
On a small balcony, narrow cabinets or hanging shelves with drawers can be installed
Typically, such a "kit" includes a small cabinet and several shelves. Well, in order not to attract prying eyes, use ordinary curtains for windows, thick, but not thick.
A suitable solution for a small room can be a swing cabinet built into the end wall of the balcony.
The medium-sized option will suit a married couple. In this case, it will be possible to install a wardrobe, equip shelves for shoes under the window - they will not take up much space, but they will be able to hide a sufficient number of shoes and accessories in their bowels. Install a mirror on the cabinet door. Firstly, this necessary element of the dressing room will make your stay more comfortable, and secondly, it will help to visually expand the space. And do not forget about the decorative elements, because if the loggia turns into a functional area, this does not mean at all that it does not need to be supplemented with little things dear to the heart.
Large mirrors will visually increase the area of the room and make it possible to see yourself in full growth
Large loggia - more options for the embodiment of ideas. Designers recommend dividing a large loggia into zones, for example, in addition to a dressing room, equip a small recreation area. And to place clothes and accessories, use not only a wardrobe and shelves, but also install a metal hanger, hang a mirror from a sconce on the wall, and put a comfortable rug under your feet. Compact balcony furniture is the perfect choice for a seating area.
On a spacious loggia, you can organize a full dressing room
Another option is a balcony without windows. Its area will perfectly accommodate a spacious boudoir, on both sides of which you can install cabinets and shelves. Enough space for a mirror and an ottoman. Do not forget about lighting, on a balcony space without windows - this is a basic necessity.
On a narrow balcony, furniture is placed along one wall.
Perfect place
The apartment may have not one balcony, but two or three, and access to it is possible from any room: bedroom, living room or kitchen. Therefore, it will be necessary to choose. Of course, ideally, the most suitable would be a balcony with an exit from the bedroom.
In the photo there is a small dressing room on the balcony, combined with a children's room
But if in your case you can go to the loggia only from the living room, and you really want to equip a dressing room on the balcony, let this fact do not stop you.
Before starting the project, carefully read the technical conditions. The thing is that balcony slabs tend to collapse. If a loggia is provided in your apartment, the question is removed, since it rests on the foundation and is able to withstand more serious loads than a balcony.
If the reliability of the balcony or loggia is beyond doubt, start planning. For example, cabinets can be installed either on one side or around the entire perimeter. If the balcony is long and narrow, then, for obvious reasons, the first option will have to be implemented.
In most cases, a linear layout of the dressing room is chosen for a balcony or loggia.
The loggia-dressing room is often equipped with underfloor heating. This “move” can easily compensate for the lack of warmth and help you feel more comfortable.
Electrical systems are used to heat the floor on the loggia.
Do-it-yourself functional dressing room
When it comes to making a warm floor on the loggia or carefully insulating the walls, it is clear that this work should be done by professionals. But after the large-scale actions are completed and it's time to start arranging cabinets and shelves, believe me, even an amateur can cope with this.
The design of the dressing room on the balcony begins with measuring the room and drawing up a plan for the placement of furniture
Here are just a few interesting ideas:
- Shelves and cabinets are often made from chipboard. It is an inexpensive and easy-to-use material. With a minimum of skills, you can easily build elements for a dressing room on a loggia from it. All you need is a drawing, tools, imagination and a desire to make the world a better place.
In the photo, a wardrobe cabinet made with your own hands from laminated chipboard
- If you already have pallets or fruit boxes in stock, do not neglect them, with their help you will collect practical and compact shelves for shoes, clothes and important trifles.
In the photo, a simple shoe rack made of wooden boxes
- Thick cardboard. Although this material is categorized as "paper", it will serve you just as well as its wooden counterparts. After spending time looking for suitable ideas on the Internet, you are guaranteed to find a design for your wardrobe on the balcony.
- Elements that at first glance are not at all suitable for this purpose are often used as shelves: skateboard boards, drawers from old dressers, plastic containers or even cases from household technology. In addition to convenience, all of the above "details" also guarantee a unique style for your balcony wardrobe.
Several wooden pallets can be used to build an open wardrobe for clothes and shoes.
- Feel free to ask friends or neighbors about unnecessary pieces of furniture. Perhaps they are going to get rid of the chest of drawers or hanging shelves that will suit you for decorating a loggia.
The old wardrobe will also serve as a wardrobe on the balcony.
When choosing a style, take into account the background (often more than modest) and your own comfort. Most likely, minimalism, hi-tech or Japanese style, characterized by conciseness and simplicity of forms, would be ideal.
Balcony dressing room, made in the style of minimalism
Wardrobe on the loggia, decorated in high-tech style
Or perhaps your choice will be a loft with unfinished elements, brickwork and deliberately rough shapes.
An example of a loft-style dressing room arrangement
Design option for a women's wardrobe in the style of Provence
As you can see, you can increase the useful area of your own apartment by turning a balcony or loggia into a dressing room. Of course, in order to get a comfortable and stylish room as a result, you will have to work hard, but believe me, the result will delight you.
