Folding table on the balcony: types of fastening, materials, decoration

The balcony has long ceased to be just a place to store seasonal or rarely used items. Many people try to equip this small space with a recreation area or office. But to accommodate everything you need, you have to install compact and functional furniture. You can, for example, make a folding table on the balcony with your own hands and comfortably drink morning coffee, enjoying the view from the window. HouseChief experts in this article will tell you how to choose the right design, what tools and materials you will need and how to make a table yourself.

Key points for designing folding tables on the balcony

There are several options for folding structures that will organically fit into the interior of a loggia or balcony. You can buy a finished product, make it to order or make it yourself. When designing and manufacturing a folding table on your own, you need to take into account the type of construction, the transformation mechanism, the interior and the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe balcony. Also, the size and shape of the future countertop depends on the dimensions of the room.

PHOTO: vplate.ru

Before proceeding with the creation of a folding table on the balcony, it is necessary to take into account important points:

• any built-in furniture, especially on the balcony, should not interfere with free movement. It is not recommended to use models with protruding sharp corners that can lead to injury;
• the design must be easy to use and fully comply with the tasks for which it is installed;
• a folding table, like any other element of the interior, should harmoniously fit into the design of a balcony or loggia.

PHOTO: img.aviarydecor.com

The folding design of the table has a number of advantages over classical counterparts. Folding models are designed to organize a temporary recreation area or workplace. If necessary, after use, the structure can be returned to its original folded state and free up space for basic needs.

Hinged table with support

This is the classic and simplest version of a folding table installed on the balcony. The design consists of a tabletop of any shape (but with the obligatory condition that one side must be straight) and supports. A horizontal bar is mounted on the wall of the balcony, to which a work surface is attached using furniture hinges of various types. A vertical bar is installed below, to which a support, usually triangular in shape, is also attached with loops. When folded, the tabletop hides almost all the elements of the folding table.

PHOTO: i.pinimg.com

Version with folding stand

This design can be used as a dining table. The most common option is two brackets, a tabletop, vertical and horizontal strips mounted on the wall, and two frame supports fastened together with furniture hinges. The table turns out to be a little overall, and when folded, its depth is about 180–250 mm.

PHOTO: severdv.ru

Folding table-cabinet

A folding table-cabinet, more familiar under the names "butterfly" and "book", is an excellent solution for large balconies, because, in addition to its direct purpose, it can be used as an additional storage system for small of things. It consists of a cabinet with drawers and 1-2 folding tabletops. Even when assembled, it can be used as a small coffee table.

PHOTO: www.naya-td.ru

How to choose a fastening mechanism

There are several types of wall mount for folding tables. The simplest and most affordable type is piano loops. They are attached to the wall with powerful anchor dowels, and to the countertop or folding support - with self-tapping screws. But this type of fastening is not suitable for massive lifting structures. More functional fittings allow you to install large-sized countertops.

For the manufacture of wall-mounted lifting tables, the following types of systems are used:

• sliding;
• folding;
• folding;
• lifting;
• rotary;
• hinged.

Fastening the tabletop to the wall can be carried out using various types of hinges, gas lifts, brackets (folding and sliding). The choice of bracket depends on the size of the countertop and the functional load.

PHOTO: otkidnoystol.ru

PHOTO: severdv.ru

PHOTO: severdv.ru

How to make a folding table on the balcony yourself

Before you make a folding table on the balcony with your own hands, you need to complete several important steps in the preparatory work. In some cases, it is required to strengthen the wall, then a table model is selected and a drawing is developed. On the basis of the created project, the material, the necessary tool and the transformation mechanism are prepared.

Basically, for the manufacture of a folding table, an array of natural wood, chipboard or lining is used. Below we will consider the process of creating structures from all these materials.

PHOTO: i.pinimg.com

wooden version

Natural wood is the best option for making a folding table on the balcony. This material is easy to process, environmentally friendly, has a beautiful texture, is maintainable, and with proper processing is durable.

PHOTO: YouTube.com

What do you need to work

To make a wooden folding table on the balcony, you will need an edged board and timber. From the tools you need to prepare a jigsaw, drill, screwdriver or screwdriver, wood saw, puncher, manual milling cutter or chisel, grinder, tape measure, square, bubble level, clamps, loops, pencil and glue PVA.

PHOTO: pbs.twimg.com

Manufacturing instructions

Illustration	Action Description
	First of all, we cut boards with a minimum thickness of 30 mm into segments of the required length. Lubricate the long ends with PVA glue and glue them together into a furniture board, fix with clamps and leave to dry for 24 hours
	We cut the beam for the manufacture of a support in the form of a triangle and a wall plank. The connection is made using furniture dowels and PVA glue. We also fix everything with clamps and let it dry. Important! Be sure to carefully grind all the structural elements in order to get a perfectly smooth surface and not drive splinters.
	On the supporting structure we fasten the loops with self-tapping screws, choosing the grooves for them with a chisel
	We grind the tabletop blank. We cut 4 bars of different lengths and cut their ends at an angle of 45 °. We connect them to the countertop with the help of dowels, creating a kind of frame around the work surface.
	We make cuts at the corners of the frame, apply glue and drive in planks in thickness corresponding to the width of the grooves. This is done to strengthen the structure. Trim off excess after drying.
	We connect the table top with the wall lath with hinges. Important! It is recommended that all structural details be treated with antifungal protective compounds.
	We attach the table top with the wall plank to the wall with the help of furniture corners. Don't forget to level it horizontally.
	Now we attach a folding support structure to the wall, we also check the vertical level
	The result is a simple but reliable folding table for the balcony.

You can make the design more attractive with the help of special oil, stain, varnish or paint. You can choose from other decoration options.

A variety of chipboard

Chipboard is the most affordable and popular material used to make furniture. Its characteristics and rich color palette allow you to make a design in any style. Consider the manufacturing process of the simplest folding table, consisting of a tabletop and a transformation mechanism.

PHOTO: YouTube.com

Materials and tools

To make a folding table that can be installed on a balcony or in a room, you need a piece of chipboard of the right size, a PVC edge, a transformation mechanism, building or furniture hair dryer, jigsaw, grinder, impact drill or puncher, building hair dryer, level, tape measure, pencil, screwdriver and hammer.

PHOTO: i.decorpremises.com

Manufacturing algorithm

First of all, we mark and cut out a piece of chipboard of the desired size, shape and color. We process the ends with the help of melamine or PVC edges. The second option is more preferable, since the plastic edging creates better protection, is stronger and more durable.

Illustration	Action Description
	We apply brackets to the wrong side of the workpiece and outline the attachment points, as shown in the photo
	Now we outline the height and horizontal position of the brackets on the wall. Having attached transformation mechanisms to the marks, we mark the places of holes for fasteners
	Using a perforator, we drill holes, insert plastic "new settlers" into them and fasten the brackets with self-tapping screws
	Fasten the tabletop to the brackets
	We check the operation of the transformation mechanisms - and the folding table is ready for operation

Option from lining

Often, after finishing the balcony, there is a lot of waste of wooden lining. The remaining pieces of material can be used to make a folding table. You can make exactly the same table as the wood structure described above. Assembly is facilitated by the presence of a tenon-groove connection. To make a folding table from a lining, you will need almost the same tools as to create a similar design from a cut board.

PHOTO: domkedraa.ru

Step-by-step instruction

You can familiarize yourself with the process of making a simple folding table from a wooden lining left after finishing work by watching this video.

Product decoration

For some people, simply covering the countertop with stain, paint or varnish is not enough, they want something more original. Consider several options for decorating a folding structure. For decoration, you can use textiles, wallpaper, tiles, pebbles, shells and much more.

PHOTO: wwdiy.files.wordpress.com

Mosaic

There are two options for mosaic decor. The first is a 20 x 20 mm tile sheet, which is glued to the countertop, and the seams are rubbed with a special compound. The second option is to apply the selected pattern to the work surface, and then repeat it with pieces of broken tiles of the appropriate colors. You can also use pebbles, shells or broken glass filled with epoxy for mosaics.

PHOTO: mebio.bg

Surface decoupage

Decorating using decoupage technique will help to make the top of the folding table beautiful and original. For decoration, you can use fabric, paper, napkins with a pattern.

First, an acrylic primer is applied to the prepared table surface. Then the dried primer is smeared with PVA glue, on which drawings and patterns cut out of fabric, photographs, posters or napkins are laid out. A layer of colorless varnish completes the decoration of the table surface.

PHOTO: dcpg.ru

Drawings on the surface

You can make the table unique and original with the help of interesting drawings. To create them, you will need paints, drawing skills or stencils taken from the Internet, brushes or foam rubber. One of the options for applying a pattern to the countertop is as follows:

1. Paint the surface sanded and treated with antifungal impregnation with white paint.
2. Find a suitable drawing on the Internet and print it. Cut out the stencil and attach it to the prepared surface.
3. Fill empty spaces with colors of your choice. After the paint is completely dry, remove the stencil and fix the applied pattern with a varnish coating.

If you have artistic talent, it is better to make your own original drawing. This will allow you to get a truly unique product.

PHOTO: kraski-net.ru

Care rules

In order for the folding table on the balcony to serve for a long time, it is necessary to provide it with appropriate care, which provides for three simple conditions:

1. Applying special paints and varnishes to the surface of the structure, which allow you to create reliable protection from direct sunlight and high humidity. However, the protective coating requires periodic renewal.
2. Ensuring correct storage conditions. In order for the folding table to serve for a long time, it is necessary to avoid excessive load on it. After use, remove all items from it and fold the structure. This will extend the life of the transformation mechanism.
3. Regular cleaning. The tabletop, regardless of the material, should be wiped with a dry cloth after each use. If there are scratches or stains on the surface, it is necessary to treat its protective coating with a special polish. When using complex metal transformation systems, their regular lubrication is required to eliminate squeaking and jamming.

Having installed a folding table on an open balcony or loggia, it is necessary to provide for the design special covers that will help protect it from the negative effects of snow, rain and direct sunlight rays. Such protection can be purchased at the store or made independently. They will significantly extend the life of the folding table for the balcony.

PHOTO: sense-life.com

Photo ideas for design and placement of a folding table on the balcony

We offer you to get acquainted with several ideas for creating folding tables and placing them on the balcony.

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A few words at the end

A folding table should be on every balcony or loggia. It is convenient and compact, allowing you to comfortably work with a laptop or drink a cup of aromatic coffee with friends. This design is very easy to do with your own hands, which we talked about in this article. We hope that the information you have learned will help you in making your own design. And if you have your own ideas, share them with other readers.