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 decide on a design
The second most difficult stage, after preparing the balcony for furnishing the living room, is the choice of design solutions. Most often, the problem lies in limited space, which is why there is no room for imagination to run wild, and all examples of interiors seem boring and uninteresting.
Scandinavian style bedroom on the balcony
To choose the right design project for a bedroom on the balcony, you should pay attention to:
- Bed model. The most ergonomic option in this case is to order it from the manufacturer according to your own standards, adding pull-out lower drawers, shelves above the back, armrests with inserts instead of bedside tables, etc.;
- If you need to organize a place to store small items, you should provide a shelving unit or built-in wardrobe in the wall opposite the bed. Another option is a window sill, on which you can organize shelves or built-in drawers, place boxes, etc.;
- It is worth choosing those furniture models that look as light as possible - on legs, built-in, with corner bends, etc., this will help not to load a visually small space;
- Most suitable for a bedroom on a balcony minimalist styles. But this does not mean that you will have to give up your favorite shabby chic or pop art - decorative elements will help create the right atmosphere;
- Since the illumination on the balcony is maximum, it is worth considering the color scheme and coverings. The surest option is pastel and muted, but bright hues, as well as matte materials.
For a bedroom on a balcony, such interior styles as practical Scandinavian and minimalism, modern and original bionics, casual grunge (or even industrial and loft), constructivism with its combination of glass and metal, as well as various “natural” and ethnic design elements are well suited.
The main rule is to choose a design according to your lifestyle, traditions, and habits. The bedroom should become the most comfortable and cozy place in the house, so you shouldn’t chase all the modern design trends if you don’t like them.
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.
What to consider when choosing a bed
To successfully choose a bed for a loggia or balcony, answer a few questions.
- Do you need a sleeping place for regular or occasional use? A bulky double bed for a good half of the family is one thing, a folding bed for a rare guest is quite another.
- What is the area and configuration of the room. The size of the bed and its design directly depend on them.
- Do you need free space to move around the room after sleep? If yes, then take a closer look at transforming, folding, reclining furniture.
- Will you dismantle the window and door unit? The design of the bedroom and bed depends on this. They should be in harmony with the interior of the adjacent room.
Even for a non-standard room configuration there is suitable furniture
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.
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.
Podium bed on a loggia or balcony
Photos of the design show the features of choosing and arranging furniture. Since it will not be possible to organize a full-fledged environment due to lack of space, preference is given to compact or folding furniture. Usually on the balcony you can only install a bed and a couple of wall shelves; there may not be enough space for more. But this issue can be resolved; among the most interesting options is installing a podium bed.
This is a low elevation above the floor level on which the mattress is placed. To increase the functionality of such a solution, storage systems can be built into the podium. Boxes can be different, among the most successful are the following:
- single- and multi-sectional compartments, which can be accessed by folding back the plank or slatted base, but to do this you will have to remove the mattress;
- drawers (their arrangement requires space to open; such a solution is not possible in all cases).
The design of a podium bed can be very different; the most convenient arrangement will be for the combined space of a balcony and a room or for a sufficiently large area. The height of the base can be different, it all depends on personal comfort and preference. If there is enough space, then you can leave 25-30 cm of base on the sides of the mattress, which can be used instead of a bedside table. A table lamp fits comfortably here, and the shelf is suitable for books and personal items. This design allows you to create additional storage space for some things without cluttering the balcony with wall shelves or additional bedside tables.
What could a podium look like? The style of its design depends entirely on the features of the interior, but most often it is a laconic, minimalist design and a calm color scheme. Additionally, LED lighting can be installed along the edge of the base, but its brightness should not be too high, and it is also recommended to take measures to protect the eyes from light.
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.
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.
