Many modern apartments are complemented by a small balcony. So that free space is not wasted or used for simple storage of all kinds of trash, it can be turned into a small room. If you work from home or just spend a lot of time at the computer, then you can use the balcony space to organize an office there.
Features and Benefits
This solution has both advantages and disadvantages. So, if your balcony is already used for storing conservation or other things that do not fit anywhere else, then it is irrational to do so. Another important point is the design of the balcony itself. If you have it open and not heated, then you need to be prepared for the fact that you will have to spend a lot of time and money on its arrangement.
Also, the balcony may be too small. Therefore, neither a chair nor even a small work table can really fit on it. But, without a doubt, this design solution has its own advantages. Firstly, you will finally have your own full-fledged room, where you will work alone and in silence, without being distracted by anything.
Balconies, as a rule, are complemented by high and wide windows on three sides. If you choose the French version of the glazing, then the windows will be from floor to ceiling. This means that natural light in the room will always be very good. Therefore, you can work or read in peace all day long without worrying about your eyesight.
The balcony is very easy to ventilate in good weather. And it can be protected from midges and mosquitoes with a simple mosquito net. So, if you design your workspace correctly, then you will be comfortable doing your business in it.
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Preparing the space
Before you start decorating the balcony space, you need to carry out the main work on its alteration.
Having decided to place the office on a loggia or balcony, first create suitable working conditions there. If the balcony is initially open, then it must be glazed and additionally insulated. This usually takes about a week of free time. Remember also that before carrying out any work, you must obtain a special permit for this, and the territory of your future office must be inspected by an engineer.
It is recommended to use double-glazed windows for glazing the balcony room. Thus, you can protect yourself even from the winter cold, and make your office a place where you can work at any time of the year without fear for your health.
It is also necessary to insulate the balcony. First of all, seal all cracks with sealant or special foam. If you are not sure that you will be able to cope with this task, then it is better to immediately contact the specialists. After all, if you improperly seal the room, then it will remain cold.
A miniature balcony should not be supplemented with wide panels. It is better to give preference to penofol. This material is good because it does not reduce space. Penofol is worth laying a wall that connects the balcony with the main room. This not only insulates the room, but also contributes to good sound insulation.
Another way to insulate an office is to install an insulated floor there. For this, a special system is used, which is laid under ceramic tiles or tiles. You will also need a special permit to install this type of insulation. You can also install a heater in a small room. Choose a compact converter that will not cause dangerous situations and will not take up much space. The only drawback of this type of heating will be that on a small balcony, your compact heater will greatly dry out the air.
The balcony space should also be protected from insect invasion. Place mosquito nets on your windows so that flies and mosquitoes don't annoy you in the summer evenings. Or, immediately install windows with special mosquito inserts, which, if necessary, can be easily removed and reinserted.
The next step is to install lighting. Initially, there is no electricity on the narrow balcony and even on the loggia. But it is quite possible to take it there. This procedure is also not worth doing yourself. The wires must be laid by specialists. The wiring is installed either in the baseboards or under the floor.
In order for the working space to be as comfortable as possible for you, it is advisable to install at least two or three sockets in your new room. As for lighting, you can limit yourself to one lamp or install overhead lighting or sconces. Since we almost always need the Internet for work and study, make sure that the signal from your router reaches the balcony. If not, run an internet cable.
The final stage of the redevelopment of the premises is cosmetic repairs. Walls and ceilings are best done in light and fresh colors. The lightness of the design of the study will be given by wallpaper in white, light green or coffee color. A variety of floral or abstract patterns made in the same light shades give the same effect. The light base goes especially well with furniture in contrasting dark colors.
Arrangement
After redeveloping the space and creating all the comfortable conditions, you can move on to design. The office must have at least a minimum set of furniture. This list includes a desk, chair, and shelves or shelving. Such a complete set will already provide you with normal working conditions. If you put a table in a corner, and place shelves with books and all kinds of decorative elements above it, then you will have a lot of free space.
Designers recommend installing the desktop perpendicular to the door at the wall. The ideal option is a table that fits the width of the balcony space. This way you will not lose free space.
If the size of the balcony allows, then the equipment may be larger. In the office, you can install a bookcase, an armchair, a tiny sofa and a small coffee table.
And if there is not enough space at all, then you can opt for a tiny corner table or hinged tabletops, which also practically do not take up free space.
In order to save space, you can use the window sills on the balcony instead of tables. Treat and paint them and they are the perfect work surface for you. But you can go the other way, removing all the window sills. This frees up a lot of free space.
Another great idea that will help you save space is to connect the balcony to the room. So you get a bedroom, divided into two zones: a work and, in fact, a sleeping area. If you want to translate this idea into reality, then you can make both rooms in the same style, or divide the room into zones using different design options.
We have already talked about how to conduct electricity to the balcony. Now let's look at this question from an aesthetic point of view. Lighting fixtures are also part of the interior. On a narrow balcony, it makes sense to use either tall narrow floor lamps or several table lamps. You can also opt for traditional overhead lighting.
Lamps should be selected for the interior features. So, in the office in the Art Nouveau style, a monochromatic glass lamp will look appropriate, and in a room made in the English style - an original lamp in a vintage style.
So that in the evenings you feel comfortable at work and not be distracted by the looks of strangers walking down the street, it is advisable to supplement your room with correctly selected curtains or blinds.
The best option for a small balcony will be neat blinds. They are compact, take up little space and are easy to open. The advantages of blinds include the fact that they are very easy to clean, so you can safely buy even curtains in white or pastel colors.
If the blinds do not fit into your office in style, then you can hang thick curtains there. For a narrow room, it is better to choose light curtains, which are known to help visually expand the space. If you hang light-colored curtains in the floor, the walls will appear taller.
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How to arrange a workplace
Some small decorative details make any room really cozy and individual. It is worth picking them up, focusing exclusively on your taste, but trying to organically combine them with each other.
The working area should certainly be as comfortable as possible for you. Only in this case will you be happy to spend time at work or study. You can make your renovated office cozy by laying a soft carpet on the floor and placing houseplants in pots on free surfaces. Needlewomen can also decorate a study for themselves or loved ones with various handmade decorative details - figurines, napkins, etc. Also, such a room is ideal for making a home nail salon in it.
But, doing design, do not go too far and do not litter your office with an excessive amount of decorative details - the room is already very small, and so its size will only decrease.
If you want to transform your balcony into a study, then it is quite possible to do it in a fairly short time. Use the space of your balcony or loggia to the maximum, filling all free niches with functional items. A well-designed office on the balcony is a good alternative to a full-fledged work space.
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