An additional bed may be needed for various reasons. The area of most apartments does not allow it to be easily organized within living rooms. What to do? Place the bed on the balcony or loggia. Boldly, but this will help to accommodate all the household members who suddenly arrive for an overnight stay, and even arrange a comfortable relaxation area. However, to organize a full-fledged place to sleep on the loggia, it is not enough to move the bed there.
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.
Decor
A small space should not be overloaded with details, so decorating a balcony should be done responsibly.
It is good to put pillows on the bed and windowsill: they will retain heat and add softness to the interior. You can also decorate the sleeping area with a warm blanket, preferably a light shade, to make the room seem larger .
You can hang garlands on the shelves and along the perimeter of the ceiling, which will illuminate the space and make it even more comfortable.
For comfort, a carpet is also laid on the floor; it can also become the color accent of the room. Of course, a soft covering on the floor will make the room even warmer.
In the corner on the floor you can place a pot with live plants, and on the windowsills - several smaller pots with flowers.
A bedroom on the balcony (4 sq. m) will give you a romantic night
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.
Bed placement
Idea 1
Mattress - simple and easy!
The easiest option is to throw the mattress directly on the floor. Now, by the way, they produce very comfortable and high-quality mattresses - you can buy them in almost any store.
But with this solution, it is desirable to have panoramic windows that go either to the floor or almost to the floor. It is also desirable that there be curtains on the windows, even if not all the way to the top, but they should cover the resting person so that he cannot be seen from the street. Ethics, you know!
A bed can be made from pillows
Instead of curtains, you can use metal or plastic small mesh; they do not block the sunlight, but it will be extremely difficult to see the person lying there from the street.
But it is not necessary to use a mattress as a bed on the floor - it can be perfectly replaced by foam pillows, which can also be freely purchased in stores.
Idea 2
Simplest design for single use
This option is different in that there is no price for such a bed, in fact, like the bed itself in the literal sense of the word. Everything is very simple here - two or three chairs are placed (in this case there is a stool in the middle). The backs of the chairs are turned in the direction opposite to the window and boards are laid on them.
In the meantime, another idea is a sofa bed made from pallets. How do you like it?
You can put anything on the boards - a feather bed, a mattress, several blankets, and so on. The most important thing is that you sleep softly (the issue of hardness can be different for everyone). This design is convenient because it is very easy to disassemble in the morning: bring the chairs and bed into the room, and lay the boards on the floor and the area of the balcony or loggia will be free.
Idea 3
Extended balcony option allows you to install a double bed
Have you ever spent the night in budget Chinese or Japanese hotels? So, the room seems to be separate, but the bed there occupies the entire width of the room, more precisely, from the wall to the partition with the bathroom. And you can only get in there from the rear end - it’s inconvenient, but very economical and ergonomic.
And if you have a loggia or an extended balcony, then such a bed can even be double, as shown in the top photo, and if dust does not penetrate from the street, then you cannot imagine a better place to relax.
There is also another point in terms of ergonomics - note that at the bottom of the bed there are drawers in which you can put blankets, bed linen and other necessary things.
Idea 4
It is very convenient to use a folding sofa
Of course, this option is only suitable for loggias and extended (moving forward) balconies. This is not even an instruction, but such a clause indicates the availability of free space for installing furniture.
The fact is that the width of such sofas is at least 120 cm, and if the slab is moved forward half a meter or even 40 cm, then this is quite enough for a standard eighty-centimeter slab (you can expand it to the sides as much as you like - it doesn’t matter).
This type of furniture is convenient because you can fold it up for the day and get two comfortable chairs in which you can relax or work. At the same time, the area is freed up for other things.
It is very convenient if you think in advance what kind of furniture you will have there - this way you can increase the offset to the distance you need, taking into account the internal lining.
Idea 5
Folding bed
In the photo you see homemade folding furniture:
- the lounger rises;
- presses against the wall of the house;
- It takes up only the thickness of the mattress.
Of course, not everyone is able to cope with such work - it requires not only carpentry skills, but also suitable woodworking tools. Among other things, you will need materials from which such a structure can be built.
But if you are not able to make such a device, it does not matter - now furniture stores sell transformers of a similar type. All you have to do is choose the right width and install it in a suitable place.
Idea 6
There is a way out, even if the loggia or balcony has a non-standard shape
There are many loggias and balconies that have an irregular shape (boot, shoe), which are designed, for example, in houses of type P-44, P-44-T and P-44-K. This is certainly beautiful, but not very convenient.
However, the usable width of the space allows you to place furniture there for reclining; you just need to choose the right dimensions. Another option is to order a custom-made bed.
Idea 7
Folding chaise lounge
I want to finish my list of ideas with a folding chaise lounge, which will fit perfectly on the balcony and also take up minimal space. The main advantage of a chaise lounge is that you can always move it to another room or even take it with you to the forest, to the beach, etc.
Ah, the times! Now there is no place for jars and bottles on balconies!
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.
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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.
Furniture selection
In a small balcony room, you should use hanging shelves and corner cabinets. Check out these white QWERTY shelves. You can hang hooks on the wall, which are convenient for storing clothes. For example, these Spanish ones - with a whale on the waves as decoration.
Drawers or wicker baskets are usually placed under the bed: you can also put clothes and bed linen in them.
If a person lives on a balcony on a permanent basis, then hollow pipes suspended from the ceiling will serve ergonomically for storing his wardrobe. The only thing is that you shouldn’t make them too heavy so that the balcony ceiling can definitely support both them and your clothes.
Folding bed for balcony
If space allows, then a small wardrobe will fit nicely into the space unoccupied by the bed. The tenant will put clothes and personal items in it. A chest of drawers would also be a good option. It can also be used as a table: work on your laptop or have breakfast with a view of the city. This white chest of drawers from Garda Decor is suitable for a loggia in a modern style.
A wide loggia can accommodate a full-sized table and chair, albeit small in size. To save space, the table can be folded and opened only for work, study or eating. There are also folding tables: when folded, they look like a bedside table. You can decorate the bedside table with a bouquet of flowers or put personal items on it: newspapers, magazines, a laptop.
To ensure that the abundance of daylight and night lights do not interfere, it is worth hanging blinds on the windows. Thick curtains on the eaves will also cope with this task, but they usually take up more space than blinds, so it is better not to hang them on the balcony. If blinds are not suitable, designers advise taking a closer look at roller blinds: their principle is the same as blinds, but the material is different. Roller blinds save space and protect from the bright light of the sun and street lights.
Advice : it is worth putting double or triple glazing on the windows, otherwise the Russian winter will completely freeze the resident of the balcony bedroom.
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.
Advantages and disadvantages
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Saving space: if friends are staying overnight or a relative has come to stay from another city, then an extra room will always come in handy. | You will have to install the heating and electricity yourself. |
| There is a lot of natural light, which improves your mood and helps save electricity. | You will have to run around to the officials and get permission from the BTI. |
| The beautiful view from the windows will delight you when you wake up, and while falling asleep you can look at the stars and the Moon. | Sounds will be heard from the street, since even a high floor will not save you from poor sound insulation. |
| Now you can clean a small room, which, of course, is good news. | If a person does not like closed and small spaces, he will feel uncomfortable sleeping on the balcony. |
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.
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.
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.
Summer bedroom for an open balcony
A photo of a design that shows an interesting and unusual design option can be made summer. This solution is usually used for unglazed balconies, for which it is impossible to install a window unit. This space can only be used in the warm season, since it will not be possible to insulate or protect the balcony from precipitation and wind.
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
