The balcony is a great place to store things that are a pity to throw away or are rarely used in the apartment. If you do not put one item on top of another, then its free space will quickly end. Therefore, to increase the volume of things that can be stored there, you can install a wardrobe on the balcony.
This will be a practical solution that will save mezzanine space.
Wardrobe on the balcony
And before you install the cabinet on the balcony, you must choose it correctly. After all, the requirements for it will differ from the option that will be installed in the apartment.
back to index ↑Cabinet Requirements
Not every cabinet is suitable for installation on a balcony. Two main requirements are put forward for it: appropriate dimensions and increased performance.
Balcony wardrobe dimensions
In most typical buildings, the balcony is quite small. This should be taken into account when choosing a cabinet there. Otherwise, it may simply not fit.
When ordering a cabinet, you need to take into account the width of the balcony
In Khrushchevs, the balcony is about a meter wide, 2.6 meters high, and 3.2 meters long. Cabinet dimensions must not exceed this value. And in the case of installation end-to-end in height and width, their approximate coincidence is necessary, with a slight deviation to the smaller side. This is the only way to choose a wardrobe that fits inside the balcony.
Cabinet dimensions should not exceed the width of the balcony
On some balconies, the window sill is installed in such a way that part of it protrudes significantly from the wall. And this factor should also be considered when choosing a cabinet. You can install two separate ones, one under the windowsill, and put the second on top of the first. In this case, the bottom cabinet in width can be taken the same as the size of the balcony, and the upper one is already smaller. Then it will be possible to correctly place them with a protruding window sill.
Placing a cabinet with a protruding window sill
If the balcony is not typical in size, then before choosing a cabinet, you should make the necessary measurements. And only then buy the design.
Wardrobe on a triangular balcony
An unforgivable mistake when choosing a wardrobe for a balcony is not looking at the dimensions. Small deviations in the big direction, and it simply does not fit on the mezzanine. And the buyer learns about it only during assembly. Therefore, the closet will have to be disassembled and taken out of the balcony, and then look for another use for it, already inside the house. However, with carefully made measurements, it will turn out to be installed end-to-end. The cabinet can even occupy all the space in the corner of the balcony, leaving no free space there. Thanks to this, it will be possible to fit much more things into it. And the consequence of this will be the release of the rest of the balcony.
To order a wardrobe, carefully measure the balcony
Performance characteristics
The balcony is outside the building, so its temperature is different from the rest of the apartment. It is more subject to the change of seasons.It is colder in winter, hotter in summer, and condensation often accumulates on the windows. On open or unglazed balconies, various precipitations can fall. Therefore, special operational requirements are imposed on the cabinet that is planned to be installed there. They should also be taken into account.
The closet on the balcony should tolerate temperature changes well.
The cabinet must be able to withstand low temperatures well. Specific figures will depend on the region of residence and the severity of winters, as well as the properties of the balcony to keep warm. In some situations, the temperature there can reach negative values. Therefore, the cabinet must be made of a material that can withstand such loads.
Pay attention to the materials from which the cabinet is made.
Precipitation and condensation should not adversely affect the closet on the balcony. Therefore, in addition to resistance to low temperatures, the material from which they are made must be moisture resistant.
Find out the degree of moisture resistance of the material
For both requirements, cabinets made of chipboard, MDF, as well as solid wood are suitable. These materials are very common in their production. Therefore, choosing a cabinet that suits all performance characteristics will be quite simple. After all, most of them are suitable for installation on the balcony. However, before buying, you should familiarize yourself with the properties of the material, in particular, with resistance to low temperature and moisture resistance.
MDF wardrobe on the balcony
First of all, based on the requirements for dimensions and performance properties, you should choose a cabinet for the balcony. If it does not comply with them, then either it simply does not fit there, or it will last a short period of time, unable to withstand the loads. Both scenarios are negative, so you should think through all the details in advance.
back to index ↑Suitable types of cabinets
In total, three main types of cabinets are produced: swing, coupe and "accordion". They differ in the arrangement of doors and the opening option. For installation on a small balcony, the second and third types of cabinets are best suited.
Wardrobe "accordion"
The doors of such cabinets are much smaller than those of the swing version. But the principle of opening them is the same. They are suitable for installation on the balcony due to the fact that they take up less space when open. And the doors, when opened, do not hit the wall or window sill of the balcony cabinets. Their advantage is a rather low price.
Wardrobe on the balcony
Closet
The sliding wardrobe is most preferable for installation on a balcony. This is due to the fact that its doors are sliding and do not take up extra space when opened. But they are not that cheap either.
Convenient sliding wardrobe for a balcony
In terms of capacity, both cabinet options will be the same. The difference is only the size at the opening, as well as the price. Therefore, the choice of the type of cabinet is based on the budget, as well as the preferences of the owners of the apartment.
For spacious balconies, it is also possible to install swing-type wardrobes. In terms of advantages, they are the same as the “accordion”, but when opened, they take up more space. Therefore, such cabinets on the balcony are placed quite rarely.
Swing-type wardrobe with drawers on the balcony
How to place a closet on the balcony
Usually there is very little free space on the balcony. In such a situation, the most acceptable place to place a cabinet is a niche in its corner. So that the cabinet entirely occupies the width of the balcony. But this solution has several interesting variations.
Practical wardrobe in the entire width of the balcony
Instead of a full-fledged closet on the balcony, to save space, you can place a small shelf at a distance from the floor. It is enough to attach it to three nearby walls. It will not look so monumental and will lose its decorative properties, but it will still fulfill its practical purpose.
Instead of a wardrobe on the balcony, you can place a rack
The shelf can be replaced with a small cabinet. It is important that the load that he created can withstand the walls. Then the space below will be free, something else can be installed there.
Small wardrobe on the balcony
Another placement option is one closet above the other. Install the larger one on the floor, and attach the smaller one to the walls. This is a fairly practical solution that will look good on a classic balcony.
For atypical and large balconies, there are much more cabinet placement options. There is no need to install it exclusively in a distant niche. An interesting composition will be made up of two cabinets installed at the corners of a long wall opposite the window. This will give the balcony symmetry.
Placement of cabinets along the walls of the balcony
In addition to the already listed options for placing a closet on the balcony, you can think of many others. Everything will depend on the preferences and imagination of the owners of the apartment. And do not forget that the cabinet has not only a practical function, but is also an element of decorating the balcony.
back to index ↑How to choose
The main conditions when choosing a wardrobe for a balcony are compliance with the dimensions and performance characteristics. Only such structures can be installed on the mezzanine, while counting on a long service life. However, all further selection options will depend solely on the preferences and budget of the owners of the house.
By the type of wardrobe on the balcony, you can install both a sliding compartment model and a hinged version with small accordion-type doors. Colors should be chosen according to the general style of the mezzanine.
The color of the cabinet should match the style of the balcony
Most balconies are dominated by white, so a light closet will do. But you can install, on the contrary, a contrasting option. Black and white make for an interesting combination.
Black wardrobe in the interior of the balcony
In terms of height, the cabinet should not exceed the vertical length of the balcony. This is the only limitation. The rest is all down to personal preference. The cabinet can be installed both in the entire wall and small in size. An interesting solution here would be to install one on top of the other. The same goes for cabinet length. The maximum should correspond to the balcony, and then it all depends on the owners of the apartment.
Long spacious closet on the balcony
A well-chosen wardrobe will become a continuation of the balcony. In addition to its practical storage function, it will also be a decorative decoration. The closet can give the mezzanine a unique look, as it will become the main element of the interior there.
Properly selected closet can become a decoration of the interior of the balcony
Homemade wardrobe
Instead of buying and choosing a ready-made prefabricated structure, you can make a cabinet yourself. This requires a sufficient amount of material, the availability of the necessary tools, free time and desire. Even when buying individual components, it will be cheaper than ordering a finished cabinet.
Do-it-yourself wardrobe on the balcony
First of all, it is necessary to think over the design, calculate all dimensions, and also take into account the load. Materials must be selected according to the performance characteristics already indicated. Of these, separate elements for the cabinet should be made. Then bring the blanks with all the tools and proceed with the assembly. It is necessary to think in advance how to fasten individual elements together. Nails are the most affordable way. But they will be difficult to remove with the necessary disassembly of the cabinet. Instead, you can use self-tapping screws, fixing the corners at the junction of the elements. They will look nicer than nails, but you will need a drill or a powerful screwdriver to install them.
Balcony wardrobe drawing
This version of the wardrobe on the balcony is suitable only for those people who know how to work with their hands.If a person has never done anything like this, then his design will most likely come out crooked and unreliable. Otherwise, this is a great way to save money.
back to index ↑Benefits of a wardrobe on the balcony
Installing a wardrobe on a balcony is due to a number of advantages. Let's consider the main ones:
- Space saving. The closet will give the balcony extra spaciousness, clearing free space. Thanks to its installation, you do not have to put one thing on top of another. The closet will add comfort to the balcony.
Wardrobe on the balcony will save space in the apartment
- Price. Wardrobe type "accordion" will come out pretty cheap.
Wardrobe on the balcony
- Design benefits. Properly selected wardrobe will fit well into the interior of the balcony. This will make it more enjoyable to be there.
Wardrobe can decorate the interior of the balcony
Drawer Disadvantages
The main disadvantage of the wardrobe on the balcony is the difficulty of placement. The consequence of any excess in size will be that it simply will not fit. And there's no way to cut the closet.
Also, among the shortcomings, one can single out the fact that it will not work to drag a large cabinet through a balcony opening. Therefore, a smaller structure will have to be installed. The way out of the situation will be the assembly of the cabinet on the balcony. However, this is extremely inconvenient, because there is very little free space. Plus, during assembly, it is possible to absolutely accidentally damage the glass. This is also a consequence of the small space.
The cabinet is assembled directly on the balcony
Do not forget about the increased performance, which are exhibited for the closet on the balcony. Not every option that fits into the interior of the apartment will be suitable for installation on the mezzanine. The cabinet must be moisture resistant, and also tolerate low temperatures well. If the material of manufacture is not suitable for this, then the structure will not last long and will soon have to be replaced.
Balcony wardrobe must be waterproof
However, all the shortcomings are local in nature. If a cabinet of suitable materials is reliably assembled on a balcony, then its service life will be many years. Proper selection will ensure the reliability of the design.
back to index ↑Photo gallery - wardrobe on the balcony
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