When purchasing a small home - a one-room apartment or a studio - the owners try to rationally use every free centimeter of space. Modern transformable furniture greatly simplifies interior planning. A folding sofa easily turns into a bed, and a compact table into a wide dining table.
The balconies also did not go unnoticed. Designers propose converting free square meters into a study, a relaxation area, but most often into a kitchen. The balcony or loggia is first glazed and insulated.
How to move the kitchen to the balcony?
When moving the kitchen to the balcony, you will need to obtain permission from the BTI staff for redevelopment, because for a full-fledged kitchen area on the balcony or loggia you will need to remove water, drain water and electricity. In addition, equipment and furniture are heavy and create a load on the slabs.
Before starting work, designers recommend creating a project plan on paper or in specialized programs. Builders and BTI employees will help with this. The plan shows the area of the room, the option of combining a kitchen and a room, and plans for the arrangement of furniture.
One of the important points of the plan is the location of sockets, lighting points and the direction of electrical lines. This will help you plan your kitchen wisely during the renovation phase.
Sewerage
Laying sewerage on a loggia is the most labor-intensive. A kitchen-loggia cannot do without a drain, and it may be located far from the sewer riser, so you will have to drain it through the entire apartment.
The main problem and feature of laying sewer pipes is the mandatory requirement to maintain their uniform slope. If you hide this pipe in a box, it should be quite high, so that, moving away from the sink in the highest position, the pipe gradually drops to the level of the entrance to the sewer riser, being in the box throughout its entire length.
When laying a sewer system during a major overhaul, you can make grooves in the walls for laying the pipe or mask it with plasterboard.
For a kitchen drain, a 50 mm pipe is considered optimal. As it should be when laying a sewer system, sharp turns should be avoided here, trying to make them smoother, and where this is not possible, it is necessary to install an inspection through which blockages are removed. In this case, the slope of the sewer pipe per meter of length should be within 1-2 cm.
Cold glazing of balconies and loggias with aluminum profiles
Forged balcony railings
The main pros and cons of placing the kitchen on the balcony
The advantages include:
- additional space - from a storage room for unnecessary things, the balcony easily turns into a functional independent room. Increasingly, it serves as a recreation area, study or kitchen. Place convenient cabinets for dishes and towels, install a sink, stove and some other equipment and you’re done;
- the ability to equip a dining area on the balcony;
- beautiful design of the transition between rooms - in the form of a beautiful arch with spotlights or a podium;
- For a project of such a kitchen, you can either turn to a designer or develop it yourself, using your “observation”, imagination and artistic eye.
The disadvantages of this layout:
- Coordination of work with BTI often takes a long time;
- additional insulation and strengthening of the balcony structure will be required;
- It is important to take into account the maximum load on a balcony or loggia when carrying out repairs, finishing and choosing a kitchen unit.
Coordination
If the redevelopment is carried out by dismantling the balcony block, in which doors and windows are removed, but the wall with the window sill and the threshold will not be affected, then the changes may not be approved. In such a situation, BTI permission is not needed.
The main advantages of working without demolishing the partition:
- no need to coordinate repairs with BTI;
- the speed of repair work is significantly accelerated;
- low cost of combination, which takes up only 10–20% of the total amount;
- the window sill can be designed as a table top;
- upon request, everything can be quickly returned to its previous state.
, window sill and threshold is being removed The basis for legal repairs will be a developed project with a technical conclusion. The design project can be entrusted to architects with SRO approvals.
During the approval process, you will need to prepare the following documents:
- house plan for each floor;
- copies of documents on the right of ownership;
- redevelopment project.
The approval sequence is as follows:
- contact the BTI, submit a request for the issuance of a new technical passport with redevelopment;
- contact a service that can do a merger project;
- agree on the finished project;
- in case of a positive decision, approval is carried out at the main department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, SES, house management, gas service and electricians.
Additionally, you must obtain permission to carry out work from other residents of the house. The whole procedure is quite complicated and takes a lot of time, so the matter can be entrusted to companies that handle the paperwork themselves.
Kitchen layout options on the balcony
In fact, there are only two main types, but each has its own subtypes and variations, depending on the lighting and location of the kitchen unit:
Kitchen separated from the room
In this case, the balcony remains an independent space where the entire kitchen unit is moved, water and electricity are installed. At the same time, the usual “set” of the kitchen changes somewhat. Designers recommend abandoning the clutter of wall cabinets in favor of open shelves. Then the load on the load-bearing supports of the balcony or loggia will decrease.
The refrigerator, stove and floor cabinets are also located on the balcony. The working surface is made narrow and long or, conversely, wide, depending on the area of the space. Often the tabletop replaces the window sill. It serves as both a work area and a cozy bar counter, complemented by high, cozy chairs.
Kitchen combined with room
This version of the kitchen area is more common than the first. The window frame and balcony door between the room and the loggia are dismantled partially or completely - this way the owners get much more free space. The remaining part of the wall is covered with a countertop, creating a work area, or a storage system is created, above which a bar counter is placed.
The dining table can be placed at the junction of the room and the kitchen, and the stove and sink against the wall. But depending on your wishes, furniture and areas can be placed oppositely. Then the kitchen set is partially moved into the room, the countertop is placed on the part of the wall remaining from the window, and several cabinets are left on the balcony.
Options for connecting the kitchen area with different types of balcony areas
Practice has developed many options for combining a kitchen and a loggia. Their listing and description with photos are beyond the scope of this article. If you decide to change the configuration of the kitchen space, contact the PereplanHome redevelopment design and approval bureau. We will offer several rational projects for arranging the kitchen space, repair options and finishing works that are suitable for your case, and we will show you what each one looks like. The bureau’s database includes more than fifty ready-made projects:
- Making large modern kitchens more spacious, some of the old partitions are retained for future use;
- Providing for the reconstruction of small balconies with the dismantling of thresholds and the installation of common floors on one level;
- Allowing you to place work surfaces outside the kitchen by removing and installing part of the kitchen furniture on an insulated balcony (loggia), etc.
How to design a combined kitchen?
The transition between the room and the kitchen can be played out in several ways. The most popular are a small step or podium at the bottom and a ledge at the top, into which lamps are built-in. This option is optimal when abandoning the window frame.
Another original idea for delimiting two zones is a row of LED strips or a beautiful wall sconce. A passage in the form of an arch or different flooring looks original, visually separating the room from the kitchen.
A wide countertop made of stone or wood located between the room and kitchen area will look organic. This approach will make advantageous use of the available space and visually divide the room.
Examples of completed projects
To find inspiration for choosing your redevelopment option, you can familiarize yourself with the images provided. Each design is selected according to the number of square meters of the balcony/loggia.
For any square, you can choose not only a beautiful, but also a functional design.
The solution is also chosen according to the form. Today, the most common ones are the following.
- Arched - the modern design of monoliths in new buildings can limit the choice of furniture. If you correct this shape using plasterboard sheathing, you will have to spend money on the work of a craftsman and on the purchase of all the guides. The ideal solution would be to select furniture modules that will easily fit into any space.
- Rectangular balcony. Most often it has an elongated and narrow shape, which can become an obstacle to organizing a recreation area.
- Square balcony. The happy owner of this shape can play with the space to his liking. The main feature of such a room is the ease of repair work. It is enough to insulate the balcony and select the necessary purpose.
In order not to waste time on calculations, you can immediately contact an experienced designer who will immediately be able to reflect all your ideas in the form of visualization.
Organizing a kitchen on a loggia or balcony
Having agreed with the BTI on the plan for the future kitchen, you can safely begin to bring it to life. With a combined kitchen option, the part of the wall remaining from the window is left or completely demolished. Old coverings from the floor, walls and ceiling are completely removed, the surfaces are carefully leveled and coated with an antifungal compound.
All communications are carried out at this stage. Lighting, drainage, ventilation, water supply, electricity and gas, if necessary.
Finishing work
It is recommended to finish surfaces with the lightest possible materials so as not to overload the balcony structure. Artificial materials stylized to look like natural ones will help you decorate the interior: veneer, chipboard, plastic. Liquid wallpaper and decorative plaster look interesting. For the floor, tiles or artificial stone are suitable.
Kitchen apron
Once the location for the stove or hob has been chosen, you need to create a kitchen apron. At the repair stage, experts recommend treating the walls with a fire retardant compound - an antipyretic - it will prevent a possible fire.
As in a regular kitchen, finishing materials should be chosen that are resistant to fire, dirt, moisture, detergents, and temperature changes. Designers advise avoiding overly textured surfaces because they will literally attract plaque, grease and soot. Preference should be given to smooth options: tiles, glass, ceramics or artificial stone.
Windowsill
To expand the area of the future kitchen, designers advise removing double-glazed windows from the internal window frames as much as possible. Then the window sill will also increase, which can be used for various purposes: arranging beautiful flowers, decor, baskets with small items.
Storage
Any housewife understands that a kitchen involves not only a place for preparing and often eating food, but also storing dishes, kitchen utensils, food and household appliances. For all this, you need to organize a convenient system.
One of the best options is to place the stove and sink at one end of the balcony, and shelves and cabinets at the opposite end. The free space under the ceiling or between the wall and the window is filled with open shelves on which it is convenient to place baskets or boxes.
If the kitchen is separated from the room by a bar counter, it is also convenient to place a storage system under it. To make cabinets look more weightless, you can abandon handles in favor of lifting mechanisms and hidden buttons.
Lighting
By placing the kitchen on the balcony, the room will be filled with natural light most of the day. Artificial is useful for early morning and evening, which will significantly save electricity. Built-in modules and wall lamps are popular.
Curtains
Since balcony windows are usually wider than room windows, it is worth carefully considering the choice of curtains in advance. They will protect the room from bright light, scorching sun, insects and street noise.
The best option for a small kitchen would be Roman blinds, roller blinds and roller models. A larger space can be decorated with curtains made from natural and combined fabrics: linen, satin, cotton with the addition of acrylic.
When choosing curtains, preference should be given to those that do not fade in the sun, withstand frequent washing, allow air to circulate freely throughout the room and dissipate direct sunlight.
Complete redevelopment of a balcony or loggia for a kitchen involves certain financial costs. But in the end, the owners receive additional space, which is especially important for a small studio apartment. A modern choice of materials will allow you to create a beautiful and not too expensive kitchen.
What not to do when remodeling?
The first obstacle to expanding the space will be the load-bearing wall. The main risk is associated with a gas leak, but even if there is none, no authority will issue permission for its demolition. In this case, the apartment owner should not look for ways to circumvent the law himself. There is a safety issue here; no professional can guarantee that the building will not collapse.
If you decide to do the renovation yourself, you must first study the technical passport of the apartment.
Despite these warnings, if there are no important communications here according to the plan, then you can cut through a small arch or window. Partial work is not prohibited by law, however, even in this case, asking whether it is possible to independently attach a balcony to the kitchen, you will need to visit the BTI.
Even if complete demolition of the walls is not possible, you can erect an arch, which will also expand the space.
Transfer of a column or other important lead is also possible. To do this, just contact the appropriate service, which can provide an experienced specialist. After this, you can safely go to the BTI with a transfer document and insist on issuing a permit.
For such work, it is still better to involve specialists in order to avoid unpleasant moments.
All manipulations with transfer and drilling will cost the apartment owner a tidy sum. You can contact Gorgaz or another territorial service in advance to receive a work estimate.
Important! You should always remember that the balcony does not rest on standard ceilings. Any intervention in the layout must be accompanied by the supervision of a specialist.
Useful tips
To ensure that when converting a balcony into a kitchen, the interior turns out harmonious and effective as in the photo, you should listen to the advice of designers. Nuances when decorating a kitchen space with a loggia :
- the finishing of both zones should be similar in color and done in the same style, unless there is a different idea;
- to divide the space, you can choose glass partitions (matte, colored, transparent, with a sandblasted pattern, etc.);
- there is no need to level out differences in the floor between the kitchen and the balcony; a small elevation can act as a podium;
- Arches, columns and half-columns look good between the balcony and the kitchen;
- It is not necessary to use curtains or heavy drapes; Roman or roller designs take up less space, are lighter and easier to maintain;
- Do not load the balcony with too bulky furniture; limit yourself to open shelves, racks, and light tables;
- lighting can create a unified space; it is enough to mount lamps around the perimeter of the room, and use sconces for additional lighting.
Sources
- https://design-homes.ru/komnaty/kukhnya-i-stolovaya/kukhnya-na-balkone
- https://rem.ninja/kuhnya/dizayn/kuhni-na-balkone-ili-lodzhii.html
- https://balkon-helper.ru/poleznoe/organizatsiya-kuhni-na-lodzhii-kak-pravilno-vyinesti-kuhnyu-na-balkon.html
- https://dom-kirov.ru/balkony/perenosim-kuhnyu-na-balkon.html
- https://remonta-v-kvartire.net/3087-kuxnya-na-balkone-ili-lodzhii.html
Can it be legally transferred?
To make a legal repair, you need to take into account some features. Indeed, according to the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, the combination of residential premises with balconies is prohibited. In order for the transfer actions to be within the law, you must obtain permission to install appliances for use in the kitchen and agree on all points. This makes it possible to use the additional space as a real kitchen.
You must obtain permission for devices the use of which can lead to flooding, explosions and fires. These include:
- gas stove;
- water pump;
- hood with check valve;
- sewerage and water supply.
It is impossible to obtain permission to completely demolish the partition. After all, more often than not this wall is load-bearing; its demolition can lead to the destruction of the building.
To install a gas stove and communications on the balcony, you must obtain permission
Decoration Materials
The choice of finishes for a kitchen with a balcony is no different from a regular kitchen space. Materials should be practical, match the color and texture with the rest of the interior, and be easy to clean.
Floor
Tiles are often used for flooring. This is a durable, wear-resistant material; the tile can easily withstand temperature changes, heat, and is not afraid of water. The weak point of such a floor is the grout; it is in the seams that dirt accumulates and mold can occur. To avoid this, the seams must be treated with water-repellent agents.
Laminate flooring is also good for the kitchen. It can be combined with tiles or stone, for example, in the area of the apron there is tile, and on the balcony with the dining room there is laminate. The most affordable flooring option is linoleum. It easily spreads onto the floor, and there is no need to pre-level the base. Linoleum can be easily installed without dismantling the old floor.
Transfer and extension of utilities
Before starting work on laying communications, it is advised to check the premises to ensure that there are no through air movements, places where condensation and fungus accumulate. Then you need to treat the area with antiseptic agents.
All lines must be installed along the walls.
If you plan to install a sink on the balcony, you need to extend the sewer pipe to it by successively increasing sections, creating a slight slope for liquids to drain. Water pipes should be made of metal-plastic.
You need to connect the electric stove using metal-plastic materials. When the balcony and utility lines have already been insulated, it’s time to create a sheathing of metal profiles, on which moisture-resistant materials are laid to level the surface.
Communications can be extended to the loggia area
