We connect the kitchen with the balcony
After fulfilling all legal requirements and preparing the necessary documentation, you can start implementing the project. As a rule, work begins with the repair of the balcony fence. Reconstruction is needed primarily in non-glazed balconies. For the construction of the fence can be used:
- Brick. A durable material with good thermal insulation characteristics, practicality. Its only drawback is too much weight.
- Wood. In order for the timber fence to serve for a long time, the material must necessarily be treated with antiseptic compounds. Its advantage is environmental friendliness.
- Foam blocks. The most convenient and financially profitable material for the construction of a balcony fence. It is distinguished by its affordable cost, excellent physical and technical characteristics, convenience and ease of installation.
- When installing a balcony railing, it is necessary to correctly lay the thermal insulation. For this, as a rule, foam or other types of insulation are used outside, and inside the floor, ceiling and walls of the balcony are insulated with basalt wool, covering it with a layer of vapor barrier film from above.
Experimenting with lighting
Lighting plays an important role in the design of the kitchen - living room. It helps to highlight strengths and hide weaknesses. But if you choose the wrong lighting, you can ruin the whole look of the room.
Lighting fixtures that help add space and light to the kitchen - living room:
Point light. This type of lighting is designed to divide the room into two zones. Each zone has its own light source, which allows you to separate one part of the room from another. It must be remembered that in addition to spotlights, there should be one large chandelier that will illuminate the entire room on its own.
Correctly illuminate the kitchen - the living room in the Khrushchev can be using chandeliers, which will be located in the middle of the two zones. You can enlarge a small room with wall or floor lamps. You can supplement the main lighting method with the help of dim light, for example, backlighting in an arch.
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Thermal insulation of the balcony
Combining a balcony with a kitchen, you need to know that insulation involves not only its internal insulation, but also necessarily external.
For outdoor insulation, foam plates and mineral wool, mounted to the wall using a metal profile lathing, are perfect. After that, it remains only to sew up with siding sheets. But for this you will need to call industrial climbers. See in the video how quickly the balcony outside the house is insulated.
The inner balcony is insulated with penoplex. Also, experts advise to make a warm floor, as well as install heaters or fan heaters.
Step-by-step instructions for insulating a balcony or loggia are discussed in this video.
For glazing a balcony, give preference only to high-quality and efficient materials that will keep the room warm. In order not to make common mistakes when insulating a balcony and a loggia, I recommend watching this video. It tells what material needs to be used for insulation and a lot of useful information.
Balcony and loggia: a fundamental difference
For those who want to combine these areas, there must be an important difference in the two building structures.
- The balcony is not closed by walls from the sides, it protrudes beyond the perimeter of the building.
- The loggia is closed on three sides (with an angular arrangement - on two). It is part of the dwelling and has a ceiling.
Based on the design features, it is easy to guess that it will be easier to attach the loggia. Combining with a balcony with the demolition of the partition is unrealistic, because the front wall is load-bearing.
Understanding the difference in concepts is necessary to distribute the permissible load. For a balcony, it is smaller. Another point is heating. It is still possible to carry it legally to the loggia, but to the balcony it is problematic.
Taking into account the peculiarities of these two premises, we can draw conclusions:
- You cannot demolish the partition if the kitchen has access to the balcony. In this case, the room can be insulated and equipped only with an additional dining area with a table-window sill, for example, a relaxation area with light armchairs or a winter garden.
- Integration with a loggia, subject to obtaining permission from various authorities (BTI, FRS, etc.). Such a structural element in terms of area, especially in modern houses, is much larger than a balcony. In most cases, it is worth the money and effort to improve the comfort of your home.
In case of redevelopment, the connection can be performed by dismantling the door and window. This method is the most realistic and most often practiced. The resulting design can become a bar counter, countertop or decorative shelf for accessories.
Bar counter or countertop instead of a window with a window sill
It is not necessary to issue a permit for this type of work, but you need to understand that it is impossible to sell an apartment without legalization. Otherwise, you need to return the room to its original appearance - to restore the window and door.
Another option is to demolish the wall, the lower wall of the door. In a panel house, such an idea is practically impracticable. It is possible to perform such work in an apartment of a monolithic-brick house.
Before undertaking the unification of premises, you need to study the features of the building, obtain permission from the relevant authorities with instructions for strengthening the structures.
Original ideas for decorating a kitchen with a balcony
A calm and cozy seating area, arranged on the balcony, will become a favorite place for family tea drinking
Combining a kitchen with a balcony is not always possible. This may be due to technical reasons. For example, a wall is load-bearing. Sometimes the owners themselves do not dare to do the redevelopment. Such an undertaking requires major repairs, investment of a large amount of money, moral endurance. If you don't want to combine rooms, you can use the balcony separately as:
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Cafe zones. This method of application is relevant for owners of large apartments. Outside the window, you can install a small table, several chairs. In summer, such a mini-cafe can completely replace the dining area.
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Storage rooms. This is the most popular application. Having made racks, shelves, it will be possible to store unnecessary things, old household appliances, tools on the balcony. The most important thing is not to turn it all into a dump. Things should be neatly stacked.
- Mini garden. Lovers of home plants can arrange a small botanical garden at home. Green spaces will decorate the interior and purify the air. Plants will need to be constantly looked after. All family members can be involved in this process.
The winter garden on this balcony requires serious maintenance, but it looks just luxurious.
5 general tips for choosing
Curtains for a kitchen with a balcony will have their own nuances. And the principle of their choice is based on the characteristics of the room itself.
- Firstly, the illumination of such a kitchen will be less, because light passes through a balcony or loggia.
- Secondly, the constant use of the balcony door should be reflected in the choice of curtains, cornice and the method of hanging curtains.
- Thirdly, the radiator on the wall under the window influences the choice of material.
- Fourthly, due to the nature of the room, the curtains will get dirty more often than in other rooms of the house or apartment. Frequent washings require strength to be considered.
Tip 1 - Choose light shades of curtains
Due to poor lighting conditions, darker curtains will exacerbate the problem. White, cream, beige colors will make the kitchen visually lighter.
Kitchen window design with door with roman blinds and tulle
For the same reason, curtains should be as transparent as possible. This means that dense options and others that transmit little light will not work.
Tip 2 - Choose a durable curtain rod and a convenient fastening mechanism
The curtains will often need to be pushed back or raised (rolled), and the mechanism at the mounts should be as reliable, durable and easy to use as possible.
Beautiful curtains with eyelets
String bindings are not so convenient, but large rings are more practical.
The eaves attachment can have several options:
- obliquely;
- two-level.
In the first case, the convex part above the door allows you to open it freely and without hindrance. In the second version, an additional cornice is installed above the door so that only a part can be moved away without touching the curtains by the window.
Due to the radiator, in the cold season, synthetic curtains can deform under the influence of high temperatures.
If you do not want to spoil the thing, then your option is natural or heat-resistant materials.
Tip 4 - The material must be of high quality
Due to frequent washes, a cheap fabric will lose its beautiful appearance in a year: it is washed, faded, grayed out. Therefore, having saved once, you will be forced to update the design constantly.
Your option is not too thin or thick, quick-drying, not very odor-absorbing.
Modern kitchen design with roman blinds
When choosing fabric, give preference to semi-synthetic (combined options). The natural component is environmentally friendly, but without the addition of synthetic fibers, the fabric will wear out quickly.
Today manufacturers also offer fully synthetic materials, but they are environmentally friendly and safe for health. They do not allow air to pass through so well, but they are durable, and thanks to a special production technology and processing, they are fireproof.
Tip 4 - The decoration of the room and the balcony block should be combined with the design of the curtains
A harmonious interior is one in which there are no details that violate a single style space.
This may be interesting: 30 ideas for arranging a kitchen 9 sq. m with a balcony.
Curtains for a kitchen with a balcony door are often just such a detail. Many people choose expensive blackout curtains to cover the ugly finish of doors and windows. But it would be better to spend money on a beautiful design of the block and leave it without curtains at all, while maintaining good illumination.
Another important design nuance is the size of the room. Lush lambrequins and other, overly lacy options, which will surely appeal to adherents of traditions and classics, are inappropriate in a small kitchen. The simpler the design, the better.
Combining a balcony with a kitchen: the pros and cons of organizing additional space
Any action associated with a change in the original view, it is customary to consider from opposite angles, weighing all the pros and cons. This will help you make the right decision and think over all the nuances.
By removing the partition and combining the kitchen with a loggia or balcony, you can optimize the space.
Benefits of combining
Increasing the kitchen space
Any hostess knows that every centimeter of space is important in the kitchen. Therefore, additional space will certainly not be superfluous.
With such a combination, instead of a cluttered balcony, we get a functional area.
A kitchen combined with an ordinary balcony will be a real boon for owners of small apartments or private brick houses. Thanks to the correct redevelopment, you can turn a few meters of space into a practical and much needed area.
Zoning.
Using the balcony space will help separate the cooking and eating areas.This approach is not only practical, but also very convenient. Both the balcony and the kitchen area can be used as a dining room.
It all depends on the size of the additional area and the preferences of the owners of the house.
Lighting.
Huge balcony windows make the kitchen brighter and more airy. A big plus will be placing them on the sunny side. Then the light will not only illuminate, but also warm the room, which is very preferable in the cold season. But in the summer it is better to use blinds or curtains.
The interior of such a kitchen is always very interesting and looks outside the box.
A basis for experimentation.
Redevelopment and further decoration of the interior of the kitchen, combined with the balcony, allows to bring into the interior not only practicality and convenience, but also color and individual accent. Changing the shape of the opening and windows, stretch ceilings and original lighting, the play of colors and textures - this is not the whole list of creative experiments that can be implemented with the help of such modernization.
By applying here the maximum of imagination, you can decorate and organize the free space in an original way.
Disadvantages of unification
The need for additional insulation.
Sealing windows and thermal insulation finishing requires a certain amount of money. However, without these measures, it is impossible to make such a balcony livable. Drafts and cold floors will not be an advantage.
Redevelopment requires legalization - it can be a long process.
Duration of modernization.
Considering all the nuances of redevelopment and preparation for it, it should be noted that such repairs can take considerable time. However, after all the work, it will be pleasant to look at the desired result. Experience shows that haste can lead to extremely negative consequences.
The changes entail high costs for insulation, glazing, finishing and floor improvement.
"Paper work".
In most cases, to carry out redevelopment, you need to collect documents, wait for approval. Often this work takes quite a long time. However, it should not be forgotten that only an approved redevelopment is legal. Otherwise, the case will end with a fine and an administrative claim.
If you remove only the window, then no papers and permission are needed, however, during the sale of the home, everything will need to be returned to its original form.
Pros and cons of unification
Owners of small apartments know firsthand about the difficulties of arranging comfortable working and dining areas on several square meters. It is especially difficult for large families who do not even have the opportunity to get together at the same table, let alone invite a large group of friends to visit. Often the living room turns into a dining room, but this option is available only if the apartment has several rooms and the personal space of one of the family members is not infringed. Basically, increased requirements are imposed on such a room, since 3 separate zones must fully function in it: guest, work and dining areas. It is better to decide such a question of combining at a family council, so that each of the household in the future does not feel discomfort from redevelopment.
The best option when combining is to use a balcony. Its main difference from the loggia is that this room is combined with the apartment by only one common wall, and the loggia - as many as three. In addition, the balcony is a protruding part of the building, while the loggia is built-in.
- Provides additional usable space. If you combine a kitchen with a balcony, 2-3 square meters appear (if the balcony is one meter wide). If you combine the kitchen with the loggia, then at least 6 squares are added to the total area, the combined room increases significantly.
- Allows you to experiment with the design.The kitchen, combined with a balcony, has a much more modern and original design than in rooms with a standard layout. Here everyone can show creativity and imagination to create an exclusive interior on the combined area, which will become a source of pride for homeowners.
- Looks more spacious and lighter. The kitchen, combined with a loggia, visually increases in size due to the direct penetration of sunlight, even if the windows face west or north.
- The kitchen combined with the balcony is characterized by good heat and sound insulation. The technical characteristics of the combined kitchen and loggia are significantly improved: the room becomes warmer, more comfortable due to the insulation of the walls and glazing.
On the added area, you can equip a dining area, put a refrigerator or a seating area for relaxation
French doors can also be considered a variant of combining two rooms.
- Overhaul requires approval from municipal and state authorities. Unauthorized combination of a kitchen with a balcony, as well as a combination of a kitchen with a loggia, is strictly prohibited by law, as it can lead to a collapse and collapse in the house. Disregard of this rule entails a large financial fine and even administrative liability.
- Repair involves additional financial costs for finishing, insulation of the premises. Otherwise, the combined room will be unsuitable for further full-fledged operation, and the kitchen area will become much colder. Not every family can afford the luxury of a combined kitchen with a balcony.
Such a combination will require documentation.
Effective kitchen design combined with a balcony: choosing a style
Kitchen design combined with a balcony in Provence style for those who love rustic comfort with a lot of textiles, flowers and wood in the interior
The choice of style is a fundamental issue that needs to be resolved long before the start of the repair. It is necessary to choose a style based on different criteria: the size of the room, the styles of other rooms, the size of the financial budget, the wishes of each family member.
The combined spaces look elegant, stylish and extraordinary if between them there is a high-tech bar counter
For a kitchen combined with a balcony, different styles can be applied. The most popular are shown in the table.
Style name | Specific traits |
Provence | The French direction is usually to the liking of delicate, gentle persons. It is characterized by the use of slightly aged furniture, floral prints in textiles, air curtains. The color scheme of a kitchen with a balcony should be predominantly light. Small bright details are allowed. |
High tech | A minimum of decor, a lot of lighting, modern technology - all this is characteristic of hi-tech. This direction is used in small rooms where you need to fit a maximum of accessories. For a room, it is better to choose light colors, white is ideal. White walls will make the space visually wider. |
Classic | The classic design is characterized by pretentiousness, noble materials, rich furnishings. Stucco molding, columns, natural wood can be used for decoration. Curtains should be chosen multi-layer, made of natural material. Furniture should be strict, without any special finishing. You can use different colors: purple, beige, white, sand, olive, others. |
Minimalism | This direction is often chosen by bachelors, single girls. The atmosphere in the kitchen turns out to be free, not cluttered. Minimalism requires simple, functional furniture. In the decoration you can use metal, glass, plastic, wood. |
Loft | Brickwork on the wall, gray color, simple finishes are the characteristic features of the loft. In this style, it will not be necessary to mask communications, hide pipes, gas boilers. Furniture can be chosen in white tones, decorated with glass, metal. |
The kitchen, combined with a balcony, in the classic style looks like a playground with beautiful carved furniture
Kitchen-living room, combined with a loggia with panoramic windows in the style of minimalism
Kitchen interior with a loft-style bar counter after combining with a balcony
How redevelopment is performed
Redevelopment is a complex process that begins with the receipt of documents. The package includes a project, a permit with visas of control authorities, consent of neighbors, an act of redevelopment. The type of the combined area depends on whether the load-bearing wall separates the loggia and the kitchen or is ordinary. In the first case, the window and door are removed, leaving the wall, in the second - the entire partition as a whole. It is necessary to comply with all the requirements and regulations for the new layout in order not to have problems with the law - from a fine to deprivation of property rights.
After obtaining permission, work begins:
- Remove the trim and frame.
- Laying insulation and waterproofing.
- Install double-glazed windows.
- Displays communications.
- Carry out the finishing of the premises.
It should be remembered that when carrying out finishing work, the lightest materials are chosen - plastic, laminate, linoleum. After the completion of the work, it is imperative to register the changes with the relevant authorities.
Recommendations for combining a balcony with a kitchen
With proper insulation, it won't be cold anyway.
Heat will also come from the room to which it is connected.
It is categorically impossible to place a gas stove on the balcony.
This will become the reason for the refusal to legitimize the redevelopment. Moreover, such placement is not safe. After all, the gas supply system cannot be practically outside the premises. In addition, in the event of the destruction of the balcony or loggia on which the gas appliances are located, there is a risk of fire and explosion.
The use of sockets in the additional zone is prohibited.
They should all be placed in the kitchen.
This requirement is intended to protect against accidents and damage.
It is not recommended to load the balcony with heavy equipment or furniture.
Such placement is not safe for both the owners of the house and their neighbors (if we are talking about an apartment). Certain standards should be adhered to, which set the maximum permissible load on balcony slabs.
How extra space can be used
If you attach a balcony or loggia to the kitchen, the additional area can perform both aesthetic and practical functions.
Kitchen set for the loggia
Experts do not advise placing heavy furniture and equipment on the loggia. Microwave, small refrigerator, table, chairs are acceptable in the new space. The gas stove should be replaced with an electric one so that after its installation on the loggia there are no problems with the control authorities. Sewerage is only allowed on the ground floor. High kitchen cabinets are recommended to be moved to the balcony to free up space in the kitchen.
Canteen
Using a loggia connected to the kitchen as a dining area is a good, convenient and stylish solution. As dining furniture, they use both a large table with luxurious chairs, and a compact glass and small sofas.
Rest area and tea drinking
With a large kitchen area, where there is enough space for a working and dining area, the former balcony is used for relaxation and family tea drinking. It is easy to install an armchair, sofa, small TV, coffee table here. Flowers and an aquarium are used as a separator with the kitchen. Photo wallpapers, decorative elements, reproductions are used to give comfort.
Workplace
When the wall is completely demolished, a kitchen working area is created on the balcony, which is equipped with a part of the headset, placing it in a U-shape or using two walls and a corner. If there is a part of the partition, it is logical to improve and use it as a countertop for cooking.
Winter Garden
Many people use the attached territory to create a winter garden.In this place, they spend minutes of rest during and after cooking. Wicker chairs look organic next to voluminous tall ornamental plants in large clay pots. Greens grown in the winter garden can be a good help. To illuminate the plants, panoramic windows should be installed on the balcony. The winter garden and the kitchen are connected by a fully glazed door so that natural light can enter the room.
Kitchen-living room
The space of the loggia is used as a living room, where they not only communicate with friends, but also spend their free time doing their favorite pastime. When equipping it with a sofa, table, armchairs, a computer, they are engaged in knitting, drawing.
A bar counter is made from a window niche, getting an excellent bunch of living room and kitchen. In this case, you can cook and communicate with guests.
Pantry
A well-known way to use a balcony is to create a cellar or storage room for placing blanks for the winter, storing fruits and vegetables. To do this, install cabinets, shelves and boxes with doors and covers. The temperature in the room is maintained above zero all year round, for which they create insulation and install reliable double-glazed windows.
Combination recommendations
Repair of kitchens with a balcony should begin with obtaining permission for redevelopment. To do this, you will have to bypass a number of authorities, including BTI, SES, Ministry of Emergency Situations, ZhEK, to obtain the consent of neighbors and the final approval of the project in the housing inspectorate. Only upon receipt of a legalized act can construction work begin. Unauthorized redevelopment is strictly prohibited and entails a large financial fine, and in some cases, administrative liability. Such strict measures were taken for a reason, since interference with the architecture of a house can provoke a collapse and collapse.
The design of the kitchen on the balcony can be developed using an online constructor. This is a special program that allows you to see the layout of the future room in 3D mode, to assess its strengths and weaknesses in advance. For those who do not use new computer developments, you can arm yourself with an ordinary sheet of paper and a pencil. It is only necessary to first measure the length and width of the room, as well as the parameters of furniture and household appliances.
If it is technically impossible to completely remove the wall, only the glazing is removed, and the remaining ledge is made out in the form of a bar counter or as a small table
The first thing to pay attention to when developing a design is to create favorable conditions for a comfortable stay in the future room. The balcony must be glazed, otherwise it will not be able to fully function, drafts will appear in the kitchen, and it will become colder
For windows, it is advisable to choose high-quality three-chamber double-glazed windows, on which condensation does not form and which are not covered with ice in winter. The kitchen with a balcony needs additional insulation. With the help of industrial climbers, it is recommended to seal the seams and cracks on the outside, to make the sheathing with foam or foam. Since radiators on the balcony in most cases cannot be installed, you can opt for a floor heating system, which does not consume a lot of electricity.
Partial dismantling of the wall
With such a repair, a balcony opening with windows and a balcony door is dismantled. In place of the former window sill, you can install a bar counter that will serve as a zoning function. Usually, in this kitchen design on the loggia, the adjoining room automatically becomes a dining or dining area.
Sometimes a refrigerator is taken out to the balcony, although the hostesses should be more careful about such a layout, since the so-called triangle principle is violated. It implies a visual combination of the stove, refrigerator and sink, which provides a comfortable and fast cooking process. The distance between them should be no more than 1.5 meters.If you move the unit, you will have to spend time moving from one end of the room to the other. The problem will be solved by purchasing an additional freezer, which will always find a place on the balcony.
After partial dismantling, a piece of the wall remains, the interior of which does not represent anything in itself, but a simple repair turns it into a functional part of the kitchen
Complete demolition of the structure
With this layout, the exit to the balcony is dismantled together with the partition. In place of the door and window opening, an arch is formed, which must be strengthened with a metal frame. Such a combination of a kitchen with a balcony requires large financial investments and perhaps not at all in all houses. If the adjacent wall is recognized as a carrier, the project may be denied approval. Also in the risk zone are emergency houses and old buildings, where any intervention can provoke a collapse and collapse. But in the kitchen, combined with a balcony, you can give free rein to imagination, come up with an original design that will impress all guests and household members.
From the latest design innovations, the French window from floor to ceiling can be distinguished. It solves the problem of space zoning, leaving the premises autonomous. Thus, odors from the working area will not be able to reach the balcony. In place of the former partition, you can install a small bar counter, which will serve as a place for tea or a quick snack.
Floor-to-ceiling glazed doors or sliding partitions add natural light to your kitchen
Color solutions
A kitchen space combined with a balcony looks more harmonious if the right colors are chosen for the decoration. The main tone should be combined with shades that are combined with each other.
White
Color is a design classic. Furniture imitating wood, curtains, wallpaper, household appliances, wardrobes, tulle curtains look great in white shades. To make the color look more advantageous, several bright spots are added to the interior, emphasizing the main shade and the overall design of the room.
Lavender
Delicate lavender color goes well with bright purple interior items. A bright accent is required, which is done on one of the walls or on specific objects - curtains, lamps, household appliances. Lavender looks good with pink, milky, caramel, pistachio tones.
Brown
The color is used with caution, as dark shades can make the kitchen look too dark and mournful. Soft tones of brown add coziness to the interior, perfectly contrast with the white color of household appliances
Skillfully selected shades create an atmosphere in which you can feel calm and relaxed.
Pastel
Shades in pastel colors can visually expand the room. They are complemented with any colors. Walls, furniture, textiles can be pastel. They will not look faded if you add bright elements to the interior - kitchen utensils, towels, tablecloths, napkins. Pastel colors always look expensive and stylish.
Gray
It is with the help of this color that they create an atmosphere of tranquility. Refined shades of gray are always a win-win in the interior of the room. They are used in classic style, minimalism, modern style. Thanks to gray, it is easy to emphasize the beauty of natural materials for finishing kitchens and furniture.
Zoning methods
Dividing the combined premises into several functional zones allows you to more accurately beat the interior design. There are many zoning methods.
Sliding partitions
You can fence the kitchen part of the room from the balcony with the help of a partition sliding like a compartment. This way you can isolate the adjacent room from noise, odors, heat and steam that occur during cooking at any time. The design of the kitchen together with the balcony with partitions can be seen in the photo.
Partitions can be made of glass, wood, chipboard or plastic with glass inserts. It is illogical to use a completely blind partition: the kitchen will be left without a source of natural light.
Glass partitions are:
- Transparent. They look airy, let all the sunlight into the kitchen.
- Matte. They let in a lot of light, but at the same time hide what is happening behind the glass from prying eyes.
- Colored. They can become a bright accent of the room. Such partitions will look spectacular in styles such as hi-tech or modern. The interior of the kitchen, combined with a balcony in a modern style, is shown in the photo.
- With patterns or designs. Abstract colored patterns will suit modern styles, while designs depicting flowers or nature will suit the classic.
Tiered floor
If there is a threshold between the balcony and the kitchen, you can leave it. It is recommended to lay a heating system on the floor of the hinged part of the apartment, and level the floor itself to the level of the threshold. The resulting podium will divide the zones of the combined room.
Arches
One of the most popular zoning methods is the construction of an arch. This architectural element looks beautiful, takes up a minimum of space, and does not block the access of natural light. Most often, home arches are made from inexpensive plastic material - drywall. The design of the kitchen combined with a loggia with natural light can be seen in the photo.
The arch will look beautiful in any interior style. For classicism, a wide arch of a rounded symmetrical shape is suitable, for hi-tech or minimalism - a square shape, for modern - a wavy shape. An arch in an apartment decorated in an oriental style will naturally look.
A balcony or loggia is always an additional space in an apartment that can be used rationally. By combining the kitchen with additional space, you can create an original interior and decorate it in any style you like.
To do this, you need to decide on the function that the balcony will perform, and choose a suitable way to delimit the two functional areas.