In small apartments it is more reasonable to combine kitchen with balcony. After re-planning the functionality of the room increases, boundless open spaces for implementation of design decisions open.
In the houses of old planning built in the 60-70th years of the last century — five-storey apartment blocks — the kitchen has catastrophically small area: within 4–6 sq.m. To gather in such kitchen behind dining table all family was the real torture by narrowness. The balcony which was often used only for garbage can and drying of linen in cold time practically did not work. But drafts from door slots of fig very generously. There were also pluses: sitting at table it is possible to reach gas-fire or washing quietly.
The idea to combine kitchen with balcony arises practically at all living in such houses. Balcony slabs have the size on average of 2.5x1.2 m therefore the increase of additional 3–4 sq.m significantly improves situation.
Advantages and shortcomings of merging of kitchen with balcony
At combination of kitchen with balcony number of good points comes to light:
- increase in total area of the received room;
- possibility of placement of modern furniture and household appliances;
- creation of original design of new kitchen;
- improvement warm and sound insulation.
Shortcoming at this decision one: re-planning needs to be coordinated in city architecture. For this purpose the following documents will be required:
- The registration certificate from BTI on the apartment.
- Project of re-planning. It is ordered in the design organization having the license for re-planning with obligatory coordination from SES, firefighters, gas workers, electricians.
- Documents of title on the apartment — the certificate of state registration of the property right to it.
- The receiving act of the commission of the city administration and the new registration certificate from BTI. Is filled upon termination of works on re-planning.
If all documents on re-planning are agreed it is possible to get directly to work.
Important parts
The most important in the project of re-planning — is strictly forbidden to dismantle sites of main walls. Any expansions of aperture to carry out it is not allowed. The basic run over aperture in brick building has strictly limited depth of opiraniye and it is impossible to cut off wall even on centimeter.
All balcony slabs are established in load bearing walls of the building and violation of basic sites is inadmissible. Structurally balcony slab is the cantilever beam jammed on one contour — it simply hangs, withheld by the weight of overlying laying. In the panel building the balcony slab is inserted into special grooves of external wall panels. To cut off pier under window, without having broken space framework of the panel, it will not turn out. Therefore or expansions of aperture it is better not to lift question of dismantling of the site of wall under window at all.
Re-planning stages
All works on re-planning of kitchen and balcony can be separated into four stages:
- dismantling of the coordinated elements;
- mounting of enclosing structures of balcony;
- warming;
Let's consider each stage of re-planning in more detail.
Dismantling
The dismantled elements are window and door unit, balcony protection. As a rule, the protection of balcony is executed from metal framework with filling from sheets of flat slate or plastic. Racks of framework are welded on embedded parts on perimeter of plate and on wall embedded parts. Over time the upper part of protection is deformed and can leave wall grooves — the grid kind of "plays", to lean on handrail becomes frightening. It is the best of all to dismantle protection completely and to establish new which will become framework of enclosing structure of wall and the window block.
Mounting of enclosing structures of balcony
The framework is done of light building materials: wooden bar or metal section. Both have both advantages, and shortcomings. It is more preferable to make framework of thin-walled metal section. It is more durable, it is stronger, simpler performed by.
For external covering use metal profile panels. Their color scheme is specified in the project of re-planning. Panels close the lower part of balcony and edge walls. The Paroizolyatsionny substrate under panels is arranged surely.
Warming of framework
Warm framework expanded polystyrene which in the people is more often polyfoam. In comparison with mineral wool boards this material differs in number of advantages:
- small weight;
- ease of mounting;
- convenience in work in small rooms;
- lack of need for fastening;
- possibility of installation in any plane;
- pliability in processing (simple can knife it).
In addition, material is capable to resist to the breaking-off efforts and strong compression which quite often arise in walls, for example, at temperature drops or shrinkage of design.
Choosing polyfoam, pay attention to density. Usually marking of plates approximately such: PSB-15, 25, 35, etc. Digits is weight of material on cubic meter, i.e. weight of product of only 15, 25 or 35 kg. Easy plates very friable, are often deformed when transporting. It is better to choose the brand higher: 25, 35 or extruded polystyrene foam. They are more expensive, but the high price is compensated by advantage in density, convenience of mounting, availability of castle grooves.
It is necessary to fix plates on surface of floor and ceiling — overlying balcony by means of polyurethane foam. It will fill all slots between plates of heater and wall, having made surface hermetic. It is better to combine flooring of balcony with floor of kitchen — the room will look as a unit.
Finishing of the room
Options of finishing of walls and ceiling there is set, everything depends on preferences and financial opportunities. The most economical decision — finishing by gypsum plasterboards with the subsequent painting or polyvinylchloride panels. If for warming extruded polyfoam is accepted, then finishing panels it is possible to fix directly to it, without entering additional elements of framework. The choice of color is limited to taste and imagination of owners of the apartment.
The window block — glazing of balcony — is basic element of new kitchen. The most preferable is the option of plastic panoramic window with double double-glazed window. It is better to arrange the opening shutter opposite to the former balcony door.
Admirers of wooden windows have to remember that the tree needs to be painted outside from time to time. For this purpose it is necessary or to do several opening shutters, or to remove glasses. Besides the wooden frame will be slightly wider and will cause inconveniences in the small room. The final choice for any given option remains for owners of the apartment.
Design options
So, the kitchen, at last, has united with balcony — the new room with new opportunities, boundless scope for implementation of design decisions has appeared. Here popular options of design:
- Kitchen dinning room. The most widespread option for big family. As the pier under the former window has remained, it is natural to use it under table-top, having combined is-shaped with dining table. Part of seats will be on the balcony. At such table, without constraining each other, at least six people can accommodate. The fridge and the washing machine can be taken out on balcony, in edge niches. Over them it is possible to arrange hinged cabinets. The kitchen at the same time very much will unload, will appear open comfortable space.
- Kitchen bar. Approximately the same arrangement, but number of seats will decrease. The balcony windowsill is carried out in the form of table-top, establish bar stools. Slopes of window can be used for additional lockers. The option for adult fans to have a rest at home.
- Kitchen - study. On the light and warm balcony it is possible to arrange conveniently, for example, the computer with office equipment, to create small sewing workshop or site for art trade. The central table-top works and as work table for installation of the big printer and as ironing board, table for painting, cutting. Side niches use for storage of small objects.
- Kitchen flower bed. Such design will be estimated by fans of house plants. At design of the window block it is possible to order multilevel windowsill for flower pots which will not affect room illumination degree. Regiments windowsills it is possible to arrange on all perimeter of balcony, having given to favourite hobby all space.
After definition of functions of the new room it is necessary to think over combination of flowers in finishing.
Color schemes
The design of kitchen and balcony can be executed in uniform style as one room, but it is possible to combine also different types of finishing. Visually it is possible to break the room contrast color on slopes of the former aperture. For example, when coloring walls in light tone the perimeter of aperture is okashivat in bright colors. Such decision looks effectively.
The rectangular aperture can be turned easily into arch or semi-arch of the correct or distorted form by means of easy screens from gypsum cardboard. It will add cosiness droplet to room interior, human consciousness better perceives semicircular forms than right angles which have filled our dwellings.
At last it is possible to suggest to arrange over table-top arch farm in the form of the openwork metal shelves executed by the special order.
Zoning by lighting
Lamps over aperture allow to zone the updated room, to put down accents, to visually expand or narrow it. In kitchen dinning rooms or kitchens flower beds the long lamps in retro style united by unusual element across — cords in the equipment macrame or carved wooden elements effectively look.
In kitchens with bar counter lamps in style hi-tech, the recessed lighting fittings, LED tapes harmoniously look. They are established over bar.
For rooms with the allocated work area it is more reasonable to use desk lamps.
The considered options of combination of kitchen with balcony and registrations of the new room — only small part of what can be implemented in the small apartment. Do not forget to evaluate correctly the financial opportunities not to turn fast re-planning into long and burdensome repair.