What are the bar counters on the balcony and how to arrange them?
A cup of hot aromatic coffee or tea drunk on the balcony will bring a lot of pleasure. Nice to have breakfast while contemplating how the city wakes up. The presence of a bar counter on the balcony will help make your dream come true. This article will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of such an impromptu bar, the types of bar counters, and the methods of their placement.
Advantages and disadvantages
The presence of a bar counter on the balcony will save space in living quarters. This place can be an ideal option for morning and evening gatherings, tea drinking with friends, family dinners. Such bar counters can vary in shape and size, and they also differ in materials and design.
Before installing the structure, you should find out what the advantages of such a choice are and whether this option has significant disadvantages.
The advantages of placement include the following factors.
- The ability to use structures in cool and cold weather. It will be much more comfortable to spend time on an insulated loggia than on a balcony without insulation.
- Behind the bar, you can enjoy the beautiful view from the window. Thanks to good lighting, you can get additional positive emotions from contemplation.
- The presence of a bar counter will allow replace the dining table, which is especially true for small kitchens.
The advantages also include the fact that installation of such a design is not difficult. This does not require coordination of work with supervisory authorities.
Such designs are used both for feasts and for other purposes.
When choosing a material, it is not necessary to use expensive types, you can use more affordable materials.
At the same time, it has a variant and some disadvantages.
- In the summer, in the presence of panoramic glazing, it will be difficult to be in such a place. Curtains or blinds can somewhat neutralize this disadvantage.
- Also, the disadvantage can often be the height of the bar counter. Children will be uncomfortable at a high tabletop.
- The disadvantages include rather narrow countertops. This is a comfortable place for 2-3 people. At the same time, a narrow tabletop will not be a complete substitute for a dining table that can accommodate many guests.
The choice of this option will require glazing, insulation and ennobling of the space.
Species overview
Depending on the type of structure and its design, two types of bar counters can be distinguished. Each of these options has its own characteristics that are taken into account when placing.
- In the classic version the model looks like a bulky, large stand. Can be installed as one of the pieces of furniture. Typically, such designs are equipped with many shelves for dishes, placing electrical appliances.
- Mini bar has a small table top. This design can replace a table. This option is used more often with limited space in the house.
The built-in table does not have to be a continuation of the windowsill. Such a table can be successfully placed in the corner of the loggia, setting it perpendicular to the windowsill. This type is suitable as a convenient place for tea drinking or a full lunch, you can use it as a workplace or office.
A wide window sill, used as a table top, can be called the most successful option for a family of several people.The structure stretching along the entire length of the balcony can be an excellent continuation of the kitchen. If the balcony door opens into a hall or living room, it is advisable to use it as an office.
Materials (edit)
For the manufacture of bar balcony counters, a variety of materials can be used.
More often there are products from:
- wood;
- Chipboard;
- stone;
- plastic;
- glass;
- metal.
Wood is considered the most popular material for balconies. This is a completely natural and environmentally friendly product. Products and furniture from it look very aesthetically pleasing and beautiful. The use of natural wood will allow you to decorate the room in a specific style in an original way.
With the correct use of the material, wood will retain its original appearance for a long time.
But over time, the wood can dry out, wear out, which leads to the need to replace the product.
The use of such material without processing for a dining table is impractical. Hot pots and other utensils should not be placed on such a surface, since the material does not tolerate high temperatures well, therefore it is better to use this material for the equipment of the workplace, and not for the dining counter.
Chipboard is a popular material in construction, but as for the design of balconies, this is not the best option. Operation of such products under conditions of constant changes in temperature and humidity can lead to deformation of the products.
One of the best options for a minibar or any countertop is stone. It is a very durable material that has a wide range of original shades and colorful designs.
Plastic the countertop is often an analogue of a window sill. This material is easy to care for, but not strong enough for long-term use. Although plastic is very popular due to its ease of care and low price, it looks much cheaper than its counterparts.
Similar designs from glass... As for the strength of the material, it is advisable to choose tempered glass for countertops.
Such designs from metal... When choosing this option, it should be borne in mind that the tabletop should be combined with the interior. Not only countertops are made of metal, but material is also used for brackets, legs, and pillars. Considering that the material is subject to corrosion, it is recommended to treat it with a special compound or paint it with paint.
Location methods
The loggia most often does not have enough space to accommodate large-sized furniture, so choosing a bar counter will be the most successful option. There are various ways to arrange such structures.
Along the window
The easiest option is to install a bar counter along the window. The bar counter-window sill is installed after dismantling the block on the balcony. This design not only zones the space, but can also be used as a place for tea drinking, eating. This table can be approached from both sides, which makes it possible to place up to 5 people behind it. At the same time, the interior will not look overloaded, which is important both for spacious balconies of 6 meters, and for a small balcony.
Such designs have very different configurations. As the simplest option, you can consider a counter window sill that does not have excessive decor.
For small rooms, products with carousel shelves that can rotate around an axis, as well as hanging shelves with sectors for dishes and glasses, are more suitable.
It will be very interesting to look at such a structure with several tabletops located in parallel at different levels.
Folding near the walls
Folding structures are more often used for arranging small rooms. The use of such a folding stand will save a lot of space.No dismantling is required to install it. Folding structures have many advantages:
- low price of products with fasteners, given the lightness of the models;
- ease of installation;
- compactness - when folded, the product becomes almost invisible and does not take up much space.
To install such a tabletop, it is enough to prepare only a sheet of the required size of a certain shape and take the brackets.
On the window opening
When installing such a structure on a window opening, you cannot do without dismantling work on the balcony. In the resulting place, the model is installed. If the structure will be used as a traditional table, then it is desirable to make it wider. When used as a storage warehouse, it can be diluted with shelves, hinged holders for glasses and bottles.
In an empty doorway
When installing a bar counter in an empty opening, use the space left after dismantling a part of the wall and window. Considering that there is no binding to a specific place, the structure can be turned in any direction, put it on different sides, move it closer to the balcony, or push it closer to the kitchen.
The shape of the countertop can be very diverse, because there are no restrictions in space. At the same time, each apartment owner determines the height of the product independently. It is advisable to use the place under the countertop for an aquarium or as a storage.
Instead of a window sill
Using a countertop instead of a window sill, it is necessary to dismantle it inside the balcony. For this, the window frame is moved to the side of the kitchen or any other room nearby. The resulting space is used to accommodate a small bar counter there. The advantages of this option include the fact that the countertop is inexpensive, and its installation is quick and easy.
Each of the presented methods can be used for different types of planning. The choice is often influenced by the availability of sufficient space, as well as financial opportunities.
Choice of accessories
Installing a bar counter on the balcony will free up additional space and use this place as a dining table or for a computer. Without additional accessories, it is impossible to achieve a comfortable and convenient place to relax. The presence of hinged or folding shelves, containers of various shapes for fruit will allow you to use the resulting space competently, placing certain accents. These designs can be supplemented with holders for glasses and bottles.
One of the important components to complement the room are bar stools. When choosing them, you should be guided by the height of the countertop, which is often located at a height of about 120 cm from the floor. It is advisable that the rack with chairs are made of the same materials, made in the same style. The height of the chairs should be such that each family member feels comfortable sitting at the table. One way to give your garments the desired height is to purchase adjustable chairs.
Beautiful examples
Tabletops and their supports can vary in design, size, shape, construction. The choice of model is made taking into account the interior.
- For rooms in style loft, metal or glass structures are more suitable.
- The wooden worktop will fit well into the room, decorated in rustic style or provence.
- A worktop is more suitable for a small room. non-standard shape.
- The presence of a bar counter under the balcony window is advisable in apartments with a beautiful view that opens from the balcony. Install the tabletop depending on the availability of space. The bar counter, located along the entire length of the window sill, along the perimeter of the room, will look good. The shape of the countertop is chosen in accordance with the design of the balcony.
- As an additional element is used backlight... Most often, LED bulbs are built directly into the structure. The presence of backlighting allows you to use it as additional lighting, as well as to diversify the design.