DIY sliding wardrobe on the balcony. How to make a wardrobe on the balcony with your own hands. Selection of fasteners and accessories
Apartment owners, having a balcony or loggia, do not use them rationally. Although proper design of this room will save any woman from cluttering the space. To store and store various items, if you have the necessary tools and desire, you can make a cabinet for the balcony with your own hands. Instructions for material selection, assembly and installation are discussed in this article.
You can store everything on the balcony: from car wheels to clothes.
Description of cabinet options on a balcony or loggia
It is preferable to make the furniture on the balcony as functional as possible. It should contain many shelves and compartments. In addition to convenience, the cabinet can be used as a design element and equipped with additional functions. Then the balcony will become not only a storage place for little-used items, but also a place to relax.
Cabinet options:
- With insulation – installed if, in addition to storing items, you plan to store jars of pickles. In this case, insulation of special separate boxes is provided. To preserve vegetables and other preparations, above-zero temperatures are required, so it is advisable to insulate the entire balcony.
- With retractable niches - for storing tools: hammers, screwdrivers, drills, etc.
- - a solution for arranging an empty corner. The products are characterized by large capacity with minimal space consumption.
- Low floor cabinet - installed on the sides or along the perimeter of the balcony, serves as a seat cabinet.
- Racks with roller shutters are easy to assemble yourself.
The compartment option is popular among users. But when choosing such a model, you need to take into account that for the correct operation of the mechanism on rollers, a sufficient width of the balcony or loggia is necessary.
Frame and shelves
Horizontal and vertical bearings are nailed in increments of 60 cm. Then, the corners of the planks are attached to the rear beams. The bottom of the base is made in the same way. The parts are mounted to the wall with anchors.
Doors
To make doors, you first need to prepare the frame. Then cover it with clapboard using nails. Having completed the canvas with handles and locks, install the doors on the cabinet hinges.
To extend its service life, the wood is treated with a special coating and varnish.
Video: DIY balcony cabinet made of PVC panels
Photo gallery
Making a cabinet is a painstaking job and requires precise calculations, so you can’t rush in this matter. At the end of the work, the desired result will repay the effort, time and money spent. A homemade closet with a thoughtful design will turn your balcony into a cozy place with organized storage space. To make the construction cheap, but at the same time look beautiful, it is better to opt for.
You can save space in your apartment and neatly arrange your balcony by preparing spacious drawers for this room. Everyone can make their own furniture if they first figure out what to make a cabinet on the balcony from and how to proceed. Spacious shelves are suitable for storing canned food, clothing, bulky items, and building materials. Making racks for a balcony will not take much time and special skills will not be needed for this work. All the necessary materials can be easily found in a hardware store, and the tools can be found in every home.
Types of structures
Before moving on to making furniture, it is important to decide what type of product will fit well into the size of the balcony. If the space is small, then you should pay attention to the built-in model. During the carpentry process, the walls of the balcony will serve as load-bearing structural elements. Shelves and racks are attached to the walls of the balcony without taking up much space. Making a built-in wardrobe for a balcony with your own hands is not difficult, but before starting work it is important to think through all the details, since moving the product if necessary will no longer be possible.
When there is a lot of space in the room, you can complement it with a cabinet. Carpentry work will require large financial costs, since it will be necessary to manufacture all structural elements and the inner wall, among other things. The product takes up more space on the balcony, but if necessary, it is convenient to move or transport when moving.
Making a corner cabinet for a balcony with your own hands will be a little more difficult than the two previous design options, but such a product is very roomy. This type of furniture can be built-in or cabinet type. A similar model is made in the form of shelves attached to the corner of the room. The corner type product is installed on an insulated loggia or balcony.
It will be much more convenient to be in the room if, before making a built-in wardrobe or cabinet on the loggia, you decide what kind of doors there should be. You can make a design using the following elements:
- Swing doors. Suitable for a loggia with a lot of free space. You can install doors to the full height of the structure or divide the structure into certain zones, where each will have its own door;
- Accordion doors, compartments and roller shutters. This type of door is suitable for a room where space is limited. They will help you save space and use your closet more conveniently.
What materials will be needed?
You can make a cabinet using plywood, wood, chipboard, plasterboard or plastic. If desired, you can combine several materials with each other. In the process of finishing work, it is important to use PVC or. Using natural wood when making a balcony cabinet with your own hands is important when the room is not glazed. If you pre-coat the wood with waterproof paint or varnish, you will be able to prevent damage to the material under adverse weather conditions.
Before deciding on the building material from which the cabinet will be made, you need to take into account the design of the balcony, whether the room is insulated or not, and what the load will be on the shelves. A universal option for any type of balcony is natural wood. Materials such as plastic and MDF are also resistant to moisture.
Product frame
Having decided to make a wooden cabinet for the balcony, you should think about what material to use for each individual structural element. When manufacturing the product, the main attention is paid to the frame and doors. Some cabinets come with a side stand and trim.
It is possible to make a cabinet frame using timber with a section of 50x50 mm or 40x40 mm. This option is suitable for a heated balcony. If the room is not heated, then it is better to exclude a wooden frame and pay attention to other materials, since under the influence of moisture the wood will change its size and begin to deform.
A universal way to make a frame is to use galvanized profiles for, since they do not change their appearance under the influence of adverse weather conditions. It is very easy to attach plasterboard, chipboard, plywood and other materials to a galvanized profile.
Cabinet shelves
You can make a high-quality and reliable cabinet for your balcony if you choose the right building material for the shelves. The main load will be directed precisely to this element of the product, so the shelves will have to pay special attention. Chipboard, OSB or thick plywood are best suited for making this part.
If the load on the shelf is more than 5 kg, then it is better to give preference to a wooden board. This material will cope perfectly with cargo in the form of canned goods, dishes or books.
The shelves are attached to pre-mounted bars or screws. It will not be difficult to make a frame for a cabinet from bars if you prepare all the tools and materials in advance. You can make a cabinet using metal corners, where you can also attach shelves. If the cabinet is of a built-in type, and the walls of the balcony can be drilled, then it is important to use corners and self-tapping screws.
A home-made cabinet on the balcony will look just as good if you build shelves using metal guides and brackets. In this case, changing the height of the shelves is very simple; just move the brackets to another hole.
You can build shelves from the remaining scraps of wooden boards. Before attaching the part to the frame, it is important to first prepare the boards. To do this, they are coated with a paint and varnish material (preferably water-based). Such shelves will not deform under the influence of moisture and ultraviolet radiation.
Preparatory work
Before you start carpentry work, you should stock up on the necessary tools. Prepare electrical appliances in the form of: a screwdriver, a jigsaw. You will also need to take a hammer, a chisel, a building level and a square. When making a product, you cannot do without nails, self-tapping screws, a plumb line, a tape measure and dowels. It will be easier to draw a drawing of a cabinet for a loggia if you prepare a ruler and pencil in advance.
Before you start assembling the cabinet, pay attention to the following points:
- Pre-repair the floor surface on the balcony. If it is not possible to repair the entire floor on the loggia, then pay attention to the area where the closet will be located.
- In the process of installing a cabinet on a balcony with your own hands, drawings will help you avoid troubles and get the desired design.
- If you install the structure on a glazed loggia, the cabinet will last much longer;
- Insulate the balcony (walls and floor) in advance and eliminate cracks using mineral wool, polystyrene foam or PVC. This measure will extend the shelf life of the cabinet.
How to make a product for a beginner?
Having understood what the cabinet on the balcony is made of and how to properly prepare the room, you should move on to the next stage. Think in advance about where the structure will stand, and also take into account the fact whether the balcony is glazed or not. This factor will help you figure out which material is best to use for carpentry.
For beginners, you can make an open cabinet in the form of a bookcase. The process of creating a loggia cabinet includes the following steps:
- Using a tape measure, measure the exact dimensions of the future cabinet.
- Prepare a drawing. Consider the width, thickness and height of each piece.
- Buy the necessary materials at a hardware store and prepare the tools.
- Based on the dimensions indicated in the drawing, make markings on the boards with a pencil.
- Using the prepared materials, cut out the parts, assemble the frame and attach the shelves.
It will be much easier to make a wardrobe on the loggia with your own hands using a photo or drawing. Make a frame following the basic rules. Start assembling the frame starting from the bottom. To begin, set the base level and then attach the vertical parts to it. After this, fix the horizontal parts on the structure, not forgetting to fix the rigidity of the product. Then attach the tabs where the shelves will go.
When you start assembling the cabinet, make sure that the product stands level and its parts are arranged symmetrically. If the product will be placed on an unglazed loggia, then pre-treat the boards with varnish so that the cabinet will last as long as possible.
The process of making a cabinet with a more complex design includes the presence of doors. Having figured out what to make a balcony cabinet from and what tools to use, proceed to the next steps:
- Think over the drawing. Decide on the dimensions of each piece, the height and depth of the cabinet, and the distance between shelves. Think about the order in which you will assemble the design parts.
- In order to make hinged or sliding doors for a cabinet on the balcony, buy hinges, handles and fasteners.
- Using the drawing, prepare the materials, cut out all the main parts with a saw.
- Assemble the cabinet one at a time using a building level and a plumb line.
- At the final stages, cover the cabinet with clapboard or plastic (the covering should be combined with the rest of the repairs on the loggia).
Assemble the wardrobe for the loggia with your own hands according to the drawing, starting from the bottom of the frame. First install the support, and then secure the longitudinal and transverse parts. After this, attach the shelves and doors. Try to straighten and carefully secure the hinges on which the doors will be located. Finally, attach the handles to the doors. You can prepare holes for hinges and handle fastenings using a drill and chisel.
Unusual design ideas
It is important to install on the loggia not only an ordinary hinged wardrobe with doors, but also other wardrobe options with a beautiful design. It will be much easier to design a cabinet for a balcony using photos and ready-made drawings. Frosted glass inserts will help make the product as cozy and homely as possible. A cabinet in the shape of a kitchen buffet looks unusual on the balcony.
A wardrobe with mirrored doors will help to visually increase the size of the room. The product can also be arranged as a workplace. This option is suitable for an insulated balcony. A computer monitor and system unit can be hidden behind the cabinet doors.
You can add fresh flowers or books to your closet if you think about neat shelves on the side in advance. If the loggia is large and it is insulated, then the room can be equipped as a separate room. The lower part of the cabinet can be designed in the form of a soft bench or sofa. It is important to equip the window sill on the loggia in the form of a table and complement it with a folding chair.
Wardrobe on the balcony - video
It is necessary to have a kind of storage “for all sorts of junk” in the apartment. This is not a debatable issue. But the mezzanine, if there is one, will not fit much due to its modest size. And you don’t have to run into the garage, even if it’s located next to the house, for every little thing. It’s somehow customary for us to use a balcony as a mini-warehouse - it’s convenient and not expensive. But in order not to turn it into a banal landfill, installing a cabinet on it is a completely rational solution to the problem.
Buying is not a guarantee that you will be able to find the right size. Ordering it will be quite expensive; besides, you may not like the finished product. For someone who knows how to hold a hacksaw, a hammer and use household tools, the best option is to make a cabinet on a balcony or loggia with your own hands. There is nothing complicated about it. And if you think through everything carefully and “put your soul” into the work, it will turn out cheap and beautiful.
If the balcony is “open”, then it is hardly worth making a cabinet on it without first glazing. Someone may have a different opinion, but the author considers it necessary to express his own.
Firstly, the influence of the atmosphere (temperature changes, humidity), direct contact with water (precipitation) and ultraviolet radiation will lead to structural changes in wood. Simply put, the closet will “lead” pretty soon. As a result, there are problems with drawers, skewed doors and a number of others.
Secondly, in such conditions, what will be in the closet will not last long. The fabric will rot and the metal will rust. Consequently, such storage loses its meaning - it’s easier to immediately send it to a landfill.
Thirdly, on an unglazed balcony, a cabinet is unlikely to look impressive from the outside, especially since its rear part (back wall) cannot be constantly put in order without disassembling the structure.
Scheme
Before you begin to outline the instructions for making a cabinet, you should figure out which options you can implement with your own hands. Taking into account that the home master is not a professional in this matter, and the tool is only a household one. And based on the chosen model, focusing on the size of the balcony, it is easy to decide on the dimensions of the “furniture”.
Sectional composite model. How many compartments there will be depends on their desired capacity and the dimensions of the future cabinet. This option makes it possible to combine with the size of the cells in each pencil case.For example, if you don’t fill the long one with anything at all (leave it empty), then for the summer you can put children’s sleds, clubs and other sports equipment in it. And for the winter - a bicycle. Not a bad solution, and you won’t have to constantly trip over all this in the narrow hallway of the apartment.
For example, the same racks, which at the same time serve as sheathing slats. Well, it’s not difficult to decide how to divide it into compartments. Either as stated above, or choose your own, more original option.
You can experiment here too. For example, divide the cabinet into levels, and install shelves in each compartment so that you get “cells” of different capacities - for bulky items, jars of pickles/jams, some household items, and so on. A specific solution will be suggested by your own imagination.
As an option - a modification of the wardrobe, corner, in which the door leaves can be easily moved apart. But doing it is much more difficult.
There are enough models of cabinets on the balcony, and besides, these are just tips. The main thing is that there is something to focus on, and coming up with your own scheme and determining the required dimensions of all structural elements is not so difficult. In principle, for storing property that is not constantly needed in the apartment, shelves, racks, and so on are suitable. There is no doubt that it will turn out cheap, but whether it is beautiful is where opinions differ.
Examples of drawings and sketches of cabinets that can be placed on a typical balcony will help you design them yourself.
It is worth dwelling on the nuance of what the cabinet should be - stationary or mobile (mobile). The first option is much easier to do with your own hands. And there is not enough free space on the balcony to regularly rearrange the furniture on it. Therefore, it is advisable to install a rigidly fixed structure.
Cabinet dimensions
Beam for racks
A 4 x 4 section is quite enough. Recommendations for using metal profiles (although it is easier to work with) are not entirely correct. A balcony, even a well-insulated one, is, first of all, exposed to dampness and temperature changes. Therefore, all materials must be selected according to their expansion coefficient. The combination of wood + metal on a balcony is not the best solution. This design will definitely work.
Selection of materials
The question is no less important. Firstly, not every wood or sample based on it (sheet, slab) is easy to cut and process with your own hands. Secondly, the durability of the cabinet is also important, since not every material has a long shelf life when used in such conditions. For the balcony you will have to select the most suitable ones.
Unfortunately, all the recommendations miss one point. It concerns the weight of the cabinet. Few would argue with the fact that as soon as the structure is completely assembled and lined, it will be filled almost to the top within a matter of days (if not hours). For a loggia this may not be so important. And in relation to a balcony, characterized by the fact that its slab has only one “point” of support (along a line along the wall), it is more than relevant. Whether the balcony can withstand such a load (glazing + finishing + cabinet with all its contents) is a big question. Especially if the house has been standing for decades.
In this regard, it is worth thinking about acceptable materials for the cabinet. If you focus on the maximum possible reduction in weight of the structure, then it is advisable to focus on the combined option. For example, supporting elements (racks) made of solid wood; shelves, cabinet doors - from . It's up to you, reader, to decide, but it's worth considering.
Plywood
Since there will be a lot, and samples need to be taken from the “moisture resistant” category, the choice is small – FC or FSF. Since the cabinet will be on the balcony, there is no fundamental difference - this can already be considered external work. For information, FC plywood is more “ecologically friendly”, since there are practically no toxic components in the glue used in production. And if you purchase some of the sheets with lamination (more expensive, but not much), then you won’t have to deal with the external decoration of the cabinet.
Plates
It is not practical to use them for sashes due to the mass of the products. But for shelves, drawer bottoms, and cabinet walls, this is a good option. From the point of view of service life on the balcony, the optimal solution is OSV slabs. They are easy to cut with your own hands, and they are less susceptible to atmospheric factors.
Plastic
These panels have significant limitations in use due to low strength. Only as external decoration of a cabinet on a balcony; They are not suitable for anything else (shelves, etc.).
Wood
Coniferous. It is preferable to hardwood for a balcony. There are enough advantages - the soft structure makes it easier to process lumber yourself, and the presence of resins protects it from rotting. And the price is lower, which means it will be cheaper to do it yourself. But there is also a disadvantage that needs to be taken into account. When heated, conifers will resin. Therefore, such a cabinet cannot be left in a “clean” state - only finished. Applying varnishes, impregnations, oils, and so on will not save the cabinet on the balcony from resin discharge.
When choosing bars, it is not advisable to save money. It is better to purchase lumber at a higher price, but even. Using a “slab” will ultimately create so many problems (for example, when installing sashes, cladding) that its cheapness will result in additional costs and loss of time.
What you shouldn't buy. In principle, the list of materials that are not suitable for making a cabinet on a balcony, although they are often used for furniture in an apartment, is relatively small.
- GKL. Any type of drywall is gradually saturated with moisture. Even for lintels or sheathing this is not an option.
- Chipboard. Fasteners will not hold securely in such material. Consequently, after a short time the cabinet will warp, the doors will begin to fall off, and the like.
Selection of fasteners and accessories
The main question is how to record the details. The fact that structural elements will have to be reinforced with brackets (plates, corners) is one thing. But what kind of hardware should I use?
Nails - since the wood is mounted only when it is dried, they can easily split the workpiece. In addition, the maintainability of the structure is highly questionable. But the plus is that the nails will not interfere with the wood when it starts to “play” a little. And on the balcony this is exactly what will happen – changes in humidity and temperature will have an impact. Self-tapping screws - only for wood. If necessary, it is easy to dismantle and replace the rotten part. In addition, fixation is ensured “tightly”. Here you should focus on the type of wood. If it is soft, then this solution is better. For dense wood - nails, with preliminary drilling of landing channels.
Everything else is at your own discretion (baskets, hangers, handles, decorative strips, etc.).
Wood processing issues are a separate topic. Read in detail the list of drugs to protect it from “enemies” and their approximate cost.
Instructions for making a cabinet
It is probably more correct to understand some of the nuances, since the list of technological operations and their alternation largely depend on the chosen option for balcony furniture.
Preparing the site
In the area where you plan to place the cabinet, if the balcony has not yet been finished from the inside, it is necessary to thoroughly clean all surfaces (wall, slab) and inspect. Particular attention to mold and mildew. If there are any signs of them, you should start processing this segment. Otherwise, they will safely move onto the wood with all that it entails. Significant defects (cracks, crevices, chips) are eliminated immediately using a solution or putty composition.
Marking
Having your own drawing or at least a sketch of the cabinet, this is not difficult to do. First of all, the locations for attaching the racks are outlined. Everything else depends on how well the frame is positioned and assembled on the balcony.
It is advisable to immediately decide on the “pedestal”. It is not advisable to install the cabinet on a bare slab. The reason is the same - dampness. A good option is to lay a piece of polyethylene film (or linoleum remaining after repair), and on top - a fragment of the OSB slab. It practically does not absorb moisture, and it is strong enough to withstand the weight of the cabinet along with its contents.
Don't forget about the ceiling. If you choose a cabinet layout for the entire height of the balcony, then it is advisable to fix the upper ends of the racks on the slab. The cross members of the frame are also “fastened” to it. In this case, the marking is done from top to bottom. That is, first the fixation points are determined on the slab above the balcony, and then they are projected onto its floor using a plumb line.
What to consider:
- After completing the marking, it is advisable to check all lines of the same type on different surfaces for the same size. Some deviations in drawing are inevitable, so everything should be corrected. Otherwise, the correct cabinet geometry cannot be achieved.
- If the rear wall as such is not provided (it will be cheaper), then it is advisable to correlate the location of the frame slats with the shelves. These are the last ones to be attached to. This is more convenient than specially stuffing additional bars later.
Making cabinet racks
Here it is short - at first you only need one. After testing it locally, it can serve as a model from which others are made. The reasoning is simple - it’s better to ruin one if something is wrong than to redo everything later and waste lumber. After they are completely adjusted and processed, they can be fastened in place.
Installation of horizontal slats
All the same. But it’s worth figuring out how best to make connections. In this case, traditional “furniture” technology (tongue and groove or mortise) is hardly suitable. It is enough to fix the jumpers on the wall, and additionally fasten them to the racks with metal elements. The same corner. Doing it yourself is much easier.
Making shelves
From the point of view of expediency, it is advisable to make them removable. In this case, the cabinet on the balcony will be universal, since, if necessary, the dimensions of the compartments inside it can be easily changed. It is enough to either simply remove one of the shelves or reinstall it. But for this you should immediately provide additional guides (supports).
Methods of fastening door leaves, external design of the cabinet - all this is determined independently. By the way, the procedure for assembling it on the balcony is the same. Having a drawing in hand, installation will not be difficult. Basic recommendations are outlined, examples of cabinets are given. Everything else is at your personal discretion, reader. Look, think, evaluate and make a decision.
Good luck in arranging your balcony, home craftsmen!
The idea of building a wardrobe for a balcony with your own hands arises quite often. After all, in such a cabinet it will be so convenient to store jars and various household items.
The only drawback of almost all balconies and loggias is their small width, so you need to carefully choose furniture. For example, a closet on a balcony should be narrow enough and its open door should not block the room.
These requirements are fully met by a wardrobe, which can be made to order or assembled with your own hands. In addition to the wardrobe, corner cabinets, of which there may be several, are also well suited for the balcony. It is necessary to consider options with mezzanines, on which you can put away those things that are used very rarely in the family.
In this article you will receive step-by-step instructions on how to make a balcony cabinet with your own hands. So let's get started...
Selection of tools and materials
In order to assemble a cabinet with your own hands, you will need the following tools and materials:
- wooden blocks;
- plywood, fiberboard or chipboard;
- boards;
- self-tapping screws;
- aluminum profile;
- drywall or plastic;
- self-tapping screws;
- stain, varnish and paint;
- electric drill;
- grinder and small electric circular saw.
Having all these necessary materials and the skill to work with the listed tools, making a cabinet on the balcony will not be difficult.
Where to start making a cabinet for a balcony
To assemble the cabinet, you can use metal or aluminum corners or wooden blocks. Plywood, fiberboard, chipboard or plastic will be attached to them. A cabinet located along the wall of a balcony or loggia is equipped with a door that slides to the side, and corner cabinets are equipped with a door that opens toward itself.
The options for balcony cabinets are extremely diverse and depend on the imagination and skill of the craftsman. When planning them, you need to remember a good Russian proverb: “measure seven times, cut once.” The widest cabinets are mounted at the ends of the balcony, and the narrowest ones are mounted along the wall.
Options for diagrams (drawings) of a cabinet for a balcony
We bring to the reader's attention several diagrams and drawings of a balcony cabinet. To enlarge the image, click on it.
Wardrobe for balcony - Drawing No. 1 
Wardrobe for balcony - Drawing No. 2 Fastening the frame and installing shelves
The manufacture of any cabinet begins with securing the frame. As already noted, it can be wooden or metal. The frame is attached to the floor and ceiling of the balcony using metal corners and screws or dowels. It is preferable to build tall cabinets up to the ceiling of the balcony. This allows for more efficient use of usable space. Although, there may be other options.
It is necessary to ensure that the frame is held firmly. Then, cladding panels are attached to the finished frame. They need to be secured with self-tapping screws with a recessed head.
Along with the cladding, the internal shelves of the cabinet are also built. It is best to make them removable. This will make it easier to keep clean.
The shelves must be durable, since heavy items such as pickles and jars of jam are often stored on the balcony. The best option is to make them from planed boards 2-4 cm thick and 15-25 cm wide. If possible, such boards can also be used for cladding. Although this will cost more than cladding from other materials, the boards are easier to install and are not afraid of dampness.
Installation of cabinet doors
Once the lining and internal shelves are secured, you can begin installing the cabinet doors. Installation of doors is the most complex and time-consuming process, since it is necessary to strictly maintain all dimensions.
As already mentioned, swinging doors are installed on corner cabinets, and sliding doors are installed on cabinets located along the walls. Sliding doors, so-called sliding doors, are mounted on aluminum profiles along which they slide when opening. This profile can easily be purchased at a store that sells furniture fittings. It is necessary to use only high-quality fittings. This will help prevent future profile breakdowns or dimensional discrepancies during installation.
The doors of the balcony closet can be hinged (as in this photo) or sliding. The sliding door leaf itself can be made of any material. If you want it to be light, make it from plastic. In this case, wooden blocks are attached to the plastic from below and verified with self-tapping screws, on which the fittings are fixed.
Opening doors on corner cabinets can also be made of any material and secured with hinges. If the door is small, on a small cabinet, you can use simple piano hinges. If it’s large, use special hinges for attaching cabinet doors. In the second case, the hinges will need to be adjusted after installation. This is easily done using the screws located on them.
To prevent doors from opening on their own, you can use magnetic latches. During installation, such latches are attached to the door and to the cabinet itself and adjusted so that the two halves match when closing. Magnetic latches hold the door firmly and it opens easily with little effort. Correctly installed doors on sliding wardrobes do not require latches.
Painting the cabinet
Once the doors are installed and adjusted, you can move on to painting the new cabinets. If the cladding is made of boards, they can be covered with stain and varnish. However, the same can be done with any other material except, of course, plastic.
You can also consider options for painting cabinets with oil-based or water-based paint.
The design option for a balcony cabinet depends on the overall design of the room.
After painting, handles are attached to the doors.
If this corner of your house resembles a dump of unnecessary things, then it’s time to build a wardrobe on the balcony, and we’ll tell you further about photos in the interior and how to make it beautifully with your own hands. We will also show more than 50 interesting ideas and provide diagrams for almost each of them.
What material is better to make a wardrobe on the balcony?
No matter how insulated the balcony is, it still this is a high humidity room. This means you also need material to make the cabinet. select taking this factor into account.
That is, you understand, budget chipboard immediately falls out of this list, since it will swell after 3-4 wet seasons. The doors will begin to open poorly, the shelves will sag, and fungus will settle inside. What remains?
- Tree
- Plastic
- Metal-plastic
- Moisture-resistant drywall
Let's look at each of them in detail and find out all the pros and cons of each option.
Wooden balcony cabinets
Wood is undoubtedly the best choice. Even if a good board is not cheap, the product will be of high quality, strong and durable.
By the way, you still won’t have to go broke on building materials, since balcony cabinets are usually very small in size.
Look at several types of wooden cabinets on the balcony and appreciate how great they fit into the interior, giving a special flavor and comfort.
Please note that the presented options are made of lining. It's not that expensive and assembly is quick.
It does not need to be further cleaned, which is also a big plus. You just need to cover the finished cabinet with stain or paint. The photo above shows natural wood cabinets, but here are examples of painted wood.
It looks much more elegant and this material can be combined with almost any frame and wall decoration. And, if the design of your home is “Provence”, then this is generally the only right decision.
- Be sure to treat the wood with a special moisture-resistant varnish or paint, this will greatly extend the life of the cabinet.
- You should not take ready-made lattice shutter doors. They use too thin strips and over time they become deformed under the influence of temperature changes and moisture.
There is nothing more to add, in general. Wood is a wonderful option both visually and from a practical point of view, and the smell on the balcony will be pleasant for many years.
Plastic
We mean plastic panels. They are often used to line the inside of the balcony and make cabinets to match. It looks something like this.
Not to say it's very good, but it's not entirely ugly either. But the point here is not only how such a cabinet looks externally. It's a matter of impracticality.
Despite the fact that plastic is moisture resistant, it is not very suitable for a balcony. Why?
Because it is deformed from direct sunlight and is not shockproof. If you accidentally press down such a door with something heavy, a gaping hole will form on it.
Metal-plastic cabinets
You can buy individual elements for such a cabinet (doors, shelves) in construction supermarkets.
Essentially, this is the same material from which windows are made. That is, he is not afraid of anything at all: neither the bright sun, nor heat, nor cold, nor moisture, nor blows.
And, if your apartment is decorated in some modern style, then making a wardrobe made of metal-plastic on the balcony is quite logical. The price will not be too expensive and it will serve you for a long time.
The only thing here is that you need to be very careful at the assembly stage and drill holes for the fittings very carefully.
This is not a tree and the mistake cannot be corrected so that it is not visible. I puttyed the wood, painted it and it was as if nothing had happened. And here the extra hole remains for life. This is how such cabinets look in the interior of a balcony.
Moisture-resistant drywall
Also not the best solution, despite the fact that it is moisture resistant. Drywall tends to break from blows, the construction of such a cabinet requires a lot of profile... And the doors still need to be made of a different material.
A plasterboard base is chosen when you want to make a cabinet that blends in with the color and texture of the main wall.
And, if this is your case, then it’s better to take the thinnest facing brick and build a cabinet out of it, then putty it and paint it.
It will be much more durable and reliable.
Wood, by the way, can also be covered with a special putty and painted. And it will look like an ordinary wall.
On which side of the balcony should the cabinet be placed?
You can put flowers or something else on top of such a cabinet, maybe even an aquarium.
And here is a cabinet that was assembled from ready-made kitchen furniture elements. It is very functional, but on the balcony you will need to brick one wall in this case.
If you have a loggia, then you can place such a cabinet without any problems.
And here is a closet with doors, which are usually used to equip sliding wardrobes in a room. It also looks good and is roomy. It also stands against a blank side wall.
In this photo you can see that the cabinets run along the entire perimeter of the lower part of the balcony. Beautiful, but the downside is that they are too shallow in depth.
Here are the wardrobe chests. You can sit on them and store vegetables. Convenient and doesn't take up much space.
The corner closet on the balcony is not 100% functional.
It can be done if the shape of your balcony is at an angle and there is no other way to place the cabinet.
You can see for yourself that this option has very little usable space inside.
Which door system to choose?
Balcony space is usually narrow and very limited. And no matter what location you choose, it won’t always be comfortable to open the doors wide.
But a sliding system is often not an option here, since the cabinets are already narrow.
Let’s say if you put sliding doors on a wardrobe like the one shown below, then when opened, half will be tightly closed, forming a dead zone. It will be very, very inconvenient to get anything out of it.
In this case, a much more correct solution would be to make hinged doors.
Moreover, one of them already opens towards the window and it doesn’t matter at all that it will be blocked for some small moment. You can also make accordion doors, as shown below.
But, frankly speaking, there is no big gain here. The cabinet opens towards the window and what difference does it make whether 20 or 40 centimeters of glass will be blocked? But accessories for an accordion cost money and there is no point in overpaying.
So, our advice: everything ingenious is simple. And we do not recommend any bold decisions for the balcony. The simplest door is what you need.
Examples of designs and diagrams of various cabinets
We have made an extensive selection, including diagrams. If you wish, you can use any of them and build a wardrobe for your balcony yourself.
Simple storage cabinet
He does it very simply and there is only one scheme, no matter what material you would prefer. The main thing is to make the shelves the correct width and height so that you can comfortably place jars in them.
It is better to make many small shelves than one or two, on which you will place the preserves one on one, laying them out with sheets of plywood, for example. Getting something out in this case is terribly inconvenient: sometimes you have to sort out all the supplies and then put them back.
This is what a preservation cabinet looks like in the interior:
And here is his diagram. You can install the doors to your taste, it’s not so important here.
Cabinet for storing vegetables in the form of a bench with top shelves
Such cabinets can be made in two ways. In the form of a chest, with a lid that hinges upward, or in the form of a bench with a door at the bottom. We give you examples of both options.
Wardrobe-chest. Scheme and view in the interior:
Of course, the dimensions here are approximate and you must adjust them yourself to your balcony.
A cabinet-bench is also an excellent option for a small balcony. This photo shows one of his examples.
There is no point in presenting a diagram here, since everything is very simple. You make a box and hang doors on it.
Important note: if you plan to store vegetables in it, do not forget to drill small holes for ventilation. If you don’t, the potatoes and other root vegetables will rot.
Multifunctional cabinet with table
There are a lot of options in this case. You can make a closet with a desk, and instead of a balcony you will have a wonderful office.
Both a computer desk and a table for needlework can be installed. In general, anything!
We invite you to look at our photos and really hope that the options we have chosen will be to your taste.
Seedling rack with removable doors
The only secret of this cabinet is that it is equipped with removable doors and lamps. You will figure out how exactly to attach them, since there are many options.
We are just giving you a good idea. In summer and autumn, you can use this structure for storing canned food, and in spring and at the end of winter, when there are no more reserves, you can put seedlings there.
The main thing is to place such a cabinet closer to the light and make the shelves not from chipboard or fiberboard, but from metal. It must be durable and not afraid of water.
This is what an empty metal rack looks like. It is very easy to assemble; ready-made parts are sold in construction stores.
In principle, you don’t even have to fool around with removable doors, but simply hang the rack with some beautiful textiles. It will also look very good, especially since now fabric curtains on cabinets are becoming fashionable.
So our review has come to an end. Choose any of the presented cabinets on the balcony. We gave you photos of the interior and how to take them beautifully, and we are sure that everything will work out in the best possible way for you!