Whether you decide to turn your balcony into a living space or simply use it as a bike storage area, the space needs finishing. Recently, many warm loggias, thereby increasing the area cuisine, bedrooms or living room. To choose the best options for finishing the balcony inside, you need to understand for what purpose it will be used, what furniture and design items will be in it.
Content:

Introduction
When the balcony is a continuation of the living room, its interior must be fully combined with its design. If redevelopment is not planned, you can make an author's decor, add a touch of originality, unusual touches. For example, stick tiles that imitate natural stone, upholster the walls with wood, decorate them with ornate carvings, hang catchy roller blinds.

The decor and colors of the skin play a big role in the interior.
Finishing is one of the most important stages in the repair of a loggia, on which its final appearance depends.
The appearance of the skin also matters. To make the walls look well-groomed, you need to choose high-quality materials that are allowed for balcony decoration.

Before finishing

Any "dirty" work must be carried out before finishing upholstery
Before finishing, think about whether you want to redevelop the room, insulate it, replace obsolete double-glazed windows or window-door frames. All of the above work must be done before facing, so as not to damage its integrity. Remember, an insulated area with reliable steam and waterproofing will retain the original appearance of any type of finish much longer.
Think over the interior in advance. If a mini workplace will be located on the balcony, the site should be spacious and bright, without distracting details. A corner for relaxation requires warm colors in the decoration, small things, like a delicate curtain, wicker chairs, flower pots.
When the preliminary work is completed, proceed to cosmetic repairs. Consider all the options for finishing the loggia, their advantages and disadvantages.

1. The most economical option is whitewashing

Light whitewash in pastel colors
Whitewashing is one of the traditional methods for decorating walls on a balcony. In addition to the obvious financial benefits, it has many other advantages:
- Simplicity and speed of execution
- Availability of coverage in any building materials store
- Lime dries quickly, does not spread unpleasant odors
- For a change, you can add color to the composition so that the walls become colored.
- Anyone can whitewash surfaces without special skills in the repair business.
Among the shortcomings - the coating looks boring and old-fashioned, without a twist. And the lime layer takes dust well, so the whitewash will have to be updated every 6-8 months.

2. Painting

Painted walls look elegant and stylish
This is also a budget decor method that does not require expensive materials, special skills, or special tools. All types of surfaces can be painted, including finishing layers.
When buying paint, make sure that it meets these criteria:
- Environmentally friendly composition. The paint will be indoors, so it should not harm the health of the owners;
- Resistance to adverse environmental factors: humidity, temperature changes, exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The coating should not crack, fade in the sun or wash off with water;
- Vapor permeability. The composition should not prevent air from circulating and retain moisture in the walls so that mold does not appear.
What paint to choose?
- Acrylic - leaders in popularity. They are harmless, easy to apply, long-lasting, odorless, dry quickly. They can be mixed with each other to get a unique color.
- Silicone compounds are vapor-permeable, at the same time, water-repellent. Resistant, saturated, contain an antibacterial component against the fungus. They dry for a long time and smell unpleasant, but they last the longest
- Silicate paints are based on liquid glass. They are the most tenacious, which means they are durable.
- Aqueous emulsion preparations are easily washed off and poorly resistant to temperature changes. Suitable for painting the ceiling, but not the walls

3. Wallpaper and photo wallpaper

Wallpaper on the loggia looks cute and neat
This is an option for an insulated balcony, inside which room temperature is constantly maintained. Wallpaper should be in harmony with the walls in the room itself. You can stick the same copies to make the loggia look like an organic continuation of the room.
Decorative photo wallpaper will help to decorate a small space in an original way. They can paste over part of the wall or ceiling. In order for the wallpaper to adhere well, the surface must be flat and dry.
Of the minuses of finishing - low tolerance for changes in humidity and fading of the pattern in the sun. The latter becomes especially noticeable when the same wallpaper is pasted inside the room.

4. Liquid wallpaper

Liquid wallpaper pleasant and silky to the touch, slightly bumpy and rough
They are also called "silk plaster". This is a fashionable, modern coating, which, in addition to its decorative effect, contributes to additional sound, thermal and soundproofing. The composition of the mixture includes natural cotton, silk or cellulose components that pass air well, which is important for a room with a humid microclimate.
Liquid wallpaper can be prepared independently, for this you will need simple ingredients and affordable inventory. The structure fits well on the walls without special glue, since an adhesive component is added to its composition. By the way, the walls can not be leveled before applying the substance, since their surface will be rough after drying.
Various decorative components, glitters, woolen threads can be added to the mixture. Over time, the coating does not lose the saturation of shades, does not fade, does not collapse. It is easy to remove if you carefully pick up the edge with a thin spatula.

5. Universal sheathing material - lining

This cladding creates coziness and a homely atmosphere.
This is one of the most convenient options for facing internal and external surfaces. Lining is called a thin sheathing board, which is equipped with a tongue-and-groove connection. This facilitates its installation, eliminates the appearance of seams, cracks and bumps.
There are different types of lining, depending on the material from which it is made, class, size, and connection mechanisms. It is suture and seamless. For decoration balcony more often use a wooden and plastic board because of the versatility of their physical qualities.
Lining can be wooden, plastic or made of wood fiber boards (MDF).
Wooden lining

A healthy microclimate is maintained in a room lined with natural wood
This board is very warm. The room, lined with wood, looks cozy and homely. Such a base is considered practical because of its durability and resistance to environmental influences.
To prolong the service life of the product, we advise you to buy a high-quality board produced using a special technology that increases its strength.
The tree must be perfectly dry, as wet wood will additionally absorb moisture. In summer, such a board dries up and cracks, and swells in spring and autumn. It is advisable to treat the boards with antiseptic and fire-fighting impregnation.
The wooden base is an environmentally friendly and clean material. It perfectly retains heat and absorbs sounds. True, the price tag of natural raw materials is rather big, and laying will require strength and patience.
Plastic lining

Samples of plastic cladding board
It is much cheaper than wood and it is more convenient to mount it. The product is not afraid of moisture and temperature changes. It does not need to be painted or varnished.
There are dozens of color and print options. You can find specimens that imitate wood, natural stone, textiles. Of the minuses, the product passes air worse, turns yellow over time, and poorly retains heat.
MDF lining

MDF lining naturally imitates wood
This is an average solution between the previous two materials. Represents the sawdust and fibers pressed in the conditions of high temperatures. And the surface of the sheet is covered with a polyvinyl chloride film (PVC) with a wood or stone pattern.
The product has all the advantages of wooden and plastic lining, while it is not very expensive. Its main disadvantage is the instability to moisture, so for an uninsulated, and even more so unglazed balcony, it will not work.

6. Cladding panels

Panels can be upholstered and walls, and floor, and ceiling
Finishing plates are easy to install due to their large size. They are mounted on a frame system, so there is no need to level the walls, cover up cracks and cracks. Finish both vertical and horizontal surfaces.
Facing lamellas are one of the most economical ways of finishing. The layers are large, so you will need a small amount of them. The plates can be cut and adjusted to the parameters of the loggia.
Plastic "sandwich" panels

Sandwich panels look strict and elegant
These are two layers of PVC, the space between which is filled with a layer of heat-insulating foam. Plastic panels are not afraid of moisture, resistant to temperature fluctuations. The front side is laminated, so it does not let liquid through, and the inner side is porous, allowing air to circulate freely.
Products can be mounted on glue, liquid nails, ordinary self-tapping screws, on the frame.
Plastic comes in different qualities. Ask before buying how the product is heat-resistant, impact-resistant. Does it emit unpleasant odors, especially when heated, are its combustion products toxic.
MDF sheets

Unlike lining, the area of the panels is larger, so the process of laying them is much easier.
Such plates effectively replace wooden lining, provide reliable sound and heat insulation. Chipboards are not afraid of moisture, have high decorative qualities.
The material is flammable, so if you plan to pull wiring under it, wrap the cables in a corrugation.
This finish looks aesthetically pleasing and modern. It is easy to clean with ordinary soapy water. It has a significant disadvantage: the outer film layer is very delicate, scratches easily remain on it, which spoil the perfection of the appearance.
Aluminum slats

Drywall acts as a preparatory stage before finishing
Aluminum panels are considered the most prestigious and expensive. They do not burn, are resistant to mechanical damage, look stylish and elegant. The lamellas are elastic and resilient, they bend perfectly, but do not break.
They consist of two aluminum plates, between which there is a plastic filler. The durability of the coating is confirmed by a guarantee from the manufacturer for 50 years of use. Products are not afraid of corrosion, do not rust, are not subject to abrasive wear.
On sale you can find different shades and specimens with decorative patterns. Of the shortcomings, only the price is noted, which is several times higher than similar panels made of plastic or particle board.

7. Plasterboard sheathing

Drywall acts as a preparatory stage before finishing
The formation consists of layers of thick cardboard, between which a dry gypsum mixture is distributed. It is attached to the walls in a dry way - on a metal frame. This is the way out for uneven, crooked, cracked surfaces.
If the walls of the loggia are smooth and uniform, drywall can be glued to the construction adhesive.
The advantages of raw materials are:
- Service life more than 15 years
- Environmentally friendly composition
- Gypsum does not interfere with air circulation, allowing walls to breathe
- Simple editing algorithm
- Ability to design curly parts
- Retains heat, absorbs noise
Among the disadvantages are the fragility of the layers, sensitivity to temperature and humidity changes. Therefore, it is advisable to finish with drywall on insulated balconies. To do this, it is better to choose special panels with moisture resistant properties.
Drywall is a versatile base material for decorative finishes. Plaster, liquid wallpaper, ordinary roll wallpaper, tile, artificial stone, decorative film fit well on it.

8. Cork
This material is made from a cork tree, the bark of which is crushed and pressed. It is sold in the form of veneer - thin sheets with which it is convenient to veneer vertical surfaces.
- It is a hypoallergenic raw material, natural, safe and environmentally friendly
- It has a low weight, so the layers are easy to stack
- This wood does not burn and does not absorb odors.
- Provides reliable sound and heat insulation
9. Ceramic tiling
Tiles are easy to clean, easy to care for, durable and aesthetically pleasing. The material is resistant to cold, moisture and fire. There are hundreds of options for decorative ceramic tiles in different styles, colors, shapes and sizes.
Ceramics are laid both on insulated balconies and on cold ones. You can put other building materials on the floor so that your feet are not cold.
The difference between a balcony and a loggia is that the first is an open area adjacent to the outer wall. The loggia is surrounded by walls on three sides, it is buried inside the building, and its floor is part of the supporting slab. Thus, it is not desirable to make the balcony heavier, but the loggia can even be completely decorated with tiles.
Tile installation

Laying tiles
Masonry technology is simple, even for a person without experience in finishing work.
- First, take care of the evenness of the surface. If necessary, draw out the walls with plaster. Check the parameter using the building level
- Tile adhesive adheres well to the primer. Apply a coat before masonry and wait to dry
- They start laying from the bottom up, while the whole future picture depends on the evenness of the bottom row
- To prevent the tile from sliding down (if it does not start from the floor), temporarily attach an aluminum profile under the bottom edge
- Glue is better to buy ready-made in diluted form. It is applied to the inner surface of the tile with an even spatula, and the excess is removed with a notched
- Attach the square to the wall and press, tap gently to make it fully stick
- To ensure that the gaps between the rows are the same, use special calibrators in the form of crosses
- A day after laying, when the glue dries, spread the grout and fill the seams with it. Wipe the tiles with a cloth
10. Artificial stone

Rough stone imitation
It is irrational to use natural stone as a finish, as it is too heavy. A good alternative would be artificial, which looks no less elegant. It helps to create an amazing look for a room decorated in any style, from classic to country, techno or modern.
Imitation of brickwork is especially popular in the interior decoration of balconies. It looks elegant on the outer wall and facade, and partitions. Creates a cozy and relaxing atmosphere.

False fireplace
Choose a building material that suits your interior and climate. Weigh the disadvantages and advantages of each type of raw material. Be interested in its properties and qualities in different environmental conditions.
It is not enough just to choose the material. They need to properly and aesthetically revet the room. We recommend that you carefully study the technology of masonry and sheathing before starting work, or hire a specialist.
So your balcony will become a comfortable room where it will be pleasant to relax with a book and a cup of aromatic tea. To make the place seem larger, use special techniques to visually increase the space while creating the interior. Remember, the size of the loggia does not matter - from any area you can make a cozy corner for work or leisure.
Watch a helpful video to choose the right building material for your apartment:
VIDEO: How to sheathe a balcony
10 options for interior decoration of the balcony: advantages, disadvantages and useful recommendations, as well as (80+ Photos & Videos) + Reviews
Today, there are quite a few types of balconies finishing, everything is measured in material possibilities. It seems to me that the most convenient and economical option is painting with a water-based emulsion or ordinary wallpaper. Of course, you need to choose the paint to your liking, because very bright can quickly get bored. Facing panels also have their advantages, they look stylish and wash well. I like it when the loggia is a continuation of the room, now it is fashionable, then you can make a working area or an office there. This is exactly what my friends did, and now the room is bigger and brighter. And there is a nook with a computer.
Really very interesting article and full of useful information - video! Of course, you won’t experiment much with a small Khrushchev balcony, but you can make it much more comfortable and beautiful. The main thing is that the video perfectly tells what materials are best used for cladding a balcony. It is a pity that we do not have a loggia, 100% would have removed the window, doors and increased the area of the room. And so the balcony remained a balcony, but beautiful, new, with built-in cabinets, as in some photos. Everything is neat, no extra furniture. Thanks for the article and photo with examples of the interior decoration of the balcony.
I would add laminate