Bathroom interior design is not limited to spatial optimization and installation of only the most necessary fixtures. But this is precisely the most common mistake. People pay maximum attention to finding a place to install a bathtub or sink, select the most convenient and original shapes, but completely forget about the auxiliary accessories.
As a result, we start thinking about choosing the type of cabinet for the bathroom at the very last moment, and sometimes we forget to provide the right place for it. How to choose the right accessory and what types exist, you will learn from our article.
The main motto of the bathroom: cleanliness and order
The bathroom is a special room; cleanliness, almost sterile, is important here like nowhere else. And what is the easiest way to achieve it? That's right - clean more often.
And so that cleaning is not a burden and does not take a lot of time, it is important to arrange your bathroom so that many items are hidden in cabinets and do not clutter up the space, which is already quite small, even in apartments of impressive size.
A variety of materials in the manufacture of wall cabinets for the bathroom
All that is used in the manufacture of wall cabinets are elements made of metal, plastic, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic glass or stone, polyurethane, as well as the usual chipboard and MDF.
Metal has become a rare guest in such products because it evokes associations with factories and factories. This will be appropriate only for the loft style. A bathroom is a room with high humidity; even galvanized metal with a polymer coating will not like it at all.
Often materials are combined to create a more interesting look.
Hanging plastic structures can be found on the furniture market quite often. Polymer production offers its own constructive solutions to the furniture issue.
For those who want to find the most economical option, products made from polyvinyl chloride are suitable. But we remember that the stingy one, in this case, definitely pays twice. The fact is that this is not the most durable material for furniture used every day. Although such structures do well in high humidity, the color will fade to yellow over time.
Polyurethane coating of furniture makes it much more durable and resistant to condensation. I am also pleased with the strength of the structures.
Polyurethane is a material for various design solutions when designing bathroom furniture
MDF is covered with acrylic film. The result is a beautiful glossy surface, and at the same time the moisture resistance of the product increases. Unfortunately, fingerprints will constantly appear on the doors, so furniture made from such material will have to be wiped quite often.
Those who are ready for big financial expenses may consider purchasing furniture with acrylic panels. Such cabinets can easily withstand high temperatures and water vapor. The contents of this furniture will always be hidden from view. Models decorated with acrylic cladding “marbled”, “malachite” and other stones look interesting.
The facade can be made of high-density MDF, and the body can be made of moisture-resistant laminated chipboard
A budget purchase can be made if the cabinet is made of chipboard. Today it is a material that is well impregnated with waterproof compounds and coated with PVC film. Externally, these are models that copy the structure of a tree. The durability of such a structure is not in danger; sooner or later dampness will do its detrimental work.
You can often find mirrored and glass cabinets. If it is simple glass, it will not hide the contents, and there will always be condensation and stains on it. It is better to find a reliable model with a matte, tinted or patterned panel.
The mirrored cabinet looks flawless and stylish
Solid wood is protected from moisture by a layer of varnish. The cost of such products is high, due to quality and practicality.
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Choosing furniture for the bathroom
You will agree that there should not be a lot of furniture in the bathroom. The main place here is occupied by a bathtub or shower and a sink. If the bathroom is combined, then we also add a toilet and bidet to this list.
But besides this, you need to store a lot of things here: cosmetics, perfumes, cosmetics and toiletries, towels, etc.
Where should all this be stored in order to protect it from dampness and dust, and at the same time, so that every thing is in its place? Convenient and functional bathroom storage systems help us with this. Let's start with the most common ones.
Price policy
A built-in wardrobe by default implies individual execution. Moreover, this concerns not only the appearance of the sash, in this case only the size varies, but also the dimensions of the frame, the number of elements and filling.
If the bathroom and the furniture in it are going to be used for a long time, then the material for the cabinet, even a built-in one, must be appropriate: MDF or chipboard with water-resistant impregnation. And, therefore, the cost of the product will be slightly higher than that of the same design located, for example, in the hallway.
The built-in model consists of a frame, filling and door. The material and design of all three components, as well as dimensions, determine the cost.
- The frame is an ordinary wooden beam treated with antiseptic compounds. In some cases, only a frame for the leaf is required, and if the door is sliding, then you can do without it. In this case, the shelves and drawer slides are fixed directly to the surface.
Particular attention should be paid to the decoration of niche walls. Condensation should not be allowed to accumulate here.
- Filling: regular shelves, drawers, drawers, laundry basket. The elements are standard, only the sizes vary, and even then only slightly. However, a large cabinet may include such non-standard cells as a compartment for a washing machine, for a heating tank, etc.
- A hinged door with the same design will cost less than a sliding door. In addition, the latter requires installation into the floor, which is not always possible. For the bathroom, it is recommended to choose an option made from MDF with acrylic film or acrylic panel, which is more reliable. Models with glass and mirror inserts will be more elegant, but also more expensive.
If the goal is not to decorate a built-in wardrobe, but, on the contrary, to hide it from view, then the simplest panel door, which is pasted over or finished to match the wall material, will do.
It is impossible to even estimate the cost of the model. To imagine how much a particular project will cost, you need to contact the furniture company, at least by phone, or use one of the online calculators on the company’s website.
If the bathroom area allows, then you can build a really spacious and stylish wardrobe into it, as in the following video:
Wall cabinet in the bathroom: when square meters are worth their weight in gold
Probably in almost every bathroom you can find such cabinets. They can be different in depth, size, materials from which they are made.
But they have one task: to accommodate a maximum of things that will be useful in this room, without taking up floor space.
Make sure the bathroom wall cabinet door opens smoothly, that it is at the right height, and that there is no need to stand on tiptoes or on a stool to see the contents of the top shelf.
Indeed, if the bathroom is small, there is often simply nowhere to put floor cabinets. That’s when space-saving wall cabinets come to the rescue.
They can have one door, two, or have different opening mechanisms (the door can even go up, like in kitchen cabinets).
There are many types of them, and the main thing is to choose the right one correctly, not only in design, but also in size, so that it does not cause inconvenience in the room.
Types of structures and selection of materials
High humidity in the bathroom, temperature changes, the need to meet hygienic standards - all this places special demands on the accessories and fixtures that will be installed there. Modern bathroom cabinets fully meet these criteria.
They can have different designs:
- open - without doors or with separately mounted shelves;
- closed - equipped with reliable doors, curtains or hermetically sealed drawers;
- combined - with the joint use of closed and open cells.
To make cabinets original, manufacturers provide a wide variety of door designs. They can be of standard geometric shapes, broken, folding or sliding.
Several solutions are also used for access - from the front side or from the end. At the same time, the mounting method itself gives a wide range of choices:
- mounted;
- built-in;
- with separate installation;
- with installation of plumbing equipment and fixtures in the structure.
Competent design project: everything is in place
Yes, it happens that the bathroom has dimensions commensurate with the area of the living room or kitchen. But you must admit, such a layout is rare, and in apartment buildings it is only possible as a result of a radical redevelopment, for which you still need to obtain permission, and this is a separate topic.
How can you make sure that a small bathroom does not cause a feeling of negligence, but only gives rise to bright thoughts? Yes, of course, a competent design project is important. And due attention is always paid to furniture, and the bathroom is no exception.
How to choose and hang?
The choice of bathroom furniture primarily depends on its area. If free space allows, then it is best to purchase a large and spacious wardrobe. For smaller rooms, you can choose a combination of a wall cabinet with a pencil case or a corner floor cabinet.
For very small bathrooms, multiple wall cabinets are ideal.
After purchasing, the main issue is the placement and securing of furniture. This is not at all difficult to do. The main thing is to decide on the type of wall on which you will have to hang the cabinet. To work, you will need a hammer drill or a regular drill. It is also better to buy fasteners yourself, since the one included in the kit may not always be durable or suitable.
It is also better to immediately mark the height at which the cabinet will be located. It should be convenient to use.
Before drilling into the wall, it is better to make holes in the glaze of the tile. This will prevent it from being destroyed.
Corner cabinet in the bathroom: saving space
As we have already said, often bathrooms are so small that it is difficult to find space even for the necessary furniture. That’s why designers use certain tricks and come up with furniture that can be placed in a very tiny space.
Such cabinets do not take up much space, but at the same time they can be extremely spacious. And if the cabinet is high enough, then other storage systems may not be needed at all.
If you have an empty corner in your bathroom, even if it’s a very small one, a corner cabinet can fit perfectly in there.
How to choose the front of a built-in cabinet in the bathroom - materials, designs, decor
A properly selected façade plays an important role in the design of a hidden cabinet in the bathroom. It can be of several types:
- "Deaf". The best option for difficult bathroom conditions. The canvas is a solid piece of one material with given dimensions. The absence of joints reduces the risk of moisture penetration into the material;
- Frame. Another reliable method is to “pack” not the most suitable particle boards. The entire perimeter of the door is edged with a stable profile made of PVC or aluminum. It will last a long time. Original appearance, reminiscent of a photo frame;
- Slotted. A slot of the desired shape is made in the desired part of the door. Next, a mirror, porcelain or other decorative elements are cut into it;
- Composite. For the bathroom, options made of glass, polymers or mirrors are suitable. They are cut into pieces of the required shapes and joined into a single sheet using thin fixing profiles. This approach provides the sash structure with the required rigidity. Original appearance. Good strength indicators.
The following materials are suitable as the main material for the facade:
- Lacquered boards (LMDF, laminated chipboard). Despite the fact that these types of wood boards are more resistant to moisture, they will require additional protection;
- Plastic. Good durable material that does not react to water and heat. It looks a little monotonous, but this can be compensated for by the richness of the color. Do not clean with abrasives. The surface will quickly become covered with a network of small scratches. Do not overload plastic shelves with heavy objects;
- Glass. You need to choose products made from thick fireproof glass plates with impact protection (special film). In this case, you will not face the risk of breaking the sash. Also note that you cannot place more than 5 kg on a glass shelf. If the rules are followed, the furniture will serve faithfully for a very long time;
- Synthetic glass substitutes. This is the well-known hardboard or more modern volumetric acrylic. Good appearance, resistance to water and household chemicals, durability. Not prone to breaking;
- Metal. Only options that are not prone to the formation of corrosive processes are suitable. Choose options using stainless or chrome steel or aluminum. They are distinguished by good service life, durability, and reliability. All of them interact very weakly with moisture. Indifferent to heat.
Decorations for the facade in the bathroom should have an additional protective function and not be afraid of moisture. The following are good for this purpose:
- Painting or varnishing. The most accessible and inexpensive way to give your closet an updated look. Apply products in several layers. The result should be a completely smooth and shiny surface. Select only samples of enamels that are resistant to temperature changes;
- Airbrush. Perhaps the only way to add a pattern to the bathroom. It is done with automotive paints using a special tool. Hire a professional. You need to know how to handle such equipment. And you will have to draw without stencils;
- Fusing. A rather young type of decor using glass. Multi-colored pieces are placed in a panel, which is fused into a single layer under high temperature. Next, this artistic “casserole” is transferred to adhesive film. The last step is to attach the masterpiece to the door. It will last a long time. Will create a unique flavor in the design;
- Decorative glass. Not everyone likes the fact that the contents of the shelves are visible through the glass slats of the facade. If you fall into this category, then use frosted glass. If you also don’t like slight roughness, then take a closer look at the milk option. It is etched with acids until it completely or partially loses its ability to transmit light. But, at the same time, the natural gloss is preserved. The glass can also be painted on the inside. The color can be any. Each of the listed types will fully retain all the properties of the material.
Bathroom cabinet: champion in space
The classic solution to the problem of placing all the necessary little things in the bathroom is the pencil case.
This is a small cabinet in terms of width and depth, but quite tall, human-sized, and has several shelves.
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You can find models where the number of shelves can be increased and they can be placed in it at your discretion at the required height. This is very convenient, because high shelves are not always used to their full potential.
Pencil cases may differ in size, materials of facades and shelves. Such cabinets are often illuminated so that even in poor lighting conditions everything can be quickly found.
Internal filling - what can be placed inside a built-in wardrobe in a bathroom
When organizing the filling, keep in mind that the smaller the shelf, the more weight it can withstand. If a 50 cm shelf can support 50 kg, then a meter shelf can only hold 10. And although you don’t need to store very heavy objects in the bathroom, large shelves reduce capacity. Also consider a few subtleties of placing things:
- Place textiles in the center of the closet. Steam always rises, creating a high degree of humidity there. After cooling, the water moves down, settling as condensation. Only in the middle between these two zones are clothes and towels least likely to become damp;
- Place cleaning and detergents at the bottom. This way they won’t get on other things if the bottle is damaged. Also at the bottom is the coldest temperature;
- Place things you rarely use at the top;
- Care products, fragrant oils and other cosmetics can be placed in any accessible convenient place.
Bathroom cabinet design: when we want something exclusive
It happens that it is very difficult to fit furniture presented in stores into the existing interior. And it happens that there is no desire, because it does not fit well with the overall picture of the design project. But there is always an alternative. In this case, it is possible to make any bathroom cabinet to order.
- How to come up with that perfect cabinet that will complement the interior and become an indispensable companion to the bathroom for years to come? First of all, you need to think about where you will place it. Next, determine its optimal dimensions, including height.
- To decide on the external design, you can look at different photos of the bathroom cabinet. It must fit harmoniously into the existing or newly created interior and be an integral part of it.
- And finally, what is very important is to think about the inside of the cabinet - shelves, pull-out elements, cabinets, etc. It's better if there are a lot of them. And the final stage will be the selection of materials and accessories for the future piece of furniture.
The last point needs to be given maximum attention, because the destructive humid environment of the bathroom does not have the best effect on the life expectancy of the furniture, so everything should be chosen taking into account these conditions.
Types of designs and main purpose of bathroom cabinets
Depending on their purpose, cabinets are divided into several types, which determines their installation location and size. So, the linen closet needs to be equipped with a large number of shelves on which towels, bathrobes or even bed linen will be stored. It is preferable to place such a cabinet in the bathroom above a washing machine that is equipped with a drying function. It is very convenient to remove dry laundry from the drum and immediately put it in its place.
If you install a cabinet under the sink, then, in addition to the fact that the internal space will be used as a place to store necessary items, using the cabinet you can successfully close pipes, siphons, connections or counters. The cabinet under the bathroom, which is equipped from the edge of the bowl to the floor, has the same advantages.
If the bathroom is large, it is recommended to install a linen closet.
In some cases, it is difficult to choose equipment that matches the chosen style or color scheme of the room. In this case, it is recommended to make a separate cabinet for the washing machine in the bathroom, the facades of which will be an ideal addition to the room. It is very important that the cabinet for the washing machine in the bathroom is slightly wider and higher than the household appliances. It must be taken into account that during the washing process the position of the appliance is dynamic, so it is unacceptable for the machine to hit the cabinet walls violently during the spin cycle.
Another disadvantage is the lack of ventilation of the device in a narrow cabinet, leading to excessive accumulation of moisture. Therefore, there must be enough space between the walls of the household appliance and the cabinet for normal operation.
