The corridor in apartment buildings has limited space. The exception is houses with modern layouts. Therefore, a hallway with a mirror is the optimal solution for visually enlarging the room. A spacious wardrobe with a mirror surface serves many functions. You should not install a large number of different shelves and cabinets in the corridor, thereby cluttering up an already small space.
A sliding wardrobe with a mirror surface will save space in the hallway.
Today, manufacturers offer a large selection of cabinet models, with a variety of shapes and colors. They are suitable for storing not only outerwear, but also many accessories and things that are difficult to find a place in other rooms.
A light wardrobe with a mirror will visually expand the corridor.
By choosing the right wardrobe with a mirror for your hallway, you will transform the space of the room. It will visually become larger and lighter. A closet with mirrored doors and a spotlight in the canopy for additional lighting will fit perfectly into a small hallway.
Sliding wardrobe with mirrored doors and a lamp in the canopy for additional lighting.
Pros of a mirror in the hallway
The advantages of cabinets with mirrors include:
- Economical filling of hallway space. No need to purchase and install separate cabinets and mirrors;
- Doors of the “compartment” type do not take up space when swinging open, which makes it possible to make the most efficient use of all the free space in the room;
- Many furniture models are very roomy;
- A stylish solution for each product, from simple classic to the most elaborate design;
- Mirrors are made in a variety of shapes, sizes and stylistic solutions. The canvas can be the entire height of the cabinet or small, with a beautiful edging.
- Additional processing of the mirror with photo printing. The presence of a sandblasted pattern on the mirror turns the product into a work of art;
- Visual increase in space due to the mirror surface, from which the main lighting and additional lighting under the canopy are reflected;
- Affordable price and large selection of models.
The pattern on the mirror turns the wardrobe into a work of art.
Dimensions
Before purchasing a product, you need to decide on its location and take measurements.
- Height and width of the cabinet. These are the main overall dimensions.
- Product depth
- When planning to equip the product, you must remember that the distance between the hanger and the shoe rack should be at least 90 cm. In this case, clothes and shoes will not touch each other.
Correct measurement of overall dimensions is a rather complex and responsible matter. Therefore, it is advisable to entrust it to a professional furniture maker or designer.
Types of mirror cabinets
The choice is truly wide. A hallway cabinet with a mirror surface is selected taking into account several parameters:
- Functionality;
- Size;
- Stylistic design of the room.
The most popular are built-in wardrobes with a mirror. They are installed right up to the ceiling, and the mirror on the door increases the space of the hallway. This is the advantage of this model. The disadvantage is that it cannot be transferred.
A mirrored wardrobe visually makes the ceilings higher.
By installing mirrors on several sides of the closet, you will notice how the room visually expands. When installing such a model, there is no need to clutter the space with various objects that will be reflected in the mirrors and create chaos.
This model of wardrobe will make the room more spacious.
A cabinet with a mirror creates additional lighting by reflecting light from the mirror surface. The room becomes brighter. Furniture must be positioned so that it merges with the walls and is one with them.
A mirrored wardrobe will help create coziness in the hallway.
Narrow and wide
The shapes of the cabinets are varied. Their choice is determined not only by the desire and wealth of the apartment owner, but also by the configuration of the corridor. Straight structures are most in demand and are installed along the wall. Suitable for hallways of all sizes. They can be either narrow or wide.
Straight structures are most in demand and are installed along the wall.
Narrow models are designed for long corridors. Competent fullness is important for them. They can be used to store shoes, provide space for umbrellas and various accessories. Wide cabinets fit into a square-shaped hallway. In such a closet you can already store most things, including household items.
A narrow wardrobe can store most things, including household items.
Built-in
The advantage of built-in structures is space saving. They may partially lack the back, top or side wall. The advantage is the low cost of construction compared to standard furniture. Among the disadvantages is the inability to move the cabinet if necessary. Most often, built-in furniture is made to order, which takes time. Since it is not possible to choose a model with the appropriate sizes on the market.
A built-in wardrobe will significantly save space in the hallway.
Angular
Corner cabinets in the hallway are perfect for small rooms and will not take up treasured square meters. This spacious design allows you to rationally plan the space and is considered the best option if there is a free corner in the corridor.
A corner wardrobe will allow you to rationally plan your space.
The corner closet holds not only outerwear, but also things for which there is no place in other rooms. You can store sports equipment, accessories and so on in it. Shelves of various levels and horizontal hangers, as well as pull-out compartments, will help increase the capacity of the closet. Even with small dimensions, the closet can be equipped with a full-length mirror.
A corner wardrobe holds things that there is no room for in other rooms.
Radial
In unusual radius shapes, the cabinet surfaces are made round, concave or asymmetrical, which adds a certain zest to any hallway. This non-standard design has a clear advantage - it has no sharp corners, which is important for families with small children.
Radius sliding wardrobes add a certain zest to any hallway.
For decoration, various finishing techniques are used, from photo printing to sandblasting. Its doors are most often sliding. The combination with a mirror makes this wardrobe practical, spacious and interesting in terms of design.
Photo printing on the wardrobe will add coziness to the hallway.
Another type of cabinets that deserves attention are rotating structures that are mounted on special brackets. There are shelves on one side of the cabinet and a full-length mirror on the other.
For a hallway of non-standard shape, combined models are suitable, helping to hide the shortcomings of the room layout. Mirrors on concave or, conversely, convex surfaces are impractical, but serve only as a decorative element, since the images reflected in them are distorted.
Mirrors in such wardrobes serve as a decorative element.
DIY installation
As a rule, the store indicates the cost of furniture without taking into account assembly. If you do not have special skills and tools, it is better not to undertake the assembly. If you want to do something yourself, then you can assemble the product without a craftsman. You will need them for work.
- Screwdriver (it can be replaced with a screwdriver).
- Hex key.
- For marking - tape measure, pencil.
To avoid damaging the floor covering, you need to cover it with something soft. This could be textiles, pieces of old wallpaper or packaging from under the closet.
The key to success is impeccable adherence to instructions. All components and fittings are marked. It is equally important to follow the assembly sequence so as not to start all over again.
- The first stage is assembling the base of the product. Most often, confirmats and corners are used as fastenings. The base is attached to the bottom.
- Housing assembly. It is important to ensure that the top and bottom of the parts correspond to the markings. When assembling the cabinet, it is necessary to ensure that the mounted parts do not tilt, as the fastening may be broken.
- Fastening the product cover.
- Rear wall installation. It is not advisable to fasten it with nails, as it turns out to be fragile. It is much more practical to use self-tapping screws or a construction stapler. Some models have a special groove for the wall.
- Assembly control consists of measuring the diagonals of the product. They must be the same, otherwise the design will be crooked and the doors will not close tightly.
- Installing shelf holders and drawer guides.
- Installation of shelves.
- Installation of a wardrobe door. First, secure the rail using self-tapping screws. It is recommended to attach the upper guide first, and then the lower one. After this, the door is installed.
- Adjustment of the shutters using a hexagon. If the product is assembled correctly, the doors open and close in both directions completely.
- Gluing seals. Sometimes (if you're lucky) wardrobes are delivered fully assembled.
Facade material
Modern models of mirrored hallway cabinets are made from various materials.
- Wood is always in price due to its natural qualities. Products made from it are durable and wear-resistant, which is important for corridors. Natural wood fits into any interior, from classic to loft or hi-tech. The downside is the high cost, which is more than compensated for by all the advantages of natural wood;
- MDF is most often used for cabinet doors or partitions. When choosing such models, you need to take into account that the thickness of the MDF sheet should be no more than 30 centimeters;
- Glass is a favorite among exotic lovers. This material allows you to turn any idea into reality. Glass has advanced decorative properties, and modern technologies can give it any shade. You can order a transparent, matte or darkened product. There is not simple glass for cabinets, but tempered glass that can withstand increased mechanical loads;
- Available in all characteristics, including cost, it is plastic. Technical capabilities allow us to produce a cabinet of any shape. The plastic is decorated with photo printing or covered with multi-colored film, which gives it a decorative aesthetic.
MDF is most often used for cabinet doors or partitions.
Location
In order for a piece of furniture to reveal its full potential, you need to position it correctly. Following a number of rules will help you fit the closet harmoniously into a small space:
- In a narrow corridor, it is advisable to place a mirror cabinet along the shortest wall. Often, with such a localization, the mirror ends up opposite the front door, which is contrary to Feng Shui. However, putting aside prejudices, you can design the hallway with maximum functionality;
- In a square-shaped hallway, the closet completely occupies one side. If there is a niche in the corridor, then a mirrored cabinet with sliding doors is optimal;
- If there are many doors, it is better to install a small narrow cabinet up to the ceiling. It is roomy and does not take up much space.
The perception of the entire room depends on the correct location of the closet.
Correctly selected furniture localization will help make the hallway stylish and functional.
Color selection
A wardrobe with sliding doors should be combined in material structure and shade with interior items and wallpaper. The most successful combinations:
- White color of different tones;
- Gray with lilac and pink;
- Brown with green and yellow;
- Red with gray;
- Purple with orange or gold.
If it is difficult to find your preferred combinations, then you should opt for a mirrored cabinet.
Filling
The fullness of the closet depends on its dimensions, the financial capabilities of the apartment owner, the size of the family and needs. It contains shelves, hangers, drawers, and so on.
Such a wardrobe will allow you to store all the necessary things in one place.
The higher the height of the shelf, the more things will fit. A distance between shelves of 50-60 centimeters is allocated for bed linen or seasonal clothing. If several people live in the house, including children, then it is better to zone the filling of the closet.
In such a wardrobe, each category of things has its own compartment.
Decorating a mirror to match the style of the hallway
It is important not only to choose the right cabinet model and arrange it, but also to ensure that it matches the overall stylistic concept of the entire hallway:
- Elegant models with discreet luxury are suitable for classics. This style is characterized by strict lines, therefore radius shapes of cabinets are excluded. It is preferable to choose products made from natural wood. The color scheme is maintained in moderate tones of beige, black or white. Finishing in gold or silver is acceptable;
- Consistent, but with a slight frivolous deviation, the Provence style stands out. Metal parts that effectively highlight natural wood or its imitation, made in light colors. Depending on the variety of Provence, beige, light gray or white colors are selected for the cabinet. For decoration, you can choose a light ornament and small carvings;
- The absence of decorative elements, clear lines, nothing superfluous - minimalism. These are mainly wardrobes equipped with mirrors;
- A freer modern style. It uses intricate, non-standard lines and a contrasting combination of colors. Depending on the number of mirror doors, the color and material of the cabinet is selected;
- High-tech and loft style loves a cold palette. It is gray, black color combined with chrome steel parts. Glossy surfaces can be diversified with bright decor.
The wardrobe fits organically into the overall interior of the room.
Color solutions
The main requirement when choosing the color of a product is compliance with the tint palette of the interior. It is necessary to take into account that it already contains several dominant colors, so a too bright spot sometimes introduces dissonance and looks annoying. The basic principles of selection are as follows.
As a rule, many models are presented in catalogs in very bright colors. This is nothing more than a “showcase” to attract buyers. By placing such a product at home, shining in different shades, you are unlikely to achieve harmony.
It’s great if the decor contains lines that are already present on various interior items. Is it worth choosing a cabinet that fully matches the finishing materials for the floor and walls in shade? Of course, the functionality of the furniture will not suffer from this in any way, but the interior will definitely lose.
The room will look like a monotonous box, albeit decorated with first-class materials. On the contrary, if you choose a cabinet of a different color (naturally, combined with the decoration), and diversify the interior with paintings, posters or other decor, then even low-budget furniture will transform the hallway. A color compatibility table is very useful in this regard.
If you have doubts about the color scheme, it makes sense to limit yourself to reflective doors. Mirrors not only look advantageous, but also visually expand the interior.
Expert advice
It is recommended to follow a number of rules for a small hallway:
- For low ceilings, it is better to choose models of compact dimensions.
- To visually increase the space, the choice falls on light-colored cabinets.
- To avoid discomfort, there should be no glare on mirror surfaces.
- Even in large corridors, do not forget about additional lighting and backlighting.
The storage system should not only perform its functions, but also be aesthetically pleasing.
