Living room with a wardrobe - review of the best models (80 photos)

In every home, the living room is an indicator of the taste and status of the owner. In small apartments it is difficult to combine functionality and beauty, so the design of a living room with wardrobes or built-in furniture is a popular solution for a classic apartment.

Let's look at how to make the most of your space for a comfortable stay.

Purpose and features

The choice of a wardrobe for the living room in an apartment depends on the goals pursued by its future owners. Its purpose for living rooms can be different; accordingly, there are certain features that you should know about before choosing this type of furniture:

• storing clothes is the most common purpose of a closet, no matter in which room of the apartment or house it is located. An open or closed type design with any facade is suitable for this;
• storage of household items. This applies to many household items, for example, by equipping the interior space of the wardrobe, you can not only store clothes there, but also put an ironing board or hide a vacuum cleaner;
• open areas such as niches can be used as bookshelves; photo frames, clocks and other items can be placed on them;
• in some small-sized apartments, where the living room serves as a bedroom, transformable wardrobes with a folding bed are used.

The peculiarity of the hall closet is its versatility and the fact that it is used by all family members. The dimensions and pre-thought-out arrangement of shelves, hangers, rods and other accessories help this element to be a universal item.

Choosing cabinet filling

Beautiful cabinets in the living room are, of course, great. But we must not forget about their intended purpose - to store the necessary things. Of course, in the future you can create hidden storage areas, but still the closet should not just stand, but be comfortable and functional. Therefore, it is extremely important to think in advance about what you want to store on the shelves.

Modern cabinets for the living room can have the following filling options:

1. With drawers - for storing clothes and various small items.
2. With shelves - suitable for storing bedding and clothes. You can place dishes and decor on open glass shelves.
3. With a compartment with a rod - if you plan to store things on hangers.
4. With compartment for shoes. To store out-of-season shoes, a separate shoe rack or lower shelves in a regular wardrobe are suitable.
5. Book compartments. If storing books is a priority, then you can buy a full-fledged bookcase. Otherwise, it’s easier to allocate several shelves behind glass doors for this purpose.

Additionally, there may be compartments for wine, pull-out baskets, a trouser rack and various hooks. But such equipment is usually only available and manufactured to order.

The photo shows the standard contents of a wardrobe

Kinds

Cabinets can be divided into several types, according to their design features. We present the main three types of the most common designs:

• built-in structures are a common type of storage for rooms where there is a niche suitable for installation. The advantage is that they are inexpensive compared to their non-built-in counterparts. The savings on materials when installing a built-in wardrobe are obvious, because you don’t have to install the back and side walls, just the facade is needed. The disadvantage of this design is that when installing the internal body kit, the walls of the room are damaged;
• modular cabinets are furniture consisting of parts, so-called modules. This means that such cabinets are not a single unit, but a multifunctional structure formed from parts. The main advantage of the product is the ability to create a set to your liking, for example, if we are talking about clothing storage, then you can add a vertical shelf with drawers to store small accessories or frequently used items, for example, small household appliances. Modular cabinets are a design that everyone used to call a furniture wall, only today this bulky detail, which previously attracted all the attention of visitors to the room, has become a stylish element, as ergonomic and compact as possible, complementing the design of the room. Modules in dark tones, for example, the color of dark oak, look great;
• cabinet cabinets are the most popular type of product in this segment of the furniture industry. This is a final finished product, assembled from sheets of fiberboard, chipboard or wood into a solid structure, which is not intended for modification or modification. Before purchasing, you should clearly understand where exactly the product will be located, since the possibility of its further successful movement is extremely small.

Built-in Cabinet

Modular

Sliding wardrobe in the living room: main types

Undoubtedly, there are a large number of varieties of sliding wardrobes in size, content and external design. However, in terms of design, there are only two main types - built-in and cabinet-mounted. Before you finally make your choice, we suggest studying the features of each of them.

Built-in wardrobe in the living room

This type involves a storage system in which the lower, upper, and side parts replace the ceiling, floor and walls of the room. That is, the cabinet is literally built into a niche or wall. Interestingly, the internal filling can always be made to order. In general, such a cabinet has many advantages:

• looks perfect in any interior style;
• impressive internal volume;
• takes up much less space due to the absence of walls.

Despite such significant advantages, the built-in wardrobe has a number of disadvantages:

• it cannot be moved or moved to another place;
• the need for perfectly flat ceilings, walls and floors;
• high price.

As you can see, this wardrobe has both advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, the final decision should always be made taking these nuances into account. In addition, experts note that it requires individual design. That is, the internal content can be created taking into account personal needs. This is very convenient, but at the same time, the cabinet cannot be moved to another room or house.

Cabinet wardrobe for the living room

The next option is a cabinet wardrobe. It is considered to be more versatile because it has high mobility. It can be placed in any other room that is suitable in size or transported to another house. At the same time, the internal filling can also be made to order, taking into account all preferences. An important advantage is the lower cost of such furniture.

Interestingly, a cabinet cabinet is often chosen as an interior solution for zoning space. It is especially often used in the living room studio. A variety of materials and decorative details allows you to make the cabinet stylish and relevant to the chosen interior. But keep in mind that this solution is definitely not suitable for a too small room.

Accommodation options

The arrangement of a room largely depends on the correct selection and arrangement of furniture. The so-called wall is one of the largest pieces of furniture purchased by home owners, so the question of the successful location of the “giant” inside the interior becomes acute. Here are some recommendations to help this matter:

• Of course, if you have a niche, you should give preference to a built-in wardrobe that makes the most of the available space. The location inside the niche is advantageous in that after the room is renovated, this place will not require special attention, since it will be hidden behind the facade doors. Irregularities in the walls or differences in the cladding material from the main appearance of the room do not matter. It is better to spend money on a more presentable wooden facade made of high-quality wood; for example, oak is perfect for this;
• any wall is suitable as a place for a closet. You shouldn’t get carried away with large and long cabinets, installing them in the entire wall of the room - this will visually steal the space and make the room elongated and uncomfortable. Modular cabinets with low modules in the form of small tables or shelves, complete with a low wardrobe, fit perfectly against the walls. The surface of the lower tier in the form of cabinets or shelves is used as a stand for audio and video equipment. When placing a cabinet with hinged doors in the hall, take into account the radius of their opening to avoid creating interference or damage to other furniture;
• a large living area in an apartment can be divided into parts by a closet, creating zoning of the territory. Compartment designs are suitable for this; also, a modular closet with shelving will not create the illusion of clutter. The living room, which acts as a bedroom, will become more comfortable after zoning, and a transformable wardrobe with a folding bed makes the most of the free space.

In a niche

In the corner

Along the wall

For zoning

Glass cabinet and display case

Cabinets are widely used not only for storing things.
They can be used to decorate rooms. This is especially true for display cases, open and glass furniture. What to put on the cabinet for decoration depends not only on the type of room where it is used, but also on the general theme of the design. A display cabinet provides an excellent opportunity to showcase a collection of items or a library. What to put in a display cabinet depends, first of all, on its dimensions, the material used to make the shelves, etc. For example, it is not recommended to place metal products of even light weight on glass shelves. Careless movements when moving them during cleaning can lead to dire consequences. What to put in a glass cabinet to preserve it? These are objects made of wood, bone, glass, plastic, ceramics, etc. In special cases, you can put textile or cork mats under decorative items, or use thickened glass for shelves. What to put in a cabinet with glass and a mirror back wall? This combination creates the effect of depth and makes the room virtually larger than it is. Therefore, the decor and things located in such cabinets should not block the mirrors. The ideal option is glass or crystal items, small objects with a glossy surface or ceramics made in light colors.

Facade decoration

The appearance of the furniture, its aesthetic and practical components play a vital role in the interior of the living room in the apartment, creating the necessary atmosphere and mood for residents or guests of the house. The facade of the cabinet, or its “face,” must fit into the design of the room and be comfortable; this can be achieved by adhering to some recommendations:

• The sliding façade of a sliding wardrobe is the most common type of this furniture product on the market. There are many options for decorating such a facade and materials for its manufacture. The main materials are decorative glass, plastic, mirror, varnish, chipboard, MDF, bamboo, artificial leather, as well as photo wallpaper. Depending on the material used, the price of the finished product increases, sometimes reaching a fairly high level. MDF boards are often decorated to resemble oak, cedar, yew, or other tree species. In modern interiors, facades made of white plastic panels are often found;
• swing doors are more common, but less common, so there are no problems with the choice of fastening mechanisms. The main focus when purchasing is on the hinges and material. Usually the hinged facade is made of wood (spruce, oak, ash) or MDF boards, rarely - glass. Wooden doors are the most sophisticated, but are relatively expensive, especially those made from oak. The walls with them are made with panels or with decoupage;
• The shelving located in the hall fits perfectly, because they are modern versions of the previously popular “wall”. The design is well suited for a small room, without creating visual obstacles in it. The rack serves as a storage place for things of decorative value (figurines, watches, photographs), electronic equipment, and if a partially closed facade is used, textiles fit perfectly there.

Swing Accordion

Coupe

Manufacturing materials

For the manufacture of cabinet furniture, which includes cabinets, the following materials are used:

• solid wood;
• plywood with outer layers of valuable wood;
• Chipboard veneered with natural veneer.
• laminated chipboard (furniture laminate);
• MDF.

Tradition dictates that furniture be made from natural wood (solid wood). As a rule, only hard and durable varieties of this material were always used - oak, beech, walnut, ash and more exotic ones - teak, rosewood, all types of mahogany. Traditional technologies are still used today, but at the same time they have been supplemented with complex processes for stabilizing raw materials. Not everyone can afford to buy such cabinets. They are very expensive, and only a few companies around the world produce furniture from solid wood. Today, only decorative cabinet inserts (carved or contour decorations) and frames for upholstered furniture are made from natural wood.

With the advent of plywood, the cost of products decreased significantly, and production volumes increased. The pioneers in this direction were US furniture companies, whose initiative was quickly picked up by companies all over the world. The production output was significantly accelerated - all that was needed was to cut the blanks, varnish them, and assemble them. Externally, such products differed little from traditional models, but were many times cheaper.

Choosing a display cabinet for the living room, types of models

Cladding with natural chipboard veneer turned out to be a more profitable technology. The possibility of division of labor arose - some manufacturers produced furniture grades of material that were separate products, while others veneered them with oak, beech, mahogany, and other valuable wood species. The finished sheets were supplied to furniture factories. At the last stage, the cut pieces had to be edged and finished, after which the finished parts were assembled. Furniture made from chipboard is easy to process, durable, waterproof, and inexpensive. It is worth choosing options made from material marked E1.

The manufacturing process of laminated chipboard is simple - a film is rolled onto the surface of the chipboard sheet using rollers. A large sheet of material appears, ready for cutting into parts, edging the ends, and assembly. The cost of raw materials decreased, and the work of furniture factories from that moment began to consist of assembling different models. Cabinets made from this material are easy to clean, have a rich palette of colors, and last a long time.

MDF, which is also used in furniture production, is distinguished by its high quality, uniform structure, environmental friendliness, and resistance to deformation. It can be used for the manufacture of other materials: metal, glass and so on. The first is more often used in the body, profiles, fittings, and internal filling elements, the second - on facades.

The modern market can offer furniture from any material. The choice is very wide; the criteria are only personal preferences or financial capabilities.

Solid wood

Plywood with outer layers of valuable wood

Chipboard

laminated chipboard

MDF

Shape and dimensions

The size and shape of the cabinet are determined by the personal preferences of the buyer and the free space of the living room in the apartment. The size of the furniture does not always affect its capacity; the important question remains the correct organization of the internal space of the storage room and its shape in relation to the geometry of the room.

As for the shape, cabinets in this regard can be different:

• straight
• triangular;
• radius; concave;
• convex;

Triangular

Trapezoidal

Radial

Straight

L-shaped
Here are some recommendations for choosing the shape and size of the cabinet:

• The height of the cabinet is chosen differently - with space between the ceiling and the top of the furniture or close to the ceiling. The space between the cabinet roof and the ceiling is completely closed to maximize the useful volume of the product. If the cabinet is not adjacent to the ceiling, then you should take care of free access to the gap for ease of cleaning;
• The bottom of a swing cabinet is made with a plinth. This will protect carpeting from friction of the open façade, and with a plinth height of over 70 cm, the residents’ feet will be safe;
• a tall cabinet will look ridiculous in a cramped room. It will cramp the already small space, looming menacingly over the residents;
• The thickness of the cabinet is a sore point for compartment facades. Unlike swing doors, the sliding front mechanism is approximately 100mm thick, added to the standard minimum 600mm thickness of the main cabinet space;
• corner cabinets are useful when there is a severe shortage of free space. This design will fit well into any corner of the room, without taking away precious square centimeters of usable space;
• There are certain recommendations for choosing the width of sliding wardrobes in contrast to cabinets with hinged fronts. The thing is that sliding doors with a width of less than 500 mm will not function fully and will lock when moving, so with a minimum number of three doors, you should count on a full cabinet width of at least 1.5 m.

Wall-to-wall wardrobe

A more modern variation of the traditional wall cabinet. This is a built-in structure that is installed directly into the wall. Such a cabinet usually takes up the entire width and height of the wall. Well suited for spacious living rooms. The closet usually has a special niche for placing a TV and speaker system. Individual cabinet modules can have a transparent glass facade, acting as a showcase.

Cabinet doors can be hinged, sliding or combined. For compact rooms, it is recommended to choose models with sliding doors; in a spacious living room, hinged doors would also be appropriate.

Tips for choosing

There are a number of tips for choosing any type of furniture for a living room in an apartment that will help you save your family budget, avoid disappointment from an unsuccessful purchase, and enjoy organizing the interior of your home. We present to your attention the main recommendations:

• the quality of materials must be of a high level and meet modern standards of furniture production. The safest wood is one that is not treated with resins and glues, which are harmful to human health. It is also worth paying attention to cheaper certified products made from MDF boards, glass, or plastic. When choosing a wooden cabinet, pay attention to the species oak, cedar, ash;
• Safety concerns not only the issue of materials, but also the quality of workmanship. Product parts must be in good working order and also have the appropriate certificates. It is better to give preference to fittings and working mechanisms from famous manufacturers. All moving mechanisms should operate quietly in normal condition. Extraneous sounds of crunching or creaking indicate malfunctions that will soon result in serious damage;
• door handles are a part of swing doors that often hit walls or nearby furniture. Pay attention to how the wall is positioned relative to the corners of the walls and easily scratched surfaces;
• You should choose aluminum rollers in sliding doors - they are quieter and more reliable. Plastic parts are cheap and short-lived;
• Swing doors must have closers to ensure safe closing of the facade. This device is especially important for children;
• Calculate the needs for the interior space of the cabinet in advance and think about its internal contents before purchasing. It is worth roughly estimating the available number of things and the desired volume of future acquisition.

By following the recommendations, choosing a new cabinet will be easy, and the purchase will bring pleasure not only at the time of purchase, but also during its use. It doesn’t matter whether your goal is a standard wall or a transformable cabinet, proper planning and preparation will help bring your intended interior to life.

Features of choosing a cabinet

Now in the world of furniture there are a huge number of manufacturers who produce cabinets of completely different models. For the living room, you can choose furniture of different sizes, colors, capacity, and design. Everyone will find the most suitable product in terms of price and quality.

Before choosing a closet for the living room, you need to decide what things it will be used to store.

When choosing, you should pay special attention to the following parameters:

1. Dimensions and dimensions.
2. Filling the cabinet, dividing it into sections for storing and installing equipment (TV, stereo system, etc.).
3. Color.
4. Material of manufacture.
5. General design.
6. Price.

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