Features of corner wardrobes, their pros and cons

Updated: August 9, 2022

In the design of modern apartments you can often find corner wardrobes: special designs with sliding doors that save space. We present to you photos of the 40 best ideas.

They look very modern, fit into any environment, are spacious and functional. Such models are ideal for families with children and pets: a small child or pet will not be able to accidentally open the door. Let's take a closer look at this miracle of the modern furniture industry.

Advantages and disadvantages

A wardrobe is a traditional interior element that has been used for storing things since ancient times. Its modern analogue - a sliding wardrobe with a corner shape - is, in fact, a multifunctional design that can accommodate a huge number of all kinds of things. And thanks to the mass of additional functional elements, it is possible to use the cabinet completely.

Among the advantages of this functional furniture, others can be noted:

• the ability, even with the minimum dimensions of a corner wardrobe, to accommodate a huge amount of clothes, shoes, and small household appliances;
• convenient access to any of the items placed in it;
• the corner configuration is specially created for the most irrational places in the home - corners, which frees up additional space;
• The interesting design of such a cabinet will help transform any interior and play up boring corners in an original way.

Of course, corner wardrobes have some disadvantages, which can be called their features. Let's look at them in more detail:

• Almost all such furniture is made to individual orders. But this process is not quick, and you will have to wait. If you have a standard apartment, then it is quite possible that you will be lucky enough to find ready-made corner cabinets for sale so that you can immediately buy what you need;
• the sliding system of such compartments is the most vulnerable part of the structure. When installing short-lived profiles in them or the presence of an uneven building surface, there is a high probability of rapid breakdown of this element;
• Often, especially in wardrobes, it is necessary to install additional lighting inside the structure;
• For the normal functioning of the cabinet, or rather its sliding system, systematic cleaning of the guides is required.

When choosing, pay attention to the reputation of the manufacturer of such furniture, the quality of the materials used in its manufacture, and fittings. The internal content of the structure should be practical and functional.

Varieties

Corner compartments are divided into built-in and cabinet. A characteristic feature of built-in modifications is the absence of their own walls and ceiling. Sliding furniture doors and guides are attached to the walls, floor and ceiling surfaces of the room. This type of structure is called stationary. Its advantage is its cost-effectiveness; its disadvantages include the impossibility of transfer.

Corner cabinets can be:

• case;
• modular;
• built-in;
• semi-built-in.

If you are installing a stationary wardrobe in a corner, remember that all surfaces to which the fastening will be made must be leveled, otherwise the structure will skew, which will complicate the operation of the sliding elements. There are also semi-built-in structures that have separate body elements, for example, a bottom or a roof. In semi-built-in models, the walls of the room most often act as side and rear walls. A common option is modifications with both side panels, while the bottom and top are missing.

Compartment-type cabinets are full-fledged furniture with their own walls, floor and ceiling. The main difference from traditional wardrobes is sliding doors. The products are tall, they are usually installed up to the ceiling, and can be equipped with external additional elements - lighting, shelves and other decorative features. As a rule, this is a free-standing cabinet, which, if desired, can be rearranged, disassembled, and then installed in another suitable place.

The structure is assembled on site, since its large dimensions will not allow it to be brought into the door. Are you planning to do this yourself? The diagram that must be attached to the product will help you with this.

Built-in

Hull

Modular

Manufacturing materials

Modern sliding wardrobes are made from practical and safe materials. Rattan, bamboo, wood, glass, MDF or chipboard are used. The design made from a combination of several materials looks especially impressive.

The durability of the product is determined by the quality of the moving mechanisms. Therefore, it is not advisable to save money when choosing components. Since the door will have to be used regularly, be sure to check the softness of the rollers. There should be no extraneous sounds when they move.

For the manufacture of guides, steel or aluminum is used. Aluminum track costs more because it is more durable. If you want the product to serve properly for as long as possible, do not consider cheap options with steel guides, even if you like their design.

The main materials for the internal elements are chipboard and aluminum wire, which is usually covered with a polymer film. For convenience and ergonomics, special mechanisms are used: pantograph elevator, lifts, rollers, wheels. Of course, all this increases the cost of the product.

Wood chipboard

MDF

Facade decoration

A wide selection of finishing materials makes it possible to find the optimal design solution for every taste at an affordable price. The wardrobe body is traditionally made of wood, chipboard or MDF. For finishing facades, tempered glass, mirror, glossy surfaces, plastic, and natural wood can be used.

Very often, when finishing facades and doors, MDF or chipboard panels are used, which are distinguished by high wear resistance, ease of processing and maintenance, plasticity when creating any shape, resistance to moisture, UV rays, reliability, durability, and stylish design.

A corner wardrobe in a living room, in addition to its functionality, needs to be stylish and presentable. Thanks to the wide color palette, it is possible to order designer cabinets that perfectly match the color scheme of the room. To focus attention on such non-standard furniture, the cabinet can be made darker or brighter than the main background; there are many ideas for original design. A white sliding wardrobe will fill the interior with freshness and solemnity. White gloss looks especially beautiful in bedrooms.

Premium finishing - natural wood - is perfect for classic interiors, Provence or country style. Corner wardrobes with a mirror fit harmoniously into different interior solutions. A mirror will help to visually expand the boundaries of a small room, making it lighter and airier.

With all the positive aspects of mirror surfaces, do not forget that they will require more careful care. In terms of safety, modern mirrors are quite durable and reliable. But still, mirrored cabinets require careful handling. When you hit a mirror, it will not shatter into dangerous fragments, but will simply crack, since the surface is glued with a special protective film.

The presence of a corner wardrobe with photo printing will add a unique style to any room. Thanks to the high quality of printing, any selected image will turn out realistic and will bring a touch of novelty to the interior.

Interesting solutions in interior design

A wardrobe with beveled doors can be built under the stairs leading to the attic floor. If all doors have a bevel, then only a swing system is suitable.

Under-stairs cabinet with end shelves

It is not necessary to build a monolithic model under the roof slope. The wall can be divided into parts and visually enlarge the room. Place a desk or computer desk between the cabinets. You can set aside this space for a mirror with a dressing table.

Separating cabinets with a table eliminates “furniture heaviness”

Mirrored facades fill with light and “move apart” the walls. The mirror can cover all doors or just one. Combined options work well, where mirror inserts occupy half or a third of the facade.

Mirror effect doubles the area

A small room needs light furniture. A cabinet located along the entire pediment will not “eat up” the room, but will expand it.

For attic rooms with a small window, choose white furniture

A beveled closet zones the space

Spectacular white bedroom

Shape and dimensions

There are several options for corner wardrobes, which differ in individual configuration. Modifications of the main types include:

• triangular structures;
• trapezoidal;
• g-shaped;
• corner coupes - “five-walled”.

L-shaped

Diagonal

Trapezoidal Triangular
There is also a non-standard option with a combined corner cabinet configuration, which allows you to improve the basic options for maximum use of the entire corner. This design technique gives the furniture individuality and convenience. If you want something new, designers recommend a concave cabinet. The absence of sharp lines gives the product an unusual and spectacular appearance. The semicircular wardrobe looks interesting and stylish.

A triangular wardrobe with a corner section will fit perfectly into the hallway. Although its configuration does not provide for a large number of shelves, the rail placed inside will allow you to compactly hang a whole mountain of outerwear. As a rule, triangular structures are made without side walls and therefore the cabinet requires a minimum of installation space.

A characteristic feature of a trapezoidal coupe with a corner element is the side wall, which forms the line of an irregular trapezoid. Thanks to the installation of additional elements, you can organize the interior space as rationally as possible.

A popular modification of a corner wardrobe with dimensions for any room is L-shaped. Made from a combination of two straight cabinets joined together. This is a good idea for stylish interior design and creating a convenient storage system.

The most massive version of the compartment design is five-wall corner cabinets, which are distinguished by the greatest functionality. From the outside, additional consoles and modules look very harmonious. If you have enough space to accommodate this option, cover the corner with a five-walled compartment.

As for the sizes, it is easiest to determine the height: standard compartments are made to fit the room under the ceiling or 1-2 cm lower. The remaining parameters are calculated taking into account the characteristics of the room where the item is planned to be installed. To make it clearer, let’s consider the minimum dimensions (specific drawings are provided by craftsmen who make custom-made cabinets):

• for example, a diagonal cabinet with a triangular design has a minimum length of right angle sides of 120 cm. If this value is reduced, the internal volume will be very small and the shelves will be very narrow. To reduce the size of the product without compromising the internal volume, the cabinet is made with a beveled corner;
• if there are walls of different lengths, for example, 1.2 m and 0.8 m, it is better to choose the option with a closed trapezoidal design. On the longer side, a partition is organized, its depth is 40-50 cm, a straight line is drawn from this element to the short wall;
• for small lengths of adjacent walls, it is recommended to install an L-shaped structure;
• five-wall compartments easily fit into a small room with a wall length of 0.8 m or more. They can even be placed in a small corridor. However, in this case, you will cover too much space due to the large depth of the product, and the room will shrink even more;
• In terms of depth, sliding wardrobes are produced in two versions: 45 and 60 cm; it is not advisable to make them less than 40 cm.

For compact rooms, the optimal solution is L-shaped structures with shelves. They are not so massive and do not take up much space. Want to visualize this? Draw a picture with all the cabinets you like on the room diagram. Next, it remains to calculate the free area obtained as a result.

How to fill corners

Built-in furniture helps save every centimeter

In addition to sliding wardrobes with beveled doors, the corner space can be filled with built-in cabinets, equipped with closed niches or open shelves.

Often a low cabinet or chest of drawers 80–120 cm is purchased, and a shelving unit is added above it or shelves are made. This economical option allows you to use the entire space.

Low corner areas under the attic windows are considered “dead”. If there is 60 cm or more under the window, build a frame there for compartment or hinged doors. In such a closed corner you can keep any items, including a vacuum cleaner and other equipment.

Filling

A corner cabinet, like any similar furniture, is equipped with a certain arsenal of storage systems. Due to the configuration features, filling a corner wardrobe is complicated by inconvenient places; they also need to be used correctly and functionally. In diagonal versions there will be more such places, in products with an L-shaped configuration - fewer.

Filling planning should be carried out in stages. In trapezoidal and triangular models, where the corners are beveled, it is difficult to use narrow triangles. It is optimal to organize here the storage of small things on shelves or to arrange the storage of umbrellas, skis, and other similar items. In the corner of the closet there is usually a compartment for clothes on hangers; if the design does not have a partition in the middle, then instead of it a pole is used where the crossbars are attached. The remaining space is easy to use. The main thing is to decide on your ideas and the number of different things that need to be stored.

Functional purpose of corner cabinets - in what rooms and what they are used for

Corner buildings can serve a variety of purposes. They are suitable for any room.

• In the living room, this piece of furniture will help to best display your collection or work of art.
• In the bedroom, a closet with appropriate internal filling will play the role of a wardrobe.
• The Bureau would benefit from such an acquisition as it could house a large library inside.
• This product is able to brighten up the kitchen space due to its compactness and spaciousness.
• A small triangular closet in the hallway will take up a small area, but will allow you to hide outerwear, shoes, umbrellas, etc.
• Children's rooms are usually small, so corner furniture can help organize storage. The closet provides space not only for clothes, but also for toys, sports equipment, arts and crafts materials, and more.

Tips for choosing

Making the right choice of a beautiful, functional piece of furniture requires a serious, responsible approach. First, decide on the place where the furniture will be located and its size. Pay close attention to the internal contents, quality of fittings and mechanisms. In order for such furniture to please with its design, the decorative finishing of the facade must be high-quality and beautiful; an unusual configuration of the product is possible. For example, a design with a rounded outline.

Taking into account all the parameters and nuances, you will receive a beautiful, multifunctional, comfortable, durable product - corner furniture in the form of a sliding wardrobe.

Internal structure

The interior design of the cabinet can be determined individually. The most popular options are:

• on the left are shelves, in the middle are slats for clothes, on the right are drawers. Ideal for the bedroom;
• in the middle there are clothes rails, on the sides there are shelves. Good choice for living room;
• on the left there are two sections with shelves, on the right there are full-length shelves, at the bottom there are sections for large items and boxes.

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