Quite often, when designing a bathroom, priority is given to free space at the expense of storage space, but in almost any home, bathroom cabinets, laundry baskets, and shelves inevitably appear: they become necessary in the household, even if they do not fit well into the design of the room. It is much more practical to initially introduce additional furniture and space for perfumes and cosmetics into the project: not a single corner in the bathroom will go unclaimed.
Bathroom cabinets in classic style
Bathroom cabinet with a pattern
Cabinet-cabinet of a laconic form
Creating a high-quality bathroom design project, including all the necessary furniture, is a serious task even for experienced performers. Probably, no type of furniture has as many design options, modifications and nuances in manufacturing, design and installation as bathroom cabinets.
Brown and White Bathroom Cabinets
Purple cabinets in a white bathroom
How to organize your bathroom space
It all depends on the size of the room and the tastes of the owners. Often you need a linen closet in the bathroom, since it is important that everything is at hand: towels, terry robes, underwear. This bathroom can easily accommodate a washing machine and clothes dryer. Of course, this is a spacious room, since it fits so many things.
If the bathroom is small, it is better to choose a small closet for things and necessary bathing accessories and store only the most necessary things in it.
Hiding flaws
If you don’t have time to build intricate structures, then masking the excess is an ideal option.
The void under the bathtub can be used, and the bathtub will look aesthetically pleasing.
This option assumes the following: a fabric is used that does not get wet, for example, a bathroom curtain.
The entire perimeter of the bathroom is wrapped with fishing line, and a curtain is attached to it. In this case, wire is also used to place the curtain like an accordion.
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The disadvantage of this method of improvement is its narrow specialization, because not every interior accepts such decor. And the curtains need to be washed and dried well from time to time.
Unique bathroom furniture
The difference between this room is that there is always high humidity in the bathroom. Even if the owners constantly ventilate it, and the room itself has excellent ventilation, moisture accumulates on the surfaces after each water treatment. Therefore, it is very important to carefully choose a cabinet for the bathroom and it is advisable to make it to order.
Another rule is that the product should be easy to clean from dirt and not absorb moisture. Such qualities directly affect the durability and wear resistance of the cabinet.
What requirements should you follow?
The most popular model is a bathroom cabinet with a built-in laundry basket. Before purchasing this type of furniture, you should pay attention to the following points:
- It is necessary that the material used for manufacturing meets the conditions of use. It should be taken into account that the bathroom is constantly damp and parky. Even well-ventilated rooms are no exception. Chipboard, MDF, plastic and wood are mainly used for the production of such furniture. All these materials are pre-applied with a special composition that protects the product from rotting and further deterioration.
- In rare cases, the bathroom is impressive in size. For this reason, it is better to give preference to ergonomic models. Pencil cases with a laundry basket should not only be compact, but also easy to use.
- When choosing a large built-in compartment for dirty things, you need to check the strength of the fasteners. They must be reliable and provide easy removal and fixation of the basket.
- It is better to buy a pencil case with a compartment made of durable material that will not deform under the weight of the stored items.
Standards and Configurations
All cabinets are divided into standard products and made to order. An ordinary bathroom cabinet is 60 cm, or 40 cm or 80 cm. This one fits everything needed for use in this room.
Often toilet paper, towels, shaving accessories, and products for home cosmetic procedures are stored in plastic boxes on closet shelves.
What can it store?
Thanks to its considerable spaciousness, a wardrobe in a bathroom can hide household appliances. Behind the doors there may be: a water heater or boiler, a washing machine and a dryer. It is important to install a power supply line for each device in advance, install sockets with covers, residual current devices, and provide access to water supply and drainage communications.
Household appliances are securely fastened, and there should be gaps between the sides of the furniture and the body for free air circulation.
The rest of the cabinet space is filled with shelves, drawers, baskets, hooks, rods, and holders. A variety of functionality is used to accommodate:
- cosmetics;
- household chemicals;
- towels;
- underwear;
- dressing gowns;
- bath accessories.
Wall cabinets
A wall cabinet in a bathroom is one of the most common pieces of furniture for this room. Attached to the wall. It is important to hang the product on a load-bearing wall and mount it as firmly as possible.
There are vertical models - elongated in length; horizontal wall cabinets - wider - are also available for sale. The choice depends on the size of the room and the preferences of the owners, as well as the location of the product.
It is better to combine a wall-mounted structure with a floor-standing bedside table made in the same style, or hang the cabinet above the sink. For a large bathroom, experts advise purchasing several wall cabinets and shelves made in a single design solution.
Useful tips when choosing a locker
There are a number of important things to consider when choosing bathroom storage solutions. The three pillars that your choice should be based on are aesthetics, functionality and durability.
Large built-in wardrobe in the bathroom
Aesthetics of bathroom furniture
- Single style. Even the most beautiful bathroom cabinet in the world will look bad if it does not match the interior design of the bathroom. Classic style requires restrained tones and shapes, high-tech is unthinkable without glass and chrome, etc.
- Color. The color of the bathroom walls should match the color of the cabinet. If the furniture is of a similar color, but does not match the paint tone, it is better to choose a different color, but with a harmonizing tone.
- Texture. If you have glossy tiles from floor to ceiling, it is better to purchase furniture with a glossy finish. A wooden cabinet with a noble pattern goes well with the embossed surface of the bathroom.
- Dimensions and orientation in space. Of course, a huge closet is so practical, but in a regular bathroom it will simply “eat up” the space and you will feel uncomfortable there. Orientation in space affects the perception of room dimensions: if you put long and low cabinets under the ceiling, the walls of the room will appear wider and the ceilings lower than they actually are.
Semicircular bathroom cabinet design Integrated wall of white bathroom cabinets Dark wood bathroom cabinets
Functionality of a bathroom cabinet
The furnishings of the bathroom should be thought out down to the last screw, because convenience and comfort in the bathroom come first.
Elongated bathroom cabinets
Increased attention is required even to the smallest details: in which direction the doors open, how smoothly and softly they close, whether the location is well chosen, how much usable space is, etc. etc. To do this, you need to thoroughly imagine the process of using the cabinet, visit the showroom where it is installed surrounded by plumbing, and consult with your loved ones.
Elongated gray cabinet in the bathroom of a country house
Durability of a bathroom cabinet
What determines the durability of bathroom furniture? Quality and correct location. Materials, fittings, assembly can be of very different levels. To avoid any problems with your bathroom cabinet, do not hesitate to thoroughly examine it before purchasing. Even premium-segment products can be defective, and replacement under warranty is an additional hassle.
Bathroom furniture in the same classic style
You should not install the cabinet close to the bathroom and place it on a warm floor without legs - then it will last much longer.
A cabinet whose door is equipped with tight hinges and whose movement path passes through the bathtub will quickly become chipped and lose its appearance. Durability is directly related to the issue of furniture safety.
Bathroom cabinets in ethno style
Safety of bathroom furniture
It might seem a little unusual to talk about the safety of such an innocuous piece of furniture as a bathroom cabinet, but there are a few important aspects that need to be mentioned.
- Corners, doors open. It is easy to slip in the bathtub, and falling on an open cabinet door can lead to very disastrous consequences. The safest option is a horizontal hanging cabinet above head level with doors that open upward.
- Electrical wiring in the cabinet. Often cabinets have built-in lighting and sockets. It is necessary to make sure that there are no open sections of electrical wiring anywhere, the sockets are equipped with moisture-proof covers, and the cabinet is installed in such a way that water cannot enter them.
- Harmless materials. Perhaps you shouldn’t strive for environmental friendliness, but you should still use chipboard furniture in the bath only as a last resort - exposure to heat and steam can cause the release of harmful substances from it.
- High-quality installation. It’s scary to think what would happen if a glass bathroom cabinet collapsed onto the tiled floor. Make sure the cabinet brackets are installed correctly and that the cabinet itself is hung correctly.
Dark wood furniture in the bathroom Red cabinets in the modern style in the bathroom
Choosing furniture for the bathroom is a responsible matter. If you take it seriously and carefully examine all the aspects of this matter mentioned above, a positive result is guaranteed!
To save space
For this purpose, corner cabinets in the bathroom come in handy. If the room is spacious, it is worth purchasing a couple of designs. One such cabinet will fit perfectly in a small bathroom. Both wall-mounted and floor-mounted corner storage products are convenient to use.
The pencil case looks very nice. You can make a set of wall-mounted and floor-mounted structures, then the furniture in the bathroom interior will look more monolithic and harmonious. It is convenient to place a wall cabinet above a corner sink.
Selection according to room layout
If the room is not too small, then you can consider the option of arranging it using a compact and spacious bathroom cabinet. If the bathroom is small, it is recommended to install a half-case for storing household chemicals, towels and hygiene products. Furniture installed in such a room is always practical.
In addition to spaciousness and compactness, it is important that the products are moisture resistant, since it is intended to be installed in a room with high humidity. This question should not be missed. In the worst case, money will be thrown away.
Important! The type of product according to the type of installation, the features of the bathroom and the interior design also matter. The final choice of furniture will depend on this.
According to the type of installation, the cabinet can be:
- hanging;
- corner;
- floor;
- rotating;
- with mirror and basket.
Hanging models are good because they make cleaning the room easier. Also, the furniture will not be damaged if there is a flood. As for pencil cases with legs, they are practical to use in their own way, and the material of the panels does not come into contact with water.
For small bathrooms, hanging half-pencil cases or corner furniture are better suited. An element of convenience and practicality is the built-in laundry basket, which is most often located in the lower compartment.
If they want and need to save space, they decide to install a hanging model equipped with a mirror. The product looks harmonious above the washbasin.
Also, for a small room, a tall, narrow cabinet with one door is considered a suitable solution. Despite the fact that the product looks compact, it is spacious.
Floor models
Such a pencil case is installed directly on the floor, on legs or an additional surface.
In a tall cabinet you can store bath accessories, cleaning and washing products, as well as linen.
In addition to shelves, the furniture set includes drawers and baskets for storing dirty things.
Mounted
A narrow cabinet for a bathroom can be wall-hung. Such models are considered spacious and complement any room interior. The main advantage of the product is the preservation of useful floor area and ease of cleaning. With such furnishings, the bathroom seems more spacious.
If the room is small, then you can install a washing machine or washbasin under the wall cabinet.
Corner
Based on the name, such a pencil case is mounted directly in the corner of the bathroom. The advantage of this solution is that it takes up unused space. Accordingly, it becomes possible to save more space.
Corner cabinets can differ in quality, capacity, dimensions, functionality, appearance and price. The last criterion directly depends on the manufacturer and the raw materials used for manufacturing.
Rotating
These models of pencil cases are good because they provide the possibility of their rotation due to a special mechanism. This part is installed in the center of the structure.
The cabinet can be installed anywhere in the bathroom, which is important for rooms with non-standard dimensions. Everything stored in the drawers will be accessible from any side. Due to the rotating design, rational operation of the external and internal sections of the pencil case is ensured.
For better furniture efficiency, you can mount a mirror in one wall and place holders for towels and bathrobes on the other. There will be hanging shelves on the third and fourth walls.
Thanks to the rotating model of the pencil case, the bathroom becomes comfortable and stylish.
Expert opinion
Olga Kovalenko
Since 2010 I have been engaged in interior design and architectural design.
When choosing bathroom furniture, it is worth checking how long it will last in high humidity conditions. As a rule, specialized pencil cases are made of moisture-resistant materials.
With a mirror
The main advantage of tall floor cabinets with a mirror is the ability to see yourself in full height and a reflection from behind if you install reflective glass on the opposite wall of the pencil case. This feature is more important for women who like to preen themselves before going out.
Based on personal preference, the mirror cloth can be on the facade of the furniture, on the inside surface of the door, or instead of the leaf.
Often mirrored pencil cases are installed to visually increase the space. This solution is ideal for owners of small bathrooms.
If you plan to combine a cabinet with a mirror surface, then close attention should be paid to the fastening of the hinges. In such cases, the door curtains should have special closers for soft closing of the leaves.
Depending on the design of the bathroom, the mirrored pencil case can be complemented with original lighting.
With basket
If there is a washing machine in the bathroom, then it is advisable to purchase furniture with a built-in laundry basket. This option will save useful space.
On sale you can find the following cabinet models:
- the basket for dirty things moves out due to the wheels installed on the panel;
- this element can be mounted on the sash. Then, when it is opened, the container becomes available for use.
Before buying such furniture, you should make sure in advance that it will be convenient to use in a particular room.
Bench cabinets that are installed in front of the bathroom bowl
If the interior style of this room is Provence or romantic, it makes sense to decorate it with a small bench, which will also become an indispensable storage place for everything necessary for taking water procedures.
This product perfectly combines comfort and functionality. It is appropriate to equip such a cabinet with lighting, which will make the bathroom truly unique.
Rules of operation and care
The service life of the product depends on compliance with the rules of operation and maintenance.
The condition of the furniture in general and the operation of the sliding mechanism will be positively affected by the presence of forced ventilation. In its absence, you will have to regularly ventilate the room and closet.
The movement of the door leaves should be smooth, without jerking. It is necessary to monitor the condition of the lower guide and rollers, clean and replace damaged parts in a timely manner. The main problem is dust, hair, and pet fur. What is wound around the wheels is cut off, and then the debris is removed with a vacuum cleaner.
The lower positioner also suffers from dirt and needs to be cleaned every 3-5 months. If you do not do this, the door will stop springing, begin to jump and make a rumble.
Schlegel is wiped with a damp cloth. If it peels off, remove the residue from the surface of the profile with alcohol, and then glue the sealant with a suitable composition.
During cleaning, it is allowed to use products that do not contain aggressive components and abrasives. To remove drops of moisture and condensation from the surfaces of cabinets and metal profiles, a soft cloth made of flannel, cotton fabric or microfiber is best suited.
Moisture-resistant chipboard type
The option is budget-friendly and quite good due to the large assortment of colors and sizes. Chipboard cabinets, which manufacturers make specifically for bathrooms, are coated with a melamine-based water-repellent solution. The joints of the surfaces are covered with tapes so that moisture does not get inside through the edges and the material does not swell.
MDF
A more expensive analogue of chipboard, it is covered with a special substance or film to protect it from moisture.
It will last much longer than chipboard if no chips are formed during installation where moisture can get in. Good value for money.
Cabinet made of glass or with glass inserts
A very practical and winning option for the bathroom. A cabinet made of darkened glass looks great. But the most interesting are the structures made entirely of this material. Such a product becomes a stylish piece of furniture, an exquisite decorative element, which also accommodates the necessary accessories.
Glass is highly resistant to moisture, but it requires special care. To prevent stains and stains from remaining on the surface, it must be treated with special solutions for glass and washed very carefully so as not to scratch it.
Lighting options
Additional lighting on cabinets can be practical or decorative. In the first case, sconces or spotlights above the mirror are usually used - they illuminate the washing area. For aesthetic purposes, LEDs are built into the models at the end of the reflective surface or along the perimeter. A wardrobe with a mirror and such lighting looks really cozy.
Also, for decoration, hidden spots are placed on the surface of the mirror, which provide pleasant diffused light. This option is also convenient from a practical point of view.
The following types of lamps are used for illumination:
- halogen;
- luminescent;
- neon;
- LEDs.
The latter are preferable because they are completely safe, durable, and do not burn out due to temperature changes and power surges.
Mirror of the soul and soul
A mirrored cabinet in a bathroom is a truly designer solution. A variety of models, including mounted ones, are convenient and very practical. The cabinet replaces or complements existing mirrors, which is very useful for a small bathroom.
Some designs are equipped only with mirror doors, which is also functional because it eliminates the need to purchase a large mirror.
Examples of successful bathroom design
In order to choose the right furniture and understand in advance whether a particular model is suitable for the layout, it is recommended to look at photographs of suitable options in the assembly.
Metal bathroom cabinet
This product is appropriate in any interior. Looks especially great in modern, loft, hi-tech, and classic styles. It is important that the cabinet is made of stainless steel, or its structure is coated with a water-repellent composition. To make the product lighter, manufacturers combine it with plastic inserts. And it often looks very attractive and not so cumbersome.
Closed, open and combined cabinets
A closed cabinet completely hides the contents behind the door. This will save the items located there from moisture if the doors are sealed. Plus, in general, visually everything will look neat and not cluttered.
Open cabinets are often used as decorative space and are great for spacious bathrooms.
Combined ones are convenient because you can arrange items conveniently, according to the frequency of their use, for example.
Plastic
Perhaps the most practical and durable material from which bathroom cabinets are made. The plastic is lightweight, not susceptible to moisture, easy to clean, and very suitable for hanging structures.
However, this type of product is very fragile and can easily be deformed or scratched. In addition, it is better not to store many large bottles of shampoo or shower gels in such a cabinet. It won't support much weight.
But a few towels, shaving accessories, a couple of jars of cream, that’s enough. Plastic is afraid of sunlight. But almost no direct rays enter the bathroom of an apartment or house, so there is no need to worry in this case.
Furniture materials
Today the following materials are used to make furniture:
- solid wood;
- glass;
- polymers;
- metals not subject to corrosion;
- MDF;
- moisture-proof chipboards.
Wooden cabinets are always a timeless classic. To protect such products from the effects of dampness, they are finished with special paints and varnishes.
Wooden furniture will bring coziness to the bathroom interior
MDF structures are cheaper and more popular than wooden products. To protect them from moisture, the planes are first primed in several layers, and at the end they are treated with colored finishing paint or plastic film.
Cabinet furniture made of chipboard is coated with hydrophobic melamine. The ends are covered with a special edge that prevents moisture from getting inside. This will help prevent the material from swelling and rotting.
Products made from MDF and chipboard are inexpensive and of fairly high quality
Often there are plastic cabinets above the washbasin. Such furniture does not require reliable fastening due to its low weight and is completely unaffected by moisture.
Plastic furniture is not afraid of moisture, but can withstand light weight
Now the industry produces bathroom furniture of universal design. That is, the product can be assembled in any way convenient for you. You can determine the direction of opening the doors, the number and height of the shelves. In addition, plastic bathroom cabinets, photos of which you will find in the gallery of this article, can be easily repainted, which allows you to fit them into the interior of any design and style.
Wooden designs for the bathroom
It is worth choosing cabinets made of durable types of wood. They are more expensive, but more wear-resistant. Manufacturers treat such models with special agents for better water repellency.
It is only important to remember that wooden cabinets are more appropriate in large bathrooms, as well as in classic, loft, and Provence styles.
Colors and shapes
Classic colors of bathroom furniture are white and blue. But modern designers offer many other options. You can find a wall cabinet with a mirror for any interior.
Models in dark tones and metallic colors are suitable for a high-tech bathroom, gray and beige for a minimalist interior, and bright, muted ones for country and Provence. If the main part of the cabinet is occupied by a mirror, you can choose a model with side walls to match the decoration of the room or other furniture.
Most products are dominated by strict geometric shapes, but there are also options with round or oval mirrors and rounded shelves.
Basic recommendations for selection
First, you need to decide on the size of the product, as well as its shape and type of construction (floor-mounted, wall-mounted, corner, pencil case, etc.). Next, it is important to think about the material from which it is made, as well as how to secure it. Outline the installation location of the product and check all the practical aspects: what will be stored in it, how to arrange it so as not to constantly bang your head against the corner of the cabinet.
It is advisable to purchase a product that comes with a warranty. The style and color of the model must match the overall design of the bathroom.
Manufacturers and prices
There are a large number of companies engaged in the production of specialized cabinets for bathrooms, so it is difficult for the buyer to quickly make a choice and navigate the price. The cost of furniture largely depends on the popularity of the company and the country of production.
Products from the following brands are available on the modern market:
- domestic TMs – Onika, Bricklayer, Santa, Aquaton, Aquarius A+ and Bellezza;
- foreign brands - Roca, Edelform, Vicenza, Ferrara and Dreja.
For example, bathroom cabinets TM Aquaton, depending on needs and personal preferences, can be purchased in the price range of 7,500-10,000 rubles.
Roca furniture products are more expensive - from 10,500 to 11,000 rubles. They also pay attention to budget models from VELVEX, the price of which varies from 4,400 rubles. If necessary, you can buy a pencil case of better quality and configuration for 15,000 rubles.
How not to overpay
Often, the buyer can choose from quite expensive models of bathroom cabinets, positioned as exclusive. But in reality it turns out that this is just a marketing ploy.
The product is made of low-quality materials, it just looks very expensive and beautiful. Therefore, you need to carefully check the materials from which the cabinets are made and check whether there is water-repellent impregnation. On site in the store, check the integrity of the structure, the operation of opening parts, and the reliability of fittings.
