Wardrobes in the hallway: varieties and choices
Despite the popularity of the compact and ergonomic wardrobe, many people prefer to place a classic swing design in the hallway. This option requires more space, but it makes it easier to implement an interesting design idea. In addition, the swing cabinet is more functional - among modern models you can find an option with drawers or folding drawers, which will optimize storage of things.
Today in the assortment of furniture stores you will find wardrobes made in different stylistic directions - from luxurious baroque to strict minimalism.
It is important to choose exactly the option that will not only harmoniously fit into the interior of your hallway, but will also be comfortable to use.
Peculiarities
Among the main advantages of swing cabinets is a wide range of products. Choosing a wardrobe in a corridor with a large number of compartments and shelves, you can select your own zone for each group of things. For example, drawers can store shoe care products, keep the shoes themselves conveniently in a compartment with sloped shelves or in special folding drawers, and bulky hats or seasonal clothes can be placed on the mezzanine.
The convenience of using a swing cabinet depends on a number of factors, among which high-quality fittings play an important role. For furniture doors, the following types can be distinguished:
- classic piano hinges;
- hinges with a closer;
- push opening mechanisms.
The first option is the most budgetary, it is suitable for those who rarely use a wardrobe in the hallway., since with frequent opening / closing of doors, the fittings begin to emit unpleasant creaking sounds. Also, the doors can be askew and leave a gap when closed.
Hinges with closers or shock absorbers are a more practical option. They will last much longer and will allow you not to wake up your family if you come at a late hour, thanks to their soft and smooth ride.
Cabinet door opening systems with a push is a modern and ergonomic version of the fittings. As a rule, the handles on the doors are completely absent, which simplifies the process of washing the facades. And also these mechanisms are durable in use and absolutely silent.
Wardrobes in the hallway often include drawers. When choosing the best option, it is important to pay attention to the quality of their fittings. There are also several options here:
- roller mechanisms;
- telescopic fittings with ball guides;
- metal box with door closers.
Roller fittings are economical and easy to install, and among its shortcomings can be noted fragility, noise during the operation of the mechanism, as well as the impossibility of fully opening the box - it extends only 2/3 of the total capacity.
The second option is more reliable and durable: the hardware has a smoother ride and can withstand a higher load.
The metal box construction is designed for heavy loads (up to 30 kg). It will be very useful if you plan to store tools in the drawer of the hallway.
Manufacturing materials
The materials used for the manufacture of the cabinet will determine its appearance, service life and price. Most often, both in budget and in expensive models, the body is made of laminated chipboard, only the material of the facades differs. They can be made from:
- Chipboard;
- MDF;
- solid wood.
Among the advantages of laminated chipboard, one can single out not only the democratic price: the panel is laminated with a durable film coating, the design of which can be absolutely any. In addition, it is a durable and reliable material that is resistant to mechanical and thermal stress.
Among its shortcomings, one can note the presence of formaldehyde resins in the composition, the impossibility of decorative processing. Often, for budget models, the back wall is made of fiberboard.
The structure of MDF opens up ample opportunities for non-standard design solutions: artistic carving and milling, stained glass and decorative glass inserts. The material is also resistant to damage and moisture, but is more environmentally friendly.
For the production of solid wood facades, elite types of wood are most often used, such as oak, walnut, beech, pine and mahogany. Such furniture looks very elegant and luxurious, while the drawing of each cut is unique. The design of such facades can be unique, and the service life will be tens of years.
If you wish, you can always order a cabinet, the body and internal filling of which are made of MDF or solid wood. Such a decision can hit the family budget, but in this case, the cabinet will be completely environmentally friendly.
Shape and dimensions
The size and shape of the swing cabinet will depend on the capacity of the hallway. So, in a small room it is best to place a built-in structure. If the hallway has the shape of a narrow rectangle, it would be rational to install a cabinet 35-40 cm deep in it along one of the walls. If the depth of the cabinet is shallow, it is important to take into account that the hanger bar is retractable - so it will be possible to place hangers of any width in the cabinet.
If a small hallway is in the shape of a square, you can install a built-in corner-shaped structure with an average or minimum depth in it, or place a deep cabinet along one of the walls.
Among the ready-made models for a small hallway it is better to choose taller and wider, but shallower. This will help you leave enough free space while still keeping everything you need in your closet.
If you do not plan to store too many things in the hallway, feel free to choose the most compact model. This will allow you to feel at ease even if you are going for a walk with the whole family: you do not have to crowded and wait for someone to get dressed to get dressed yourself.
The optimal model for a larger hallway will depend only on its shape: if the room looks like a regular rectangle, the choice may depend on your needs for the interior filling of the cabinet, the design of the room or personal preferences.
When choosing a wardrobe for a hallway that has a non-standard shape, it is always better to give preference to a built-in structure, made according to individual parameters to order.
Color and design
For a small hallway, it is better to choose a light shade model. This could be:
- White;
- cream;
- bleached wood;
- ash;
- Birch;
- smoky oak;
- Naples nut;
- elm;
- alicante;
- royal maple;
- cherry hamilton;
- cremono champagne.
If you want to create a cozy atmosphere in a large hallway, choose rich and dark wood shades:
- wenge;
- tobacco;
- mahogany;
- smoked oak;
- brandy;
- Walnut;
- ebony;
- paduk.
If your interior is dominated by a modern style or you want to add dynamics to the room, you can give preference to saturated solid colors:
- Red;
- Orange;
- blue;
- green;
- olive;
- pink;
- purple;
- fuchsia.
At the same time, it is not necessary for the entire cabinet to be of a flashy shade; it is better to choose a model with a neutral body color, where the emphasis will be on the facades.
It also happens that soon a repair or relocation is planned, and the cabinet is needed now. In such a situation, you can choose a model of neutral shades that can harmoniously fit into any interior, for example:
- puritanical pine;
- Cherry;
- golden oak;
- fruit tree;
- gunstock;
- olive.
The design of the model can overlap with the interior of the hallway, or it can be a bright spot in the center of the overall composition:
- for a room in style baroque, modern or classicism a cabinet with carved facades is ideal;
- facades with milling will look good in a classic, Scandinavian or French interior;
- a combination of carved patterns and milling on the facades will complement the hallway Victorian style;
- accent for a room with a style interior high tech bright monophonic facades with a glossy surface or unusual photo printing will become.
How to choose?
Modern furniture stores offer a wide range of wardrobes for the hallway. The main points that you need to rely on when buying are already listed above, however there are a number of factors that should be considered in order to choose the best option. In addition to size, shape, design and material of manufacture, the interior filling of the cabinet will play an important role. The building blocks and their purpose are listed below.
- Shelves. Closed shelves are rarely used in the hallway wardrobe. As a rule, one or two open shelves are sufficient. They can be used for temporary storage of various little things or you can place decorative elements such as figurines and flowers in pots on them.
- Hanger bar. A transverse bar is used in deep cabinets, and a pull-out bar in narrow ones. If the closet is only needed for seasonal outerwear, you can choose a model with a more compact rod compartment and thus save space.
- Mezzanine. A small mezzanine can be used to store hats, scarves and other accessories. The spacious mezzanine is convenient for storing bulky winter items or for sports equipment such as ice skates, rollers, tennis rackets.
- Sloped shelves. If you have a large number of shoes, it is rational to choose a swing cabinet, which has a compartment with inclined shelves. This will keep your shoes clean and tidy at all times.
- Drawers. Here you can store creams and shoe brushes, as well as other small items.
So, when choosing a cabinet, you should rely on the following points:
- budget;
- internal filling;
- appearance;
- sizes.
The quality of fittings and materials will depend on the budget. If you plan to store a large number of items and clothes in the closet, then pay special attention to the contents of the closet. The appearance of the cabinet should harmoniously fit into the interior of the hallway. Consider the color of the walls, ceiling and doors, as well as the general stylistic direction. The dimensions of the cabinet will largely depend on the capacity of the hallway.
So, based on the listed factors, you can easily choose the best option.
Accommodation
When placing a swing cabinet in the hallway, the highlight will be the space to open the doors, it must be at least 75 cm. This way you can not only open the cabinet door completely, but also have enough space to move freely.
If the hallway cabinet has mirrored inserts, place it in close proximity to the light source - so you can not only better see your reflection, but also visually expand the boundaries of the room.
In case you need to place the cabinet with the end part to the front door, make sure that the free space between them was at least a meter.
Examples in the interior
A laconic wardrobe with milled white facades for a Provence style hallway. Its body successfully matches the door trim, while the design is compact and functional.
Here we can see a black and white cabinet with glossy facades, which fits perfectly into the high-tech interior.
The luxurious interior in the Baroque style is complemented by a walnut-colored wardrobe with milling, painted and carved inserts.
A practical chocolate-colored swing-out wardrobe with a push-open mechanism fits perfectly into a loft-style hallway.
For an overview of the wardrobe with swing doors in the hallway, see the following video.