Cupboards in the living room: types and choices

If the living room area allows, then many people place in it, in addition to the traditional sofa with a TV, also a cabinet for storing dishes. It is worth giving preference to an elegant and multifunctional design, so as not to overload the room and use the available free space wisely.

The cupboard comes in three main varieties: a sideboard, a sideboard and a display cabinet. The sideboard is a classic model equipped with three tiers. The lower one, as a rule, is closed with wooden doors or is a combination of several boxes. At the very top, glass partitions are installed to protect the existing dishes from dust. Between the upper and lower tiers there is a free niche in which you can place a vase, figurines or other decor.

The cupboard of the sideboard variety consists of two tiers: an upper and a lower one. Glass panels are installed at the top of the façade and on both side walls. Sideboards are installed when it is decided to place a large amount of expensive and beautiful dishes inside, including exquisite sets, crystal glasses and salad bowls. The lower tier of the structure is closed and is used to store tablecloths, cutlery and napkins. It is customary to make such a cabinet low so that the owners do not have any difficulties with cleaning it and moving the dishes.

The display cabinet is easy to distinguish by the presence of full glass doors and, in most cases, a mirrored panel at the back. Its acquisition makes sense again in the case when the existing dishes have an attractive appearance. Some designers, by the way, use showcases not only for direct storage, but also as a partition for zoning the living room into separate components.

Besides, hanging wardrobe is often found in the living room... This design is suitable for small spaces or interiors decorated in a minimalist style. Since the hanging cabinet still holds less weight than the floor cabinet, of course, you should not overload it with stacks of plates, but a neat tea set or a set of glasses will perfectly fit into the space. Sometimes a neat hanging cabinet is combined with a floor chest of drawers. If the suspension structure is angular, then its doors open either upward or downward, or to one side. Often everything is additionally highlighted for a more effective display of dishes.

However, corner cabinet can be traditional floor-standing... The design fits organically into the most inconvenient part of the room and thereby saves space. The capacity of such a cabinet is quite large, and the dishes can be seen from all sides of the room. It should be mentioned that if the room has a niche or an incomprehensible depression, then it makes sense to organize a built-in wardrobe in this place. This design will cost less than a full-fledged sideboard or sideboard, and will also allow you to get rid of the room defect. Also, a built-in wardrobe often becomes part of a large furniture wall.

Various materials are used today for the manufacture of cabinets, which allows each buyer to make the best choice in accordance with their own preferences and financial capabilities. Of course, solid wood looks the most impressive, for example, walnut, oak or pine. In addition to its beautiful appearance, this material is durable and has a long service life. MDF is a more budgetary variation that looks no less attractive, but costs significantly less. Particleboard is considered an even cheaper material, however, its performance leaves much to be desired.

Exposure to liquid can lead to delamination of the panels, so at least a varnish coating is required for additional protection. The use of veneer means that thin solid wood panels are fixed to the chipboard. This looks good, but is not very durable. A plastic cupboard is quite rare, but it is still found in living rooms decorated in one of the modern styles. Such material is quite practical, is not afraid of moisture and mechanical stress, and is also easy to clean.

The cupboard can be completely glass, or glass can be used only for the facade or individual parts. In addition to the usual transparent material, colored models are popular, as well as those equipped with mirrors. For the decoration of glass structures, it is customary to use sandblasting images, which are applied either outside or inside.

A modern cabinet for storing dishes can be made in absolutely any colors and styles, taking into account only the general interior design. For example, in small rooms or those in which there is not enough natural light, it is recommended to purchase structures of a white shade, additionally varnished. The same applies to living rooms decorated in a white shade or in a minimalist style.

Classic interiors require wood cabinets with the most natural colors possible. Hi-tech allows the use of stylish colors, for example, "metal" or sandy-golden. In a Scandinavian interior, sea blue, calm yellow, and ordinary white will look good. From the inside, the appearance of the cupboard can also be different. For shelves, as a rule, durable transparent or tinted glass, or plastic or acrylic is used. Heavy crockery is stored on sturdy shelves made of natural wood or MDF.

The main rule for choosing a dish cabinet in the hall is that it must match the overall interior of the room. As an option, for a classically decorated living room, you will need a solid wood sideboard, the facade of which is decorated in the form of numerous windows, separated by wooden partitions. For minimalism, a translucent showcase of a simple form and without any accessories is more appropriate. In all cases, the thickness of the glass used must be at least 5 millimeters, and the material itself must be of high quality - resistant to mechanical stress and tempered.

Even at the purchase stage, you will have to check the strength of the fasteners and moving parts. The size of the interior item is determined depending on the amount of dishes to be stored inside. The height of the cabinet can start from 60 centimeters and go all the way to the ceiling.

It is customary to place a cupboard in a spacious living room either in the center of the room or not far from the existing table with chairs. In small rooms, of course, preference is given to the available free space that does not block the aisles. Ideally, the sideboard or display cabinet is set up to receive as much natural light as possible. In addition, quite often a cupboard is also used for zoning - then it separates the recreation area from the dining area.

A large and spacious room, decorated in a classic style, even allows you to place a composition of several cupboards, differing in size, but decorated in the same style. On the left is a two-tier sideboard, at the bottom of which there are two pull-out wardrobes, and above there are glass shelves. Since the facade and both walls of the upper tier are decorated with glass panels, this allows you to see the dishes from any angle. Further, there is a massive structure, which is a closed cabinet in the middle and shelves behind glass on the sides. Its height is less than that of other elements of the composition, which adds harmony to the overall picture and allows decorative elements to be placed on the top panel.

Finally, on the right is a wardrobe, the entire front and side surfaces of which are decorated with glass. There are enough shelves inside for displaying dishes. All furniture elements are made of natural wood, painted in a beautiful deep brown natural shade. A framed mirror is hung over a low cabinet in its entire width, in addition, stands for plants in pots or vases are placed between the individual elements.

The design of the living room in a modern style allows you to place an unusual cupboard with lighting in two colors. The design is made in such a way that at the top there are shelves behind the glass, and at the bottom there are closed niches for storing plates or tablecloths. The cabinet frame is made of white MDF, the shade of which matches the furniture in the room. The cabinet contains 2 versions of alternating violet and yellow illumination.

Another spacious living room, decorated in a classic style, allows you to place 2 types of cupboards. One of them is corner and almost completely closed - the only exception is the glass insert in the upper part. A comfortable shape completely occupies the corner and thereby adds harmony to the room. A second cupboard is located next to the TV. At the bottom there is a small drawer, and on top everything is closed by a door with a glass front in a wooden "frame". The cabinets are made of solid wood, including the sides. As a color, a natural wood shade was chosen, corresponding to the other presented interior items.

If the living room is already overflowing with furniture, then it is better to take a small cupboard. For example, it may turn out to be a white sideboard, the lower tier of which is closed with white doors, and the upper tier is decorated with glass. The shelves are also glass inside. The "highlight" of such a cabinet is its unusual shape with a narrower upper tier and a wider lower tier, as well as golden rounded decorations and fittings. Since the height of the cabinet is small, decorative elements of bright colors, for example, vases, are placed on top of it.

For an overview of a luxurious classic sideboard cabinet made of inexpensive materials, see the following video.