The bathroom is often limited to a small area, so it is important to organize the space as functional as possible. The process of taking a bath or shower is accompanied by the use of a large number of bath accessories, cosmetics and hygiene products, so the cabinet in the bathroom should be roomy. You need to choose the right dimensions so that the furniture does not take up all the free space, and choose materials that are resistant to moisture.
Content
- 1 Basic requirements that a bathroom cabinet must meet
- 2 Types of designs and the main purpose of bathroom cabinets
- 3 Classification of bathroom cabinets: basic types and shapes
- 4 Materials for a basement or wall cabinet in the bathroom: advantages and disadvantages
- 5 Advantages of wall cabinets for the bathroom: products with a mirror
- 6 The main options for floor cabinets in the bathroom
- 7 Cabinet-shelf, cabinet-pencil case in the bathroom and other convenient designs
Basic requirements that a bathroom cabinet must meet
The bathroom is not characterized by the simplest operating conditions. This is constant humidity and temperature changes. When choosing a bathroom cabinet, you need to be sure that the material from which the body and facade are made will withstand all the loads.
Important! Steam and water are the main reasons why you shouldn't skimp on furniture. Low-quality options will swell very quickly and lose their attractive appearance.
The main requirement that bathroom furniture must meet is increased resistance to moisture. In this case, objects in the plumbing room are not only exposed to humid air, but also to direct splashes of water, and in some cases even jets. In the room, there is always the possibility of force majeure situations, such as pipe breakthroughs or flooding by neighbors.
The second important characteristic that bathroom cabinets must meet is temperature resistance. The temperature in the bathroom is constantly changing, the range of differences can be significant. The materials used to manufacture the cabinets must not only be able to withstand such vibrations, but also maintain their original size and performance.
Frequently, floor-standing or wall-mounted cabinets in bathrooms are used to store a large amount of body care products, household appliances, heavy towels and cosmetics.Together, these items form a rather large load both on the body and on the shelves of the product, so you should take care of the strength in advance and find out what the maximum weight is for the furniture. In addition to the high weight, the surfaces of the facades can be subject to impacts and mechanical friction, which should also be considered when choosing furniture.
What else you need to pay attention to when choosing a wardrobe in the bathroom
Resistance to humidity and temperature transmission is the most important characteristic, taking into account which bathroom furniture is selected. However, there are other parameters that a wall cabinet in the bathroom must correspond to:
- Resistant to sunlight. This function is necessary when there is a window in the bathroom. In this case, it is recommended to choose cabinets with a coating that does not fade under the influence of sunlight.
- Functionality. In addition to the fact that in a small bathroom it is important to use the entire area competently, it would be nice to equip the cabinet with additional functions: a mirror, lighting, convenient fittings or pull-out baskets. All these details will make the furniture operation more convenient.
- Quality. If you buy a low-quality product, then quite quickly under such difficult operating conditions it will cease to have an attractive appearance: it will swell up due to moisture or, conversely, disperse at the junction. Therefore, you should not save on the purchase, so that you do not have to purchase a new cabinet after a short time.
- Price. You should not choose the first model that comes across, which is suitable for the price and appearance. It is better to study the market before buying to determine the most profitable options, not only affordable, but also meeting other necessary requirements.
In addition to the main points that affect the duration of the use of furniture, experts recommend paying attention to other characteristics:
- Dimensions. Due to the fact that the bathroom is a small room, the size of the cabinet should be selected so that there is room for free movement and you do not have to constantly hit the product. If the area of the room is completely limited, then even the size of the hinged locker the bathroom should be minimal.
- Design. A cabinet that matches the style of the room in color, shape and design will be an organic addition to the room.
- Manufacturer. There are companies whose products are bought most often, so you can find reviews about the products and draw a conclusion about the quality of the products.
Interesting information! Basically, designers distinguish these types of cabinets in the bathroom: mirror, wall-mounted, floor-standing, corner and a variant of the vanity unit. The choice of the type of product depends on the characteristics of the room and the personal preferences of the owners. It is perfectly acceptable to use several options in one room, especially if the area allows.
Types of designs and the main purpose of bathroom cabinets
Depending on the purpose, the cabinets are divided into several types, which is why the place of their installation and size depend. So, a linen closet needs to be equipped with a large number of shelves on which towels, bathrobes or even bed linen will be stored. It is preferable to place such a cabinet in the bathroom above a washing machine that is equipped with a drying function. It is very convenient to take dry laundry out of the drum and immediately fold it into place.
If you install a cabinet under the sink, then, in addition to the fact that the inner space will be used as a storage place for the necessary items, using the cabinet you can successfully close pipes, siphons, connections or meters. The cabinet under the bathroom has the same advantages, which is equipped from the edge of the bowl to the floor.
In some cases, it is difficult to find a technique that matches the chosen style or color scheme of the room.In this case, it is recommended to make a separate cabinet for the washing machine in the bathroom, the facades of which will be an ideal addition to the room. It is very important that the cabinet for the washing machine in the bathroom is slightly wider and taller than the appliances. It should be borne in mind that during the washing process the position of the appliance is dynamic, therefore it is unacceptable for the machine to hit hard against the cabinet walls during the spin cycle.
Another disadvantage is considered to be a violation of ventilation of the device in a narrow cabinet, leading to an excessive accumulation of moisture. Therefore, there must be enough space between the walls of the household appliance and the cabinet for normal operation.
Classification of bathroom cabinets: basic types and shapes
Among the main types of cabinet models are:
- case;
- built-in.
Cabinet furniture is distinguished by the mandatory presence of a base or frame, which consists of the required number of slats of various parameters, assembled to form a rigid structure. The frame not only provides the piece of furniture with strength and stability, but also defines the shape of the product. In cabinet cabinets, it is possible to build in a large number of pull-out shelves and boxes. The following are considered popular:
- Floor models. They are installed either directly on the floor, or feet are used for this. Most often in the bathroom, you can see several floor-standing cabinets located on different sides of the sink or just along the walls.
- Hanging cabinets in the bathroom, mounted directly on the wall. These can be under-the-bathroom cabinets without legs or classic cabinets directly above the sink.
A distinctive feature of built-in furniture is the absence of a frame. Basically, such products are installed in free niches. It is important here to be sure that the walls are flat and the shelves are installed correctly. If it is skewed, the doors may not close tightly. Raised parts of the shelves will negatively affect the mountings, which often leads to breakage. In addition, using the installed built-in cabinet, you can advantageously hide irregularities on the wall and other negative nuances of repair.
Built-in wardrobes are most often made to order, because dimensions are mostly required for individual and unique ones. The advantages of this furniture are the correct organization of space and the use of non-functional zones. The disadvantages include the fact that the furniture is installed permanently and cannot be moved or transported.
Regardless of the purpose or type of construction, all cabinets are divided in shape, the most popular of which are:
- Geometrically correct. This variety includes classic product options that have a square or rectangular shape. The facades are mostly simple and without abundant decor. Most often, furniture is sold in sets.
- Corner. Corner cabinets fit most successfully into the bathroom, which is small in size. For installation, you need to choose a roomy and convenient corner where the structure designed for storing vials and bottles will fit well.
- Horizontal. Most often they are rectangular cabinets that are mounted directly under the ceiling. For convenience, this version of the wall cabinet for the bathroom is recommended to be equipped with lifting or folding fittings.
- Pencil cases. They are narrow but tall furniture. They are often installed in a niche, usually without doors.
- Whatnot. A small cabinet, which is complemented by legs or castors, can be easily moved to a convenient place if necessary.
- Coupe. A kind of large cabinet, equipped with sliding doors. It is considered a good option for installation in a large bathroom or a combined bathroom.
Materials for a basement or wall cabinet in the bathroom: advantages and disadvantages
In retail outlets, a large selection of rectangular, corner cabinets for the bathroom or other options is presented, made of various materials, the quality of which determines the price of the finished product.
Related article:
Bathroom interior: the rules of beautiful and comfortable design
Stylistic and functional design features of a bathroom of different sizes combined with a bathroom. Councils for the repair.
Furniture from natural solid wood looks the most attractive and expensive in the bathroom. Wooden cabinets will be a beautiful addition to any interior. A significant disadvantage of natural cabinets is their high price, because for installation in such a humid room it is better to use the most durable and dense wood species. Most often, expensive species are used for the manufacture of furniture, such as oak, maple and aspen. The most expensive cabinets are made from exotic options: wenge and teak. The budget models include bamboo lockers.
Useful advice! In order for wooden furniture, despite the constant high humidity of the environment, to serve longer, it is imperative to treat the body and facade with special protective substances: varnishes, paints and oils. Furniture that is regularly handled will look attractive for longer.
Cabinets made of MDF panels, for the production of which shredded wood chips are used with the addition of a natural adhesive, usually lignin or paraffin, are distinguished by a good price-quality ratio. Under the influence of the press, the chips stick together and form sheets. Thanks to the use of only natural ingredients, the furniture is considered environmentally friendly.
The cheapest cabinets are made from chipboard sheets, which are made from finer (compared to MDF) wood chips. The main difference between chipboard is considered to be the fact that not natural, but synthetic material is used to hold the particles together, more often formaldehyde resin, which can release toxic substances when heated. If you choose a low-quality material, then the cabinet will quickly swell or unstick. If the chipboard sheets are covered with a polymer compound on top, then such products will not be afraid of moisture, temperature changes and will last a long time.
Other materials in demand include:
- Plastic. The furniture looks very attractive and retains its appearance perfectly, even after prolonged stay in a damp sanitary room. Other advantages are considered to be the low price of finished products, a large selection of models. Special processing of the material allows you to give the structure any shape.
- Metal. In this case, you should give preference to high-quality stainless steel. Chromed cabinets made in combination with natural wood look especially beautiful.
- Glass. It behaves perfectly in any environment, visually does not take up space in a small bathroom. It is important to use durable tempered glass with cut corners. A glass wall cabinet with a bathroom mirror will become an object of attention, especially when used in combination with frosted panels.
Advantages of wall cabinets for the bathroom: products with a mirror
The main advantage of the wall cabinet is its location on the wall, so that it does not take up useful space and does not interfere with free movement around the room. This option is considered an excellent solution for a small bathroom when the size is selected based on the amount of free space.It is very convenient to install a wall cabinet over the sink and arrange the necessary cosmetics in it.
A hinged mirror cabinet or a product with mirrored doors will look most beautiful in the bathroom. The use of furniture with mirrored surfaces will help to visually increase the size of a small room. A cabinet installed above the sink is not only considered practical and convenient, but also looks elegant, especially if it has good lighting in addition to it. In this case, it is recommended to choose models with a hidden socket, which will allow you to use a hairdryer or other care devices in front of the mirror.
A wall cabinet in a bathroom with a mirror can be either solid or have only a mirrored central door, on the sides of which there are ordinary cabinets or simply open shelves... Shelves made of transparent glass look very nice. A mirror-cabinet with illumination in a narrow bathroom will help to visually "push" the walls.
Useful advice! Even if it is not possible to install cabinets with a bathroom mirror, you can simply fix a mirror with glass shelves above the sink, which will also look beneficial in a bathroom of any size.
A corner wall cabinet in the bathroom will not only save space, but also use the free corner correctly. It can be made as an independent object, or with its help, extend the rectangular cabinet above the sink, adding useful volume to it. In this case, it is advisable to choose a corner wardrobe in the bathroom with a mirror, which will allow you to consider yourself from different angles. The most practical can be considered a corner pencil case, which has the greatest capacity.
The main options for floor cabinets in the bathroom
Floor standing cabinets are divided into three types: with casters, legs or without them. Furniture can be either free-standing or mounted under the sink, closing communications. The advantage of the model on wheels is the mobility of the product and the ability to easily move the cabinet after installation. The main thing is to choose the casters from a material resistant to corrosion.
The product with legs is considered to be quite practical from the point of view of cleaning, especially when compared to cabinets that are installed directly on the floor. Under the leg structure, it is easy to clean with a mop without having to move it.
If preference is given to the option without legs, it is necessary to correctly approach the choice of the material from which the frame is made, because it will constantly be exposed to moisture. It should be borne in mind that water is often spilled on the floor, which can leak under the cabinet and cause the product to swell. Also, under the cabinet, which is installed directly on the floor covering, it is impossible to equip a warm floor.
The under-sink cabinet is considered the most popular option, thanks to which you can not only fold things, but also make the bathroom attractive. It is perfectly acceptable to use a floor-standing mirror cabinet in the bathroom, which will look weightless, especially in a small room. The size of the product is selected depending on the width of the sink to be installed. If a design with mirrored doors is chosen, then between them and the sink, you need to additionally mount a body bar that will hold the sink.
Useful advice! If you plan to install a cabinet with a mirror or a glass surface in the bathroom, you need to purchase special care products in advance that do not leave streaks on the surface. It is also important to install a forced ventilation device, which will allow the steam not to linger in the room.
Cabinet-shelf, cabinet-pencil case in the bathroom and other convenient designs
The cabinet-shelf is a combined piece of furniture, characterized by the presence of open and closed areas. Often, the cabinet is complemented by a mirror or a blank door, with which some of the shelves are closed. At the same time, the second part of the product remains open and allows you to decompose items used daily. A wardrobe shelf is usually part of cabinet furniture.
For a large room, the best option is to install a wardrobe, where you can immediately place both linen and cosmetics. Thanks to the use of sliding doors, such a cabinet can be installed behind plumbing items. Sometimes this option becomes an excellent solution for dividing a combined bathroom, in this case it plays the role of a partition.
A pencil case in the bathroom is considered the most spacious. Its elongated shape allows maximum use of the vertical plane of the wall, right up to the ceiling. If you correctly organize the internal filling and divide the cabinet into sectors, then it will be possible to orderly store various items. On the lower shelves of the floor case in the bathroom, it is recommended to save heavy powders or containers with household chemicals, and the upper shelves can be used to place lighter items on them. This arrangement will make the cabinet more stable.
You can not only install a tall and narrow pencil case in one corner, but also place several products symmetrically on both sides of the sink. If desired, instead of a structure with legs, a hinged pencil case is mounted, under which it is easy to clean. By installing even one tall cabinet, you can replace all the furniture necessary for storing things with it.
A small bathroom area should be used as efficiently as possible. To store things, towels, cosmetics and household chemicals, you will need to use a certain space. It is important that the dimensions of the bathroom cabinet correspond to the size of the room, because you need to leave enough space in the room for free movement. When installing a wall or base cabinet, you should make sure that you do not have to stumble over the furniture or bump your head against it.