The design of bathrooms is not limited to plumbing. Today in the arrangement more and more often use furniture. Thanks to her, the atmosphere seems more comfortable and comfortable. This article tells about what furniture for bathrooms is, how to choose and place it.
What should be the furniture?
The microclimate of the sanitary units is different from other rooms in the home. It is almost always damp here; temperature differences and condensate are observed. Often poorly thought out and ventilation. Everything in the bathroom is tested daily for durability. For this reason, furniture purchased for the arrangement of bathrooms should be subject to a number of requirements. It should combine several functions: be convenient, functional, aesthetically attractive. In addition, practicality is important.
The list of basic requirements includes several criteria. Furniture items to be purchased must:
- be resistant to the aggressive effects of a humid environment;
- have the most convenient and safe storage systems;
- be resistant to frequent washing and cleaning;
- be inert to the formation of fungus and mold;
- be durable, made from non-deformable materials.
Bathroom furniture should be environmentally friendly. It excludes the purchase of products made of materials that, during operation, release toxic substances into the air. You need to buy furniture in the bathroom that does not have reliable fastening mechanisms.
In addition to moisture resistance, any element of bathroom furniture should have a certain type of surface. It should not be visible stains and drips. Accessories and coating materials should have a high-quality decorative coating. This applies not only to facades, handles, door hinges, hooks, but also to internal fixtures. Furniture should have trimmed edges and corners.
In addition, the aesthetic side of the issue is important. Any element of furniture is selected in such a way that:
- match the style of the interior of the equipped bathroom;
- successfully fit into the color concept of the interior composition;
- match the size of a particular plumbing unit;
- leave space for free movement;
- be appropriate in terms of layout;
- have the same shapes as plumbing and accessories.
Besides, furniture is selected in order to accentuate the space. This allows you to bring an unobtrusive organization into the interior and divert attention from the shortcomings of the room perspective. Sometimes the bathroom is designed in such a way that you don’t have to buy it, but order furniture, masking communications with it. They pick it up and taking into account the layout, choosing between linear and angular types.
Varieties
The modern furniture market offers a wide range of furniture for arranging bathrooms. There are several ways to classify products: type of construction, size, material of manufacture, coating and stylistic decision.
On sale there are products of direct (linear) angular and modular type. Bathroom furniture is sold in the form of independent interior elements and ready-made sets consisting of several modules. The kit may include hanging (wall) and floor cabinets, pencil cases and dressing tables, shelves and countertops, including solid-cast type options with sinks.
The forms of furniture vary, in addition to products with linear elements on sale, you can also find options with curly facades.
Types of designs
The range of products for the arrangement of bathrooms is extremely wide. By the method of installation, the entire range can be divided into options with traditional installation and built-in furniture. Moreover, in both lines there are products of traditional and modular type.
Regarding the structural elements, furniture is hanging and floor. Products of the first group are convenient in operation and compact. This range includes wall cabinets, open and closed shelves, vanity units, shelves with mirrored facades, as well as closed racks. They do not take up much space, and therefore do not interfere with moving around the room.
Such furniture is compact, it is great for arranging small bathrooms. However, in large rooms for sanitary purposes, it looks no worse. Using hinged cabinets, it is possible to disguise utilities.
Floor-mounted furniture for the bathroom - standard cabinets, display cabinets, dressing tables, as well as modular-type floor drawers. Such headsets decorate bathrooms, making their interior as functional as possible. Depending on the design, they may have support legs. The options of the second type are good in that they simplify cleaning the bathroom. In general, floor furniture performs the same camouflage functions as hanging furniture.
Thanks to the presence of internal storage systems, it is possible to remove a lot of small objects from sight. Due to this, the room seems more spacious and cleaner. Such cabinets and shelves can be very diverse: narrow, wide, high, low. In addition to this furniture, the category of floor furniture includes compact cases, cases. Their height can be different, the depth usually does not exceed 40 cm. They do not take up much space, but they can accommodate a lot of items, ranging from hygiene items to clean towels. Their storage systems can be sliding, retractable and folding.
All types of sanitary facilities can be divided into 2 categories: rooms with a minimum of space for installing furniture and options in which you can place full furniture sets. Based on this, when choosing furniture you have to take into account its size, shape, quantity. Furniture for small bathrooms is usually simpler in terms of design and shape. Its main purpose is functionality. At the same time, at least some things fit in such lockers.
Such furniture is needed when there is nowhere to put hygiene items (shaving machines, cosmetics, detergents for washing and styling hair).
Furniture for small bathrooms is a compact organizer necessary for these rooms. At the same time, individual elements of furniture can also serve as a means of masking communications. More often in small bathtubs, floor and hanging cabinets are installed, as well as shelves with mirrors. Sometimes it’s even cantilever shelves under the sink, freeing up space for the installation of washing machines and baskets for dirty laundry.
The spacious bathrooms take not only functional furniture. It is important to choose furniture options with which you can most effectively arrange the space. Wherein no need for quantity limits.
You can choose ready-made sets, you can order furniture according to an individual sketch, taking into account the interior style of a particular bathroom.
Materials of manufacture
In the manufacture of furniture for bathrooms use different raw materials. Moreover, most often it is made from various grades of wood (for example, maple, birch, ash, less often cherries and nuts). During production, materials are processed special water-repellent impregnations. Wooden furniture looks expensive, it raises the status of any interior. The texture of the coating can be natural, natural or colored. The tree looks great in spacious rooms. Its disadvantage is permanent deformation.
Before buying this furniture, you need to take care of good ventilation of the bathroom. The material itself is ideal for eco-style and any branches of the classical direction.
Low-cost analogues of solid wood furniture are MDF and particleboard products. According to their characteristics, variants made of wood derivatives are inferior to natural material. However, they suit buyers on a tight budget. When buying such furniture items, they monitor the quality of the edge. This furniture is moisture resistant, but not waterproof. With constant contact with water, it is very quickly destroyed.
Stone furniture is expensive, but it is durable and aesthetically pleasing. Its cost depends on the thickness of the material itself, its quality and the appearance of the finished product.
Often in the manufacture of furniture for bathrooms use metal and glass. The combination of two materials allows you to make beautiful and functional shelves, as well as shelving. However, the metal itself is a rather specific material. Such furniture is not suitable for every style of interior. It is only relevant in modern style. In addition, the metal is susceptible to rust. Enamel is destroyed by impact.
Maintenance of wrought iron furniture and stainless steel products should be regular.
Glass in furniture is used mainly as inserts. This can be the facades of cabinets, shelves, inserts in racks, niches, corner-type shelves for showers, glass shelves-countertops with solid sinks and an additional work surface. On the glass surface, any dirt and water leaks are visible. Glass surfaces will have to be taken care of more often.
Recently, in the interiors of bathrooms you can see and products from plastic. If before he cheapened the interior of the bathrooms, today manufacturers have learned how to make plastic furniture with imitation of various materials. Plastic is inert to moisture and water in general. The polymer is easily tinted, well cleaned and not destroyed.
The texture of such furniture can be not only painted, but also transparent. Plastic can even imitate glass. From it make tabletops, cases and facade elements of cabinets, cabinets for washbasins, wall cabinets, shelves.
Moreover, products can be not only typical, but also carved, decorated with various patterns and perforations.
Type of coating
Of great importance when choosing furniture for arranging a bathroom is the type of coating itself. This factor is important: often it is the protective layer that increases the service life of products in a special microclimate of sanitary facilities.
The type of coating may vary. One type of protection is painting, for which varnish or enamel is used.. These methods of processing furniture can extend its durability, improve aesthetic characteristics. At the same time, the surface color can be the most diverse, which allows you to successfully fit furniture into the bathroom in different colors and styles.
Improves usability and acrylic coating. It is considered reliable and aesthetically attractive. However, care for such a coating involves gentle cleaning of the surface. Do not use abrasive products or even soda, as this may scratch the surface.
Veneer is glued onto sheets of MDF or chipboard. Thanks to this, furniture takes on a more expensive look. This hydrophobic coating is moisture resistant, which increases the life of the furniture. In addition to veneer, some furniture is covered with self-adhesive film. However, for all its decorativeness it is not able to withstand the microclimate of the bathroom.
Colors and style
Thinking about buying furniture for the bathroom, you can not ignore the color and style of the selected elements of the arrangement. In addition to the fact that they must be combined with plumbing, the color perception of space is important. Furniture can be neutral or color, plain or with a pattern, with an original texture. Based on this, it is worth considering several nuances.
- Furniture color must not repeat the exact shade of wall or floor cladding. So she will be lost against the general background, will not look expressive, will simplify the interior composition.
- Choosing the right tone is better in this way so that it conforms to the “four shades of interior” rule. Color contrast should be harmonious, pleasing to the eye.
- The color of the furniture is selected taking into account the resources of a particular style. If you forget about this rule, it will not work to make the interior style recognizable.
- Important and color perception. Dark furniture is appropriate only in large bathrooms, provided with the proper level of light.
- The shade of furniture is selected taking into account the color scheme of the home itself. A sharp change in color can change the perception of space is not for the better.
As for the choice of color, in each case, this decision is individual. Of course, the best shades are the colors of the light group (white, dairy, peach, beige, creamy tones). Shades of expensive varieties of wood and stone are in fashion. In addition to them, pastel colors are relevant (bleached powdery, silver-blue, bleach-mint, turquoise, ivory tone).
The relevance of light shades is explained by their ability to visually increase space. Light furniture fits perfectly into the interior, without creating the effect of its congestion. but with a harmonious choice in the interior, you can pick up bright furniture. It is appropriate in the interior of modern style.
Among the bright colors worth noting a tendency to use burgundy red and navy blue. Black furniture is used in neutral interiors.As a rule, these are small sets consisting of compact cases, pencil cases, cabinets for the sink and hinged shelves with mirrors. The design of these kits is mostly concise.
The design of furniture elements is directly related to the style.
- To the bathroom classic style furniture is selected, characterized by carved elements, imitation of stucco pattern, decorated with gilding. As a rule, furniture in the styles of classic, classicism and neoclassic is made of wood and is selected as a whole set. The shades of such cabinets are light, symmetry can be traced in the arrangement.
- Bathroom furniture country style or provence characterized by the desire for simplicity These are display cabinets, antique chests of drawers, wooden cabinets painted in light color. The fittings of such sets are made with an old-fashioned design; boxes and chests can be used in the arrangement. Furniture colors can be warm and cold.
- For style modern it is necessary to select furniture with a deliberate emphasis on the artificiality of the material. These are plastic shelves, acrylic countertops, plastic work panels with imitation of various textures (down to stone). They try to choose furniture in such a way that it emphasizes the adaptability of the arrangement. Style resources - beige, white, gray and wood tones.
- For other contemporary styles (e.g. hi-tech, art deco) actual use of furniture with glass inserts. At the same time, shelves and countertops are often supplemented with their own lighting. It looks very unusual and beautiful. In this case, the color of the glow can be the most diverse.
Well-known manufacturers
Among manufacturers of bathroom furniture, products from manufacturers in Germany, Italy and Spain deserve special attention. In addition, products of domestic brands are included in the rating of the best suppliers. In the product lines there are both budget options and premium luxury products. Furniture of these brands was appreciated by a wide range of consumers and received many positive reviews.
- Aquanet - A company that produces bathroom furniture with a modern design. The assortment is distinguished by sophisticated designs and a relatively low price. The items of furniture are quite functional and comfortable.
- Triton - manufacturer of custom furniture with moisture-proof impregnation and elegant design. Offers customers products designed for use in high humidity.
- Jacob Delafon - French brand that produces high-quality furniture with a stylish design for the design of bathrooms. Launches an assortment with recognizable style, designed for efficient use of space.
- Eurodesign - An Italian brand that supplies designer furniture for spacious bathrooms to the furniture market. It uses high-quality raw materials in production, offers customers products with a well-developed design and ergonomics.
- Villeroy & boch - a furniture manufacturer with maximum precision in assembly and fitting, as well as an exclusive design. Products are suitable for installation, they are durable, reliable and resistant to moisture.
- Antonio Lupi - A supplier of high-tech bathroom furniture with a futuristic design. Products are interesting non-standard type of coating, can be complemented by integrated lighting. A range of premium furniture for a special range of consumers.
- Roca - One of the leading European manufacturers, supplying the market with furniture for almost any interior. It stands out among other competitors by a functional approach to design, ergonomics and high indicators of durability and reliability.
How to choose?
The choice of a particular bathroom furniture depends on various factors. Somewhere floor cabinets, cabinets, chests of drawers, racks and tables will be appropriate.Other rooms will have to be limited to something most necessary (for example, a countertop and a shelf). Large or tall cabinets are bought mainly in spacious sanitary facilities. As a rule, they are used to mask washing machines and organize closed storage systems.
Depending on the type of furniture, there may be a place under the basket for dirty laundry. Such furniture allows you to make the organization and visual effect of order in the interior of the bathroom. In small bathtubs there is no place for the installation of cabinets. Here they can be replaced with hanging cabinets.
Often they are bought to be placed above the washbasin. If the area of the room allows, get a set of furniture, consisting of floor and wall cabinets. At the same time pay attention to the strength and reliability of the walls. If they are porous, it will not be possible to install hanging furniture.
You need to buy furniture in such a way so that it looks like a single set with plumbing and corresponds to a certain style of interior. Aesthetics are paid attention only after the desired parameters of reliability and functionality are selected. In a small bathroom you can buy a countertop with an integral sink.
If the area of the bathroom is slightly larger, you can already think about buying a floor or wall cabinet. It will be possible to clean hygiene items and detergents. The model may have side towel holder handles. If there is not enough space in the bathroom, enough countertops and shelves with a mirror. It is in it that you can store all the necessary items.
Countertops for small bathrooms are simple. As a rule, they are not designed for overhead type sinks. However, mortise washbasins with top or bottom mount will look very organic here. The dimensions and depth of such sinks are small, the mount can be standard and semi-mortise.
If the bathroom floor is made with a heating system, it is better to purchase hanging furniture. If you need a floor, it is more appropriate to take one that has support legs. It will not be subjected to constant heating, and therefore will remain longer. In this case, the supports must be reliable and durable. In order for furniture to fit well into the interior of the bathroom, it is necessary to take into account its size and the area of a particular room. The smaller the bathroom, the more compact the furniture and its simpler design. A large room can be equipped with luxurious headsets.
However, this does not mean at all that it is necessary to force a large part of the bathroom: in the interior, space should be felt.
How to place?
If elderly households live in the house, furniture should be installed in such a way so that it is convenient to use it. This also applies to the height of the installation of suspended furniture elements. A person with disabilities must not reach out to get this or that item.
Everything should be in the access zone, being at the optimum height.. It is necessary to minimize the likelihood of injury to each family member. If the bathroom is large, you can install a separate washbasin for children. It must be placed in such a way that it does not interfere with moving around the room and using the bathroom (shower). You can install it next to the washbasin for adults.
A lot depends on the perspective of the room itself.If it is narrow, the arrangement of furniture and plumbing should be linear. This will leave room for moving around the room, simplify access to each functional area of the bathroom. When the room is wide, angles are used in the arrangement, adjacent or opposite walls. A dressing table and washbasin can be arranged in front of the bathtub and shower.
The boiler and the washing machine can be built into a niche or a tall cabinet. It is necessary to arrange functional corners in such a way that in the bathroom it was not only convenient, but also comfortable. Facade cabinets should not block part of the doorway.
You can not put furniture close to the bathroom. No matter how moisture-proof coating it is processed, with constant contact with water, any object will quickly lose its aesthetics. Must be observed some distance, this will extend the durability of the structures and eliminate their deformation.
When arranging furniture, you need to consider the type of door opening. This factor is especially important for arranging small bathrooms. It is better to take products with sliding mechanisms or hanging shelves that roll out to the sides. In large rooms, any type of structure is appropriate, including roll-out and swing structures.
When you need to install a pencil case in a small room, one of the corners is chosen for it. As a rule, this is a place near the washbasin or floor stand. They put a pencil case so that its doors can fully open.
Good examples in the interior
We offer 10 ideas for a good choice of furniture for the bathroom.
- An example of arranging a wash zone using a pencil case and a stand in a classic style.
- Hanging cabinets with metal fittings in the wash zone, made in a modern style.
- Dark hanging furniture in the arrangement of a modern combined bathroom.
- An example of a bathroom using a wood-tone headset and a monolithic countertop.
- Organization of a functional area using furniture with a simple design on metal supports.
- A set of white furniture for the bathroom, decorated with patterned facades.
- The choice of wooden floor tables for glass overhead type sink with a curly edge.
- A set of light-colored furniture with built-in lighting, selected for the arrangement of the wash basin of the combined bathroom.
- A set of furniture with an original design, mirrored matte inserts with a pattern and comfortable handles.
- Corner set for a large bathroom, combining a wash area and a dressing table.
See how to choose the right bathroom furniture in the next video.