Sliding wardrobes have long won the recognition of customers. It is difficult to overestimate their merits. A properly designed structure will ergonomically and easily accommodate everything you plan to store in it, transform the interior of the apartment, hide the flaws of the room - cover a pipe, a niche, hide the curvature of the wall - and help visually expand the space!
Choosing a wardrobe is a responsible undertaking! The furniture market is impressive with a huge number of offers. How to choose a good, reliable option from this variety? The range of materials, colors, types of finishes and options for internal filling is so large that it can be difficult to decide.
To ensure that you are satisfied with the results of your search and selection of products, do not go beyond the planned budget and do not lose sight of any important detail, we offer you tips on choosing a wardrobe. We hope they help you!
How to choose material?
Material selection is perhaps one of the most important selection issues you will face. As a rule, the body and internal filling of structures are made of chipboard or MDF boards of various thicknesses. The thickness of the slabs, in order to avoid sagging, should be calculated based on the width of each specific span (shelf). This is a fairly important nuance that is best left to professionals who have experience in designing this type of furniture.
Chipboard
Chipboard is a chipboard that is made by pressing wood particles under high temperatures with the addition of a binder. As a rule, formaldehyde resins are used as a binder. The surfaces of the plates are laminated, and an edge is rolled onto the ends. And there are tons of color and finish options! Chipboard is the most popular material used to produce the type of furniture we need. In addition to such advantages as strength, lightness and ease of use, it is also much cheaper than others. When purchasing a product, pay attention to the edge! Chipboard is afraid of moisture, but only if the edge is poorly laminated.
MDF
MDF - the abbreviation is a transliteration of the English name Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF). The literal translation is “medium-density fibreboard”. This material is made from fine sawdust. During the production of panels, wood raw materials are ground, then treated with steam under high pressure, thoroughly dried and glued with paraffin and lingin. It is worth noting that MDF is absolutely environmentally friendly and harmless to human health. MDF is very durable, resistant to moisture and hot steam. Accordingly, furniture made from MDF will cost more than similar furniture made from chipboard.
Determining the sizes:
After you have chosen the material for the wardrobe, you should think about the dimensions of the future wardrobe, namely, decide on its height, width and depth, that is, choose the wardrobe according to the dimensions that you need.
How to choose a built-in wardrobe? In this case, the cabinet may lack side walls, floor, ceiling and back wall. This significantly reduces the cost of the cabinet. However, all cabinet elements will be attached directly to the walls that enclose your room. If you value the finishing of walls, floors and ceilings, then you should choose a cabinet wardrobe. It should also be remembered that the built-in wardrobe cannot be moved to another place - it will be created exclusively for a specific niche or corner. While the cabinet wardrobe can be easily moved to any other place if necessary.
The height of the wardrobe is limited only by the height of the ceilings that your apartment has. However, if the ceiling is suspended, then a technological gap to the cabinet is required (at least 50 mm!). This will help avoid damage and unnecessary costs.
We would like to draw your attention to such a thing as the depth of the cabinet. The size of 600 mm was chosen as the golden mean. With such a depth of the closet, the rod for hanging clothes will be placed in the usual way. Clothes will not wrinkle, and the wardrobe will be more than spacious. However, here too you can find a way out. If you are limited in depth by the size of the wall, then end hangers will be used. Moreover, you can use both stationary and retractable cabinets - it’s up to you to decide.
Wardrobe doors. Which ones to choose? Selecting a profile for sliding wardrobes:
The main characteristic of a wardrobe is sliding doors. Unlike swing doors, they do not require additional space during use, thus allowing you to free up and rationally use free space, which not every room can boast of. And the variety of materials that are used as inserts for door profiles makes it possible for the future design to fit into any finished interior!
We must not forget about safety. Mirrors and glass must be covered with a high-quality film, the purpose of which is to retain sharp fragments in the event of a strong blow, from which no one is safe. The surface will become covered with cracks, but will not injure anyone who happens to be near the broken glass at that moment.
Production does not stand still, which is why we regularly offer you products with more and more new door sliding systems. In addition to the already familiar floor rolling options, there are mounted systems. They require the presence of a frame, since they are attached to the roof, which in turn must withstand the considerable weight of such doors. Their main advantage is that, unlike free-rolling devices, they do not take up useful space inside the product - they “take away” 100 mm from the depth - and completely hide the body behind them. It seems that such doors are literally floating in the air!
Also, when choosing doors, you should pay attention to the closers - an important detail that ensures comfortable use of the entire structure. Their presence will allow you to not make much effort: you just need to lightly push the door, and the door closer will do the rest.
Regardless of the mechanism, the appearance of the doors deserves special attention. To match the decor to the facades, you need to remember very simple techniques: mirrors in the doors will expand a small space; decorative panels will “weight” the interior and make it more expressive; The gloss finish will highlight the design and style of the entire room. Feel like a real artist, creating a unique design for your closet!
Sliding system
A sliding system is a set of components that turns a classic wardrobe into a wardrobe. The quality of the components determines the duration and convenience of subsequent operation.
There are two main types of door opening mechanisms:
- top-mounted/hung sliding doors (with one guide);
- sliding doors are bottom-mounted (with two guides).
Hanging mechanism
A top-mounted door is the most complex and expensive system in which all fastening elements are installed on the top track. It is most widely used in the manufacture of built-in wardrobes, since it does not require the installation of a lower profile, and as a result, eliminates damage to the floor covering.
Bottom support mechanism
A classic universal system in which guides and rollers are installed on both sides - the lower profile is used as a support, and the upper one only performs a supporting function. This is a simpler and cheaper mechanism, but it allows the use of blades made of heavier materials. Most often used in hull structures.
The quality of the fittings determines the ease of use, reliability and service life of the entire structure. Before purchasing, check what material the profile and rollers are made of. The guides are made of aluminum and steel - the first is characterized by increased cost, durability and noiselessness. It is recommended to purchase rollers from metal or plastic with a ceramic protective coating, since ordinary cheap plastic becomes deformed and unusable in a couple of years.
Internal filling
So, we choose the “filling” of our design. In order to get a functional wardrobe, you need to do it very carefully. You need to make a detailed list of the things you plan to store in it. Much will depend on how exactly you are used to saving certain things.
High mezzanine shelves will accommodate large items for your household items. Typically, these are things that take up a lot of space but are used occasionally: travel bags, a Christmas tree, sports equipment, maybe even boxes of household appliances.
Wide open shelves are perfect for bed linen, blankets and pillows. While for piles of clothes it is better to use narrower cells (so that things don’t fall over). The optimal shelf height ranges from 280 mm to 320 mm. Drawers should definitely be included in the filling list! Linen, belts and ties will find their home in them. The topmost drawer must be located at a height of 1000-1200 mm from the floor. Also, when designing retractable elements, you should remember that their width should be less than the width of the sliding door behind which they are hidden. Thus, you will not fall into the “dead zone” of the sliding system, which is hidden behind their overlap, and you will fully use the entire internal space of the product.
Clothes hangers should be installed so that you can reach them. The optimal height is 2100 mm from the floor. For long clothes (evening dresses, raincoats and fur coats) leave 1500-1600 mm, for short clothes (shirts, jackets) 1000-1100 mm is enough. There are also so-called “pantographs”, or simply elevators. This item can be installed right up to the ceiling and lowered using a lever to the desired position.
Retractable shoe racks installed inside the structure are suitable for those who do not deny themselves the pleasure of purchasing a large number of shoes and boots.
Trouser. An indispensable piece of internal content for the wardrobe storage system of a business man who values his time and comfort. The trousers will not wrinkle, and you can find the right pair quickly.
Accessories for ties, belts and scarves will complement the interior decoration of future furniture.
Peculiarities
In the furniture industry, sliding systems are used for the manufacture of sliding wardrobes, mini-wardrobes, bedside tables, chests of drawers, and wall-mounted structures. Facades can be made from a variety of materials: solid wood, panels, chipboard, MDF, plastic, glass framed in an aluminum profile. The peculiarity of the sliding mechanism is that the doors open in one plane, which is convenient in small spaces. There is no need to leave additional space for this, as is the case with swing options.
The sliding mechanism has become particularly widespread in the production of sliding wardrobes, which are in great demand among consumers today. They are installed in apartments, private houses, and office premises. Sliding doors move easily and silently, which allows the design to be used in a bedroom or nursery. In addition, the advantage of this mechanism is the locking system, which prevents the door from hitting the cabinet wall. Parents don't have to worry about their child accidentally getting hurt when closing doors.
Sliding systems are often used when it is necessary to divide a room into zones. To do this, you will need a shallow cabinet or a special partition. The second option is most often used to separate a balcony area or bay window. A partition door may have a blank facade, but frosted or tinted glass looks more interesting. To divide a room into two zones, for example, a play area and a study area, you can install a closet, which will serve as additional storage space.
When using high-quality sliding systems, sliding wardrobes open without unnecessary noise, and also delight their owners with a long service life.
How to choose a wardrobe for the hallway?
Here it will come in very handy: it will provide easy access to the clothes and shoes that the family wears during the current season, and will serve as storage for a wardrobe for other seasons; several shelves and drawers will allow you to keep shoe polish, bags, sunglasses and other little things we need at hand. Mirrored doors will expand the space, making the hallway visually larger, and allow you to look around yourself from all sides before leaving the house. Thanks to this design, your hallway will always be tidy and spacious.
For the living room
The living room is rightfully considered the face of the house. The main task of a voluminous storage system in the living room is to ensure the safety of the stored property, but to hide it from prying eyes. In addition to the decor of the doors and facade, external design elements will help to emphasize the style of both the product and the interior as a whole - open shelves and racks on which you can place memorable trinkets and accessories. A home library hidden behind inserts made of transparent and translucent glass looks unusual and very impressive. The latest trend in furniture fashion is the TV zone built into the coupe format.
What should a built-in wardrobe be like in a hallway?
In order to arrange the hallway, you can choose a variety of furniture, but the best option is a built-in wardrobe. With its help, the wardrobe and other necessary things will be hidden from prying eyes. In addition, this design can be easily integrated into a room of any size and does not take up too much space.
Advantages and disadvantages of a built-in wardrobe
The design and internal content of such a cabinet are carefully thought out. Thanks to this, the built-in model has many advantages:
- the design of the cabinet is ergonomic, so it can be installed even in the narrowest hallway in a Khrushchev-era building;
- A variety of furniture options are available to customers; during its manufacture, the size and design are chosen by the customer;
- the storage system is spacious, and if you choose the right internal contents, you can hide even bulky household appliances;
- the structure has no floor, walls or ceiling, making it almost invisible;
- the furniture is built into a niche, so there is no need to buy additional elements for walls and ceilings, which allows you to save money;
- With the help of such a model, you can hide the imperfections of the walls or hide the heating system, which spoils the interior of the hallway.
Buyers say that the storage system has no disadvantages. However, when choosing a built-in wardrobe in the hallway, do not forget that it is stationary. The installation cannot be moved even if desired.
For the bedroom
A bedroom closet should be spacious, but at the same time not take up too much space, at least visually. This “furniture paradox” can be realized by paying special attention to the choice of color or combination of colors of the facades. Give preference to light colors and mirrors, and you will get a bedroom that is not cluttered with bulky furniture, in which you will feel light and airy. A simple technique will allow you to create a room interior in which relaxation will be complete and comfortable, and the atmosphere will be filled with home comfort.
Furniture facades
Modern technologies make it possible to create finishes for furniture facades that exactly replicate the texture of natural stone and natural wood in various shades: from delicate white pearl to rich dark wood. Connoisseurs of bright interiors will also be able to choose any color scheme to give the room an exquisite charm: from juicy lemon color to purple-red or ultra-black.
Light colors visually expand the space, while dark colors focus attention on certain interior details. If you want to focus on the wardrobe, choose shades that contrast with the main finishing materials, or opt for mirrored facades. Thus, you can solve two problems at once: give the hallway additional volume and provide the opportunity to examine yourself in the mirror before leaving.
It is possible to create an exclusive atmosphere in the corridor through doors with a themed design. Artistic painting on facades or ornaments on mirror surfaces emphasizes the advantages of the chosen composition and enhances the optical illusion.
For children's
Involve your child in the design and arrangement process! A wardrobe created with his direct participation will become a source of pride. Believe me, you will give both yourself and him a lot of pleasure! Both the romantic princess and the little robber will definitely be satisfied, having personally gone through the color palette and options for the internal filling of such “serious” furniture. The child will feel responsible for the result and will use the product with pleasure and accuracy. The modern design will easily complement the interior of a first-grader’s playroom and the personal space of an older teenager. Reliable mechanisms will withstand noisy games with friends.
Tips for choosing
To choose the right wardrobe and not disturb the overall style of the interior, just follow simple rules:
- The wardrobe should match the color and design of the room and other furniture.
- Too bright and saturated color of furniture is not suitable for arranging a small space. The closet will stand out from the interior, and the room will become very small.
- A built-in wardrobe is an ideal option if you need to fill a niche that you do not plan to use in any other way.
- For a large family, it is best to choose roomy options to save space and money on purchasing additional cabinets, shelves and chests of drawers.
- A small room is furnished with small-sized furniture, a spacious room with larger furniture.
Choosing a model for the office
A wardrobe for an office?
Why not? Ease of use, hidden from prying eyes clutter - of course, creative! – and maximum useful organization of space. An excellent choice for those who work from home! Whatever style you choose for your home office, a carefully designed structure will be your best friend. The only question is which option to choose. If you are in doubt about how to correctly determine all the necessary parameters of your future purchase, we remind you that you have the opportunity to consult with our experienced designers and, with the help of professionals, develop a project for your Ideal Sliding Wardrobe in any of the Mr.Doors branded showrooms. There you will find a cup of aromatic coffee and several hours of pleasant pastime, which will turn into the process of creating a design project. Experience in designing this type of furniture allows us to say that we can cope with any, even the most difficult task; We will take into account all your wishes and provide you with first-class service.
