A sliding wardrobe is a real find for modern apartments that do not have a lot of free space. Such furniture helps to save space, organize storage of things, and the abundance of models makes it possible to improve the interior. For example, a mirrored wardrobe will visually expand the space of the room and eliminate the need to install an additional mirror. This piece of furniture has its own advantages and disadvantages, which should be studied before purchasing it.
Advantages and disadvantages
The mirrored sliding wardrobe is equipped with sliding doors mounted on special guide systems. The model of a wardrobe with mirror surfaces has its pros and cons. Among the advantages of the product it is worth noting the following:
- Furniture visually expands the space, which is especially important for small rooms. This allows you to create a more comfortable environment in the room.
- Saves space due to the absence of swing doors.
- Such models tend to fit well into any type of interior design.
- The internal volume of the cabinet allows you to store many different things.
- Eliminates the need to install separate mirrors.
- A variety of shades makes it possible to choose a product to suit every taste and embody original design ideas.
- The interior item has a long service life with proper care.
- Mirror facades are considered relatively inexpensive.
- Thanks to mirror surfaces that reflect light, the room becomes brighter.
The safety of the furniture is ensured by a special protective film. Even if the mirror falls out, it will not fall into pieces.
Mirrored wardrobes also have disadvantages:
- the sliding door opening system can quickly fail if plastic or a low-quality metal alloy was used for its manufacture;
- additional light sources will be required if the piece of furniture is placed in a dark room;
- mirror surfaces of the facade require more careful maintenance.
Regardless of the pros and cons, sliding wardrobes with mirrored doors are very popular. The versatility of furniture and the ability to save space attracts special attention from consumers to this model.
Hinged compartment doors
The phrase “hinged compartments” seems absurd, but such doors have been in use for a long time. They are indispensable in non-standard openings less than 90 cm, when a traditional sliding door will wedge when moving.
In the middle there is a hinged compartment door
A hinged compartment is relevant in places where, due to the small width, full opening/sliding along the guides is impossible. Most often they are installed in corner, L-shaped cabinets on the side segments.
The hinged compartment door has no rollers or guides and does not slide anywhere. Swinging is ensured by hinges. As a result, the closet contains a door leaf made of the same profile as compartment doors, but swinging is ensured by a special mechanism.
Matte mirror with a pattern
Kinds
There are several types of wardrobes:
- The built-in wardrobe is mounted between the walls or placed in a niche. This structure has no floor and roof.
- The case version may have different dimensions, the number of doors also varies. Such models are placed near the wall.
How to draw up a wardrobe design on your own, stages and nuances of work.
The shape of the wardrobe can be angular or linear. The first option is placed exclusively in the corner, which allows for more efficient use of the room area. Such structures are made in the form of a triangle with two doors; L-shaped models are popular (often with a large number of doors). There is also a trapezoidal cabinet, which is more spacious.
The linear model is located in a straight line along the wall. Such furniture can be equipped with a different number of doors. Designers still advise placing a moderate number of mirrors. It is better to combine such surfaces with inserts made of leather, bamboo, frosted glass, and photo printing. Otherwise, the room may create an uncomfortable atmosphere.
Hull
Built-in
Straight
Angular
Types of wardrobes with a large mirror
To choose the perfect wardrobe for your home, you need to understand what types there are.
- Corpus. This model has its own functional frame (frame, facade system and rear wall) and can be installed along the wall or even instead of it, which is optimal for studio apartments. This durable and reliable furniture can be decorated with mirrors both inside and outside. The customer has the opportunity to evaluate the design of his closet, which, as a rule, is already equipped with a mirror.
- Built-in. In this case, the role of the frame is played by walls or false planks, and the main element is the facade, which can be completely mirrored. At the same time, the mirror, along with the dressing table, can be placed inside the closet. The design of furniture of this type, as well as the material for its production and the method of decoration, is always chosen by the customer.
Based on the shape of the body, the following types of cabinets are distinguished:
- Direct. We are talking about classic designs that can be made in any natural shade: white, black, walnut, etc.
- Angular. This model will minimize the space used.
- Trapezoidal. This type of cabinet is a type of corner cabinet, characterized by its convenient location and spaciousness. The line also includes a five-wall model.
- Radial. Such a cabinet can be convex, concave or wavy and has a more complex door design. Combined models combine several facade shapes at once. The model has an attractive and original appearance, but at the same time it is quite bulky, and therefore suitable only for spacious rooms.
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Facades
Combined cabinet fronts look most advantageous. Such products are much easier to fit into interiors of various styles. Mirrors are located over the entire surface of the facade or on one of the sashes. In this case, design solutions can combine the following types of mirrors:
- classic - alternating regular and mirror surfaces;
- geometric - involves a combination of rectangles with other materials;
- diagonal - the facade is divided diagonally by a profile, the sides are made of different materials;
- sectoral - the door leaf is divided into sections, the design is carried out according to sketches;
- wave – original waves are created on the surface using profiles.
When choosing a wardrobe, it is important to pay attention to other interior elements, the size and purpose of the room. So, for the bedroom you should give preference to a mirror in the center of the product. With this design there will be enough light and visually free space. An additional retractable mirror can be placed inside the cabinet.
For the living room, a good option would be facades partially decorated with mirrors. This could be a wardrobe with photo printing or geometric design. For example, the top or bottom of the product is made of one material, and the remaining free part is filled with frosted glass and photo printing.
In the hallway, a wenge-colored wardrobe with a mirror is recommended to be placed along the wall. In this room, it is better to leave the mirror façade intact so that you can look at yourself in full height before leaving. One mirrored door will be enough; the material of the rest is selected depending on the style of the room.
Classical
Geometric
Diagonal
Sector
Wave
Mirror decor
Additionally, the mirror facade can be decorated using the following technologies:
- Sandblasting patterns - this method will provide the doors with an original look. You can use it to decorate a wardrobe with frosted glass. Variations with this decor are very diverse, so sliding wardrobes with a pattern on the mirror can be placed both in a classic style interior and in a modern one.
- Half-timbering is a design technique in which mirrors are framed with wooden frames painted in the color of the body. Such products look impressive, stylish and unusual.
- Photo printing is a printing method that allows you to create an individual, unique design, since it makes it possible to choose any image for the design of the facade.
- Painting – involves applying the author's painting to the mirror. You can also decorate elements made of MDF in this way.
- Stained glass is a decorative method at an affordable price. A glass sheet with an applique will allow you to create a luxurious façade. This is not stained glass in the classical sense, but provided it is done well, the differences are almost invisible.
- Tinting involves gluing a film onto the surface of the mirror. It does not completely cover the mirror facades, but gives a tint and makes them translucent.
- The engraving on the mirror looks very original. To decorate the surface, a special engraving machine is used. This method allows you to get a realistic drawing.
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Sandblasting drawing
Half-timbered
Photo printing
painting
Stained glass
Tinting
Materials for production
The vast majority of sliding wardrobes are made from two types of material:
Laminated chipboard, which is a chipboard covered with a decorative laminate, which, as a rule, imitates valuable wood species.
Chipboard is wood particles pressed at high temperatures and bound with formaldehyde resin. The ends of the chipboard must be covered with edging tape, since the material is afraid of moisture. The quality and durability of chipboard is noticeably inferior to MDF.
MDF (from English Medium Density Fiberboard), or medium density fiberboard in Russian, is made from small sawdust, to which paraffin or rosin is added as a water repellent.
For strength, synthetic resins (4-8%) are also added. MDF is an environmentally friendly and harmless material, has a high degree of mechanical strength and is not afraid of moisture. The cost of a wardrobe made of MDF is an order of magnitude higher than that of a similar product made of laminated chipboard.
Interior location
Sliding wardrobes vary in size, number of doors and arrangement of mirror elements. How and where it is best to place the product depends on these factors:
- In the living room, it is recommended to install a wardrobe with beveled mirrors along the wall, so the room will seem much freer. Behind the doors you can not only put things away, but also install a TV or even organize an office. If the room is small, then placement in the corner is acceptable.
- In the hallway (if dimensions allow) you can install a two-door corner wardrobe, which is spacious enough to accommodate many items. A straight, full-wall model would also work well. In a small hallway, cabinets with one or two mirrored fronts look good.
- A wardrobe with a mirror panel is suitable for the bedroom. It is better to install furniture along the wall. If the room is small, then corner placement is acceptable. You can use decor with matte areas, photo printing and engraving.
If the wardrobe model does not fit the interior design of the room, then this can be corrected with the help of decor. For example, engraving allows you to change the appearance of a product and fit it into any environment.
Schemes for organizing the filling of a sliding wardrobe with straight and corner configurations
Living room
Hallway
Bedroom
Advice for those who decide to buy a wardrobe with large mirrors
What algorithm should you follow when choosing a cabinet with a large mirror to avoid disappointment after the purchase?
- The choice of material from which the product will be made. Of course, solid wood remains the highest quality, durable and environmentally friendly option.
- Measurements of room and furniture dimensions.
- Selection of quality components.
- Development of the internal arrangement of the cabinet, on which its functionality directly depends. There should be enough space inside the product to place shelves for clothes and shoes, hanging rods, drawers for accessories and various small items.
Features of care and selection criteria
Doors with a mirror for a wardrobe will last longer if you take proper care of them:
- mirror surfaces of furniture located in rooms with high humidity should be treated with a special product containing wax;
- resistance to moisture is also provided by coating with a gelatin solution;
- A special glass and mirror cleaner, as well as a soft cloth, will help you clean the mirror without streaks.
It is worth protecting not only the facade, but also the body of the product from direct exposure to moisture. Otherwise, there is a risk of unsightly stains appearing on its surface.
You should choose a mirror cabinet based on the following criteria:
- features of the use of the room;
- dimensions and style of the product.
A two-door wardrobe is perfect for a child's room, while a four-door wardrobe will look better in a living room or bedroom.
Mirror inserts on facades have another important parameter - the thickness of the glass. It is better to give preference to more durable thickened options. The style of the room is also important. For the modern trend, combinations of glass and metal are recommended. A cabinet with mirrored elements of strict shapes will fit better into a classic interior. A wardrobe in the Provence style is often chosen for girls' children's rooms. Boys like photo printing that complements the high-tech interior.
The quality of furniture manufacturing is no less important, because the service life of the product depends on this factor. It is worth carefully inspecting the closet. There should be no chips or cracks on it, the sashes move freely along the guides. If there are drawers, then you need to check how the mechanism works. You should not immediately choose the cheapest or most expensive model. As a rule, such extremes are not justified. It is best to focus on the average price category.
A sliding wardrobe with a mirror can fit into almost any interior, subject to proper selection. It is important to pay attention to the dimensions of the product and its design. In addition, we must not forget about proper care, then the furniture will not lose its decorative and functional qualities for as long as possible.
Keep away from moisture
You can wash the mirror without streaks using a special product and a soft cloth.
When choosing furniture, you should pay attention to the dimensions of the product and its design.
