How does white color in the interior affect a person?
White is an achromatic color, just like black and shades of gray. It serves as a universal separator and can be combined with any existing shade. At the same time, it is neutral and does not affect the color perception of the room. The interior in any color scheme can be complemented with white objects as much as you like.
The influence and meaning of white and its shades is very diverse:
- white is rarely used on its own. His perception is ambiguous. For some, a snow-colored room embodies peace of mind and cleanliness, while for others it resembles a cold operating room. To smooth out the impression, pure white is combined with a variety of gray;
- often white is perceived as a symbol of purity and luxury. White furniture certainly emphasizes social status;
- the shade visually expands the space, so the larger the wardrobe in the bedroom or living room, the more spacious it seems. The secret is in its reflective ability: a white surface, even a matte one, reflects the light, and a brightly lit room seems larger;
- the shade is combined with different textures. The combination of a matte surface, gloss, and relief ornament gives even a 5-door cabinet structure and visually compensates for its actual dimensions;
- white serves as a color separator. By placing such furniture, it is easy to create an orderly structure even in the most colorful room.
White represents wealth because of its soiling. It was possible to keep the white walls, furniture, and carpets clean only thanks to a large number of servants. But modern materials make it possible to keep your closet clean without putting in too much effort.
Advantages and disadvantages
Glossy facades have a significant list of advantages:
- effectiveness and beauty of appearance;
- the ability to reflect light falling on their surface, which visually expands and also brightens the room in which such a cabinet is located (the gloss acts almost like a mirror);
- wide range of color solutions;
- the ability to make the interior design as aesthetically pleasing as possible, softening rough lines and unexpected color schemes;
- easy surface cleaning.
In contrast to these positive aspects, there are also negative ones:
- the surface of the cabinet quickly gets dirty (including from accidental touches of fingers, splashes of water, oil, and so on). This drawback can be mitigated if you purchase a cabinet that has not a single color, but a speckled color (colored, gold or silver chips). It’s even better if the cabinet façade is done in dark colors;
- gloss is characterized by increased sensitivity to mechanical damage;
- to maintain the “marketable” appearance of the cabinet, it will have to be wiped at least twice a day;
- To care for a glossy façade, you have to use specialized detergents instead of regular detergents.
However, these shortcomings do not cause too much inconvenience, and therefore are not an obstacle to purchasing such cabinets.
What interior colors go with a white wardrobe?
Pure white can be combined with your favorite colors. However, the consumer is dealing with shades of white. There are warm and cold:
- warm – milky, creamy, pearl. Warm tones are chosen for rooms with windows facing north, as these shades compensate for cold tones. Warm white goes better with warm tones of other shades: woody, sandy, grassy, orange;
- cold - silver, steel, snow. Cool tones neutralize excess sunlight in southern and western rooms. Combine with cool shades in the interior: blue, smoky gray, marengo, lavender.
The built-in white wardrobe completely merges with the wall and loses its significance in the interior.
Creation of individual design
A white closet in the bedroom is a blank slate for creativity. Every idea can be realized on it. The cabinet fronts are decorated with any pattern. It’s even better if you make this drawing yourself.
Read here: Mirror in the bedroom - 70 photos of the ideal location in the bedroom interior
You can play with color. Since white color goes well with all shades, it is possible to make any accents and use bright decor. Or vice versa, sticking to pastel colors to emphasize the cleanliness and freshness of the interior.
In addition to appearance, it is important to take care of filling the cabinet. It should be roomy, functional, and comfortable. The height of the shelves is important. You need to properly design the interior of the cabinet.
Types of sliding wardrobe door opening mechanisms
A special feature of the wardrobe is the way the door opens. The sash does not swing open, but slides along the facade. It does not take up space, which allows you to place a large wardrobe in a small room and install other furniture next to it - this will not interfere with the opening of the doors.
There are 2 mechanisms that provide this method of opening:
- roller - the door leaf moves along the lower and upper guides. Most of the load falls on the lower rollers, so they are much more massive. The advantages of the system: the sash does not warp when moving even with a large amplitude, the weight of the material does not matter, the service life is maximum. Disadvantage: the bottom guide creates a kind of threshold. The guides accumulate dust, so you need to clean the cabinet more often;
- suspended - the leaf moves only along the upper guide; the door leaf at the bottom does not touch the floor. Pros: the sash moves easier. Cons: door leaf weight limit – 80 kg.
Mechanisms are also distinguished by material:
- steel - strong, durable, very reliable. Disadvantages: possible corrosion and weight. To protect the steel profile and opening mechanism, the metal is coated with waterproof enamel and painted. Expensive models use stainless steel;
- aluminum - do not corrode. Much lighter, durable, varied in design. Aluminum itself is attractive due to its color and shine. You can additionally decorate the profile – not the guides – by covering them with PVC film or painting them. The disadvantage is lower mechanical strength compared to steel. If the door leaf is made of a mirror and is large in size, it is better to use a steel profile.
If the weight of the door leaf and the characteristics of the fittings do not match, the door quickly becomes “loose” and may come out of the grooves when opened.
Features of repair and care
Often, due to humidity or temperature changes, the glossy film begins to peel off, since the gloss cannot withstand physical impact. There is no need to rub it or heat it too much. You can use Moment glue. It is applied along the edge of the film and onto the façade area. Sometimes the film peels off literally after the furniture is delivered to the apartment. This means that the manufacturer uses a low-quality glue composition or the technology was violated in the manufacture of furniture.
In this case, the client has the right to return the goods to the store and demand compensation for the costs incurred. In order for the glossy facade to always look attractive, it needs to be properly cared for. This is especially true in the kitchen. There should not be excess moisture here, otherwise the shelves and doors will swell and may even become moldy. When installing glossy furniture in the kitchen, you need to take into account that sunlight should not fall directly on the glossy finish.
If you purchased a concentrated detergent for cleaning, it must be diluted with water before use. It is best to buy a special paste for cleaning shiny surfaces. Hardware stores sell stain removers for glossy surfaces: VuPlex, Gloss, Amway and others. They contain special substances that create a protective film on furniture. If your apartment has a steam cleaner, then you can do without chemicals altogether.
In addition, there are now a lot of dishwashing detergents in stores, which can also be used. Rags should be made of microfiber or disposable , sold in skeins. First, the cleaning composition is applied to the surface of the door, then wiped with a damp cloth and then wiped dry.
Modern sliding wardrobes are available in various versions, and often buyers find it difficult to choose which one is right for them.
If you don't have a special detergent, you can prepare a warm soapy solution, especially suitable for plastic gloss.
Types of sliding wardrobe facades
The appearance of a white cabinet is determined not only by the color, but also by the shape of the facade. There are these options:
- framed - the door leaf is enclosed in a metal frame. This prevents damage to the material, reduces wear and ensures durability. The frame is filled with glass, mirror, plastic, rattan, bamboo and other relatively fragile or soft materials;
- frameless - only a regular vertical profile is attached to the sash, serving as a handle. This is a simple and cheap option. Filling: MDF, solid wood, chipboard, furniture board. A frameless door wears out faster;
- radius facades are the most original design. The doors of complex shapes move along the same guides - concave or curved. The overall facade can have a certain shape - a hemisphere, a drop, or it can be a complex wave-like configuration. Radius wardrobes are incredibly beautiful and reliable, but they cost at least 2 times more.
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The cost of a radius façade is determined by both the movement mechanism and the material. The most difficult thing is to give such a shape to a mirror door; for a long time this was impossible. Accordingly, a cabinet with mirrored fronts costs even more.
Different materials are used for facades. The design is influenced by both its character and the texture given to the material:
- Chipboard or MDF - imitates white painted wood. The finish retains some wood grain. Usually matte, since gloss and texture do not combine well;
- solid wood - in the classic style it is simply painted with matte white paint or varnish. Baroque facades can be coated with white glossy paint;
- plastic - acrylic panels are light, durable, and are not afraid of moisture or temperature. The glossy surface emphasizes the purity and brightness of the shade;
- glass - sandblasting gives it whiteness. However, more often the glass is decorated with ornaments obtained in this way;
- mirror – white sashes are often combined with mirror ones. The mirror reflects light even better and mirrors the space, doubling its visual volume.
Both flat and radius facades can be made from any material.
Peculiarities
The main features of glossy cabinets directly depend on the material from which the coating is made:
- plastic - economical, resistant to household chemicals and increased temperature. Inability to correct minor faults and defects;
- film - low cost. Unpretentiousness regarding the detergents used. As temperatures rise and humidity increases, colors may fade and the film begins to peel off;
- paint and varnish - minor damage can be easily repaired, but if handled carelessly, there is a possibility that chips may form. A product with such a coating is highly expensive.
These brief descriptions will help you make a quicker choice, but keep in mind that glossy surfaces require special care. For example, when wiped with an ordinary dry cloth, such a coating becomes electrified and begins to attract dust.
Color options for a white sliding wardrobe - what can be combined with
Only a relatively small wardrobe can be pure white. A large object, even of this shade, looks too bulky and does not fit well into the interior design.
The product is designed in different ways:
- a model with a different texture - on the surface of different materials or after different processing, white looks different. Models that combine light wood, snowy glossy acrylic and frosted glass are elegant and attractive. Bonus: different textures structure the space and the cabinet does not look like a monolithic structure;
- black and white – black frames, painting on a white surface set off the whiteness and create an original accent;
- with colored inserts - a model in a modern style. The inserts are made of colored plastic, and the shade is selected taking into account the color scheme of the room;
- white with gold - suitable for both baroque, empire and high-tech;
- patterned surface - this is how sliding wardrobes in art deco, modern, and vintage styles are decorated. The ornament is obtained by sandblasting glass or painting.
The classic combination for a wardrobe is a white smooth surface and a mirror. The latter can be colorless, colored, patterned. Preference is given to models where mirrored doors are smaller in area than white ones.
Decorating black and white cabinets - original design ideas
Having decided to purchase or order a cabinet with a contrasting color, it is important to ensure a holistic perception of the entire composition, since the selected color combination should be in harmony with the decoration of the room. Depending on the design of the cabinet, the colors can be laconic or fill the room with extravagance.
Let's consider the most popular design options for contrasting furniture:
- white base with black stripes. The product has a strictly thought-out design and will fit into any interior design where there is a white palette. Thanks to the black finish, it will be possible to subtly place contract accents;
- a combination of black cells with white ones, like on a chess board. Dividing the front part of the cabinet into squares of different sizes, painted in contrasting tones, will allow this piece of furniture to fit into a modern interior;
- images of animal silhouettes. A bold and extraordinary decision is to buy a cabinet with a Dalmatian image or zebra-like coloring. You should be careful when using animal prints, which can quickly get boring;
- monochrome ornaments and contrasting patterns. Such drawings will make the interior even more colorful. Black and white furniture cannot be considered boring. It is intended not only for storing things, but also as a decorative element;
- black and white photos. Those who love a creative approach will be delighted by the opportunity to create a monochrome print on the front of the wardrobe. The photograph may depict silhouettes and lights of the evening city, famous personalities or even family members.
Black and white furniture is preferred by people with refined taste, aesthetes, as well as energetic individuals with a balanced character. From the many design options for black and white cabinets, you can always choose an original idea to implement in your own apartment.
For example, with the help of black and white ornaments on the front of the cabinet you can complement the interior in an ethnic style, and spectacular black and white photographs will fit well into the retro style.
Before making an expensive purchase, you need to evaluate how harmonious such a cabinet will be perceived in a particular room. It is possible that you will need the help of professional designers. They will help you choose the right color for your cabinet, which will become a real decoration.
Filontsev Viktor Nikolaevich
On the website: Author and editor of articles on the website pobetony.ru Education and work experience: Higher technical education. 12 years of experience in various industries and construction sites, 8 of which were abroad. Other skills and abilities: Has the 4th group of electrical safety clearance. Perform calculations using large data sets. Current employment: For the last 4 years he has been acting as an independent consultant for a number of construction companies.
In which interior styles is a white sliding wardrobe appropriate?
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The choice is influenced in a certain way by the style, or more precisely, by its inherent color scheme:
- classic - does not allow excess white. A wardrobe made of very light or bleached wood is suitable here;
- Baroque - especially modern modifications accept white furniture decorated with gold ornaments and mirror inserts. Gloss and inlays are allowed;
- For country and Provence, artificially aged facades are preferred. The colors are preferably warm;
- minimalism uses a cold shade, since the latter visually enlarges the space. The color range of high-tech, techno, minimalism is very limited and white prevails in it. Here they combine different shades of white and different textures. Radius models are extremely effective;
- Scandinavian – white color here acts as a universal background. A sliding wardrobe of the same shade is perceived as an architectural element of complex shape;
- in Art Nouveau, the snow-white facade is combined with mirrors, wooden inserts, and brightly painted panels. However, no matter how good the imitation is, it does not harmonize with antique things.
Selection rules
When choosing a cabinet, you should consider not only the appearance, but also the contents, especially if this will be the only storage system in the apartment. Also, when choosing such a cabinet, you should consider the following factors:
- Both light and bright options are suitable for the bedroom. In a small room, a glossy cabinet should be installed along the wall. For a spacious bedroom, you can consider the option of a built-in model. Cabinets with patterns on a glossy facade look good;
- The nursery should be made in bright colors. As an option, you can apply images of fairy tale characters or original patterns to the glossy façade;
- a light glossy cabinet will help expand the space, while black gloss will reduce it;
- since gloss does not really like interacting with moisture, it is better to choose similar cabinets for the kitchen only as wall-mounted structures;
- in the hallway, a glossy cabinet will go well with a mirror on the facade.
In which rooms can a wardrobe be placed?
The white wardrobe takes center stage in the interior. You can place it in any room, but the decor of the room and the appearance of the rest of the furniture will to some extent depend on it.
- Hallway - suitable only for a large hall. The sliding system requires a depth of at least 45 cm, of which 10 cm goes to the width of the guides. Such a shallow cabinet is of little use. If the space allows, the compartment turns into a very convenient storage space. The cabinet can be corner or wall-mounted and allows efficient use of space. Seasonal items and shoes are stored here.
- In the bedroom, a wardrobe is indispensable. Most often it occupies the area of one wall, or even two. Its color and design are such that they visually almost do not change the area of the room. The size of the closet and the ability to use the entire space up to the ceiling allow you to store any clothes, textiles, linen, accessories, bed linen and even equipment.
- Models in the living room are usually not so large, but they are designed as impressively as possible. Acts as a wardrobe. Often such compartments have compartments for large household appliances.
- In children's wardrobes, the wardrobe is less popular: the sliding system does not respond well to the child's efforts. The model is quite appropriate in a teenager’s room.
In a studio apartment or large room, a white cabinet can serve as a boundary between zones. In such cases, the back wall of the product is designed as carefully as the facade.
Recommendations for selection
The subtleties of choosing a design fully depend on exactly where it will be placed:
- Large hallways can be beautifully complemented with long cabinet or built-in white wardrobes. If you bought a design with a mirror facade, then it will be ideally complemented by a sandblasted pattern along the entire length of the cabinet. The most daring solution would be photo printing, and city panoramas, abstractions and black and white drawings also look amazing.
- In a small hallway, you should choose a corner or narrow wardrobe, which will greatly help save space. In small corridors, it is better not to think about bright colors or voluminous patterns. Mirrored or plain facades are best suited, but you can also order a subtle sandblasted pattern or delicate edging. If you want brightness, then photo printing will look good. But don’t take up the entire surface; placing the picture at the bottom, top or center is enough.
- A light-colored wardrobe allows you to relax after a working day and have a great rest. White color calms and puts you in a positive mood. Regardless of the size of the room, corner or built-in models are the ideal solution. This allows you to save space, which can be occupied by other pieces of furniture or interesting accessories. Plain snow-white cabinets are suitable for different style trends, but among the favorites we highlight Provence, modern and minimalism.
- As for the images, the night city, sakura and voluminous flowers look elegant. Peace and relaxation will be brought by stunning landscapes of the sea coast, mountain rivers and spring forest. In sandblasting designs, you should choose floral and natural motifs, smooth abstractions, as well as water surfaces. Structures made of natural wood that are suitable for Provence can be decorated with decoupage yourself. As an additional ambiance, decorate the room with paintings in a rustic style, dried flowers, voluminous curtains in pastel or lavender shades.
- A white cabinet can be placed in the living room, where guests usually sit. A bright and airy room will appear even larger with a cabinet like this, creating a relaxed and pleasant environment. The same will apply to the office or study. It's always a pleasure to work in a cozy and bright atmosphere. It is worth giving preference to classic models with a minimal amount of decor.
- Placing a white wardrobe in the nursery is a great solution. Color relaxes and calms even very active children, and will not act as an irritant. But monochromatic models are not suitable for a child’s room; it is better to choose beautiful designs. The simplest option would be photo printing, where you can depict a scene from a cartoon, your favorite characters or a calm landscape.
Colored inserts, smooth multi-colored patterns, natural abstractions and animals are perfect for decoration.
General rules for choosing a wardrobe
Choose a model taking into account many factors:
- dimensions - minimum cabinet depth - 45 cm, minimum door width - 50 cm. Furniture of such dimensions requires some space. The maximum depth and width are limited only by convenience: for example, moving a sash with a width of more than 1 m is simply inconvenient;
- facade shape - radius ones are the most impressive, but they also cost the most. Ordinary smooth sashes are cheaper, and their design can be no less interesting;
- material – budget models are made from chipboard and MDF. Solid wood is much more expensive and heavier. Mirror and glass doors are more popular than wood;
- system - suspended structures are more convenient and look more impressive. However, the option with 2 guides is more durable;
- filling - the simplest model includes a clothes rail, a number of shelves and drawers. Pantographs, trouser drawers, pull-out laundry baskets, etc. appear in tall, spacious cabinets;
- design – the design of the cabinet should match the interior.
How to care
To process plastic gloss, only mild detergents can be used, otherwise there is a risk of discoloration of the surface of the cabinet. The best option is to clean the surface with a solution of laundry soap. Varnish and film gloss should be washed with non-abrasive substances (for example, glass cleaner, but soapy water will also work), and wiped dry with microfiber material (this will avoid the appearance of streaks).
All concentrated cabinet cleaners must be diluted. The best solution would be to use a specialized wax or paste designed for caring for kitchen furniture. Wax used to polish wooden furniture, on the contrary, will cause the cabinet to dull, and dirt will stick faster than it can be washed off. Due to corrosive, solvent-based products containing chlorine or alcohol, glossy surfaces will begin to fade. All powdered cleaning products, as well as hard sponges, will almost immediately remove all shine from the surface of the cabinet.
Photos in the interior
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A white wardrobe can be combined with any shades, matches any style, and serves as a means of zoning. Color visually enlarges the room. However, such a cabinet is the largest detail of the interior, so the furnishings of the room are selected taking into account its design, and not vice versa.