Agree that the hallway is not only the first room that your guests see, but also a place that sets the tone for the entire apartment as a whole. The overall dimensions of most hallways are quite small and, unfortunately, you cannot place a lot of furniture in them, so owners often install bedside tables for storing shoes and install a hanger for outerwear.
There are many designs for shoe cabinets, so the choice must be made taking into account not only the beautiful shape, but also the functionality of the latter.
Let's look at what models of cabinets are on the market, and what you should pay attention to when purchasing.
Open option
Structurally, the open cabinet is made in the form of many cells, each of which is intended for a specific pair of shoes. The dimensions of the cabinet itself and the cells depend on the wishes of the customer; the material is wood or metal.
Their main advantages include:
- long service life due to the absence of opening elements;
- Natural air circulation on the shelves prevents the formation of a musty smell.
The disadvantages of this type of bedside table are:
- the absence of doors allows dust to settle on shoes and they have to be taken out and wiped more often;
- The small size of the cells does not allow storing boots in them.
Additional items
Modern cabinets can be equipped with additional open shelves, which are much smaller in size than others. They are designed to store magazines and newspapers that the owner took out of the mailbox on the way to the apartment.
Some products require the presence of a free plane on the cabinet. Family photos or key holders are placed here. For example, an option where a soft bench is connected to the main compartments of the shelves allows you to place various accessories on the surface.
Don’t forget, if the hallway is too small, you should abandon empty, unused surfaces. It is better to give preference to functional products in which each compartment is designed for storage. In this way you can significantly save space and fit as many shoes as possible.
Closed model
The closed version of the shoe cabinet fully corresponds to the ideas of functionality and convenience. The presence of a door, or several, will allow you to hide shoes, shoe accessories, and shoe cosmetics from prying eyes.
In addition to closed compartments, combined options are also possible, which have open shelves in their design; they are very convenient for storing women's handbags and other women's small items. The doors can be either hinged or hinged, it all depends on your preferences.
The most popular is the cabinet with a seat, which combines an ottoman and a cabinet, while saving precious centimeters of space.
Methods of fastening hanging pedestals and their features
The hanging bedside table in the hallway is small, and the items stored in it also do not have much weight. It can be mounted either on a load-bearing wall or on a solid interior partition. The placement height depends on the convenience and requirements of the interior.
There are several fastening methods:
- anchor bolts – fasteners for concrete and brick walls. They can withstand very heavy loads, but are not aesthetically pleasing: such fasteners need to be masked;
- furniture canopies – can withstand a weight of more than 100 kg. Canopies are used on any walls;
- on bolts and angles – used when installing on thin partitions. Less durable.
No matter how strong the fasteners are, you cannot lean on the suspended structure, much less sit, in order to change your shoes.
Model for small rooms
If even the most compact furniture in the hallway looks too bulky, pay attention to the corner narrow cabinet, which, despite its small dimensions, is fully functional.
The only disadvantage of this model is the inability to equip a full-fledged seat, since the depth of the product will not exceed 30 cm, but otherwise, the cabinet can easily be placed in the so-called “dead zone”, freeing up the main space.
Despite its small size, it can accommodate all the necessary seasonal shoes and additional accessories; it is worth noting that the cost of such a modification is significantly lower than classic models.
Location rules
To use the cabinet for its intended purpose, it must be placed correctly in the hallway. Products 40 cm deep are difficult to place near the door, so the best option is to install them in a corner or on the wall opposite the entrance.
Placing a piece of furniture near the door will increase the speed of taking off and putting on shoes and will be appropriate if the cabinet is not too deep. A bench located on the surface of the model suggests the presence of free space for sitting. It is more advisable to place such a product away from the front door.
If there is a narrow passage, use a hanging cabinet that will be placed above foot level and will not cover part of the space. Open models can be installed almost anywhere: due to the lack of doors, they are quickly accessible and do not require additional space for access.
It might be better to mount it on the wall
Another option that allows you to rationally use the square footage of the hallway is a wall cabinet.
A distinctive feature of the model is its design, versatility, and compactness.
The material for the wall option is often chipboard or MDF boards lined with natural wood, this allows you to reduce the final cost, as well as create a unique design without harming the walls.
By adding a mirror in the same style to the bedside table, you get a modern interior and an uncluttered hallway.
Coverage issue
Classic style cabinet in the hallway.
It is not always necessary to cover the cabinet with protective materials, because this is not a bathroom. The choice depends on the personal preferences of the owners and the interior of the entire house. But we will look at some options:
- Paint is the simplest, classic method that not only gives an item incredible shades, but also revives an old item.
- Varnishing is a complete correction of the surface of the cabinet, getting rid of roughness and other minor defects. The upper part is covered with a glossy or matte finish. The tonality changes, which specifically affects the final shades of the subject. This imitates an elite texture.
- Chipboard, MDF - carried out in the form of a veneer covering, which looks like an array. In terms of laminate flooring, ease of maintenance and chemical treatment are taken into account here.
- Film is the most popular method, which is famous for its mechanical stability. Imitation of wood or pattern is acceptable. The film can be easily and quickly applied to the surface yourself. In general, easy cosmetic repairs are possible with this material.
Cabinet with MDF coating in the hallway.
Coating the surface of the cabinet with paint.
Classic
Modern versions of the classic shoe cabinet, namely cabinets with a mirror, allow you to visually expand the room.
If previously the mirror in this model was placed exclusively above the bedside table, and below there were compartments for things and shoes, then the modern version can be a high bedside table with a mirrored door, behind which the shoes are hidden. However, in this case it will be necessary to consider the seating area.
Key Features
Wooden cabinet for storing things in the hallway.
A cabinet is an indispensable item for storing personal items. Thanks to it, all your necessary items are kept away from prying eyes. They are not afraid of dust and dirt, as they are kept in a safe place. To the same extent, the rules of minimalism are observed, which already makes life much easier in everyday life.
Light wood cabinet in the hallway interior.
First of all, the true purpose of the cabinet is, as mentioned above, to store clothes and shoes. Because when shoes are carelessly scattered at the entrance to the house, one does not get the best impression of the owners of the apartment. As for the upper parts of the furniture, keys, sunglasses, cosmetics, gloves, etc. are usually stored in this department. things. Options for cabinets are available, where there is a compartment for storing outerwear and umbrellas.
Shoe cabinet for storing things and shoes in the hallway.
To save free space in the hallway, place the cabinet only near the entrance. It would not be a sin to add some kind of chair or ottoman to it. It is also appropriate to hang a mirror on the adjacent wall. This way you or your guests can conveniently put on or take off your shoes and get your appearance in perfect order. And it’s impossible not to notice that all this will happen near the front door. This means that less dirt will flow into the rest of the corridor, which will be well received by the owners of the house. If you want to purchase a cabinet with doors, consider their size when opening.
Shoe cabinet with seat in the hallway.
Another important aspect is lighting. The brighter the better! For high ceilings, use spotlights. Or place the lamps on the cabinet itself.
In addition to practical benefits, attention is also paid to the decorative side. Furniture with beautiful finishing enhances the interior design of the hallway in an unusual way, thereby creating a pleasant atmosphere for visitors. The cabinet can accommodate various souvenirs, boxes, vases and any other similar decoration items.
Wooden chest of drawers with an interesting design for the hallway.
Before you make a purchase, ask yourself: How many people will use it? This is how the decision to clarify the size of the furniture comes up. Even if you buy a small cabinet, still consider all the free space in the hallway. It doesn’t matter whether the cabinet is narrow or low, in any case it will attract the right attention. Therefore, think in advance about how this item will get along with other things under a common interior “roof”.
Any thing requires a diagnostic procedure from time to time. If you want to make this process easier, buy models that are easy to wash and ventilate.
Black and white cabinet design in the hallway interior.
The cost of the cabinet depends on the size of the item, materials of manufacture, complementary decor and brand of production. Basic cabinets are cheap - from 2000 rubles. But premium-style products, which are produced by popular companies, naturally cost much more. But in this regard, the emphasis is on expensive components. In general, there is no limit to perfection.
Nightstand plus hanger
For small rooms, the best option would be a combination of a compact shoe cabinet and a hanger with a mirror installed on top.
This arrangement of furniture allows you to rationally use the space under the hanger, making the hallway not only cozy, but also functional. The model of the bedside table can be different; both closed and open modifications are suitable.
The role of a hanging bedside table in the interior of the hallway
The cabinet in the hall is usually small. The hallway is a small room and the furniture chosen here is specific: compact, with the minimum possible depth, but nevertheless stylish and interesting. Console cabinets fit this perfectly.
Hanging furniture structures the space. A monolithic structure - a wall, a large closet, a row of blind pencil cases - visually makes the room smaller and creates a feeling of bulkiness. But a combination of open and closed sections or furniture and open sections of the wall will create a certain structure. At the same time, the room looks larger.
Console models have a small height, since they are not installed on the floor, but are mounted on the wall at a distance of at least 15–20 cm from the floor. Usually they are elongated and appear as horizontal elements in the interior.
Cabinets are divided by specialization:
- shoe - include 1 or 2 inclined shelves or nets for shoes;
- model with drawers - mini chest of drawers. Scarves, hats, flat bags, keys, and care products are stored here;
- classic - with closed sections where larger items are left: bags, umbrellas, detergents.
Hanging models can be supplemented with side shelves, narrow drawers for gloves and more.
Option for phone
For older people, the best option would be a bedside table that would combine several functions at the same time - for storing shoes, a stand for a phone, a comfortable chair for a seat. This model will significantly save centimeters of the room, while fulfilling its mission.
Features of the bedside table: material, presence or absence of a door, soft seat are selected for a specific person.
As you can see, a wide range of bedside tables for storing shoes and accessories allows you to choose the best option in terms of design and cost. Just look at the photo of the cabinets in the hallway, study the disadvantages and positive aspects of the models and make the best choice.
General selection criteria
When choosing a wall cabinet for a corridor, you need to look at its quality of construction, spaciousness, functionality, and design.
Frame
Like any cabinet furniture, the hanging bedside table in the hallway has a frame, the structural elements of which are:
- Two horizontal surfaces - top and bottom.
- Two side walls.
- Back wall.
Traditionally, corridor designs have a square or rectangular shape. For smaller hallways, you can choose a fairly spacious, but at the same time efficient use of space, corner cabinet. Combined design options are also possible.
The sizes of the cabinets in the corridor can be different. They should be selected taking into account the characteristics of the room. Dimensions of standard cabinets:
- Depth – 30-40 cm.
- Height – 70-100 cm.
- Length – 60-90 cm.
One of the main requirements for cabinets in the corridor is practicality. They must withstand the constant presence of moisture and also be impact resistant.
To make modern wall-mounted cabinets for hallways, they use:
- Natural wood. This is an environmentally friendly raw material, characterized by durability and strength. Wooden products have a luxurious appearance and do not require special care.
- Laminated chipboard. Such designs are quite affordable and have a lot of design options. Thanks to these indicators, they have earned their popularity. But the strength and durability of such furniture are very low.
- MDF. Both the body and the facades are made from this material. The designs have many decoration options and low cost. In addition, they are quite durable, practical, and environmentally friendly.
- Plastic. The only advantage of plastic is its resistance to moisture and constant cleaning. At the same time, the plastic structure itself does not have high strength and durability; it is easily scratched and loses its attractive appearance.
- The back wall of the furniture can be made of plywood or fiberboard.
- When choosing cabinet furniture, you need to pay attention to the edges. It must be of high quality, which will extend the life of the furniture, and in the case of chipboard models, it will provide additional protection against the evaporation of adhesives into the air. Usually the furniture is treated with PVC edge, sometimes it can be a melamine product.
The following is used as a coating for structural elements:
- Paint. It allows you to give furniture an unusual color and shade and create a beautiful print.
- Lucky. Varnishing evens out the structure of the material. There are options for matte, glossy coating, as well as adding a tone.
- Wood veneer is an imitation of furniture made from solid wood.
- Film. Allows you to give the material any color and pattern.
Filling
The beauty and strength of the structure are undeniably important, but the main reason for purchasing furniture is its functionality. Therefore, when choosing a hanging cabinet for the corridor, you should think about what you are going to place in it and, based on this, select a model with certain storage systems.
Models of cabinets may differ significantly from each other in content. The minimum configuration includes shelves and closed compartments.
More functional hanging systems have inclined and mesh shelves for shoes. A convenient option is one with built-in drawers in which you can store various wardrobe items.
The kit may also include an umbrella holder, compartments for storing jewelry, keys, glasses and other accessories.
Larger modifications are complemented by a mirror and a hanger for outerwear.
Facades
The wall cabinet for the hallway can be with open or closed facades.
Open facades are niches and shelves without doors. Such facades are good for storing everyday shoes and small items that should be at hand, but you should not store things and seasonal shoes in them, since they do not protect against dust.
Closed facades are represented by doors and the front part of the drawers.
Such facades hide the contents of the cabinet from prying eyes, and also protect things and shoes from dust and “attacks” of pets.
Closed facades can be blank or framed.
Blind ones are made of a single plate, without slots or joints, which gives them additional strength and extends their service life.
Frame panels consist of a frame and a panel. They are lighter and attract many decorative options.
In order for the cabinet to serve for a long time and not present any unpleasant surprises in the form of broken fittings, it is necessary to pay maximum attention to the systems for opening the facades.
- The swing system is doors that are attached to the furniture frame with hinges or circular canopies. The doors open when you pull the handle towards you. The disadvantages of such systems are that despite their durability, creaking may appear over time. Additional space will be required to open the swing system.
- The tilting system involves opening the sash downwards. The sash is limited by side holders.
- The retractable system is placed on drawers, which move out and slide in along guides thanks to special rollers.
