Modern Cupboard Design

Modern designer-made wardrobes can literally transform any space: bedroom, children's room, hallway, living room. This type of furniture blends harmoniously into the interior of any stylistic direction and takes up little space. But how to choose a wardrobe correctly to get a truly modern and functional item?

Types

Today's manufacturers offer a wide variety of options for these modern storage systems. Wardrobes mainly differ in shape and construction. Several basic types can be distinguished.

Built-in wardrobes

These are models that have no back panel, top or floor. The construction includes only doors (facade). Internal fillings are in the form of compartments, shelves, drawers. The main advantage of such items, usually custom-made, is complete filling of a specific area of the room. A built-in wardrobe that fits precisely in size allows you to save space and get furniture that perfectly fits into the interior by dimensions. But there is also a drawback: such an item cannot be moved anywhere.

Separate wardrobes

This is the classic and most popular option, under which regular furniture items are meant that can be freely rearranged to any location. There is particular demand for modern wardrobes installed on the entire wall.

Corner models

A very effective solution for a small room where there is an empty corner and linear arrangement is unacceptable because it would take up too much space. A corner wardrobe also fits well into a square hallway. It should be noted that the internal fillings of such items are not only quite spacious but also complex, which affects the cost of the furniture item. Photos of wardrobe designs of this type can be seen on the website.

Radius (diagonal corner)

These models are also designed to fill corners, but differ by convex or concave facades. The first variant is the most popular, as such constructions are very spacious. Concave models are usually used by designers to emphasize a particular stylistic direction in the room.

Slanted wardrobes

These are items resembling the corner variant. The difference is that the side panels (or one of them) are finished with slanted facades. Such a structural solution allows leaving more free passage, which is relevant in narrow spaces. Sometimes a slanted corner is complemented with a side table or attic. If the wardrobe is in the hallway, a hanger may be placed next to the altered facade.

Photos of modern wardrobe designs in apartment interiors are shown below.

Wardrobe Design and Its Placement in Different Rooms

A wardrobe should not only be functional but also harmonize with the overall interior of the room and suit its purpose. What are the main features of wardrobe design placed in a particular space?

In the Living Room

A well-chosen wardrobe in the living room enhances a friendly atmosphere and comfort, which is essential for normal communication between people. Beautiful wall-mounted wardrobes with mirror facades look great. They visually expand the room, which is especially important if the area is small. Also, reflecting the surrounding space makes the living room brighter and more airy. The wardrobes themselves don't look bulky either. There is another option: a wardrobe in the living room with photo printing on the facade. You can order any image: just provide the manufacturer with a corresponding picture on a digital or other medium. Over time, when the image gets boring, it can be replaced.

• Choosing the Style of Wardrobe in the Living Room
  

If it is classic, then more formal, traditional shapes and the presence of dark metal elements in the finishing are implied. Decorative elements include carved details, glass inserts. The material of manufacturing is solid wood or its quality imitation. Tones are neutral and calm.

Modern styles imply more free forms and tones. Here, rounded sides or non-standard shapes can be used. The design of this type of wardrobes allows the use of various films with photo printing and bright colors.

In the Bedroom

Nothing should interfere with rest, and extra items can irritate and cause discomfort. Therefore, a wardrobe that harmonizes with the overall ambiance in the bedroom will help organize and ensure comfort, which is essential for relaxation. Recommended colors are calm and pastel. Other advantages of modern wardrobes for bedrooms include:

1. Greater capacity, allowing to abandon numerous chests of drawers and side tables cluttering the room;
   
2. The presence of many shelves and pull-out drawers in the wardrobe can replace a wardrobe;
   
3. Facade mirror eliminates the need for special purchase of this item.
   

In the Hallway

If it is spacious enough, it makes sense to buy a large linear wardrobe where you can store upper clothing (and not only) for all household members. This will save the need to purchase separate storage systems placed in different rooms. A wardrobe installed in a hallway must meet certain requirements – usually, the construction includes:

• Sections for upper clothing: it is better if there are two compartments – one for seasonal items, the other for things you don't use at the moment;
  
• Shelves for shoes;
  
• Attics where it is convenient to store rarely used items;
  
• Shelves for headwear, located at a convenient height;
  
• Special boxes or shelves for accessories: shoe cream, brushes, etc.;
  
• Hooks and hangers;
  
• AMirror that helps assess one's appearance.
  

In the Children's Room

First of all, pay attention to the construction: it should not have sharp angles. The second point related to safety is the absence of mirrors. But this does not mean that the facade must be empty and featureless. It can be decorated using self-adhesive film featuring favorite cartoon characters. Doors should open easily. General requirements for a wardrobe in a children's room:

• The material of manufacturing meets ecological requirements;
  
• Hardware is securely fixed;
  
• Bright decoration;
  
• Convenient handles on the doors;
  
• Drawers should not be fully removed to avoid injuring a child;
  
• A large number of open shelves with rounded edges inside, securely attached to the wardrobe.
  

Where to place a wardrobe in a children's room? This is also an important question: incorrect placement will reduce the play area and worsen the interior. If the room is small, it is better to choose a corner item. It is recommended to place the wardrobe between the work zone (where the table is, if the child has grown up) and the bed. In this case, the room inhabitant will find it easier to take the necessary items.

Facade Design

It is the external appearance of the wardrobe that determines its harmony with the room's interior. Today, there are many ways to finish facades, differing in complexity of manufacturing and, accordingly, cost.

• Glass. There are several options, one of which is lacomat. This is thick (4 mm) frosted glass with a semi-transparent effect. That is, from one side the contents of the wardrobe are barely visible, but from the other – allows the owner to quickly determine what is where. Another option is lacobell. This is glass treated with lacquer, which can have various shades.

• Sandblasted design. This also uses glass, but with an image applied to it. The pattern is created using sandblasting equipment. The most popular are plant motifs.

• mirror. Its reflective properties visually increase the space, so wardrobes with such facades are placed in hallways or rooms with small area. Modern manufacturers coat mirror facades with special impact-resistant film, which prevents shattering in case of surface damage. Wardrobes with mirrors in emerald, blue-green, bronze or silver tones are available on the market. There is also another option: etched mirror (with small matte patterns on the surface).

• Mosaic. Technologically the most complex way of facade finishing and therefore rarely seen.

• Photo printing. This is a technology whose essence lies in fixing images on the facade surface using special paint followed by UV polymerization. The image is then covered with lacquer.

• Bamboo. It is cut into strips, which are glued onto the surface. This material does not deteriorate under the influence of moisture or sunlight. An ideal option for an eastern-style design.

• Artificial leather. It is characterized by a wide color palette and texture. It gives the facade a solid appearance.

• Plastic (glossy or matte). A budget-friendly option for facade finishing. The variety of color palette allows choosing a wardrobe almost to any interior.

• With routing. These refer to wooden facades without glass and mirrors, but with an intricate contour pattern on the surface of solid wood.

• Combined. This is a combination of several finishing methods. It can be routing plus photo printing or sandblasted design combined with artificial leather, as well as other variants.

Design: Taras Bezuglov and Stas Samkovich

Internal Fillings

Mainly, it is they that define the functionality of the furniture item. It is worth considering the options for internal filling of wardrobes depending on the number of doors. If there is one door, the number of sections should not be less than two. In a permanently open section of the hallway wardrobe, on the upper shelves, headwear is stored, and on the lower ones (usually they are made with a slight incline), shoes. In the closed compartment, upper clothing is stored. The height of this section should not be less than 1.4 m, width – 0.8 m. If these dimensions are maintained, additional shelves can be located either at the top or bottom.

For two- and three-door wardrobes, there are more filling options. There can be 3–4 or more sections. Some of them remain free for clothing storage, others are equipped with shelves. It is worth paying attention to the fittings for hanging hangers. The classic way is to install a tubular rod, fixed along the entire length of the section. This method is acceptable for wardrobes with a depth of no less than 0.6 m. If the depth is less than this value, a so-called end hanger can be used, which is placed inside the wardrobe. There is another option – a pantograph. This is a special construction that allows the entire section with clothing to be fully extended outward.

Recommendations from Designer Arina Volkova

Unusual Wardrobes

Such items are usually developed by designers on order. First of all, this may concern the shape of the wardrobe. For example, it can completely replicate the configuration of the wall surface (e.g., a trapezoidal roof on a mansard). If the facade and walls are decorated in a unified style, the wardrobe becomes invisible. Another original idea is to incorporate a plasma panel or audio equipment into the furniture item. This is convenient (saves space) and stylish. Other creative solutions usually relate to the facade: a colored mirror can be made or it can be decorated in cubism or animism style. Everything depends on the interior design and your imagination.

It is hard to dispute the convenience and style of wardrobes: they are modern, widely distributed furniture items. To make them harmonize with the surrounding environment and be convenient and functional, it is sufficient to approach their selection carefully, using the recommendations provided above.

Wardrobe options differing in construction and facade design.

Video shows interesting solutions for placing wardrobes.