Aquarium in Living Room and Other Rooms with Photos

The topic is about a quite popular and accessible way to animate the design: aquarium in the living room or any other room interior. Such an accessory is quite often found both in luxurious cottages and small modest apartments. What else can be said about this unusual design element?

What is an aquarium and why is it needed in a house

First, it is worth mentioning the meaning of the word itself, borrowed from Latin. "Aqua" means water: this is known to many. But "rium" is a word that is rarely encountered in everyday life. It refers to an artificially created enclosed space. That is, an aquarium can be interpreted as "an artificial structure with water".

What functions can the described element perform? An aquarium in the living room interior can serve as an excellent place for relaxation and rest. If speaking about design, this structure can be used as an accent element, often of an unusual shape. Another possible function is space zoning. How can an aquarium be installed in a living room? More about this below.

As a partition

Dividing rooms using an aquarium is quite an original, although not a new idea. It is especially good for spaces with open floor plans. Due to its transparency, the aquarium with fish makes the space bright but at the same time creates a feeling of solitude.

If vibrant plants (e.g., red tone) are placed inside the aquarium, this object can simultaneously become a design accent element. In some cases, such a partition becomes a boundary between separate spaces: for example, the living room and dining room, i.e., it plays an important role in space zoning.

It should be noted that a very good effect is achieved by combining black-and-white decoration with blue-green color of the aquarium filling. Such contrast always attracts attention. Another point: a storage system can be organized under the aquarium, which is very important for small-sized spaces.

Table-Aquarium

An original design solution providing dual function of the object. If it is a coffee table, you can browse your favorite press and at the same time admire the underwater world. There are other options where an aquarium is placed under a dining table. In this case, you can calmly drink a cup of coffee while enjoying the view of the living nature. When purchasing such an item, pay attention to the strength of the base: it is better if it is made of metal. This is due to the fact that such a combined structure has quite a substantial weight.

Wall-mounted aquariums and their installation

A quite popular way to diversify the living room interior. Here, you first need to decide on the installation method of the aquarium: whether it will have one or two-sided viewing. Enjoying the underwater world from different rooms is a quite attractive feature, but not always acceptable. For example, if the aquarium will be placed between the living room and bedroom, the noise from the constantly operating compressor is unlikely to be appropriate when striving for a peaceful night rest. Therefore, you need to consider specific circumstances. It is worth examining both methods of aquarium installation in detail.

1. Single-sided aquarium. First, attention should be paid to the strength of the base. It is better to completely exclude gypsum board and profiles. The most reliable option is brick or blocks. Also, consider reinforcing the upper part – it is better to use metal angles that will act as a beam.
   
2. Double-sided aquarium. To achieve maximum strength of the structure, it is recommended to install a metal welded frame that will surround the aquarium from all sides. Do not forget about maximum free access to the object from above.
   
   

A well-organized aquarium in the wall creates the feeling of a real, living "painting". Sometimes it even looks like a television.

Corner structures

This item provides a panoramic view, showing the beauty of the underwater world. At the same time, care for such structures is incomparably easier than for built-in systems. Corner structures can solve functional tasks:

• divide the living room into zones;
  
• play the role of a design accent.
  

Aquarium + fireplace

What is a fireplace? It has long been more than just a heating device but a full-fledged element of interior decor. At the same time, it is not uncommon for the last function of a fireplace to be its only one, since its heating capabilities are not required. However, if it is used for its primary purpose, you should remember that overheating the water in an aquarium is not allowed. To prevent this, take care of good thermal insulation between the aquarium and fireplace and regularly check the water temperature.

Freestanding aquariums

These are the simplest and at the same time the most reliable structures, which has made them popular. Such items are a container on a stand designed as a cabinet. The latter can be used for storing accessories required for fish care and food. A simpler variant of a freestanding aquarium is a structure made of metal angles that serve as legs at the bottom: the container itself is placed on welded beams from above. The height of such systems ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 meters, width usually does not exceed half a meter, and length depends on your preferences.

It should be noted that the shape of an aquarium is not necessarily rectangular. There are also cylindrical configurations. Pay attention to the stand: it should be strong, as the weight of water sometimes exceeds 0.5 tons. It looks original when made in the form of floor clocks. Advantages of a freestanding aquarium:

• - it can serve as a partition, providing space zoning (e.g., dividing the living room and hallway).
  
• the container does not necessarily have to be filled with water and populated with fish: many people simply create a collage (e.g., a coffee table with a transparent top), helping to emphasize a specific interior style;
  
• the freestanding item can be moved to any place, draining the water beforehand.
  

Unusual aquariums and unconventional placement locations

Designers' imagination is inexhaustible: this statement applies to aquariums as well. One of the non-standard solutions is a container in the form of a guitar. Undoubtedly, such an idea will be appreciated by musicians. Another original variant is using the item for kitchen backsplash decoration. Just imagine: fish will swim up to the glass and observe your cooking process. This type of construction requires significant space up to the wall, so this idea is suitable for spacious rooms.

Another non-standard solution involves using an aquarium as a nightstand. If you place a countertop for small items on top and equip the container with violet lighting, you will get an original piece of "furniture". A fresh idea is to place an aquarium in the bathroom, where it can be used as a kind of frame for the sink. For example, original dog owners use a fish tank when making a kennel: of course, if it is in the house. In a country house, an aquarium can be placed under the staircase, filling the empty space.

It should be noted that a "monumental" structure is a column-shaped construction. It looks very effect and creative: an original tower will add elegance to the room. However, you have to work hard: you need to provide water supply and drainage, connect electricity. Also, ordering such an aquarium will be individual, which inevitably leads to serious expenses. Another impressive construction is made in the form of a transparent arch that divides two rooms. Here, too, serious financial costs are required.

Aquarium in living rooms of different styles

One of the features of an aquarium with fish is that it fits well into almost any stylistic direction of a living room. First, pay attention to the shape: for classical and romantic design, a rounded-shaped item is suitable. For minimalism and hi-tech style, as well as loft, it is better to buy strict and straight forms.

Pay attention to the lighting: pastel and soft tones suit classical design and cottage, Provence. A more intense light flow is appropriate in living rooms decorated in modern styles. Here, the container can serve as an accent element. Photos of aquariums in living rooms of different styles can be seen on the website.

How to place an aquarium in a small room

Not everyone can afford to buy an expensive aquarium or a fish tank made to order. Moreover, often the small area of the room does not allow placing a bulky item. What can be done in this case?

One of the solutions is to buy a mini-aquarium that visually may resemble a sphere, flask, vase, glass or even a traditional incandescent bulb. Such constructions organically fit into any part of the room, giving it a special color.

There are more original ideas. For example, an aquarium in the form of a semisphere attached to the wall. The drawback of such constructions is that more than two fish cannot be placed there. But you can place two or three such containers. The advantage is that care for these items is easy: change the water, clean them. What about placing an aquarium in other rooms of a living house or apartment?

On the kitchen

This is an excellent alternative to the familiar television! It is much more interesting to watch live nature than poor news that does not contribute to a good appetite. One of the options for placing aquariums is a kitchen island. In this case, you can admire the fish from all sides. A good decoration for a free wall can be an aquarium picture.

A more voluminous variant of using the structure is creating a partition between the kitchen and living room. These items have small depth (usually no more than 35 cm), but a considerable length – up to 3 meters. But it is not necessary to use an aquarium as a full partition: you can just incorporate it into the wall, which will cost significantly less.

Aquarium in the entrance hall

This is quite a bold decision: the main difficulty lies in organizing special lighting, as fish need day and night cycles (or their imitation). The best option is to purchase a small structure, which should be placed as far away from the front door as possible.

If the entrance hall is spacious enough, it makes sense to buy an aquarium in the form of a picture that should be hung on a free wall (preferably one facing the entrance to the living room, designed in the form of an arch).

Aquarium in the bedroom

Even the smallest aquarium in the most modest bedroom will not go unnoticed. But this beautiful structure is not only part of the decor. There are other advantages:

• green and blue colors in the aquarium promote relaxation and positively affect vision, giving eyes a rest;
  
• fish swim slowly, which is fascinating and makes you forget about daily troubles;
  
• a soft, well-chosen lighting transforms the aquarium into an original nightstand;
  
• during the heating season, the presence of open water helps balance humidity in the bedroom.
  

However, it should be remembered that an aquarium requires constant care. Otherwise, it can lead to unpleasant odors in the room. And another disadvantage is the constant noise from the compressor that pumps air into the aquatic environment.

When choosing an aquarium for the living room and other rooms of the premises, consider their area first. The second not less important point is style. Here it is necessary to take into account the shape of the structures and their combination with the design. If these requirements are met correctly, you will get a true underwater kingdom that fits into the interior: whether it is large or small.

Examples of the most modern and unusual aquariums