A spacious corridor is the dream of many owners of small-sized apartments. As a rule, residents of old buildings have to reconsider several options before finding the most rational solution to make the small corridor beautiful and functional. To equip a small area with a narrow closet in the hallway is considered the best option.
Advantages and disadvantages
In modern corridors, the narrow fixed wardrobe in the hallway replaced the stationary stationary headsets. The main advantages of the modern model are:
- space saving
- large capacity
- convenient storage system
- wide selection of materials.
The design flaws include a possible failure of the sliding door system, but this problem can be avoided if you choose a quality product to equip the hallway.
Manufacturers offer a choice of several types of sliding wardrobe:
- built-in - this option is ideal for small-sized halls with a small architectural niche. Their installation can be planned initially, or made during the overhaul. Built-in cabinets provide maximum space savings, but their installation should be done by masters with a certain work experience,
- modular - the model is assembled from separate parts, installed as a conventional casement. A distinctive feature of the modules is not only the different opening of the doors, but also the ability to choose the desired length, depth, equipment. Installation of such cabinets is simple, but at the same time they occupy more living space.
- radial - the original cabinet furniture is installed in a free corner, has a beautiful shape of a semicircle. An interesting model is an excellent design solution for small halls, it does not have sharp corners, they provide the most safe movement of residents in a cramped room.
In addition to its practicality, cabinet furniture copes well with the decorative function, the facade can be selected for any design. If the corridor area has non-standard sizes, the cabinet can be ordered according to individual sizes, taking into account all the features of the room.
Materials of manufacture
Modern cabinets are made from a wide variety of materials that meet all established safety standards:
- MDF is the most budget option. Modern material can, is used to create a frame, or as a reliable material for the manufacture of internal shelves or side console,
- Laminated chipboard - laminated chipboard is covered with a special protective film, which allows to increase the strength, decorative qualities of the material:
- wood - the most expensive elite furniture is produced from natural wood. The texture of natural material fits perfectly into any interior style.
The door leaf in sliding and swinging structures has a unique design, reliably hides the entire contents of the cabinet. Most popular are:
- mirror - cabinet doors with a spectacular mirror coating allow you to create a stylish, refined interior, and the whole room is lighter, more spacious. Furniture mirrors are often decorated with patterns and patterns, tinted or coated with a special anti-reflective coating,
- glass is an eco-friendly, easy-to-care material that never goes out of style. Glass is coated with a special film that does not allow it to break or crumble into small pieces. The design of such doors is particularly diverse: sandblasting, lacquer or decorative photo printing,
- plastic - highly ecological acrylic plastic is often used to decorate modern sliding doors. The material is presented in a wide range of colors, characterized by high durability and reliability. Plastic organically fits into any interior style, can be easily combined with other materials,
- rattan - a natural material often used in the process of creating original eco-styles. A wardrobe made of rattan makes the interior lighter, creates a feeling of calm, proximity to nature. Durable natural material is resistant to abrasion and sudden changes in temperature, does not require special operating conditions.
Facades coated with special slate paint can be used as a drawing board - this will be an excellent solution for the home where young children live.
Filling
A narrow closet in the hallway, as a rule, has the most functional layout, which involves the presence of hangers for outerwear, shelves for shoes, hats and stylish accessories. The quantity and quality of filling largely depends on the number of people living in the house. For a small corridor, a wardrobe with one or two doors is ideal. The dimensions of the cabinet are selected depending on the area of the room. Most often, their depth is 40 centimeters, so all storage areas must be placed most ergonomically.
So that the furniture during operation does not cause any inconvenience, experts advise the internal area to be conditionally divided into three zones:
- upper - it is better to store seasonal things, shoes in an inaccessible place
- the middle one is the most functional area, they have a bar for outerwear,
- lower - at the very bottom it is convenient to place shoes in boxes or household appliances.
In the design of drawers, manufacturers use several options for sliding mechanisms:
- single roller
- ball
- with auto-drive.
The fittings for a narrow cabinet should have increased strength and reliability, because the load on it is much higher than on furniture in other rooms.
Which room is suitable
Furniture items in a narrow hallway must be selected with great care, they must have great functionality, and combine well with each other. The corridor, as a rule, does not have window openings, so designers are advised to design a darkened room in beige or milky tones. A special role is played by the design of all items of cabinet furniture.
Features of cabinet furniture for a narrow hallway:
- facade design - the texture of light beech, birch or pine is very popular,
- decorative elements - in order to visually enlarge a room it is better to use mirror or glass surfaces,
- design - furniture for arranging a small hallway is characterized by strictness and conciseness of forms,
- highlighting - spotlights inserted into the cornice will help to highlight the functional area.
Given the limited space, manufacturers offer new ideas, implement the most daring copyright projects. A successful design decision is considered a combined model of a compartment hallway.
It has various sizes and is located along one of the walls. Design advantages include its mobility. The compartments can be interrupted by a flat wall with a mirror, a lower pedestal for shoes, open shelves and a convenient rack system for accessories.
Posting Rules
If the hallway of a small-sized apartment is elongated, then the furniture should be placed in such a way as not to clutter the already small passage. Designers offer a large number of ideas to save space:
- angular location - if you need to install a spacious cabinet for storing a large number of items, then the corner construction will be the best choice. On the one hand, you can install a narrower cabinet with a convenient hinged door and hang a large mirror in a baguette frame,
- linear layout - one of the most optimal options is the rectilinear type of cabinets. The long model allows you to place hangers for clothes, shelves for storing personal items, household items. The design of the cabinet surfaces can be combined with the decoration of walls, floors, ceilings or, on the contrary, become a bright accent of the interior,
- n-shaped layout - this arrangement involves the location of various functional interior items on three sides. But it should be limited to a small set of furniture, otherwise the hallway will look messy.
In a narrow corridor, a balance must be struck between functionality and minimalism. In practice, a wardrobe with swing doors will cause certain inconveniences. The formation of colors in a narrow hallway is the basis for creating a stylish and comfortable room. The photo shows the most stylish, spectacular, original design options for modern and classic interiors.
How to choose the right
When choosing furniture for a narrow hallway, it is necessary to take into account many nuances:
- production material - a large number of people pass through the corridor, so the furniture must be strong and reliable. The natural massif is considered to be the most ideal with the material, cheaper models are created from MDF or chipboard,
- style - the form and design of furniture is selected in accordance with the general style decision of the room. Therefore, it is not recommended to use cabinets with artificially aged surfaces during the creation of modern interiors,
- shades - the color of the facade should not stand out from the overall color scheme of the hallway. For small rooms, light shades are considered optimal, which visually expand the space,
- dimensions - dimensions are a decisive factor when choosing a cabinet. Particular attention should be paid to length and depth. The number of necessary pieces of furniture depends on the spaciousness and multifunctionality of the model.
It’s quite difficult to choose high-quality furniture suitable for all parameters for a small hallway. To do this, first of all, it is necessary to determine which of the items of furniture must be in the corridor, and which can be replaced.
It is most convenient to purchase a hall in the kit. The modular system will help to make the room stylish and neat. With a competent and rational approach to the selection of furniture, in a narrow entrance hall you can create an ergonomic living space that can provide all the residents of the house with maximum amenities and comfort for many years.
Features and Benefits
The main task of installing a narrow cabinet in the hallway is to place a large number of things in a modest area. This problem is solved by a well-thought-out filling system.
The door opening mechanism can be classic - swing.
However, in the hallway there is not always enough space for him. Therefore, a wardrobe with sliding doors is usually found. Such a storage system is quite popular due to its spaciousness with a laconic appearance.
The drawback of the sliding mechanism is that it “eats” about 10 cm of usable space. The system itself may fail over time.
The cabinet can be built-in or freestanding. A model that lacks at least one wall is called partially embedded.
This option is suitable for any hallway. If the layout of the hall provides a niche, you can use it to install a storage system.
A square hallway allows you to put an angular model that will use every centimeter of usable area.
The benefits of a narrow cabinet:
- Capacity
- Compactness
- The use of various materials,
- The ability to fit into the interior of any style.
Dimensions
The dimensions of the cabinet depend on the size of the hallway, its shape, ceiling height, and interior style.
When planning the installation of furniture, you should take measurements of the room, as well as clearly determine what will be stored there:
- The height of the cabinet depends on the purpose of its use. To accommodate everyday clothing, it must be at least 1.8 m,
- The depth of the narrow model is usually less than the standard. It can be 30 cm. It is important to think over the filling system. If you wish, even in such a shallow closet you can store clothes on your shoulders using the end bar,
- Narrow are cabinets with a width of 0.4 to 1 m.
Color schemes
The color of the cabinet depends on the style of the hallway, wall and floor decoration, lighting:
- Light furniture is typical for the classic interior, as well as the style of Provence, country,
- A narrow cabinet is not the dominant volume, so it can be a dark accent against light walls,
- The best solution for a small room is one color scheme of all objects and finishes. Choose light neutral colors for walls and furniture. A darker floor diversifies the picture,
- You must be careful with bright colors. Since the hallway usually does not have natural light, the color should be chosen, focusing on the tonality of the lamps (heat or cold). This is especially important if a mirror hangs nearby. So, a bright green cabinet door under cold lighting will give an unpleasant shade to the face.
Actual styles
Cabinet functionality is important. But an equally important factor in his choice is the style of the hallway:
- Minimalism. For such a hall, a light model with smooth facades, possibly with mirror inserts, is suitable. Laconic pens, or missing at all,
- Classic style. Furniture for such an interior is usually made of light wood. Often it is white. Doors are oar, can have trim in the form of moldings,
- Provence. Furniture should be light, pastel colors. Facades can be artificially “aged”,
- Country. Natural textures in warm shades are the hallmark of this style. An interesting solution may be the facade of the built-in wardrobe, imitating the door to the village barn,
- Oriental. A sliding wardrobe with translucent sashes made of plastic in combination with a natural mat is suitable. Another option: a mirrored facade, decorated with sandblasting in the shape of sakura,
- Scandinavian style. The cabinet should be as functional as possible. It is better if it is made of light wood.
Photo Gallery: Narrow Cabinets in the Entrance Hall
Expert Julia Kovtunova (Author, content manager) Work experience: 3 years, since 2017.
Hallway furniture in a small corridor
A familiar set of furniture: a closet for outerwear, an open hanger or hooks for everyday items, a lattice for dirty shoes and a shelf for dry or narrow shoe rack (shoe cabinet), a bedside table or chest of drawers for storing little things.
But for a narrow corridor without a detailed drawing of the hallway and cunning ideas, it is impossible to arrange so much furniture.
Here are photo examples of the best hallways in a small corridor in the apartment. Now let's see what ideas are the basis of such projects and why they look so beautiful.
How is a small hallway designed in a modern style corridor?:
- Large shelves and drawers lift up. According to the principle of a mezzanine cabinet. For storing seasonal items and rarely used trash. Do mezzanine should be in the same colors as the ceiling or walls of the hallway, otherwise it will be cumbersome to perceive. A good mezzanine is an inconspicuous mezzanine.
- We lower the other closed cabinets to the floor, or we make a bench there with an open place for shoes under it. In both cases used as a place to sit.
- Workload gradient. When the heaviest parts of the cabinet went up and down, do open hangers and shelves on the wall between them. Those. the central part of the cabinet in a niche format. Leveling increases the number of storage locations with the illusion of compactness and lightness.
- Near open hangers closer to the front door or in any other place growth mirror. It can be very narrow. The main thing is high so that you can examine yourself to the utmost.
- To perfectly fulfill the points above and use every inch of scarce space, make furniture to order. More expensive, but sells meters, which also cost money.
And no matter how narrow the hallway, the mirror and the bench should be, if there is at least some opportunity to accommodate them.
Read how to make modern design of a small hallway precisely in terms of style and appearance.
1. Cabinet mezzanine under the ceiling
It was in apartments in Khrushchev and panel houses, where not only the entrance hall and corridor, but the rest of the rooms, were small, which began to use mezzanines.
The design is not decoration, but the convenience of the element is maximum. A modern option for repairs in bright colors is a mezzanine in 1 color with a ceiling and walls.
There is always a door, and therefore free space above it.
In a long narrow corridor furnished along 1 wall, the mezzanine can be made full width under the ceiling in both open and closed parts.
2. A bench with a place for shoes
If a narrow cabinet interferes, then an area with a shelf or cabinet for shoes should also fit closer to the front door, which will also be a seat.
Wearing shoes is much more comfortable sitting. In this case, you will not lean on the walls and dirty them.
It is better to make a bench with just an open place under it to leave wet shoes.
3. Open hangers
2 reasons to make open hooks:
- Small-sized hallway seems more spacious when the central part is narrow. Those. although above and below we have a full-fledged wardrobe, when in the middle there are just hangers, visually it is perceived more easily.
- You can not steam and hang wet outerwear.
It is not necessary to make a lot of open space. Enough 2-3 hangers at a width of 40-50 cm. The rest of the closet do closed.
You can see the material about the design of the hallway, there are enough photos with open hangers.
4. Growth mirror
There is always a place for a full-length mirror even in the smallest and narrowest corridor.
Yes, always.
Even a mirror 30 cm wide will already be enough, provided that it is 1 meter or more in height. And there are 30 centimeters.
Relative location starting from the entrance: mirror, hangers, closed part.
In extreme cases, the mirror may be the interior of the front door or cabinet wall with hooks.
5. In the long and narrow corridor - from floor to ceiling
When the furniture is mounted against the wall, and our task is to maximize the use of the area and get a modern look, this furniture should become a wall.
A modern narrow floor-to-ceiling wardrobe in a small corridor is better than any sets of mini-halls for part of the wall.
It looks solid, modern (like any built-in furniture), does not interfere with cleaning, has a larger internal usable volume.
Small corner hallways also look better in wall format.
Small-sized halls in a modern style
We figured out the layout of the hallway in a small corridor, but how to achieve a stylish and modern appearance?
- Obviously choose a modern style. Classic is much worse because It requires a bunch of extra textures, accessories and decors that are not needed in a small area.
- Properly trim the hallway floor and ceiling.
- Read already then about the design of the corridor, there are many nuances of repair.
- And now 3 more points about furniture, as usually it’s in the small hallway that takes up the most space, both actually and visually.
Here is a classic, so do not:
But minimalism is perfect:
But pay attention to the pens - the modern style must also be maintained. Either without any handles, or modern direct models.
Built-in furniture to order
I will persuade you.
In 2019, there are a bunch of companies that cut and design furniture. Due to competition, prices for this service are already close to ordinary finished cabinets. The benefits are colossal:
- Making a hallway the size of your corridor to the nearest millimeter. It doesn’t just use the whole area, it looks cool and neat. No gaps and incomprehensible joints, no differences in width. Perfect monolithic design.
- The interior layout of the cabinet is just for the needs of your family.
- Any materials and colors of facades, any accessories and mechanisms. Closers have long been inexpensive, but they seldom put them on finished cheap furniture, but you need to save on that.
Contact a minimum of 5 furniture manufacturers and compare prices. Perhaps they will pleasantly surprise you.
Color and size
The standard texture for furniture is imitation wood. But this is just a template, in fact, the texture can be any and this almost does not affect the cost. A narrow corridor requires a reduction in the number of colors and materials so that the space is not overloaded.
For modern styles and small corridors, furniture should be made in bright colors with a uniform texture. Glossy facades can be if light - and expand the space practical and visual.
There are a couple of good options for wood chipboard. For example, Egger Nebraska Oak Natural, but for a small corridor even this light tree is darkish.
Most other tree textures refer us to the two thousandth, i.e. it is very bad. Therefore, our choice is a plain entrance hall in white, beige, light gray.
Walls - background. Only plain low-key finish - we think about combination with furniture.
In size, it all depends on the original width. For the passage, 80 cm is enough. Everything else can be occupied with a closet. 40, 35, 30, and at least 25 cm. - the bigger the better, do not be afraid to overload if you leave the passage and follow the rules from the previous paragraphs.
Many people think that sliding doors take up less space than swing doors, and therefore are better suited for small spaces. But in practice this is not always the case and there are many nuances. Check with the manufacturers of furniture.
Here is a variant of the modern fashionable design of the closet:
Modular hallway furniture
If the hallway is so narrow that even a small cabinet cannot fit in it and there is no sense in making an order, use any open storage forms and ready-made modular solutions.
On sale there is a very narrow shoe rack with folding shelves and a similar cabinet format. But choose models without legs that either hang on the wall or lie completely on the floor. Ease of cleaning is still important.
There are also modules of open hangers with shelves and small key holders. They almost never eat widths, but this is better than nothing. You can add baskets and caskets.
A bench can be replaced by an ordinary ottoman or stool.
Varieties
The following options for narrow sliding wardrobes:
- Built in. The cabinet may not have side, bottom, top, or rear walls. This reduces the cost of furniture. The cabinet is made only for a certain niche, so in the future it will not be possible to move.
- Case. Functional and practical furniture in which you can place most of the clothes. She easily moves around the room. Also, this cabinet is disassembled into components by untwisting screws: on the walls, bottom, top, niches and drawers. In some models there are rods for hangers that can be easily removed from the grooves.
- Angular. Varieties of such a cabinet: radial, five-walled, diagonal. Furniture is installed in the corner of the room, thereby saving usable space. The radius model of the cabinet is made without sharp parts, which allows children to safely move around a small space.
- Modular. It is a cabinet assembled from various blocks with a certain content. Such furniture is distinguished by high functionality, mobility, and size variation.
Also, narrow cabinets vary in the type of door. 2 options are used: coupe and swing. The second ones are convenient, but can take up extra space at the opening, which is inconvenient in small rooms. Then it is recommended to purchase furniture of a compartment type. For such products, when opening the doors, they move along parallel rails along the cabinet, without occupying additional space.
The swing type can be used in a room with large space. It is stronger than the coupe due to the fact that the doors are installed with canopies that can withstand a significant load.
Materials and colors
Sliding wardrobes are made of different raw materials:
- MDF - considered one of the most practical options. It is used for the manufacture of frames or internal shelves, less often for side consoles.
- Chipboard is a plate covered with a special protective film that increases strength. It is mainly used for shelves or the back wall, less often - as a cabinet decor. For example, on a door with glass or a mirror, you can add patterns cut from chipboard.
- Wood is a natural raw material from which the most expensive furniture is made. The texture will fit almost any design. For example, a country-style wardrobe made of wood, matched to the same wall, will look neat. For Provence, you can choose light furniture from this raw material with minimal stripes, this option looks aesthetically pleasing in a spacious room.
- Plastic - considered one of the cheapest options for raw materials for cabinets. You need to know that furniture made of such a material makes the interior simple, ordinary, therefore it is more suitable for country houses.
- Veneer is wood shavings crumpled by a machine into a thin sheet. Such material is used for cladding surfaces or making plywood. As a separate raw material, its use is not recommended. The material is too thin and easily deformed.
- Bamboo - it is used extremely rarely, since it does not fit any interior. Material can be compared to wood at cost. Wipe products from it preferably with a soft cloth dampened in water, without cleaning agents, otherwise this may damage the surface.
For the manufacture, decoration of the door leaf use glass, mirror, plastic or rattan. All of them are safe, attractive looking, can be used in classic and modern styles. Features of these materials are described in the table.
This material is environmentally friendly and easy to clean. A special amalgam film, which consists of acrylic glue, is almost always applied to glass. She will not allow him to split or fall into pieces. Such protection is mainly used in linear and U-shaped cabinets, where there is a high risk of glass breaking. Design can be selected from sandblasting to decorative photo printing.
Thanks to the mirror, the room visually becomes more spacious. If you wish, you can spray on it drawings, patterns or anti-reflective layer. A special film is applied to the material, which consists of resin. This protection allows you to not break the mirror during transportation or operation. If it is too rough to close the door on which the material is located, it will simply crack, but the fragments will not fall to the floor.
The new models use acrylic plastic for sliding doors, the advantages of which are resistance to light (the color of the material does not change from prolonged exposure to the sun) and reliability (does not crack during shock and movement). Also, it can be painted in the desired color, which is suitable for the interior of the room.
This is a natural material that is used to create eco-styles. It is resistant to temperature changes and not picky in cleaning. Furniture made from such raw materials gives lightness to the interior and creates comfort in the room.
Narrow wardrobes in the hallway with glass, a mirror or plastic can be used if the apartment has children. They are quickly cleaned, and there is no trace left on them. Models with rattan should preferably be installed in rooms where there is a lot of space, since the products look voluminous, and in small rooms they will look too massive. If the hallway is uncomfortable, you want to make it brighter, then you can choose a white or brown cabinet with a mirror. For a bright room, darker colors with rattan doors are suitable.
To make the corridor look visually wider, it is advisable to choose a closet with a mirror or glass in the room.
The nuances of choice
When choosing a closet for a small room, several nuances should be taken into account:
- The size. Be sure to measure the depth and length of the desired model and see if it is suitable for the room.
- Style. It is necessary to choose a design similar to the hallway, because the furniture should not be knocked out of the entire interior. You can choose the color of the frames, similar to the windowsill or upholstery on the armchair, and make the general gamut of the model for a wallpaper or exit door. For example, in the loft style, it is recommended to choose a brick wall and a wardrobe in burgundy shades. As an addition to such an interior, you can put a bedside table of the same scale and also arrange the front door.
- Materials It is necessary to pay attention to the raw materials from which the furniture is made. It is most practical to purchase a model of wood. From budget raw materials, you can choose MDF or chipboard. These materials are considered strong, and with prolonged use they do not lose their shape and do not swell due to room humidity.
You can determine the closet for a small room by drawing up a diagram. When choosing, it is necessary to take into account all the nuances so that during operation there are no inconveniences. It is advisable to purchase a modular system immediately, it looks neat and will help make the room comfortable.
