Old apartments of the sample of the 50-80s in most cases suggest the presence of a variety of niches. This space can be used in different ways. Some create niches with shelves, others break walls and make redevelopment. We are interested in a practical and visually aesthetic way to transform an unsuccessful apartment layout. To do this, you can make a built-in closet that will accommodate a lot of things and will create coziness. Let's figure out how to make a built-in closet with your own hands.
Convenience of built-in closet
Each family has a set of things that are a pity to throw away or because of seasonality they simply are not needed at the moment. Some organize a warehouse of such things on the balcony, where there is so little space. Take a closer look at the space of your apartment, maybe there is a place for a built-in wardrobe that will help to cope with this problem.
The built-in wardrobe is good in that it covers all the space from floor to ceiling, making it useful. On the very top shelves you can remove things that you have to use very rarely.
With the right approach, the appearance of the cabinet can be given originality and sophistication. This clearly demonstrates the photo posted in the article. Do-it-yourself built-in wardrobe can be made in any style. If you want to simulate a wall, then the cabinet doors need to be decorated with materials identical to the wall.
If the area allows you to separate more space from the wall, then the built-in wardrobe can be turned into a dressing room. In this case, it is necessary to arrange the shelves around the perimeter and take care of the light.
To organize a built-in cabinet with your own hands you will not need a lot of material, since in most cases there are no walls. Their role is played by the walls of the room. The only difficulty may be the installation of the door mechanism. After choosing the type of mechanism, you need to understand the principle of its action and the stages of assembly. Any details for different doors can be found in specialized stores, so it is quite realistic to assemble the structure yourself.
Cabinet design and tool preparation
To choose a suitable project, you need to decide on the place for the built-in closet. If there is a niche, then the cabinet can be made as an imitation under the wall. When placing a niche in the corridor, it is better to use a mirror surface for the cabinet. The mirror in the corridor will play not only its primary role, but will also contribute to the visual increase in space.
Another interesting idea for decorating the surface of a sliding wardrobe is photo wallpaper. The choice of plot depends on the design of the room. Wall murals with the image of the ocean and the beach will ideally fit into the Mediterranean style. For classical styles, such as Provence, Renaissance, antique-themed wallpapers are suitable. You can choose a wallpaper in the form of a window with any landscape.
To create a project, it is necessary to take measurements of the location of the future cabinet. Draw on a sheet of paper a clear plan for the location of the shelves with an indication of the size.
If a project is selected, you can start preparing the material and tools. In the manufacture of a built-in swing cabinet with your own hands or a sliding wardrobe from chipboard, drywall or wood, you will need the following tools:
- jigsaw;
- screwdriver;
- drill;
- stationery knife;
- level;
- roulette;
- marking pencil;
- self-tapping screws, euro-screws, nails, corners;
- hammer;
- hammer drill;
- PVA glue.
To complete the assembly of the built-in cabinet, you must have the skills to master the listed tools, otherwise, there is a likelihood of injury situations or material damage.
Necessary furniture fittings
For the full functioning of the built-in cabinet, you will need some elements of furniture fittings. The shelves are fixed with the help of corners and shelf holders, you may need a bar for hangers.
The most important part of the built-in closet is the door. The fittings will vary depending on the type of door construction.
In the case of installing sliding doors for installation, you will need:
- upper and lower guide profiles;
- upper and lower frame for doors;
- upper and lower rollers;
- silicone rubber sealant;
- schlegel.
To make built-in home cabinets with your own hands, you will need hinges for doors and handles. Such accessories can be dispensed with in the case of a classic swing construction.
Doors for a cabinet in the form of an accordion are less popular because of their fragility. Such doors, as a rule, are made of plastic, less often of wood or glass. The presence of a large number of movable elements makes the doors in the form of an accordion less reliable. To make such doors you will need:
- upper and lower guide profiles;
- loops of different types;
- furniture castors;
- pens.
Do not save on fittings. The durability of the built-in cabinet design directly depends on the quality of the assembly elements.
Built-in drywall cabinet
Drywall is a very convenient material for the manufacture of built-in furniture. With it, you can make incredibly beautiful interior elements. Of the positive characteristics of drywall, the following can be noted:
- material availability, low price;
- environmentally friendly material;
- convenient to use, easy to handle;
- compatible with almost all types of exterior decoration: paint, plaster, tile, etc .;
- not combustible.
Along with the positive features of drywall, there are some disadvantages:
- gypsum is a brittle material;
- Use only for recessed furniture.
Strong impact can damage the drywall surface. It is because of the fragility of the material from drywall that only stationary built-in furniture is made that cannot be moved to another place without complete dismantling.
The first stage in the construction of a drywall cabinet will be the erection of the frame using a metal profile or boards. In places of fastenings to walls use a puncher and expansion bolt shields. Walls may be uneven, so check for proper installation using plumb bob and level. After mounting the frame, sheathe the structure with plasterboard. In places with a high load, you can use a double layer of sheets.
The surface of the drywall must be treated with putty. This is done using a reinforcing mesh or tape. Then glue the perforated corners and putty the entire surface. Use a suitable option for your finish.
We install doors on the finished frame. Massive and heavy suspended structures are not suitable for such a cabinet, so we choose the light version with minimal weight.
Built-in wardrobe made of chipboard
Particleboard - wood chipboard, a popular type of material for the manufacture of furniture. It is delivered in the form of sheets. The sheet consists of compressed wood shavings. For the manufacture of furniture used laminated chipboard. They are covered with a thick film that protects the inner layer from moisture and destruction. Lamination creates a wide variety of patterns and colors.
If you decide to use chipboard, then it will be easier to order the necessary parts from a specialized organization. There, you will not only be cut into sheets to the desired size, but also trim the edges of the slab with braid. It remains only to complete the installation of parts. With independent cutting, be careful with the sizes. You can use a regular iron to trim the edges with braid.
Before assembling, make all the necessary holes for the fasteners. To fix the chipboard sheets, you can use Euroscrews. Their length can be 5-6 cm and a width of about 4-5 mm. Holes for Euroscrews should be 1-2 mm smaller than their diameter, this principle of connection will give the most durable bonding of sheets. The cabinet frame does not have to be assembled on site. You can install the design with modules, it will be more convenient.
Chipboard sheets also have weaknesses. Pay attention to them to avoid errors.
- Cheaper forms of particleboard release harmful formaldehydes into the environment. Choose sheets under the E1 brand, they are more environmentally friendly.
- Chipboard sheets are not intended for fine processing.
- With poor installation of the braid, gaps may form. Exposure to moisture can deform the open edge. This is due to the ability of the particle board to absorb water.
Corner drywall cabinet
The principle of construction from drywall is the same for all types of cabinets. Making a built-in corner cabinet with your own hands differs only in the way the design is made. If you decide on an unusual project of a radius sliding wardrobe, then it is better to use drywall.
Such a plate is capable of creating rounded surfaces. In this case, you can consider the corner cabinet in the form of a quarter circle. Such designs look original and unusual.
To give the door a rounded shape, it is necessary to carry out some manipulations with a drywall plate.
- From improvised materials, build a fixing base in which a sheet of drywall will dry.
- Using a clerical knife, make holes on the surface of the cardboard in a checkerboard pattern 1-2 cm long at a distance of 5-7 cm from each other.
- Place the plate on the fixing base.
- Wet a towel and place it on a drywall sheet so that the entire area of the sheet is covered. As it gets wet, the sheet will begin to bend.
- Leave the sheet bent until it dries completely. Do the same with the second sheet.
Thus, you will get two curved doors for a corner wardrobe. Find the right fittings for them and complete the installation. Do not forget about the surface treatment of sheets. For the do-it-yourself built-in cabinet made of drywall, you can use glass doors, which are custom-made.
Built-in closet in a niche
If you are a happy owner of the Soviet "Khrushchev" and have not yet had time to do a redevelopment, then the space can be converted by integrating a cabinet into a niche with your own hands.
A niche in the wall is a great place for a built-in wardrobe. It is not necessary to erect side bases, it will be enough to install a frame for attaching rails from above and below, make rails on the sides and places for shelves. The central structure from the system of drawers and shelves will be installed on the floor and held on the sides by fixtures.
Some apartments have very deep niches. They can be converted into dressing rooms. To separate the area of the dressing room, sliding doors will be the best option. Fill the interior space with shelves on three walls. Do not be afraid to make shelves under the very ceiling, they will also come in handy. There you can remove things that you use very rarely and there is no need to constantly get them.
You can not use the entire niche space under the cabinet. Make a partition and arrange half of the niche in the form of shelves for books or flowers. A mirrored door will hide the built-in wardrobe and increase the space of the room. Making a built-in wardrobe in the bedroom with your own hands in the niche area can create the impression of a continuation of the wall. Thus, you will get rid of a pile of objects in the space of the room.
Built-in closet in the hallway
If your hallway is large and spacious, then the built-in wardrobe will fit well into the situation, it will not create the impression of a decrease in space. In the Soviet "Khrushchev" you can use the niches that are characteristic of the corridors of these apartments.
The principle of arranging the built-in closet in the entrance hall is a standard one. In the case of a corridor, attention must be paid to the design of the cabinet doors and their practicality. Remember that the door will open several times a day. The door mechanism must be of high quality and durable. For their surface, it is better to choose an easy-to-clean and wear-resistant material. Street dirt can get on the door from your shoes; frequent cleaning should not cause surface wear.
If we talk about the arrangement of shelves, then it should be noted that the cabinet in the corridor differs in structure from other types. Set up the drawers at the bottom of the cabinet. It will be convenient to store in them shoes that are currently unnecessary for other seasons. To store winter clothes in the warmer months, you need a place for hangers. Before creating a cabinet layout, analyze the things that you need to put into it, then you will understand which shelves you will need.
The door of the built-in wardrobe is better to make completely mirrored. So you will have the opportunity to show off and look in the mirror before going out.
Built-in wardrobe in a private house
Most often, homeowners try to maximize the use of their home area. That living area, which is located on the highest tier, is located directly under the roof. There are inconveniences with the layout of such rooms due to the irregular shape of the walls and the presence of slopes. It is not possible to install purchased cabinets around the perimeter, so you have to look for other ways of arranging.
At the location of the slope of the roof, the ceiling has an inclined shape. This place is convenient to use under the built-in wardrobe.
If there are windows - it does not matter. Make openings for them, as shown in the photo. A built-in cabinet with your own hands will help transform the space into a useful area, and the surface of the drawers will become a window sill for windows.
Finally
How to make a built-in cabinet with your own hands without the ability to handle carpentry equipment? Very simple. Order patterns in the necessary sizes and proceed to assembly. An exclusive built-in closet on an individual project will become not only a practical decoration for your apartment, but also a source of pride.