The corridor in apartment buildings has limited space. The exception is houses with a modern layout. Therefore, a hallway with a mirror is the optimal solution for a visual increase in the room. A spacious cabinet with a mirrored surface performs many functions. You should not install in the corridor a large number of different shelves and stands, thereby cluttering up the already small space.
Today, manufacturers offer a wide selection of cabinet models, with a variety of shapes and colors. They are suitable for storing not only outerwear, but also many accessories and things that are difficult to find a place in other rooms.
Correctly choosing a cabinet with a mirror in the hallway, you will transform the space of the room. It will visually become larger and brighter. A cabinet with mirrored doors and a spotlight in the visor will fit perfectly into the small entrance hall for additional lighting.
Pros of the mirror in the hallway
The advantages of cabinets with mirrors include:
- Economical filling of the hallway space. No need to purchase and install separate cabinets and mirrors,
- “Coupe” type doors do not take up space when opened, which makes it possible to use all the free space in the room as efficiently as possible,
- Many furniture models are very roomy,
- A stylish solution for every product, from simple classic to the most elaborate design,
- Mirrors are made of various shapes, sizes and stylistic solutions. The canvas can be the entire height of the cabinet or small, with a beautiful edging.
- Additional mirror processing by photo printing. The presence of sandblasting on the mirror turns the product into a work of art,
- Visual increase in space due to the mirror surface, from which the main lighting and additional illumination under the visor are reflected,
- Affordable price and a large selection of models.
Types of Mirror Cabinets
The choice is truly wide. A cabinet for a hallway with a mirror surface is selected, taking into account several parameters:
- Functionality,
- The size,
- Stylistic design of the room.
The most popular built-in wardrobes with a mirror. They are installed up to the ceiling, and a mirror on the wing increases the hallway space. This is the advantage of this model. The disadvantage is that it cannot be transferred.
By installing mirrors on several sides of the cabinet, you will notice how the room visually expands. When installing such a model, it is not necessary to clutter up the space with various objects that will be reflected in the mirrors and create chaos.
A cabinet with a mirror creates additional lighting by reflecting light from a mirror surface. The room becomes brighter. Furniture must be arranged so that it merges with the walls and is one with them.
Narrow and wide
The shapes of the cabinets are diverse. Their choice is determined not only by the desire and affluence of the owner of the apartment, but also by the configuration of the corridor. Direct structures are most in demand and are installed along the wall. Suitable for hallways of all sizes. They can be both narrow and wide.
Narrow models are designed for long corridors. For them, competent fullness is important. They can store shoes, equip a place for umbrellas and various accessories. Wide wardrobes fit into the hallway of a square shape. In this cabinet you can already store most of the things, including household items.
Recessed
The advantage of embedded structures in saving space. They may partially lack a back, top or side wall. The advantage is the low cost of construction, compared to standard furniture. Among the disadvantages are the inability to move the cabinet if necessary. Most often, built-in furniture is made to order, which takes time. Since the market to pick up a model with the appropriate dimensions will not work.
Angular
Corner cabinets in the hallway are perfect for small rooms and do not take the coveted square meters. This roomy design allows you to rationally plan the space and is considered the best option if there is a free corner in the corridor.
The corner cupboard holds not only outerwear, but also things for which there was no place in other rooms. It can store sports equipment, accessories and so on. Shelves of various levels and horizontal hangers, as well as sliding compartments, will help increase the capacity of the cabinet. Even with small dimensions, the cabinet can be equipped with a full-length mirror.
Radius
In unusual radial forms, cabinet surfaces are made round, concave or asymmetric, which brings a certain zest to any hallway. This custom design has a clear advantage - there are no sharp corners, which is important for families with small children.
For decoration, various finishing techniques are used, starting with photo printing and ending with sandblasting. His doors are most often sliding. The combination with a mirror makes such a wardrobe practical, roomy and interesting in terms of design.
Another type of cabinets that deserves attention is the rotary structures that are mounted on special brackets. There are shelves on one side of the cabinet, and a full-length mirror on the other.
For the hallway of a non-standard shape, combined models are suitable that help to hide the flaws in the layout of the room. Mirrors on concave or, conversely, convex surfaces are impractical, but serve only as a decorative element, since the images reflected in them are distorted.
Facade material
Modern models of mirror cabinets in the hallway are made of various materials.
- Timber is always in price due to its natural qualities. Products from it are characterized by durability, wear resistance, which is important for corridors. Natural wood fits into any interior, from classic to loft or hi-tech. Minus the high cost, which more than pays for all the advantages of natural wood,
- MDF is most often used for doors or partitions of the cabinet. When choosing such models, it should be borne in mind that the thickness of the MDF sheet should be no more than 30 centimeters,
- Glass is a favorite among exotic lovers. This material allows you to translate into reality any idea. Glass has advanced decorative properties, and modern technology can give it any shade. It is possible to order a transparent, opaque or darkened product. There is glass for cabinets, not simple, but tempered, withstanding heavy mechanical loads,
- Available for all specifications, including cost, - plastic. Technical capabilities make it possible to make a cabinet of any shape. Plastic is decorated with photo printing or pasted over with a multi-colored film, which gives it a decorative aesthetics.
Location
In order for a piece of furniture to reach its full potential, you need to position it correctly. Compliance with a number of rules will help to harmoniously fit the cabinet into a small space:
- In a narrow corridor, it is advisable to arrange a mirror cabinet along the shortest wall. Often, with such localization, the mirror is opposite the front door, which contradicts Feng Shui. However, casting aside prejudices, you can design the hallway with maximum functionality,
- In the hallway of a square shape, the cupboard fully occupies one side. If there is a niche in the corridor, then a mirror cabinet with “compartment” doors is optimal,
- If there are many doors, it is better to install a small narrow cabinet to the ceiling. It is roomy and does not take up much space.
Properly selected furniture localization will help to make the hallway stylish, functional.
Filling
The fullness of the cabinet depends on its size, financial capabilities of the owner of the apartment, family size and needs. It houses shelves, hangers, drawers and so on.
The higher the shelf height, the more things will fit. The distance between the shelves of 50-60 centimeters stands out for bedding or seasonal clothing. If several people live in the house, including children, then the fullness of the cabinet is better to zone.
Dressing the mirror to the style of the hallway
It is important not only to choose the right cabinet model and place it, but also to make it consistent with the overall stylistic concept of the entire hallway:
- For classics, elegant models with discreet luxury are suitable. Strict lines are inherent in this style, therefore, the radius shapes of the cabinets are excluded. It is preferable to choose natural wood products. The color scheme is maintained in moderate tones of beige, black or white. Gold or silver finishes are acceptable,
- Aged, but with a slight frivolous retreat, the Provence style stands out. Metal parts that effectively emphasize natural wood or its imitation, made in bright colors. Depending on the type of Provence, beige, light gray or white color for the cabinet is selected. As a decor, you can choose a light ornament and small carvings,
- The absence of decor elements, clear lines, nothing more - minimalism. These are mainly sliding wardrobes equipped with mirrors,
- More free modern style. It uses intricate, non-standard lines, a contrasting combination of colors. Depending on the number of mirror doors, the color and material of the cabinet are selected,
- Hi-tech and loft style loves a cold palette. It is gray, black in combination with chrome steel parts. Glossy surfaces can be varied with bright decor.
Expert Advice
It is recommended to observe a number of rules for a small hallway:
- With low ceilings, it is better to choose models of compact dimensions.
- For a visual increase in space, the choice falls on the cabinets of bright colors.
- In order not to feel discomfort, there should be no glare on the mirror surfaces.
- Even in large corridors, do not forget about additional lighting, lighting.
The storage system of things should not only fulfill its functions, but also be aesthetic.
Photo Gallery: Mirror cabinet options
Expert Julia Kovtunova (Author, content manager) Work experience: 3 years, since 2017.
Direct wardrobe in the hallway
Standard cabinet sliding wardrobes are ordinary standard furniture with all four walls. They can be installed anywhere: in a niche, under a wall, under a staircase in the hallway of a private house. Custom models are made strictly according to your measurements.
A popular option is designs that are mounted directly to the floor and ceiling. They will not be able to be moved in the future, but this saves space, and they look several times more accurate. Due to the absence of gaps and niches above and below the cabinet, dust will not constantly accumulate.
Built-in wardrobe in the hallway
If you have an atypical layout in the hallway or already have an unnecessary niche, use the built-in furniture. Walls or individual parts also replace walls, due to which the cabinet turns into a mini-dressing room. If it is important for you to use every centimeter of space for business, this is exactly your option.
Materials for wardrobes
The most solid, impressive and stylish, but the most expensive are cabinets made of solid wood. This is a good option for spacious hallways and luxurious classic interiors. Most often, wood is taken for walls and facades, and internal shelves are still made from cheaper materials.
Particleboard is the most common and simplest option based on wood shavings and resin binders. Plates are light, of different shades and textures, of different thicknesses, with or without a laminated coating. Less commonly, for some cabinet elements, more moisture-resistant fiberboards are used.
MDF is stronger and more reliable than chipboard - this is its more modern and more expensive alternative. The plates are resistant to moisture and steam, perfectly flat and easily molded into different bent elements. Veneers - these are the same panels from particleboard or MDF, but are coated on top with a thin layer of natural wood for beauty and reliability.
The most common materials for doors in sliding wardrobes are glass and mirrors. They can be transparent, tinted, matte, glossy, with sandblasting, various spraying and decoration. A modern alternative is a translucent unbreakable decorative acrylic.
For the manufacture of sliding doors, a durable and moisture-resistant bamboo is suitable, which looks elegant and noble. The rattan will give a Mediterranean touch to the interior, which can also be repainted to your liking. The closet closet looks like fresh and original from a combination of different materials.
Sliding wardrobe lighting
Roomy and deep sliding wardrobes have only one drawback - inside it is difficult to look for something. Especially if the hallway is already without enough light. For this, the built-in illumination of both the entire structure and its individual blocks is used.
The LED strip on the outside around the perimeter performs an exclusively decorative function. But the inner along the shelves greatly simplifies cleaning and allows you to constantly maintain order. But not all lamps are suitable for indoor installation: take only overhead or built-in lamps.
Choose the backlight and type of lamps so that they harmonize with all the other lighting in the hallway. For shelves, fluorescent, halogen and LED lamps are used. Special tapes are safe, economical and available in different colors.
Sliding wardrobe for a hall in modern style
The simplest and simplest cabinets will fit into modern interiors without excessive decor. For example, one-color painting of the case and the same monophonic glass or mirror doors. If you want to add a little personality to your design project, pay attention to the rounded radius models.
Sliding wardrobe for a hall in a classical style
It is difficult to fit modern furniture into traditional classics, but there is no such problem with more adapted neoclassical interiors. Choose a natural wood or veneer from valuable species, complement it with antique fittings, gilded and carved details, decorated facades. But do not abuse acrylic, chrome, gloss and glass.
Sliding wardrobe for a hall in the Scandinavian style
Scandinavian interiors combine modern practicality with homely warmth. Here, neat wooden sliding wardrobes made of light rocks or painted in white models with black details are appropriate. Small open shelves on the side are suitable for various decorative trifles, accessories or jewelry.
Loft-style wardrobe
Absolutely any cases will enter into loft interiors: from “antique” models to ultramodern with mirrors and LEDs. You can make it the most striking and extravagant accent that will attract attention and set the atmosphere in the hallway. Or take a look at the deliberately coarse and unprocessed textures with simple chopped forms.
Provence style wardrobe
It is more difficult, but possible to enter an overall sliding wardrobe into a romantic rural Provence. Choose small and neat corner models from bleached wood, paint them with delicate floral patterns or decorate with decoupage.And so that the cabinet does not knock out, you can make it built-in and decorate only the sliding doors.
Where to put the wardrobe in the hallway
In the large and spacious hallway you can place a whole set: a closet, a mirror with a curbstone, a bench or ottoman. For smaller rooms, a simplified set with a top shelf and hooks is suitable.
Corner cabinets look good in square hallways, and even the interior door can be entered into long straight lines. In elongated and narrow rooms, install a closet in the end part. If there is not enough space or the layout does not allow it - put along the wall, but choose models narrower.
Sliding wardrobe for a small hall
Compact corner wardrobes will stand in a small hallway. Significantly save in width will not work, otherwise hangers for outerwear will not fit into it. But the angular layout allows you to use that part of the room, which is usually idle idle.
So that the cabinet does not look too bulky in a small hallway, choose light shades. And glossy or mirror facades that reflect light will visually add volume to the room. The effect can be enhanced by internal lighting, which visually lightens the entire structure.
