Among the huge assortment of furniture items, one can single out one that looks minimally compact on the outside, but is quite spacious on the inside. Of course, we are talking about a modern cabinet called a “pencil case,” which are popular and in demand because of their functionality and small dimensions. Photos of various options for cabinets are provided on numerous websites and catalogs of furniture industry products.
In order to make the right choice of a high-quality cabinet, to know its convenient location, you need to have some information about it.
Which cabinet to choose for your room?
To produce modern cabinets, high-quality materials are selected to make the furniture durable, stable and resistant to mechanical damage. They come in a variety of patterns and colors, meaning customers can customize their wardrobe to suit their individual interior design. The perfect finishes and decorative elements on certain cabinets will undoubtedly impact the final display picture of the room. As for the color range, narrow cabinets are characterized by many shades of wood and other colors to suit every taste.
Interesting! The absence of any bad opinions about the cabinets only emphasizes that they meet customer expectations in every way.
Kitchen cabinet facades - materials and decor
The facade of the pencil case is its front part, which is responsible for the external attractiveness of the structure. In the case of an open cabinet, the facade is represented by side walls.
For the production of facades they use:
- Chipboard is the most inexpensive material. It is best that it has a varnish coating - this way the furniture will not only look more noble, but will also last longer;
- MDF is a reliable option that combines affordable cost, attractive appearance and durability. It can also be coated with varnish, paint or veneer;
- natural wood is a very expensive material that allows you to create a luxurious interior.
Veneer-coated facades must be used very carefully - they are afraid of mechanical damage and all scratches will be visible on them.
To decorate the front panels of cabinets, inserts from:
- glass It can be transparent - then the contents of the pencil case will be visible, or it can be placed on top of the main material. Glass with patterns and mosaics are popular for the kitchen;
- metal Inserts made of aluminum or steel look very elegant and strict;
- plastic. This is a bright material that allows you to realize almost any design idea.
Wooden facades are decorated with decorative carvings. Panels with photo printing are also relevant - thanks to modern technologies, any image can be applied to furniture.
Cabinet-pencil case - inexpensive furniture for every interior
Modern cabinets, although small, guarantee:
elegant interior design style;
functionality;
long-term use.
There are many advantages to purchasing a pencil case for your home or apartment, so you should familiarize yourself with the offer and choose one of the models for yourself. There is another important issue, namely the attractiveness of prices for these cabinet structures. Depending on the model, the prices, of course, are different, but they are always attractive, so almost everyone can afford to buy such a piece of furniture. Small interiors or low storage space are the main reasons for purchasing stylish and practical cabinets. Designers and manufacturers have done everything to make this furniture worth your attention and money today.
Design features
The design of pencil cases is closely related to their purpose . Open shelves are provided for built-in appliances or for placing decorative items. For everything else there are closed modules. Pencil cases can be rectangular or corner, with or without doors.
Rectangular
A rectangular floor cabinet-column is the most common option for the kitchen . It has good capacity and can be filled with any storage systems. A rectangular or square pencil case can be easily built into a kitchen set or can be an independent piece of furniture.
Corner
The corner pencil case is less functional . Its shelves do not have a large usable area; storing large items in them is problematic. Often they have a purely decorative function. The most successful corner option is free-standing. It increases the storage area due to the free corner of the room.
The second use of a corner cabinet is to round off the L-shaped set at the door for more convenient passage . Here they use curved facades or open shelves. The same principle can be applied on the other side, near the window, if the L-shaped kitchen continues along the wall with the window.
Installing a corner column in the corner of an L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen is not always justified . The shelves of the pencil case in this case are more spacious, but the tabletop is interrupted, which creates certain inconveniences.
Open type speakers (without doors)
This option is called racking. Most often it is used to house household appliances . You can make such furniture yourself. There are also ready-made models for ovens and microwaves. A completely open kitchen cabinet is a rarity; most often there are closed shelves at the bottom and top.
Opening and storage systems
Depending on the type of opening, the columns are:
- single-leaf;
- double-leaf;
- retractable
The doors can consist of one or several independent parts . Retractable systems are produced in the form of boxes, baskets, carousels or entire columns.
Columns with pull-out storage systems occupy a separate segment . Our market offers products from the brands Amix, Kessebohmer, Hafele, Vibo, DUSA, VAUTH-SAGEL, etc. Despite the high price, they are becoming increasingly popular. Let's look at their main types.
Retractable columns
They are made of stainless chrome-plated steel and can withstand a total load of up to 120 kg . The principle of operation is the extension of the facade, behind which access to the storage system opens.
The system consists of a frame and 5-7 baskets that can be moved to different heights . A bottle separator is purchased separately. Some models are designed for bottles (bottle holders) only.
Columns are built into canisters with a width of 300, 400, 450, 500 and 600 mm . The height of the system is selected individually, depending on the height of the furniture - from 950 to 2330 mm. Access to the storage system is provided by a full extension mechanism with a soft closing mechanism. An electric drive is available for an additional fee.
Retractable rotary columns
More functional, since the storage system, after extension, can be rotated around its axis in any direction . Provides more convenient access to all items stored in the closet.
Rotary systems also have disadvantages:
- higher price;
- small range of built-in sizes: width - 300 or 400 mm, height - from 1200 to 2140 mm;
- lower maximum load - up to 80 kg.
Retractable columns for swing facades
This option is designed for a pencil case with a hinged door . The storage system is placed not only in the depths of the cabinet, but also on the inside of the facade. The design consists of two frames: one is mounted inside the cabinet, the other on the door. The system is universal and does not depend on the direction in which the sash is torn off.
The principle of operation is that when the door is opened, the main frame moves forward to a distance of up to 11 cm . The standard number of baskets is from 2 to 7 pieces. The kit includes a soft closing closer. The system is built into canisters with a width of 400, 500 and 600 mm, and a height from 650 to 2330 mm. The maximum load on the door is up to 12 kg, on the main frame – up to 70 kg.
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Pencil cabinet with shelves in ideal capacity
The pencil case is an ideal offer for clients who, for various reasons, do not need large furniture. Ideally, narrow designs are suitable for small apartments, as well as in the case of interior design with non-standard furniture. Very often, a pencil case is bought for children's or youth rooms, as well as for small hallways. Made based on the latest developments, they look very fashionable and stylish. Even though the structures are small, they can hold a lot of things.
Advantages and disadvantages
The pencil case has a number of characteristic advantages:
- Due to its small size, it can be installed in small and non-standard rooms.
- Such furniture is narrow, but high, which makes it roomy and compact. Despite its modest dimensions, a decent amount of things fits inside.
- Thanks to the variety of colors and design solutions, this design can complement any interior.
The cost of pencil cases is invariably affordable, which is a significant plus in the collection of advantages.
Such furniture also has disadvantages that must be taken into account when organizing the space:
- Do not place heavy items on the top shelves, as the heavy weight may cause the cabinet to fall. To protect yourself, it is better to attach the product to the wall.
- Outerwear will not fit inside either, since the pencil case is too narrow for it.
- This model will not fit into the interior of spacious rooms, unless it is part of a modular set.
Despite the disadvantages, a narrow closet is very popular due to its practicality and functionality. It can be placed in both a child’s and an adult’s room by choosing a model in the desired design. In addition, such furniture is great for storing seasonal clothes.
Cabinet-case for clothes, dishes, books, hygiene products - an option for any purpose
Are you wondering where you can use a pencil case? A wardrobe that will live up to your expectations? Ample bathroom storage? Necessary furniture for the kitchen? A functional pencil case is a piece of furniture that works great in every room. This will be suitable furniture for your bedroom, dressing room, bath, children's room, as well as kitchen.
Purpose and content
The purpose of a pencil case depends on its location in a particular room. However, its main mission will not change from this: it is intended for storing things. On its shelves you can store:
- in the nursery or living room: books;
- in the bedroom: bedding and linen;
- in the office: documents;
- in the bathroom: accessories for sanitary and hygienic procedures;
- on the loggia (balcony): preservation for the winter;
- in the hallway: hats, gloves, shoes, umbrellas, etc.;
- in the kitchen: various kitchen utensils.
Drawers are also convenient for storing many items and things. In addition, cabinets can be equipped with: mobile baskets, open or glass shelves, hook-shaped devices.
Floor cabinet for living room
The pencil case is timeless furniture. Of course, it will work in any interior, but especially in the bedroom and living room. Spacious shelves allow you to organize all your clothing items. You have a choice of several types of cabinets:
- A 120 cm wide wardrobe is the most common choice among clients.
- Furniture up to 200 cm wide is equipped with a large number of drawers, which are great for a children's or youth room. This will be a suitable place to store small items or children's treasures. A properly selected wardrobe should highlight the character of a given room.
- Corner cabinets also have many supporters. This is a practical solution in situations where you don't have much space.
Interesting! Any type of cabinet can be easily adjusted to any interior. The undoubted advantage of single-door cabinets is their simple assembly. You won't have much of a problem with this. Due to their small size, such designs will fill even the narrowest spaces of the room.
Functional purpose of a corner pencil case in the kitchen
Storage systems
Thanks to the use of modern storage systems, corner cabinets can accommodate a large number of different kitchen utensils, from bulky pots to containers with spices and food, as well as other items. We list the most common storage systems for kitchen cabinets.
- Rotating carousels. These are shelves that have a semicircular shape and are attached to an axial stand. This entire structure receives a rotating mechanism, thanks to which the shelf can be rotated. Most models allow a rotation angle of up to 270°. Moreover, all storage shelves are equipped with a special cutout in the shape of an angle, which allows you to freely close the doors. Each section also has a side that protects stored items from falling.
- Hinge mechanisms. This option makes it possible to pull out two sections at once. To operate such a system, you just need to pull the top shelf, it and the next one will move out of the case. Such shelves are made of plastic or metal. Permissible load up to 20 kg. At the same time, there are modifications with one mechanism, some with two, in the second case it is possible to extend the shelves separately.
- Smartcorners. Another name is “magic corner”. This is another retractable system. One, or less often a pair of shelves are mounted on the door; they are made of metal. The cabinet itself also has pull-out drawers. The shelves are connected so that when the doors are opened, they slide out one by one. As a rule, the shelves themselves can support no more than 7 kg, and the drawers inside the cabinet 18–20 kg.
Appliances
Another equipment option is the installation of various kitchen appliances. Almost all household appliances used in practice can be built in here. The choice largely depends on the needs of the housewife.
If necessary, several devices are often built into the pencil case at once. For example, this could be a microwave and coffee machine. Typically, the equipment is installed in a niche at a height of 40–80 cm.
It must be taken into account that all electrical appliances emit a certain amount of heat during operation. Therefore, you just need to make sure that some of the cabinet elements do not touch the walls, this way you can ensure the removal of heated air. The recommended gap is 50 mm. Also, the compartment of the pencil case for embedding equipment should not have a back wall.
Bath cabinet
When choosing a cabinet for a small bathroom, you should carefully measure it and choose a place where an additional piece of furniture will not be in the way. You also have to rethink the function of the furniture, because a closet for a hygiene room should be designed differently than a closet that additionally contains shoes or outerwear. It will also differ in design, such as the placement of shelves, and the way it opens.
Cabinet in the hallway
Small and narrow corridors, as well as hallways, are difficult to arrange and, ultimately, keep clean. A pencil case in such a room will work best.
Advice! A mirror installed on the front panel will allow you to evaluate the chosen stylization of your image and optically enlarge the room.
An interesting solution are modules consisting of shelves, hangers and shoe cabinets. Some manufacturers also install a mirror and convenient hooks for keys in the pencil case. Due to their small size, such structures do not interfere with the passage and can be placed almost anywhere.
Posting rules
When placing a pencil case, it is recommended to follow certain rules:
- The oven should be built into the cabinet at a height of 1-1.5 m from the floor, and it is recommended to install the dishwasher or washing machine on the floor. Due to the weight and vibrations during operation, they may fall or break the structure.
- When placing the pencil case, it is necessary to take into account the presence of pipes next to it. The cabinet should not block access to them in order to avoid serious consequences during a breakdown.
- It is also not recommended to place it next to gas stoves due to the risk of fire or damage to the structure due to the ingress of fat during cooking.
The cabinet-cabinet in the kitchen should be installed along the edges of the existing set, so nothing will interfere with its use. When placing the structure, you should carefully measure the parameters of the room.
Consider the location of pipes next to the cabinet
Install the oven at a height of 1-1.5 m from the floor
It is not recommended to place near gas stoves
Style issues
The wardrobe should correspond not only to the size of the room, but also to the style in which the entire apartment is decorated. However, keep in mind that light structures on a white background work best in small spaces. Colonial and industrial stylization in this version will not be very good. Today, facades decorated with decoupage and glossy lacquered doors are in fashion - this is what small interiors love most. Also pay attention to the materials from which your cabinet will be made. Wood, both raw and painted, will go well with plastic and glass.
Modern cabinets will meet your expectations in terms of aesthetics, as well as in practical terms. The photo gallery offers will inspire you to design a beautiful interior. It all depends only on personal imagination!
Color and design
For each interior, you need to choose a specific color scheme and cabinet design. The main varieties are presented in the following styles:
- Classical. Subtle and neutral tones are used, such as white, beige or brown. The design is dominated by wooden overlays, arches, vertical projections with capitals or cornices.
- Modern (loft, modern). Matte or glossy facades using plastic, film, metal or enamel are used. These styles are dominated by bright, but not provocative colors or combinations of two shades.
- High tech. A kitchen in this style is decorated with metal parts, glass, and lighting in cool shades. Current color solutions are gray, steel, white. The surface of the facade for this design is usually made glossy.
- Rustic (country, Provence). Wood furniture predominates in this style. The design includes painted details, antique finishes, textured materials and carved elements. In addition, the rustic style is characterized by handles made of wood or copper, hinged doors and square legs.
Types of furniture facades for the kitchen, selection criteria
Color design can visually smooth out the transition from one cabinet to another. Glass or mirror surfaces are also used for facade decoration. Photo printing continues to be popular; furniture facades can be decorated with any image. Still lifes with fruit, photographs of the city at night, abstract patterns, floral and animal motifs are popular.
Shabby chic style has become popular lately. It consists of using expensive furniture with an aged effect. This style is suitable for those who prefer Provence or country, but want to try something more elegant.
Classical
Loft
Modern
High tech
Country
Provence
Shabby chic