Aquarium in the living room - 87 photos of the best ways to decorate your interior beautifully!

Craving for nature in the home interior

A person living in a concrete city misses living grass, birds and animals living in the wild. That is why many people try to recreate some kind of living area in their living space. Some plant winter gardens, others have pets. Still others buy an aquarium and devote all their free time to caring for the fish. Psychologists are confident that watching them evokes positive emotions in any of us and improves our overall psychological state.

Today you can create a real underwater kingdom in your hallway, kitchen or living room. There is everything for this: containers of any size, shape, objects that help shape mountain landscapes, compositions of flooded ancient cities, artificial ruins, sunken ships. The marine fauna is diverse; species are sold that are specially bred for cultivation in artificial reservoirs. Complete information on their contents has been collected and provided. By studying it, you can discover many new and useful things.

Aquarium with a seascape in an apartment Source nemo.by/wp-content

In order for an aquarium to fit successfully into a residential interior, you should find a place for it in advance, think through the lighting, and decide on the size of the bowl and its shape. There are many subtleties in designing such a zone. Let's talk about them further.

How to make an aquarium in the wall of an apartment with your own hands

You should try to think through the installation of an aquarium in the wall in advance, at the initial stages of repair work. After completing all the finishing work, it will not be possible to integrate this decorative element into the partition without destruction.

If you want to save on installing an aquarium, you can do the work of constructing a niche or portal yourself, and entrust the installation of the aquarium and communications to specialists.

The sequence of wall preparation for mounting an aquarium is as follows:

Preparation

Cleaning the wall from facing materials and plaster.

Marking the future portal (niche)

It is necessary to mark on the wall the location of the future aquarium, taking into account the design of the room, to determine the place through which the aquarium will be serviced. If the aquarium is not located along the entire length of the wall, the lower border should be located at least 90 cm from the floor. Often there is an option to install an aquarium according to the principle of placing works at exhibitions - at eye level. This option is suitable when the aquarium has a width significantly greater than its height.

If there are children in the house, this method of placing a tank with pets will not be the safest for them. It will be possible to watch the fish only by standing on an elevated platform. And if adults are not around, this is an additional danger to their health.

To the planned width of the aquarium, it is worth adding a few centimeters on each side and at least 30 cm to the height for connecting the necessary communications - lighting, sterilizer, drainage system, compressor and others.

The “golden ratio” is considered a beautiful proportion for harmonious visual perception. You can easily calculate it to select a location for the portal by using a calculator from the Internet.

Sawing an opening

Using a special saw for gas silicate and expanded clay blocks, you can start cutting out.

In modern construction, interior partitions that are not load-bearing are erected from gas silicate and expanded clay materials. They are wide enough and easy to cut holes in. Installation of an aquarium in a brick wall is possible only at the stage of its construction, otherwise the stability of the partition will be compromised .

If you plan to hang the aquarium in a niche, then at this stage you should take care of a strong mortgage on which the hangers will be attached.

There are also partitions made of plasterboard on a metal frame with internal soundproofing finishing. In this case, it is impossible to make the frame of the opening without specialists. Such a wall will need to be built from scratch, and mortgages will need to be installed for the installation of a heavy structure.

Strengthening the opening

Necessary stage. Strengthening is done using a metal plate. Its length must exceed the length of the vessel being installed, and be located on the side blocks. This stage compensates for their inevitable shrinkage.

Video: DIY aquarium in the wall

Laying grooves under electrical wiring

It is better to connect the electrics for the tank to a separate circuit breaker in the electrical panel. The main units - the filter and the compressor - must operate in standby mode during the long absence of the owners.

Frame decoration

It can be attached directly to the tank. Its task is to mask the seams connecting the vessel with the wall, the zone of water evaporation. It can be made of any material (preferably rubberized) that can be easily painted with oil paint. The opening is ready!

As a frame, you can use a baguette from a special workshop.

Installation of water supply and sewerage are optional conditions when installing a container with a volume of less than 500 liters. They certainly add convenience. But the water will still need to be replaced using a hose, and with natural drainage of water, as with forced drainage, the dirt will also remain in the sand.

Features of choice

The range of finished products is very large. There are tanks on sale that can be placed on a table or placed on special shelves, there are wall-mounted models, bowls that can be easily built into a furniture set. By choosing them, you can significantly save room space. This is true for small apartments.

Small aquarium in the interior Source modernplace.ru

Experts warn that it is better to give preference to simple glass structures. They are easier to care for, easier to create conditions for a comfortable habitat for fish and the growth of a green world. As the tank is used, contaminants are constantly generated. They will have to be cleaned periodically. The shape of the aquarium should not interfere with this. There are other nuances that must be taken into account:

1. Larger aquariums are easier to care for than smaller tanks. Beginners don't know this.
2. Wide containers are more stable. They have a good horizontal base, a large area, which helps eliminate conflicts among the inhabitants of the aquarium, who usually fight with each other for territory if there is not enough of it.
3. Standard rectangular models do not distort reality, which means they fit better into an existing interior. If a complex room design is created, a style is chosen that excludes the presence of straight lines and sharp corners, the shape is selected for a specific setting, and sometimes exclusive models are created that exist in one design.

Aquariums of unusual shape Source i.pinimg.com
If you need an imitation of an aquarium in the interior, you don’t have to buy a container and create an underwater world inside it. There are products on sale that only superficially resemble an artificial pond, but at the same time perform a completely different function (the function of a lamp, for example). They do not need to be looked after, cleaned or changed water. But the illusion of deception turns out to be very impressionable.

The volume of the tank for the aquarium is calculated taking into account the number of living inhabitants who will then live inside it. For one fish, 2.5 cm in size, you need nine liters of water. If living algae live inside, it is better to increase the volume. We need space for additional decor. Stones and broken amphorae also need to be placed somewhere.

In order for living organisms to coexist normally, certain conditions will have to be maintained. It is important that the temperature of the water inside the aquarium is always stable (+22, +26 ºС), that its density is 1.02-1.05 g/cube, and that the salinity is at least 30%. The fish must be able to move freely inside; for this, pumps will have to constantly create the effect of a filling flow.

Flow pumps for aquariums Source seaforum.aqualogo.ru

See also: Catalog of house projects for a narrow plot

Proper lighting is organized using several lighting fixtures. Ultraviolet emitters and ozonizers maintain a favorable habitat. Purchasing special equipment is a prerequisite for maintaining an aquarium.

Some designers, taking into account the wishes of their customers, create an underwater kingdom without inhabitants. This eliminates the need to care for pets. In this case, the aquarium becomes only part of the overall decor of the room. It is filled with artificial plants and complex figures. Inside such a reservoir you can create reefs and grottoes, and plant bright plants. But they also need to be looked after. Therefore, in any case, an artificial pond is a decor that will have to be paid attention to.

Artificial pond with non-living plants Source f.allegroimg.com

Selecting a location

Each partition is suitable for installing an aquarium, but a load-bearing wall cannot be drilled for this purpose. Among the main requirements, the correct choice of location should be highlighted. This should not be the part of the room that is exposed to the sun most of the day.

If you are considering the idea of ​​an aquarium in the living room, then it is important that the interior of the room does not include a fireplace or other heating device nearby. Typically, such aquariums have an impressive weight, so before starting installation work it is important to make sure that the support is quite strong, because it must bear the load.

Aquarium materials

The main material is, of course, glass. But all other parts (for example, internal filling and frame) can be made from:

• wood;
• glass;
• plastic;
• ceramics;
• stone;
• metal

The latter is used quite rarely, because it undergoes oxidation. In order to eliminate such processes, the elements are coated with special compounds. But even with this, metal elements lose their attractive appearance over time and require replacement. The internal filling is usually made of plastic.

When choosing stones, you should pay attention to:

• granite;
• flint;
• quartz;
• basalt;

Attention! It is important to eliminate lime and also ensure that the elements will not interact with the water in any way, such as staining or polluting it.

When choosing a base material, it is important to consider quality. The glass must be damaged, have a uniform color and not contain harmful impurities released into the liquid. When choosing internal filling, pay attention to ceramic products that act as decorations. If there are coastal areas, you can use wood for decoration. Willow and alder trunks are perfect.

The basis may be acrylic or plexiglass, which is called organic. An alternative solution is silicate glass. By choosing organic glass, you ensure strength and reliability. This material does not interact with water in any way, but has one important drawback - not so high resistance to mechanical stress. The surface can be easily damaged, and over time it even becomes cloudy.

Frameless tanks are made from silicate or organic glass. If the size is impressive, you should choose a frame structure that has metal frames. It is impossible to store such a container without water, as it may become unusable, and the putty will dry out and be destroyed. Seamless plexiglass containers look most impressive. They can protrude beyond the partition and have rounded corners and curved walls.

Shape and dimensions

The aspect ratio of the container will form a certain shape. The ideal configuration for keeping fish is a cube configuration with a side of 50 cm. Such an aquarium holds 125 liters of water. But such a design is rarely used, because the partition will be filled to a limited height.

Usually structures with a small depth and significant height are built into the wall, but they lose in contemplation. It is also important to take into account the peculiarity of the behavior of fish, which by nature are quite shy. If you install a cubic shape, then most of the time you will observe the internal contents, but not the living inhabitants.

In terms of size, rectangular aquariums are quite popular, with the height being higher than the width. You can build a 20 liter aquarium into the wall, which will be easier to care for. Moreover, the partition itself may also have functional niches or drawers.

It is important to consider that when choosing an impressive height that looks more harmonious in the wall, you will have to think about the internal filling, otherwise the water world will look rather sparse in the upper part. Typically, experts do not talk about clear capacity parameters. Therefore, you can choose the dimensions yourself, taking into account the dimensions of the partition.

How to choose a design for premises for different purposes

When choosing a container, you need to take into account the purpose of the room and its size. For example, large aquariums are not suitable for the hallway area, especially if free space is limited. It is better to prefer a miniature version, but choose a non-standard shape. So, aquariums in the form of cylindrical structures look good.

But if there is not much free space, in addition to the container itself, you will also need to think about a place for equipment, namely a cooler and a filter. Some rooms are not at all suitable for such an interior element, since the only place for installation is near the window, and it is extremely undesirable, because algae and fish should not be exposed to sunlight that is harmful to them.

Rich assortment

Today, few people are interested in models that can be moved from place to place. Anyone who is seriously interested in the underwater world prefers to buy large tanks. Manufacturers please them and offer a wide range of different designs. It has corner models. They are ideal for small spaces. The L-shaped tank can fit on a bedside table in the hallway or on a table in the living room. If you need to perfectly fit an aquarium into the kitchen interior, a corner model is best suited. Choose a bowl with convex glass; the artificial pond will appear more voluminous. At the same time, it will not take up much space on the worktop.

Kitchen with a huge aquarium Source wpten.ru

Built-in models. They have a large weight load, so their base is always flat and wide. For such a tank, the location is determined in advance, even at the stage of planning the living space. It can only be placed on a solid brick base. Or on a plasterboard structure, the base of which is formed from a welded steel frame. The design of a living room with an aquarium is effective when its bowl is built into the interior wall. Its back part may be closed. But if you open it, you will be able to decorate two rooms at once with one artificial pond. When choosing this installation option, it is important to foresee in advance the location of the equipment and all necessary communications needed to service the water tank.

Partition models. Always made to order. Used for zoning space, creating a separate living space. This setup can work as one large night light. Its choice becomes justified when it is necessary to separate the living room from the bedroom or from the kitchen without constructing a permanent wall.

Beautiful partition between the living room and kitchen Source aqua-arxi.ru

See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in garden furniture

Unusual aquariums

Designers' thoughts sometimes fly ahead of their imagination. Trying to surprise their customers, some of them come up with interiors in which you can see an aquarium built into the kitchen worktop or acting as a kitchen apron. There are products of round, square, and complex square shapes. Even a standard corner aquarium in the interior, in which complex lighting is built in or unusual decorative elements are inserted, looks more impressive and unusual.

An aquarium in the shape of a painting will definitely attract the attention of guests. It is very difficult to install, but the result is worth it. The living landscape behind the glass, which is constantly changing, evokes peace. Such decor can cause certain difficulties in care. But with the right approach, it’s not difficult to foresee everything.

Unusual painting on the wall Source more72.com

Furniture manufacturers are ready to offer finished products with built-in aquariums. Most often they play the role of facades. It is possible to replace the column supporting the upper vault of the hall with an aquarium. Water is poured into them using pipes hidden in the floor. Cleaning is done through a hatch hidden somewhere on the side.

Screen aquariums built into ceiling structures are available for sale. They can only be installed in large spacious rooms, where it is possible to assemble and secure a strong steel frame. Such a reservoir can simultaneously serve as a lighting device, which will constantly emit soft diffused light.

Aquarium in the form of a supporting column Source nemo.by

Decorating an aquarium in the room

To make an indoor aquarium look presentable and be a valuable decoration in your apartment, you need to resort to decoration methods and choose an advantageous design that suits you.

Armed with some knowledge, you can create an underwater world in your own design

Decoration

Decorating an aquarium is not an easy task and requires time and good taste. The decor can be any product made from various materials. This could be dishes, pebbles from different beaches around the world, unusual trunks, glass, specially made fish houses, artificial plants and much more.

The photo shows an example of decorating an aquarium in an oriental style

All items are on sale, and you can also make them yourself. The most important thing when decorating is the selection of high-quality materials, taking into account the types of fish, coordination with the interior of your apartment, so that everything looks discreet and tasteful.

Choosing an aquarium design

Today there are different styles of aquarium design. Among them are:

• Japanese;
• Dutch;
• nautical;
• natural;
• collector;
• based on fairy tales.

The Japanese style is based on minimalism. When decorating an aquarium in this direction, masters often use stones, soil, sand, bonsai techniques, carpet algae, and a school of small fish. The main advantage of this choice is the creation of conditions for peace, tranquility, for a favorable pastime with the aim of relaxation.

The basis of the Japanese style is composition, which should have a beneficial effect on the beholder

Dutch-style aquariums are distinguished by an abundance of algae of absolutely different colors, sizes, and densities. They are planted in layers, creating a landscape design that will chicly decorate an apartment with a classic interior with a modern twist. One of the disadvantages of this design is constant care, which includes: supply of carbon dioxide, pruning of plants, population control, fertilizer.

A Dutch-style aquarium is an underwater world reminiscent of a garden flower bed

The lowest cost of maintenance and decoration today is the method of simulating the sea world at home. It requires sea water, corals, shells and inhabitants of the seas and oceans. Care and maintenance will not take you much time and money. And on cold winter days, the aquarium room will remind you of the warm, happy moments of a vacation by the sea.

A marine-style aquarium is a small sea right at home

Natural style is very often used for scientific purposes, to observe the behavior of the inhabitants of the underwater world. To do this, they recreate the exact layout of a particular place, using driftwood, plants, stones and much more.

To recreate the natural world, driftwood and stone are used, such an aquarium should look a little wild

Kollektorsky, in turn, is a simplified version of the Dutch style. To prevent algae from growing too much, and to prevent everything from looking like a neglected swamp, they use a simple technique where they use a minimum number of plants that grow quickly and ultimately acquire a beautiful appearance. This design has become very popular, as it fits most interiors, where the aquarium method of decoration is one of the advantages.

A collector-style aquarium fits perfectly into the classic, Mediterranean or ethno-style of the living room

The decoration of the aquarium in the children's room will be a style based on Disney fairy tales, which means copying scenes from cartoons and recreating it with your own eyes. For sale, the brightest decorations and fish are used. Decorations can be stones, driftwood, or objects made of plastic and other materials.

Aquarium design based on the cartoon “Finding Nemo”

When choosing one of the listed styles, take into account all the features of the interior, desires and possibilities. A well-chosen design method will successfully transform the aquarium in the living room.

In conclusion, I would like to note that an aquarium in the living room interior, of course, serves as the main decoration in every home. However, do not forget about caring for the fish and high-quality selection of decor. We hope you found this article useful.

Video description

The video shows water tanks of the most unusual shape:

Mobile tanks

Manufacturers are ready to meet the demand for any need. Not everyone has the opportunity or desire to install a full-fledged stationary model at home. For them, there is an assortment of mini-reservoirs in the form of a jar, vase, glass, chemical flask. They are small in size, weigh little, and it is easy to find a suitable place for them. They can be constantly rearranged and moved. The volume of liquid is enough to grow one or two fish. There are species that are capable of living in splendid isolation, so there will be no problems filling a small reservoir.

Mobile portable mini ponds Source i7.photo.2gis.com

Technical points

Installing an aquarium in the wall

If no one in your family is familiar with the technical side of the issue, then it is best to entrust the installation of a built-in aquarium to professionals. Although this may involve additional costs, in this case you will receive a guarantee of quality. The fact is that before starting installation, it is necessary to evaluate the technical capabilities of the wall.

First of all, the partition should not be load-bearing. It is also important to take into account the characteristics of the material from which it is made. In some, the master can easily cut a hole for an aquarium, while others will have to be completely dismantled. In most cases, special reinforcement is required to ensure that the structure can support the weight of the water tank.

And before starting work, the master must check the presence of electrical wiring at the installation site, find out the location of the seams and take into account other details.

semicircular pendant decorated with artificial stone, visible from the kitchen and living room

Caring for a wall-mounted aquarium

Undoubtedly, a well-installed aquarium in the wall between rooms is a real decoration and “highlight” of the house. But to maintain it in its original form, careful and timely care is required. In general, this is a separate big topic. But built-in aquariums have a peculiarity in this regard. It concerns access to the tank. Since regularly getting it out of its niche is extremely problematic, experts recommend thinking through an alternative solution in advance.

Most often, during installation, an open space is provided above the aquarium on one side. To disguise this niche, blinds, panels or other wall decor are used. The second option is the following solution. On one side, the aquarium is installed flush with the wall. On the other hand, it protrudes and is built into the furniture. There is still free space at the top for access.

a beautiful element for zoning a living space with blue lighting in a bright interior, a living corner with fish calms and lifts the mood

When considering the option of installing an aquarium in the wall, take into account all the nuances. It is best to seek professional advice before making a firm decision. Also remember that an aquarium requires constant care and attention. This is the only way he can maintain his attractiveness and delight his family and guests with his appearance.

Some tips for installing artificial ponds

Typically, aquariums are purchased to decorate the living room. Although they can find a place in the bedroom, in the kitchen, and in the hallway. There are general recommendations that should be taken into account when choosing a location. Important:

1. Place the tank not near a window, but along one of the free walls, away from direct sunlight.
2. Round-shaped models look good on cabinets and tables; if you need to place an aquarium in a niche, you should choose a rectangular-shaped container, the dimensions of which duplicate the dimensions of the architectural element.
3. Vertical aquariums are ideal for dividing zones.

If the bowl is placed on a pedestal or on any other hill, the artificial pond looks more impressive. It immediately catches the eye, so it needs to be well illuminated and beautifully designed.

Special bedside tables instead of a pedestal Source www.cichlids.ru

Aquarium parameters

A vessel with a rectangular geometric shape is considered ideal for care. The height and width should be approximately the same. The length should be 2 times the width or longer. This proportion – 2:1:1 – is perfect for the normal life of fish and algae. The vessel must be perfectly smooth, without flaws on the glass.

The larger the aquarium, the easier it is to care for and maintain ecological balance.

For an apartment, it is better to choose a volume from 50 to 150 liters. A larger volume, in case of damage to the glass of the aquarium, can cause significant damage to the room. It is better to buy a couple of medium-sized aquariums than one huge one.

If you are afraid that the aquarium may leak, then the ideal option for you is a dry aquarium built into the wall.

When mounting a vessel, its blank walls must be finished on the inside with a sheet of dark acrylic or painted on the outside with black or brown polyurethane paint.

To eliminate water evaporation, the top of the tank must be covered with glass that has holes for connecting communications. If coverslips are not used, the prepared portal must be prepared for condensation and high humidity conditions.

Briefly about the main thing

Until recently, aquariums were purchased only for keeping fish. The main emphasis was on the process of caring for them. Today, such products are becoming elements of fashionable modern design. With their help, space is zoned, lighting is organized, and unusual, exclusive decoration is created. An aquarium with or without fish can decorate any functional room. To fill it, a rich assortment of decor can be used, allowing you to create an amazingly beautiful underwater kingdom. Watching his life calms the psyche and charges him with positive energy.

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An ideal place for an aquarium in the living room interior

An aquarium is a living world in which plants and fish coexist. To ensure they fit harmoniously into the interior, listen to some recommendations:

1. The classic place for an aquarium is the living room wall. There are no special nuances. It all depends on the wishes and preferences of the owners.
2. If your living room is made in a classic style, then it is better to make a corner pedestal for the aquarium and install a round model.
3. If you have a square or rectangular aquarium, then install them in a wall or niche.
4. A tall vertical aquarium located on the floor can be used as a living partition for zoning.
5. To highlight the taste of the living room owners, install an aquarium above the fireplace. This combination will make your interior unusual and will additionally visually expand the free space.

What types of aquariums are there?

A container with live fish will become the main piece of the interior, its highlight. The aquarium will attract the attention of guests.

Aquarium - a highlight in the interior

Therefore, there are many different models. They differ in:

• sizes;
• form;
• configurations;
• installation method.

Before you buy an aquarium for your apartment, you need to know the main tasks that it will have to cope with. There is equipment that performs a purely decorative function. Other models are designed to accommodate live fish.

Various in shape and content

Aquariums intended for installation in apartments are divided into the following groups:

Wall

The design feature is its small width. This helps securely fix the equipment to the wall. It must have transparent walls so that you can observe the underwater life of its inhabitants. The process of caring for fish and animals is somewhat more complicated than that of conventional tabletop models. Therefore, it is better not to have cichlids or goldfish for wall aquariums. There are several forms in which wall mounting equipment is produced:

• rectangular;
• square;
• semicircular.

Wall mounted option for use

Before installing the equipment, you need to think about the cleaning system, lighting, and how to change the water in it.

To make the process of caring for equipment quick and easy, you should think in advance and create a secret compartment. In this case, it is better not to place the aquarium on the wall in which communications pass.

Consider a lighting and cleaning system

Table

The equipment must be large in size to be used as this furniture. The top cover should be made of durable glass that is not afraid of stress. The model is equipped with transparent walls through which all the fish living in it will be clearly visible. A big plus of the model is that it performs a decorative and practical function in the interior. If you don’t want to bother yourself with the process of caring for live fish, you can choose a dry version of the aquarium, in which no one lives.

Aquarium built into the table

Column

This is one of the most expensive types of equipment. If desired, you can organize an aquarium from the floor of the room to its ceiling. Models mounted into a finished column look less effective. But it is much easier to organize proper care for them.

In the form of a column - fits into any interior

Partition

This is a great option for zoning space. An aquarium will give the room a unique look. It looks stylish and elegant. The specimen can be dry or filled with water in which various fish and plants will live. If you don’t want to constantly care for living organisms, then you can install a model that will perform only a decorative function.

An excellent option for zoning space

Advice It is best to choose rectangular-shaped equipment for zoning a room.

Angular

For small rooms, you can choose corner pieces. They won't take up much space, but will breathe new life into an ordinary environment. The equipment can be mounted on a wall or on a special stand. Its size depends on the size of the room and the availability of free space in it.

Unforgettable beauty in the bedroom

People want to get an aquarium, but the constant care of live fish confuses them, forcing them to abandon this idea. Designers came up with dry aquariums especially for them. Inside, unique beautiful compositions are created from sand, stones, shells, castles and other interesting decors. Dry models do not require special organization or preparation. There is no need to provide lighting or constantly change the water. This option is practical and convenient for any room.

In small rooms where it is not possible to organize a dry or classic aquarium, you can make imitations of the container you like.

Small option for the living room

To give the equipment an interesting appearance, mirrors, colored sand, and different lighting are used. Such models are suitable for residential and office use. The main advantage of such structures is easy maintenance and quick installation. There is no need for additional communications or lighting here, as in classic models.

If there is too little space in the room, but you really want to get an aquarium with live fish or turtles, then you can buy a regular tabletop model. They come in small sizes, but can be made in different forms. The container fits perfectly on a shelf, table, niche or special stand.

When it is not possible to put a big one