When furnishing a new home, we first of all focus on the interior of the kitchen. After all, this is where we love to gather with the whole family, meet with loved ones and friends. Often in the kitchen there is not enough space to sit, as the space is taken up by bulky furniture. It is precisely this task of saving space that a pencil case for the kitchen helps to cope with.
What it is
A pencil case is a rather unique piece of cabinet furniture, in which the height is much greater than the width. Overall, this product has modest dimensions. It will fit perfectly into the living room or hallway, and can also be placed in a children's room, bathroom and even in the kitchen.
Today, narrow cabinets have become very popular. Distinguished by their large height, they have door leaves of different types. The pencil case acts as an independent piece of furniture or in combination with other interior items
It is important here that the color of the product is combined with the prevailing palette in order to maintain harmony and comfort in the home
How to decorate a pencil case in the kitchen
A modern pencil case should not only be functional, but also beautiful. To decorate it, place decorative elements on open shelves: painted trays, plates, cups, vases, figurines. You can use decorative textiles: napkins, towels. A small arrangement of flowers, fruits or candles would look appropriate.
You can use open shelves to display children's crafts, seasonal compositions (a bouquet of flowers in the summer, a composition of candles, pine cones and fir branches for the New Year holidays, etc.).
The closed version has the same façade as the rest of the furniture in the kitchen and does not require additional decorations. However, if the kitchen is made in soothing colors and a bright accent is required, you can apply a pattern of self-adhesive film to the facade of the column, and attach a panel with a pattern on an adhesive base. Stained glass doors with laser engraving will also be a decorative element.
Practical purpose: how corner-type kitchen cabinets can be used
Floor-standing pencil case for the bathroom
The functionality of modular corner structures depends on the internal equipment of the furniture. Getting kitchen utensils from the fixed shelves of corner single-door cabinets is not very convenient. In order to optimize the process of storing household utensils, modern furniture manufacturers offer a large number of design solutions.
Types of storage systems
Today's storage systems allow you to store on the shelves of narrow corner cases a wide variety of kitchen accessories of different sizes - large pots, pans, containers with food and spices, cutlery and more. Popular storage systems used in corner modules include:
- turning carousels,
- lever mechanisms,
- smartcorners.
Rotating carousels consist of several semicircular shelves mounted on a stationary vertical stand. The design is equipped with rotary mechanisms that ensure rotation of the shelves around an axis. The largest rotation angle is 2700. The storage parts have an angular cutout to ensure that the cabinet doors are closed. To prevent objects from falling from the shelves while the carousel rotates, the system involves a fencing rim made of a thin metal rod.
The hinged mechanism allows rotation and synchronous extension of two sections. To activate the mechanism you only need to pull the top shelf. Shelves are made in the shape of a figure eight, they can be made of iron or plastic. Any of the shelves can hold a load of up to twenty kilograms. A single linkage system is called a twincorner. A complex device - a slide corner, consists of two hinges that allow each shelf to rotate and extend separately.
The working principle of a smartcorner or, as they say, a “magic corner” is based on the use of retractable systems. One or two mesh iron shelves are attached to the inside of the doors of the corner module; in the middle of the pencil case there are a couple more drawers that slide out. The shelves are connected in such a way that when the doors are opened, the storage systems are pulled out gradually one after another according to the principle of tram cars. Mesh baskets located on the facade doors can support up to seven kilograms of weight, parts placed in the middle of the pencil case - up to 20 kg.
Kitchen corner cases for built-in appliances
A large corner cabinet is often used to store household appliances for the kitchen. A dishwashing machine, a microwave oven, an oven, a coffee machine, a freezer, and an oven for baking baked goods can be built into the pencil case.
One corner module can simultaneously accommodate several kitchen gadgets, for example, an oven and a microwave oven. Built-in appliances are installed in a pencil case at a height of 40 to 80 cm from the floor.
Electrical appliances for home use generate additional heat during operation. To ensure the removal of hot air, the horizontal parts of the column case should not touch the walls very tightly; the clearance is about 5 cm. The column section for installing built-in appliances does not have a back wall.
What is a pencil case
A pencil case is quite often included in a kitchen set: it is used to store textiles, kitchen utensils, and ovens and other household appliances are often built into the cabinet.
In its classic design, a pencil case is a rather narrow piece of furniture, made in the form of a high column. It is manufactured as a separate module or included in a finished kitchen set. Despite its compact size, the functionality of the pencil case is quite wide; you can easily store in it:
- dishes, as well as tableware, which are rarely used in the household;
- kitchen towels, tablecloths and other textiles;
- household chemicals intended for washing dishes, cleaning stoves and other kitchen surfaces;
- large appliances, for example, a dishwasher or even a washing machine;
- an oven built in at a level of 1-1.5 meters from the floor;
- Microwave oven and other small equipment.
If you leave the back walls of the pencil case open, you can effectively disguise unaesthetic pipes, meters and other unsightly structural elements of the room, and if you leave the front part open, you can safely place decorative items on the shelves.
The place of the pencil case in interior design
Floor cabinet for sink
Most furniture sets are equipped with vertical pencil cases. At the same time, their design matches the design and decoration of other items included in the furniture set. In this case, the main question is solved - how to furnish the premises harmoniously and efficiently with a minimum of time, for a small amount. Typically, pencil cases are located at the edge of the headset. With the height of the cabinet from floor to ceiling, any housewife will be able to place most of the kitchen utensils in the floor structure, differentiating them according to the degree of frequency of use.
Everyday products can be placed in the middle part, the lower compartment is used for storing food, and at the top you can hide something that the housewife uses from time to time - for example, a food processor. If there is a glazed compartment, then it can be used as a display case, placing the most attractive dishes on its shelves.
No less popular are products that have an open section in the middle part, where it is convenient to store everyday utensils that are used to set the table every day.
Photos of kitchen sets with pencil case
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A highly functional and stylish kitchen cabinet will make the interior more organic and modern, and will also help to rationally use the space of the room. A huge selection of models will allow you to choose a design that best suits the needs of the home owners.
Systems for opening the fronts of corner cabinets for the kitchen
Kitchen floor cabinet for dishes. It's comfortable, fashionable and beautiful
When selecting a corner-type modular design for a kitchen room, the main thing is to pay great attention to the door opening system. The opening mechanism of a single-door cabinet can be swinging, sliding or compartment
The tradition of the genre is double doors; the demand for the system can be explained by its design simplicity and, as a rule, low price. The door leaf is suspended from the cabinet body using furniture hinges. Modern swinging mechanisms can be supplemented with improved fittings - closers, ensuring easy movement of door leaves.
Retractable systems are much more expensive than swinging mechanisms, this is due to the use of additional fittings - ball bearing guides, pneumatic dampers, closers.
The working principle of compartment mechanisms is based on the use of guide components. Such a system, unlike a double-leaf door, does not require additional space to open the leaves. In radius cabinets, the lower and upper guides repeat the curvilinear configuration of the facade.
What to pay attention to
Finally, I want to give a few recommendations and some kind of warnings.
As for me, there is always a place for any furniture in the kitchen. The main thing here is to think through everything and place it correctly. Otherwise, it is better to refuse.
Regarding the selection, purchase and installation of pencil cases in the kitchen, I can give the following advice.
- Don't choose models that are too narrow. They take up an impressive amount of space, but do not allow you to place a large number of things and objects inside. Their practicality is minimal;
- Don't choose models that are too deep. They are inconvenient because it is extremely uncomfortable to get anything out of them;
- The pencil case can be used in the kitchen when you feel the length of a standard kitchen countertop is not enough;
- If necessary, try to make or choose a pencil case of shallower depth. Focus on the depth of the wall-mounted upper cabinets;
- The design of the cabinet-column is selected based on the direction chosen for the design of the kitchen;
- The material is selected for kitchen furniture to ensure the necessary practicality and durability.
Read more about the choice here if you are interested.
To summarize, I can say that a pencil case is not an essential item in the kitchen. This is the prerogative of mainly small kitchens, where it is necessary to create additional space for storing various objects and things.
If the kitchen is of normal size, give preference to functional and practical units, buy a buffet. In the photo, column cabinets look good, but their practicality and benefits do not always meet expectations.
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One cabinet, different possibilities
Pencil cabinet with drawers
The time when pencil cabinets for the kitchen were used only for storing dishes and rarely used small items has become a thing of the past. Today, a pencil case is a multifunctional piece of furniture that can become both a design accent and a way to “hide” large household appliances.
- Oven. Who said that the oven should be located directly under the hob or be in plain sight? Very often, kitchen owners use a pencil case specifically to install an oven in it. It will be possible to install the oven at any level depending on the height of the housewife, and it will be convenient to observe the cooking process;
- Fridge. Another option for using a pencil case is to integrate such a large piece of household appliance into it. Of course, for a standard two-compartment refrigerator you will need a large kitchen cabinet. But the advantage of using a cabinet is obvious - the refrigerator is hidden behind beautiful doors and does not discord with the overall design of the room. You can also build a small refrigerator into the pencil case if the kitchen is small or a separate freezer;
- Appliances. Not every kitchen will accommodate a refrigerator cabinet, but you can use a cabinet for a bread machine, microwave or coffee maker in almost any space. In addition, you can place all the items in one pencil case at once - there will be a coffee maker on one shelf, and a microwave oven on the other. This way you will save space on the countertop and wall cabinets;
- Kitchen trifles. Perhaps not a single piece of furniture can accommodate such a large number of items on its territory. In the pencil case you can conveniently place canned food, cereals, and jars of spices. If you choose a model with drawers, all the utensils will fit perfectly here - from frying pans to the dinnerware that you take out for special occasions.
Such furniture will harmoniously complement the interior, and you will not need to think about arranging bright accents. You can also order a cabinet for a kitchen decorated in country, Provence or modern style - just look for doors with artistic painting, made of wood-like material or chrome-plated steel.
Corner cabinet
In small kitchens, corner units are often used, which allow you to place utensils and save space. In this case, a corner cabinet will become a multifunctional place to store things.
Corner cabinet project
This model will have minimal dimensions, but will have a large internal volume. It is best to choose a cabinet with rotating inserts and rotating lattice shelves, which will allow you to easily and quickly reach any item.
Choosing a pencil case for the kitchen
When choosing cabinets, we usually focus on the overall set. So the height of the kitchen column should match the rest of the cabinets. In addition to height, the depth of the cabinet is also important. It is best that the narrow cabinet also matches the rest of the cabinets in depth.
Interesting idea for decorating a tiny kitchen with a cabinet
Pay special attention to the quality of the material. Natural wood is considered the most ideal. MDF is relatively inexpensive and easier to use. With the right choice, the cabinet will serve you for a very long time.
The set is made of painted MDF
Designers manage to diversify not only the appearance of cabinets, but also design the doors in different ways. Instead of completely closed wooden doors, glass doors began to appear. Such cabinets look beautiful and original. Sliding doors and shaker style doors are also popular. In the color scheme, you can choose any shade, because the kitchen interior allows even the boldest and brightest colors.
Set made of natural wood
The idea of using a cabinet that differs in height from the rest of the furniture
Economy design option for a refrigerator and built-in household appliances
Features and Benefits
Regardless of any design of your kitchen, a pencil case will always look stylish and profitable there. This is what is called the classic version. Every housewife will appreciate the practicality and functionality of a convenient closet. The main advantages of this furniture:
- Functionality. This cabinet will allow you to place a wide variety of kitchen items. You can put pots, frying pans there, store plates, cups, etc. A variety of spices, as well as your kitchen appliances, will fit perfectly there.
- Optimal organization of space. Buyers will be pleasantly surprised by the ergonomics of the model. Thanks to this furniture, you can organize your kitchen space as cozily, easily and comfortably as possible.
- This model will take up little space. Thanks to its optimal elongated shape, you can place the product in a specific place in your kitchen. This model is optimal for storing dishes and various kitchen utensils.
- Possibility to make a custom cabinet. You can create the necessary parameters yourself. The pencil case can have standard sizes, and also fit your preferences and your kitchen. Please note that a custom order will have a higher price. However, in this way you can increase the functionality of your room and make your stay in the kitchen more comfortable and relaxed.
- Versatility. The pencil case will fit well into any of your interiors. It will decorate any kitchen and increase its functionality. Thus, you will purchase a stylish model that will become indispensable in the kitchen.
- Small dimensions. The wardrobe has small dimensions. It will look beneficial even in a small kitchen. You can use such furniture when planning a non-standard room.
- Affordable price. This furniture can be purchased at an affordable price. Such a wardrobe will not cause losses to your family budget.
Features of using a corner pencil case
A corner cabinet for the kitchen is a vertical cabinet that is installed near the kitchen unit. The rear surface is located on two adjacent walls.
The pencil case helps to properly organize the kitchen space and avoid clutter with foreign objects.
Advantages
The main advantage is the additional storage space for kitchen utensils. This could be dishes, food, small household appliances - microwave ovens, blenders, coffee machines, multicookers.
Narrow kitchen cabinets also decorate the interior - the main thing is to choose the right color and decor. They are roomy and compact, so the pencil case is placed even in the smallest kitchens.
Attention! The corner kitchen cabinet is more spacious than the linear options. This is due to the peculiarity of the corner design. And if you equip the cabinet with additional shelves, hooks and containers, then it will fit even more kitchen utensils.
One of the advantages is the fact that the pencil case smoothes out the kitchen corners, so it seems wider and more spacious. The cabinet can be part of the kitchen set, or it can be located on its own - in this case, it acts as a bright accent.
Flaws
If the pencil case reaches the very ceiling, then not all housewives will be able to reach the very top shelf. Therefore, it is recommended to place there those items that are rarely used.
When purchasing, it is not recommended to trust manufacturers who offer the most inexpensive pencil cases - most likely, they skimped on quality (materials and fittings), and such a cabinet will not last long.
How to make it yourself
A person always has a desire to create, and even if there is a wide selection of furniture, there will be those who want to do everything themselves. For them, we can recommend the following.
- It is not difficult to make a pencil case if you have a little skill in working with manufacturing tools, meticulousness in work and the ability to read drawings.
- It all starts with choosing what kind of pencil case you want to make, for appliances, with shelves for dishes, with drawers for food, or something else. Its design, dimensions, materials used for shelves, and the presence of doors will depend on this.
- The next step is to make a drawing taking into account the dimensions that your cabinet needs to fit into. They will depend on the available space, where you put it and the size of the existing furniture. If you do not have special drawing skills, you can use special programs where you will receive not only a detailed drawing, but also a specification of the necessary fittings.
- Based on the finished drawing, you can choose which materials and for which parts it is rational to use. You can make a cabinet from different materials; as an option, you can consider a design made of a metal frame covered with plasterboard. Traditionally, fiberboard, MDF or wood is used for the body, plywood for the shelves and back wall. You will need fastening strips, shelf holders, and fastening materials. If the cabinet is supposed to have doors, then the doors themselves and brackets for hanging them. It is advisable to take into account that for the strength of the structure, one of the shelves is attached rigidly; it is better to choose the material for it the same as for the bottom and lid. The height of other shelves may vary and their strength will depend on the purpose of the shelf.
- After the number and dimensions of cabinet parts have been determined, we calculate the need for material. You can purchase it in specialized stores, where they can also make all the parts to your size, saving you from painstaking work and additional waste.
- Prepare all the necessary tools, the main ones of which are a screwdriver, a drill with a set of drills, a sharp knife, a hammer, a level, a tape measure, a square, and a pencil.
- According to the program’s calculations or your own, collect all fastening materials and accessories.
- It is more convenient to assemble on the floor, so you need to have enough free space. It is better to number the assembly parts, which will ensure more convenient work. After the main part of the frame has been assembled, you need to place the cabinet vertically and make sure it is stable.
- For additional strength in fastening parts, in addition to screws and nails, you can also use glue.
- When the structure is completely assembled, you can begin the creative stage of façade design. There are many options here: painting, varnishing, filming, using wood veneer, plastic. If the style of your kitchen allows it, you can also use decorative details in the form of overlays or stucco molding.
8 photos
Here we consider the simplest version of a pencil case with several shelves. Additional details such as drawers or specialized shelves will require greater skills, a careful approach to design development, and more tools. But if you want, all this is possible.
8 photos
Accommodation options
Another criterion for classifying column cabinets is their placement in the kitchen.
There are several options in total. All of them are available at Ikea, sold in furniture stores and made to order. Some are inexpensive, while others are quite expensive.
According to the placement method, the following pencil cases can be distinguished:
- Standing separately. Acts as an independent element of furniture. Suitable for a spacious kitchen;
- Built-in. It is part of a furniture set. Does not stand out against the general background, goes well with the main furniture;
- Straight. The straight design is quite common. This is a classic buffet shape;
- Angular. This option allows you to occupy an unused corner and provide increased capacity. But be careful, because it is not always convenient to get anything out of corner furniture.
Be sure to leave reviews for those who have a pencil case in their kitchen.
Tell us what you think about this piece of furniture, whether it is needed and how satisfied you are with its presence in the kitchen.
Types of corner kitchen cabinets
Today, the kitchen furniture market offers a large selection of narrow pencil cases. Based on the shape of the body, the following options for tall cabinets are distinguished:
- trapezoidal;
- docking;
- free-standing corner modules
Trapezoidal kitchen cabinets
The modular design in a trapezoidal shape fits perfectly with other pieces of furniture; cabinets of different shapes can be attached to the side parts of the trapezoidal pencil case.
The main positive quality of the model is the relief space inside. At the same time, the pentagonal design takes up more space, and the cabinet-column looks quite bulky. Professionals do not recommend choosing a trapezoidal corner pencil case for a small kitchen.
Docking models of kitchen cabinets
The docking cases are a corner module of a quadrangular shape. Part of the facade of a single-door cabinet consists of two parts, one of which is blank. The component parts of the kitchen set are adjacent to the blank panel at an angle of 900.
In the next article we will talk about the topic - corner closet in the hallway photo. Let's try to describe this topic in more detail.
Corner-type docking cases have a simple system; the cost of the modules is much lower compared to trapezoidal models. However, the rectangular design is not without its drawbacks, since it is difficult to get to the space hidden behind a blank panel. It is possible to increase the practicality of a rectangular corner pencil case through the use of today's storage systems.
Stationary type pencil cases
A free-standing corner cabinet is considered an independent element of kitchen furniture. The main difference between a separate cabinet-column and built-in trapezoidal and rectangular models is the conical shape of the product. The pencil case goes around the corner of the room and takes up a very small amount of space. Very often, the design of a free-standing corner module consists of a configuration of open and closed compartments.
Components of a pencil case
A narrow kitchen cabinet consists of a base, walls, shelves and doors. The base can be closed or open. Open - the floor corner module rests on the legs, closed - the structure rests on the plinth.
The open base is suitable for small kitchens. It is recommended to purchase a cabinet with thin legs - the cabinet will seem to hang in the air, which will add a feeling of weightlessness and spaciousness to the interior. The base looks more bulky - it is chosen for more spacious rooms.
Legs can be stationary or adjustable. The second option is convenient - with their help you can change the height of the pencil case. They are made of metal, plastic or wood; in shape - cone-shaped, cylindrical, square, round. Thanks to the adjustable legs, uneven floors are hidden.
The walls (body) of the pencil case are made of wood, MDF or chipboard. Wooden products are more durable and suitable for creating luxury interiors. If desired, they are decorated with carvings or the surface is left uniform. The shelves are made of MDF or chipboard - inexpensive materials can withstand heavy loads and are easy to clean.
The doors give the pencil case a complete look; the appearance of the furniture and the entire interior depends on them. Doors made of tempered glass look beautiful - plain, matte, stained glass models. They attract attention and fit into a kitchen of any size and design.
Kitchen cabinet design photo
Varieties
Today, when furnishing a kitchen, a resident of a city apartment or country house can find numerous options for both sets, complete with pencil cases, and separate cabinets.
The whole variety of these products is quite difficult to classify according to any one criterion, however, when choosing a specific model, the greatest attention is paid to the following products:
- straight or angular:
- structures with doors or with an open body - rack type;
- display-type models;
- narrow speakers that can be installed in the center of the room.
pencil case display
blank pencil case
open type pencil case
straight pencil case
From all the variety, it is sometimes quite difficult to choose a specific copy, and here the owner of the apartment herself determines what she prefers:
- decorativeness;
- functionality;
- capacity;
- saving space.
Floor-standing straight pencil case of classic design
Corner - has recently become increasingly popular. Its advantage is that it fills the free, usually unused corner space of the kitchen. Some housewives are critical of the small doors of corner models, which require free space to open. Models with sliding, semicircular doors are completely free from this drawback.
Tableware models are most common both as part of sets and as single samples. Their difference from other copies is the presence of a large number of shelves and several drawers. Shelves are used for arranging dinnerware and storing food and various kitchen utensils, and drawers usually store cutlery sets of spoons, forks and knives.
The design of pottery specimens usually consists of several sections. For example, a three-section cabinet has glass doors in the middle part, and the lower and upper sections are equipped with wooden doors.
Speakers for built-in kitchen appliances are an indispensable attribute of any modern kitchen. At the same time, the design of this category of furniture is quite diverse. For coffee machines and food processors, pencil cases with niches are mainly used, from which household appliances can be easily removed. In addition, furniture for built-in household appliances is produced - mainly microwaves, refrigerators and ovens.
Design options for a corner kitchen with a pencil case
An L-shaped kitchen is considered universal and absolutely win-win. It is optimal because it allows you to use two walls and a corner space at once, provides an efficient and rational work area, and organizes a storage system for products and equipment. Many people complement such corners with a pencil case - its use has its own characteristics, which will be discussed in our article.
What determines the style of a kitchen cabinet?
The overall style of such a piece of furniture depends on the doors. Let's figure out what they can be now.
If your kitchen is small, then you should not choose a cabinet with hinged doors. Sometimes this is a big problem, for example, when someone forgets to close them, you can hit your head.
Today it is quite fashionable to use cabinets without doors at all, which will allow the attribute to fit into the current styles of kitchen interiors.
Glass doors will visually add free space in the kitchen. And if you put beautiful dishes on a shelf in the closet through transparent doors, it will add beauty to the room.
Functional purpose
The functionality of the speakers depends on the preferences of the owner. You can place anything in them : dishes, cans of bulk products, bottles, household appliances, etc. Most often, a pencil case performs several functions at once. For example, at the bottom there are drawers for small items, above there is an open shelf for a microwave oven, and even higher there are closed shelves for dishes.
The most necessary and frequently used items are placed at the tabletop level , food supplies or dishes for holidays are located above or below. Food and cleaning supplies should not be placed in the same cabinet. The pencil case is perfect for household needs: it will fit not only powders and bleaches, but also a mop, broom and a small vacuum cleaner.
Sometimes the pencil case hides risers, gas pipes or meters . To do this, special technological holes are cut out in its rear wall.
Important! It is strictly forbidden to hide gas boilers, gas water heaters and water heaters in cabinets.
Classic style pencil cases play the role of a showcase ; they have doors with transparent glazing; beautiful dishes or antiques are displayed on the shelves.