The popularity of sliding wardrobes with sliding doors is due not only to the fashion for minimalism, but also to the development of the production of furniture of this type using various design solutions and materials. Sliding doors can not only be disguised in a high-tech interior that does not allow everyday excesses, but also turned into an elegant piece of furniture, decorated in any of the design styles.
Various door designs allow you to build such cabinets into niches and corners and use almost any finishing materials.
The doors for sliding wardrobes made of chipboard shown in the photo show only part of the wide selection of colors and textures.
Hanging doors
The modern hanging mechanism installed at the top of the door expands the design possibilities. The doors are located in front of the cabinet without a frame, completely covering the frame, which significantly increases the usable space and facilitates decoration.
In addition, restrictions on the width of sliding doors are removed. The latest developments make it possible to use a suspended version for sheets weighed down with mirrors; they can also be equipped with an electric drive for automatic door movement and a remote control system.
The hanging option has a number of advantages, but its use is not always justified. There are a number of parameters for the weight and dimensions of the door that make it difficult to use only the hanging option.
In some cases, it is impossible to do without guides installed at the bottom. The seemingly simple design of sliding doors requires a professional approach to design, assembly and installation, as well as adequately selected service fittings for the doors.
Types of facades according to the type of door opening
Facade is the front part of the cabinet, behind which the interior contents of the furniture are hidden. The main elements are doors and sometimes drawers. The facade determines the appearance of the furniture and helps create a unique interior - it plays not only a functional role, but also a decorative one. There are three types of furniture facades based on the type of door opening.
Swing
Wardrobe with hinged door system
This is a standard door system that opens using a furniture hinge. The advantages of swing doors: access to the entire contents of the cabinet, ease of use, reliability, noiselessness, relatively low cost. For doors to open, there must be at least 50 cm of free space in front of the furniture. This is not very convenient for a cramped room. Constant adjustment of the hinges will also be required to eliminate sagging of the sashes.
Sliding (compartment)
Wardrobe with a sliding facade
The door leaves are moved along the front plane using rollers that move along the upper or lower guide rail. Such cabinets do not require free space in front of the facade, which is important for cramped spaces.
A sliding door system will cost more than a swing door system
Disadvantages of sliding wardrobes: restricting access to the internal contents of the cabinet to 50%, reducing the depth of the internal space due to the profiles of the sliding system. Almost all sliding systems make noise, even when special bearings are installed on the rollers.
Folding
Sliding wardrobe with a folding facade
The facade consists of several door leaves, which, when opened and closed, fold like an accordion or book. The movement is carried out using rollers that move along a guide rail fixed to the top of the body. Folding doors provide access to the entire contents of the wardrobe and do not require free space in front of the facade.
However, they have a significant drawback - unreliability. Since the main load falls on the upper profile, and the door mechanism includes a large number of connecting parts, the system quickly fails.
Radius doors
The curved, concave or wavy surface of the wardrobe is not only a tribute to the original design. The absence of sharp corners and the unique ability to close niches and corners are practical benefits when choosing such doors. Placing them in children's rooms will protect the kids, while at the same time opening up new opportunities for thematic design of the room.
Radius doors are more expensive than regular doors, they are most often made to order, and it would be wise to turn to experienced and well-known manufacturers who can also provide replacement parts for a complex sliding mechanism.
Forms
Cabinets are made in the shape of a rectangle, semi-oval or semicircle.
Straight cabinets
A straight cabinet is the classic and most popular design in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.
It comes in different widths and heights. The straight façade is suitable for almost any interior style; you can choose the optimal size for any room size.
Radial
The cabinet itself and its facade are made in the shape of a semicircle or semi-oval. It comes with an inner radius (concave) or an outer radius (convex). In complex structures, the outer and inner radii are combined. The result is elongated furniture with smooth shapes.
Corner wardrobe with concave facade
Corner wardrobe with a convex facade
Radius facades look original and are irreplaceable in rooms with a non-standard layout; if you want to place furniture in a corner or niche.
Folding doors
This is another design that allows you to expand the scope of the sliding wardrobe. Double-leaf doors with a book design and four-leaf doors with an accordion design, similar in design, operate using a hanging mechanism.
Their main advantage is the opening of the entire facade; they are widely used in the design of wardrobes.
Front design options for cabinets: photo examples
Standard facades of sliding wardrobes are traditionally made of solid chipboard or mirror. Today, combined solutions are increasingly used, which are presented in various variations, shown in the photo of sliding wardrobe doors. The classic façade features various combinations of mirror surfaces and chipboard. The geometric variation consists of individual rectangles decorated with a mirror, chipboard or glass. On the diagonal facade, the component parts are separated by metal profiles, allowing the elements to be directed towards each other. Various materials can be combined here.
The sector facade resembles a checkered sheet, where each cell created by profiles is designed in accordance with the design solution. To create a wave surface, curved profiles are used, which results in a soft pattern with smooth lines. This option is the most expensive, since all elements and profiles are made to order.
Most often, the facade of sliding wardrobes is made of solid chipboard
Mirror sliding doors
Traditionally, wardrobes with mirrored doors are used in bedrooms and hallways; they are also becoming part of modern sets for living rooms and offices. Modern technologies make it possible to ensure ease and safety of operation.
A special film is attached to the back of the mirrors to retain fragments in the event of mechanical damage to the doors. Additional parts of sliding mechanisms ensure smooth sliding and locking of doors in the desired position.
Depending on their purpose, mirror doors can convey a high-quality image or serve as a basis for the use of sandblasting, fusing and other technologies, with the use of which the overall design style of the interior is maintained and unique patterns and paintings are created.
It is these new surface treatment techniques that greatly facilitate the care of furniture and expand the scope of use of mirror doors.
Materials and design
Long gone are the days when only laminated chipboard was used for cabinets. Now in the arsenal of furniture makers:
- MDF is a more environmentally friendly material of any color and surface pattern. Can be decorated with milling, drawing, photo printing, etc.
- Mirror and glass of different shades and textures: matte, glossy, translucent, embossed, etc.
- Natural wood - in the form of solid wood or veneer.
- Coated materials: bamboo, rattan, fabric, natural and artificial leather, etc.
This variety allows you to solve any design problems. A huge wardrobe in the color of the wallpaper dissolves like magic into the bedroom interior, and a bright composite facade is able to reconcile the colors and materials of a complex interior. Glass and gloss are especially good: mirrored doors up to the ceiling will fill even a room with windows facing north with light. If a large reflective surface is too uncomfortable, glossy coatings will help out: they visually increase the volume of the room, but make the reflection calmer. Materials can be combined in different combinations, decorated with painting, engraving, sandblasting, etc. - unique, beautiful, fresh.
Photo printing on wardrobes
The smooth surface of sliding doors makes it possible to use photo printing on them using large-format printers. Another new product on the market is direct printing on chipboard.
At the same time, you can use ready-made designs from designers, photo wallpapers, or make an individual order, selecting reproductions of world masterpieces, posters, professional photographs to suit your taste. Even photographs from your personal archive can become the basis for the design of furniture with sliding doors.
Sliding wardrobe facades: from classic to modern in new photos
The wardrobe should fit harmoniously into the interior design, and not fall out of it. A built-in wardrobe often becomes the only piece of furniture in a room. The accent solution must be properly decorated and coordinated with the style direction.
Classic
In an elegant style, a wardrobe is a luxury item. False columns are decorated with gilding, so they look expensive. Sliding doors with full-size mirrors visually enlarge the room. A compartment in the form of an ordinary wardrobe is made of wood (veneer) and decorated with decorative carvings. Fake handles create the antique effect of the item.
Classic wardrobe in the hallway Source mebleon.ru
Art Deco
The elegant direction combines classic and modern style. The built-in wardrobe with glass doors is decorated with gilded or silvered patterns that echo the patterns on the walls. Expensive and luxurious decoration must be highlighted.
Sliding wardrobe with pattern Source uk.aviarydecor.com
Scandinavian
The design of the built-in wardrobe in cold minimalism welcomes rough surfaces and laconicism. Textured wood veneer or natural solid wood will help highlight massive, simple furniture. For spaces in gray tones, snow-white glossy lacobel on the facades is suitable, which shines pleasantly in the room.
Wardrobe in a modern style Source www.znakotveta.ru
Provence
In French country style, curly legs and lattice facades are used. Stained glass techniques or sandblasting will add rustic charm to the room. Aged wooden panels with floral carvings repeat the design motifs in the room.
Wardrobe in the bedroom Source aviarydecor.com
Modern
Minimalistic design tends to straight lines and has a limited set of shades. The rectangular, laconic coupe with wood trim is complemented by decorative inserts made of glass, plastic or mirror. The cabinet fronts are white and almost merge with the walls and ceiling. A TV built into the door will help dilute the atmosphere of hospital sterility.
In brown Source finegag.com
Built-in wardrobes
It is not always convenient to equip the facade of cabinets built into niches and corners with compartment doors.
Moreover, traditional sliding doors still have one important advantage - this mechanism ensures the longest trouble-free operation and easy replacement of parts when repairing.
The possibility of using such doors is significantly expanded due to high-quality and inexpensive custom assembly. Perforated or slatted doors will provide adequate ventilation.
Doors made of wooden slats will create coziness in eco style. Transparent glass cabinet fronts combined with wood may suit vintage lovers.
Glass also allows you to apply painting and painting with stained glass and acrylic paints. Different types of stops, fasteners and handles can ensure practicality and long-term use.
Basic materials for facades
Cabinet doors are made from different materials. The environmental friendliness, reliability, durability and price of furniture depend on their quality.
Tree
Wood is the most expensive material used to make luxury furniture.
Wood is valued for its naturalness, safety for health, durability and the special appearance of its natural texture. Wooden facades can be decorated with beautiful carvings, reconstructed if necessary and matched to any interior style.
Disadvantages of wooden doors: high price, low resistance to moisture, need to be treated with anti-fungus and mold products.
MDF
This is a wood-fiber board, which is characterized by high density and ductility. MDF is almost as strong, environmentally friendly and durable as wood. It can also be milled and carved; bent facades can be made from the material. Unlike wood, MDF is not afraid of moisture, does not require regular maintenance, and is cheaper.
The color of the MDF wardrobe is usually monochromatic, neutral shades predominate
Disadvantage of MDF: sensitivity to high temperatures.
Chipboard
Chipboard is the most common type of facade due to its low cost.
A budget option for wood board, which is significantly inferior in characteristics to MDF. Chipboard is a less durable material, but is resistant to moisture and high temperatures. Not suitable for making shaped furniture and due to the content of formaldehyde resins it is considered harmful to health.
Glass and mirror
Such cabinets are mainly installed in corridors and small rooms.
Tempered glass or mirror are used to make cabinet doors. Glass material is practical, durable, easy to maintain, and resistant to mechanical stress. But it has a strength threshold - it can break if hit hard by a hard object.
Cladding and decoration
In addition to the beautiful texture of wood, the main materials of the facades are lined and decorated with various materials. This helps achieve visual appeal and improves the performance characteristics of the basic materials.
PVC film
Facades made of MDF and chipboard are covered with PVC film.
After lining with PVC film, the base material becomes moisture-resistant, durable, and resistant to high temperatures. The PVC surface does not fade or wear out. The downside of PVC is its low resistance to mechanical stress and the impossibility of restoration. If you are not careful, scratches and chips will appear on the surface.
The material comes in different colors and can imitate the texture of wood, stone, leather and other natural materials. You can purchase a cabinet with an original facade for a relatively low price.
Plastic (acrylic)
Plastic facade is an alternative to expensive types.
MDF and chipboard are covered with plastic. The material has the same properties as PVC film, but is more resistant to mechanical damage and is more expensive. It comes in different colors and textures, matte or glossy. Plastic is applied only to flat surfaces; carved facades are not finished with it.
Lakobil, lakomat, sandblasting pattern
These are three ways to decorate durable glass. Lakobil is glass with the back side painted in different colors. Lakomat - frosted glass, to obtain such a surface, the material is coated with a special varnish.
Lacobel glass cabinet front
Sliding wardrobe with frosted glass Lakomat
Sandblasting pattern allows you to refine the facade
Sandblasting technology - spraying and fixing sand or powder on the surface of glass. The result is a pattern on the glass with a rough and matte surface.
Mirrors
A sliding wardrobe with mirror doors fits perfectly into the interior of the hallway and other rooms.
The facade of the wardrobe can be made entirely of tempered mirror. Such furniture visually expands the space and is recommended for cramped rooms. Mirrors are also used as a decorative and functional element. Usually they are attached to one of the doors.
Veneer
Veneer helps to achieve an unusual and unique external design of a sliding wardrobe.
This is a thin layer of natural wood that completely replicates its texture. Veneer is used for cladding chipboard, MDF or cheap types of wood, the surface is varnished. In appearance, veneered furniture is no different from wooden furniture, and will cost much less.
Rattan and bamboo
Bamboo is glued onto strips of fabric, which are attached to MDF or chipboard panels.
An original solution is to decorate it with rattan or bamboo. This option is ideal for interior styles in the following styles: eco, country, Scandinavian, Provence. Both materials are moisture resistant, retain their shape well, are easy to clean and have good strength. The materials are often used in combination with wood and glass.
Leather
Cabinets trimmed with leather look expensive, extraordinary, and are pleasant to the touch.
Artificial or natural leather is used to cover the main material. This is a practical material that does not fade in the sun, does not crack or deform, but scratches quickly appear on it.
The cabinet facade can be solid - made entirely of wooden materials, glass or mirror. The design of some models combines these materials.
