Cupboard under the sink: which one to choose?

Performing repairs in the bathroom, sooner or later the moment comes when the main facing work is already completed and it is time to install plumbing and furniture. One of the essential components of any bathroom is a cabinet under the sink, which not only hides ugly pipes, but also serves as a functional place for storing household items, cleaning products and laundry. And then the logical question arises: what kind of cabinet, combining convenience and a pleasant appearance, it is best to choose.

Most bathrooms in modern apartments are not distinguished by an abundance of free space.Few people can afford to install excess lockers for storing hygiene items and cleaning products. That is why the cabinet under the sink becomes an excellent option, allowing you to save space and profitably use the space inevitably formed under the sink.

The undoubted advantage of this furniture is the possibility of hiding sanitary communications, pipes for water drainage. Thus, the bollard becomes not just a functional unit, but also a decorative element, giving the room a bathroom and toilet its zest.

It is clear that such pedestals, due to their location, should be made of waterproof materials, otherwise the furniture will become unusable very quickly, and the service life will be greatly reduced.

Just in the selection of material are some of the disadvantages of this furniture:

• for example, faience products, although easy to clean, are quite fragile and can crack in the event of a blow or other mechanical impact;
• marble cabinets, despite the very attractive appearance, the roads are easily dirty, prone to the formation of various chips;
• polymer products with not very careful handling quickly become scratched and lose their appearance.

Besides the fact that such cabinets hide pipes and are a place where cleaning products are stored, household chemicals, all kinds of personal hygiene products can also be placed here. Many cabinets imply the storage of linen as clean (for example, bath towels), and dirty, if the room does not have space for a separate basket for used linen.

Bedside tables for the bathroom should be chosen in accordance with the dimensions of the room itself: if the dimensions allow you to place an additional cabinet or cabinets, then it makes sense to buy a smaller and more elegant model, if not - then it comes to larger and more spacious drawers.

It is worth briefly mentioning the three main types of washbasins (that is, sinks and cabinets together):

• This is a consolidated washbasin, in which the table top is an integral part of the plumbing;
• Laid on wash basin - in it the bowl of a sink is simply installed over a bedside table and fixed on it;
• Mortise washbasin - a recess is made in the cabinet that corresponds to the parameters of the bowl in which the sink fits.

Consider the main types of thumbs.

• The most popular option, which is chosen by the majority of the owners, is the classic floor stand. It is very easy to install: for this, it is literally enough to bring a drawer into the bathroom, install and connect the sink to the water supply system - no additional fixings and tricks are required. Moreover, such a cabinet can easily move from place to place.

Due to its simple design, this option has a high stability. Most of these pedestals are capable of withstanding very heavy marble sinks, as well as objects and cleaning and hygiene items lying in the boxes without additional fixings. Because of its undoubted popularity, such pedestals are characterized by a large variation of design solutions and designs: furniture items of various colors and sizes are on the market.It will not be difficult to find an option from a suitable material with the internal configuration that is required by the owner and tenants.

• More compact option are angular cabinets. They are located in the corner of the room, advantageously using the usually empty space, do not come forward and at the same time remain sufficiently roomy. In addition, they look very stylish.
• For more spacious rooms you can not be afraid to use large two-door bedside tables. They will fit all the necessary household cleaning products, personal hygiene items, towels and other bathroom amenities. Moreover, if you choose a cabinet with a tabletop, then it may well serve as a dressing table. Plus: a double sink can be attached to such a cabinet.

• A bedside table with a laundry basket can be a good and convenient option. It all depends on the preference of the owner: by itself the stand is obtainedsmall, but the laundry basket turns out to be quite spacious and not only dirty laundry designed for washing can be stored in it, but also clean towels, bathrobes, etc.
• There are also semi-circular pedestals, many designers try to make furniture of irregular and therefore more interesting geometric shape, but such options, as a rule, take up a lot of space and are quite expensive, because they are made by individual orders. The table top in them is usually much larger than a sink.

• In addition, you can separately highlight the so-called pendants moydodyry. They are a set that combines a cabinet, cabinet, which is installed under the sink bowl and mirror. Externally, these designs resemble a small chest of drawers. Sometimes there may even be a built-in laundry basket - open or hidden (retractable or drop-down) in one of the lockers.

In addition to the forms, it is possible to note another bright sign of the thumbs: by their installation.

• In the conditions of a bathroom, the most preferred option is undoubtedly the bedside table with legs. Firstly, it greatly simplifies the process of cleaning, and secondly, provides objects stored inside the boxes, protection from moisture and flooding in the event of an emergency.Best of all, the legs of the bedside tables are stylistically combined with the overall design of the bathroom and furniture fittings in general.
• However, it has its advantages and monolithic construction, which is installed directly on the floor. It is more sustainable (which is important in the case of installation of heavy shells). If such a structure is installed on a heated floor, this will significantly reduce the risk of deformation of the lower parts of the bedside tables, since moisture, which can cause these walls to swell, will quickly evaporate.

• Another installation option is a special stand under the cabinet. It turns out to be effective if it is made of special materials designed to withstand increased moisture, temperature drops and heavy weight.
• An unexpected solution could be the use of suspended pedestals. They look very modern, and sometimes even futuristic - it all depends on the design and overall design of the bathroom. They occupy relatively little space and, thanks to the effect of “floating” in the air, visually expand a small space.

The remaining benefits of hanging tables can be attributed, of course, the complete safety of the contents during flooding. The large space between the furniture and the floor also provides natural and free air circulation. This leads to airing of the bollard, and thus reduces the risk of condensation on the surface and the appearance of harmful bacteria and microorganisms. Plus, the space under the bedside table can be easily removed.

But not suspended pedestals and obvious flaws. This is the difficulty with fixing the cabinet on the wall (only a load-bearing, very durable wall is suitable for this). Especially when it comes to installing heavy marble or stone sinks. To install such a pedestal, you will need to call the master, otherwise, if the owner of the apartment has insufficient skills, a poorly fixed suspended structure may fall due to its own weight.

• Quite rare options are roller cabinets - roll-out or sliding. Unlike analogs, they are much more mobile and functional. Such cabinets can be equipped with doors or drawers.They are placed under the sink, sometimes, if space allows, put next to the sink. As a rule, the console itself with the sink remains in limbo, and the dresser exists separately from it.

The size of the cabinet depends primarily on the size of the bathroom. The height of such pedestals is usually equal to the height of the sink above the floor. Its standard parameter corresponds to the average growth of consumers and is 85 cm. But it will not be difficult to choose higher or lower options, depending on the requirements of the apartment owners.

The width varies, sometimes it may be only slightly larger than the size of the bowl of the sink. Sometimes, if there is enough free space in the bathroom, the dresser can turn into a real table and occupy most of the wall. For very small bathrooms, you can find mini versions of pedestals: corner or very narrow and elongated structures will do.

Floor stand with a sink with square or rectangular edges is ideal for any bathroom, made in a classic style. Double swing doors are considered classics, but for narrow, small rooms they may not be very comfortable, but no one forbids to buy a bedside table with one door.

An unusual option would be a round or semicircular bollard - the first is suitable for spacious rooms, the second is more versatile. Bedside tables, made in the style of Provence, look like real works of art and give the bathroom a luxurious and at the same time enticing, playful look.

For apartments made in the style of loft or modern, you can find metal cabinets of irregular shapes, they will make the room unique and stylistically mature.

There is a great variety of materials from which bathroom cabinets are made today. Thumbnails made of wood or chipboard are still the most popular. However, it is important to remember that wooden products are generally prone to deteriorate in conditions of high humidity and temperature fluctuations, therefore, in order to prolong the life of the product, it is very important that the boards of which the stand is made are covered with moisture-resistant compounds.

Chipboards are initially covered on top with a layer of laminating film or plastic, sometimes just painted. In any case, even with a moisture-resistant coating in the bathroom with wooden furniture or wooden elements will need to provide active ventilation.Naturally, the cabinets made of chipboard, are much cheaper than products from the natural array. Also a good means to prevent the accumulation of excess moisture will be high-quality bathroom heating.

Speaking of water-repellent coating, it is also worth considering the different types separately.

• Laminating film is one of the highest quality materials, but in factories it is applied to the facade of furniture in manual mode. In addition, the laminating film can be mechanically damaged during transport, and other defects can manifest themselves in the event of a sudden and unstable temperature condition in which the lamination process took place. All this means that we can not exclude the possibility of marriage on such products.
• The situation is different with painted surfaces: the painting process is carried out in factories automatically, the human factor here is reduced to almost zero, therefore, the probability of stumbling upon a defective product is lower. In the process of painting the product is covered with at least five layers.

• Also actively in the manufacture of thumbs for the bathroom using drywall. Sometimes you can find furniture made of glass and tiles.Of course, glass is used shockproof, the most popular frosted.
• We should also pay attention to the fittings: if it is metal, then the metal must be protected from high humidity, the same goes for any forged elements.

Given the high demand, manufacturers and designers strive to please even the most fastidious owners. On the market you can find many varieties of the most unexpected and, at first glance, unsuitable for the bathroom colors: black, red, brown, blue, green, etc.

• The most popular are gentle light shades: if not white, then beige or cream, gray, pale blue, lime, etc.

• Very often in shops there are thumbs in white. They are the most versatile and easily fit into almost any interior. Dim and inconspicuous, but very sweet and soothing look. In addition, do not forget that the white color is able to visually expand the room, which makes it very attractive when choosing furniture in small and narrow bathrooms. However, there is a dangerous extreme: if the bathroom itself is made in bright colors, the white furniture will visually reduce the room.
• An interesting color solution will be the choice of black cabinets under the sink. Making a bathroom in this color generally looks very stylish and unusual; black elements of the interior can contrast favorably with white plumbing. The combination of black and white can look minimalistic or, if the furniture of the stand is gilded, luxurious and rich.

There are several market-leading manufacturers of the most diverse bathroom furniture, distinguished by high quality among competitors and having positive reviews among consumers. Owners with a high level of wealth and high demands on the quality of furniture can take on the consideration of some European manufacturers.

• For example, a German-Austrian company Villeroy & boch manufactures original cabinets of unusual shapes and colors in a wide variety of styles - from retro to hi-tech. At the same time, designers care not only about the appearance, but also about the functionality of their furniture. Its surface is necessarily laminated and covered with a moisture-resistant varnish or enamel. Each piece of furniture comes complete with all the necessary components and a set of accessories.The furniture of this company is distinguished by a long service life, but it is quite expensive, and, unfortunately, there is no extensive network of dealer stores in Russia.

• A Spanish-Russian company is noteworthy. Roca group. The furniture of this company is made of high-quality moisture-resistant chipboard, which is very easy to clean and does not deteriorate under the influence of chemicals: there will be no hand marks on the lacquered surface of the furniture. Accessories of products (brass or chrome-plated) are also of high quality: it does not darken, does not lose its original color and does not corrode. In addition, the bedside tables of this company have adjustable legs, which allows you to set the furniture to the height required by the owners, also this property will be a useful and pleasant bonus for bathrooms with uneven floors.

The Roca Group produces three major brands of furniture - Roca, Laufen, Jika. All bedside tables are presented in a huge selection of stylish models, each of which has a number of functional and useful parts in operation. They are durable and durable. Many models are quite cheap and, most importantly, in Russia there is an extensive dealer network with which you can easily purchase the products of this company.

• Another company in the range of products which you can find cabinets under the sink - Cersanit. The products of this company are also made of laminated or painted with moisture-resistant chipboard paint and are not only resistant to high humidity, but also smooth. Due to this, almost no greasy stains are formed on the surface, and the dirt is easily washed off with soap and water. The furniture of this furniture is not subject to corrosion, is made of aluminum or steel and undergoes galvanization.

This company offers a fairly wide range of products: the furniture has different dimensions, which facilitates the process of choosing a pedestal for rooms of different sizes. Prices vary, you can find both very cheap pieces of furniture and expensive ones. The service life and warranty is slightly less than that of the two companies listed above, but still quite long - at least two years. Of the minuses: some models will have to be processed (for example, to shorten the length of the shelves) in order to accommodate and freely connect plumbing communications.

Do not forget about the Russian manufacturing companies.

• Firm Triton known primarily as a manufacturer of various baths and showers, but since 2010, bathroom furniture has been added to their range. Laminated or enameled chipboard is mainly used in production. The body of such furniture is moisture resistant and easy to clean. The size of the furniture (as the manufacturer focuses primarily on the domestic manufacturer) is mostly small, although it itself remains sufficiently roomy. The color ruler is mainly light, delicate tones - white, lime, blue, etc.

Pleasantly pleased with the variety of models of furniture produced by this company: among them there are even suspended pedestals, which are almost not found in other domestic manufacturers. The warranty period of such furniture is three years, which is also pretty good. But there are a few drawbacks. Firstly, in places of chipboard joints it sometimes swells up, this is due to manufacturing defects and insufficient varnishing. Secondly, in such tumbahs it is necessary to cut holes additionally in order to place sanitary communications in them.

• Moscow Company "Aquaton" at the moment is one of the largest manufacturers of bathroom furniture in the territory of not only Russia, but also the CIS. The range of furniture produced by this company is quite wide and is updated annually: designers tend to create comfortable furniture in the first place, all products are presented in four main sizes.

The surfaces of the stands, as it should be, are varnished, enameled or coated and easily cleaned. All fittings are chrome plated, do not rust and do not corrode due to exposure to water. The warranty period ranges from three years or more, the company's dealer network is very wide, in almost all major cities and regional centers you can find a service center where you can not only purchase new products, but also repair already purchased ones.

Unfortunately, compared with the above manufacturers, furniture company "Aquaton" is less resistant to high humidity: DSP can skip water and swell. In addition, some models are not universal and are not suitable for every bathroom: sometimes they can be simply uncomfortable.

To select a bedside table under the bathroom sink, there are a few highlights to consider.

• First of all, it is best to decide what price of the bedside will be optimal, and already starting from this, consider the various brands of manufacturers in general and individual options in particular.
• It is equally important to determine the size of the place where you plan to put a bedside table in the future. This is especially important for small bathrooms with limited space, where even an extra centimeter can be decisive - whether the furniture fits into the space reserved for it or not.

• When the price category and dimensions are defined, you need to think about the material. It is worth remembering that glass cabinets will cost much more than other analogues. In addition, as was clearly shown above, you should not be afraid to buy a wooden cabinet or chipboard, these materials are carefully processed with waterproof structures, lacquered or coated with enamel. The only point that is worth remembering when buying a wooden bollard: if during the installation process it became necessary to cut or saw the walls, then the cuts should always be covered with a layer of varnish that obstructs the access of moisture to the tree.
• Also, when choosing a pedestal, it is worth paying attention to its internal filling.It is necessary to give preference to the model with a large number of shelves and drawers - they definitely will not be superfluous, because there can be stored both cleaning products and items for personal hygiene.

If you have carpentry experience and your own ideas, it is quite possible to make a cabinet under the sink itself. Sometimes making the furniture with your own hands is not a whim of the owner, but a necessity, because the room of the bathroom does not always fit into the standard framework, and making furniture to order is quite expensive.

The set of tools that will be required to make a bedside table is quite extensive:

• a drill;
• screwdriver;
• a hacksaw;

• jigsaw;
• chisel;
• a hammer;

• screwdriver;
• pliers;
• tape measure;
• grinding machine.

In addition, in the final stages of the work, you will need screws and fittings - hinges, handles for cabinets and drawers.

According to a drawing prepared in advance, the necessary parts for the box of the future bedside table are cut out. They need to be carefully processed: the cut-off areas are cleaned with a sanding machine or sandpaper, all elements are carefully covered with water-proofing agents and primed. After that, a frame is assembled onto which walls are fastened with self-tapping screws and waterproof glue (in those places where the walls are joined to the frame, you may need corners). All seams must be sealed.

The table-top is made depending on the further idea of ​​the master: either it will be a laid-on sink, or a panel with a recess into which the sink will fit. When the box is ready, it is time to take care of the internal contents of the bedside tables: shelves, doors, fittings, legs or a flat bottom are installed.

After that, it remains only to install the cabinet in the proper place and, if there is such a need, to fix it. Finally, communications are connected. If desired, the nightstand can be additionally decorated with paint, varnish, etc.

Bathroom can be arranged in different ways. When choosing a cabinet for the sink, most people prefer light tones and shades, and manufacturers are guided by the same: most of the products on the market are made in white, beige, turquoise, and blue colors.

• It is always interesting to play on contrasts: a white bedside table will be well combined with black details in the rest of the bathroom interior. And vice versa: a black bedside table in combination with a black door, a lamp and, for example, a rug will perfectly harmonize with white walls.
• In addition, movable black nightstand with golden handles or, for example, the golden colors of the mixer, will help to create a feeling of luxury in the bathroom. All this, of course, should be supplemented with appropriate wall tiles and sanitary ware. A round or oval bollard, by the way, will fit well into the eastern interior.

• Corner cabinets provide a huge scope for the imagination of designers and owners who have decided to independently arrange their own housing. They can be triangular, often such models have a rounded edge. It will be interesting to look at the pentagonal cabinet: it can have a main locker, and on the sides, for example, built-in laundry baskets.
• Curbstones with laundry baskets are a very organic and functional option for almost any bathroom.Baskets can be hidden and be directly inside the box. Another equally attractive option is baskets, which are located on the outside of the drawer.

• Glass cabinets are very spectacular, although quite fragile and expensive. In addition, the owners will be forced to contain the internal space of the drawer in a constant order due to the transparency of the structure.
• Glass for cabinets can be tinted or matte. Mirror and mosaic versions resembling stained glass look interesting, engraving on glass looks very elegant and stylish. Such cabinets are usually used in the design of rooms in the modern or high-tech style.

• Wooden cabinets can also be decorated in many different ways. These are patterns that can be made in the form of drawings, as well as threads on the doors, and inlay. Sometimes mosaic decoration is used, but the mosaic must be planted on waterproof glue that will not soften over time, otherwise the elements will begin to crumble.
• Illumination is not only a decoration method, but also a functional element, especially for large-sized furniture.Products made of wood and drywall will fit perfectly into the bathrooms, the owners of which tend to create a room in the style of country or Provence.

You will find out how to make your own bath cabinet in the next video.