A room for storing clothes allows you to save usable space in the house, not to install additional furniture. People accustomed to comfort and convenience during dressing, specially equip such facilities in their housing. If the living space allows, then they arrange separate spaces for men and women. Owners of small apartments do not share this area, they often re-equip the dressing room from the pantry.
Even a compact room can improve living conditions. Here, all objects are in full view on open shelves, hangers. This is especially true for those who lead an active lifestyle, because sometimes a person simply has no time to deal with warehousing and searching for things in the closet, so in most cases they are scattered throughout the house.
The pantry can be located near the kitchen or bedroom, in the hallway, have a different area, it all depends on the size of the apartment and its layout. Before proceeding with the conversion of the premises into a wardrobe, you should find out whether its parameters meet the minimum requirements:
According to SNiP 2.08.01-89 p. 2.7. the width of the room should be more than 0.8 m, the minimum depth of at least 1.2 m. Experts recommend 1x1.5 m for this room, respectively. If the space is less than the indicated values, then its operation will cause problems.
The pantry does not have a window, therefore, there is no natural ventilation in it. Any dressing room is simply obliged to be well ventilated. Air exchange should be up to 1.5 volume of the entire space. Therefore, here you have to install a ventilation duct, make a hole in the wall. If this is not done, a musty smell will appear in the room over time, microorganisms, mold, fungi will start.
An important role is played by good lighting. You should not be limited to one chandelier, you should provide side lighting and spotlights so that all the contents are clearly visible.
More than 7 hangers cannot be installed on 1 m of length with open storage.
In the family wardrobe, men's and women's clothing is stored separately.
A small room must be comfortable. It is necessary to rationally use the entire perimeter in order to accommodate all the available things, while leaving free space for movement.
The stylistics of the design should match the general used throughout the house.
Storage device location options
Before you begin the conversion, you need to draw up a plan, indicate in it all sizes. It is necessary to think over the structure of storage of things, foresee a place for large items, determine the number of hangers for outerwear, and choose between a closed niche or open shelves.
The main condition is to make the room convenient for use, while saving space as much as possible.
Depending on the parameters of the pantry, the wardrobe configuration is chosen. There are several options for arranging the layout used for the storage system:
one-sided (linear);
L-shaped;
bilateral (parallel);
tripartite (U-shaped).
Linear arrangement
A common way to equip a dressing room, which is suitable for small rooms. With a one-sided layout, a room with a width of 1.25 - 1.5 m is enough, the length can be any. The racks are located along one wall, are a spacious cabinet. If the wall is long enough, then with the proper arrangement of things, you can allocate a place to store additional devices, for example, an ironing board, a vacuum cleaner.
It will be possible to save space only when using open shelves, and it does not make sense to place a niche in a closed limited space. Wardrobe can be organized in many ways. It can be a separate sliding wardrobe, a design consisting of hanging shelves with hooks or a bar for hangers, floor and wall drawers for storing shoes and clothes.
The optimal width of the dressing room is 1.35 cm, if the rooms are wider than 1.5 m, then it is rational on the other hand to place a number of shelves of small depth.
Parallel arrangement
With such an organization of space, it will be possible to place much more things than in the previous version. The layout is optimal for the whole family. One of the sides can be made male, the other female. This will allow each tenant to pack up much faster. If, in the linear arrangement of shelves, experts recommend that the doors open inward, then for a two-sided arrangement it is better to provide an external method.
It will be possible to carry out the plan only if the width of the room is at least 1.75 m. The distance is calculated taking into account the storage areas of 60 cm from both walls, as well as the free passage, which should be more than 0.55 m. If there is no way to expand the room, then this way of storing things is not suitable for small pantries located in most apartments.
L-shaped / angular arrangement
This method is used when it is impossible to organize a parallel layout. Along with linear placement, the option will be optimal for Khrushchev, while the width of the closet should also be 1.25-1.5 m. This arrangement is more functional in contrast to one-sided, since two walls are used.
The wardrobe is easily divided into two zones used by heterosexual family members. Doors can open both in and out. For a more comfortable, appropriate use of space, it is worth considering the option of installing a corner cabinet. In the problem area, which is the corner, it is better to store rarely used items.
U-shaped arrangement
The most practical way to organize space when 3 free surfaces are involved. The length of the room should be at least 1.6 - 1.8 m, and its width 1.75 - 2 m. The closet can accommodate the largest number of things. However, just as with the parallel way of storing things, a fairly spacious room is required for redevelopment.
Along the perpendicular partition, in relation to the remaining walls involved, it is better to arrange the bar for hangers instead of shelves. This is due to the fact that it is easier to get clothes placed on the shoulders than trying to find something in the corner. In problem areas, large items can be stored.
Types of wardrobe storage systems
The functionality of the wardrobe depends on the organization of the storage structure. It consists of a large number of parts of different directions, the parameters of which are selected individually. Wardrobe systems differ among themselves in the material of manufacture, number of elements, installation method.
Among the existing species that can be equipped in the former pantry, the following complexes can be distinguished:
case;
wireframe;
mesh.
Cabinet
Such an arrangement is classic. Designs are in great demand. However, for small non-standard rooms you will have to make furniture to order. For its production using natural wood, MDF, chipboard. These materials give the complex an elegant look, they are easy to clean, do not require constant care.
The products differ in the stationary installation method, with a sufficiently large weight, since they have side walls, a bottom, and a ceiling. The structures are installed along the wall, the individual modules are connected together by screeds. The advantages of case systems include:
the presence of open and closed elements;
a large assortment of different shades;
good roominess;
easy care;
low cost.
The disadvantages of the storage system include stationary installation, the inability to change the assembly parameters, with the exception of the position of some shelves, difficult installation to do it yourself.
Mesh
The mesh system in appearance resembles a honeycomb, includes various baskets and shelves. Allows you to place everyday items, shoes, hats.The design is very convenient, applicable for any non-standard rooms, especially those where it is not possible to install massive wood products and its derivatives.
Mesh wardrobe is equipped with shoe racks, rods for placement, shelves. It is made mainly of metal, but more expensive wooden models are also found. The structure has a rather unusual appearance that complements any modern style. Among the main advantages are:
good air circulation, things do not get a musty smell;
the material is easy to clean;
differs in small weight and high durability;
there is the possibility of transformation;
all things are in sight, they are easier to look for;
has a breathable structure;
takes up a minimum of space;
Installation is easy to do on your own.
Among the shortcomings, one can single out the high cost of the product, incompatibility with components from other manufacturers. Clothes can fall off even shelves if accidentally touched.
Wireframe
The main feature of the system is the presence of metal racks, to which shelves, drawers, rods, and other functional elements are attached. Usually the columns are fixed with their different ends to the floor and ceiling. The design has no side and rear walls, it allows you to use the entire space up to the ceiling. The layout is suitable for classic styles, whether modern or high-tech. The main advantages of such a dressing room include:
strength;
simple assembly and disassembly;
a good combination of wood and metal;
lack of walls and partitions;
easy care and maintenance;
the ability to change the location of internal elements;
allows you to use the area from floor to ceiling.
The disadvantages of the design include its rather high cost. The open shelves are unacceptable for some people, as even a slight mess will immediately catch your eye.
Dressing Area Planning
The effectiveness of any dressing room depends on the proper distribution of space. Typically, pantries do not differ in large sizes, so ergonomics in their arrangement comes to the fore. Zoning in a small room should be carefully thought out. Enough space should be for all-weather clothes, massive winter shoes, bedding and other things.
When designing shelves, cabinets, stands, it is necessary to provide for the presence of sections of different sizes and depths, enough space to accommodate hangers. Wardrobe space according to the standard is divided into three zones.
Upper zone
Here is the place for mezzanines. The upper zone is a space located at a height of at least 190 cm from the floor. This is a hard-to-reach place, so it’s better to put things that are rarely used here. The less often a garment, a suitcase gets, the further it should be pulled. The exception is the pantograph. The modern hanger is convenient to use at any height.
Just below the mezzanines are shelves for hats, scarves, scarves. Small items will not take up much space, so narrow but wide drawers are enough. They should be at arm's length.
Before embedding shelves in the dressing room, you need to determine the size of the stored items. Cells should ideally fit in depth, width. In height, it is better to do 2-3 cm more suitcases, boxes of shoes, mattresses. When drawing up a project for a small room from the former pantry, it is necessary to provide enough space in the center for the free movement of the stairs, the stepladder.
Middle zone
According to the drawing, the middle zone is placed at a height of 60-190 cm. The most favorable location for frequently used things. Any item can be reached by hand, from almost one point in the center of a small dressing room.
The main part of the middle zone space is filled with rods for storing clothes in a straightened form. Things on hangers can hang in the lower zone, but they must be removed without bending. If the depth of the former storage room allows, the rods are placed perpendicular to the wall, if not, in parallel.
Drawers, shelves should be at eye level. An interesting solution - wicker baskets, metal nets, transparent containers for linen. So the clothes are well ventilated, they will just make out. It is convenient to store T-shirts, sportswear, jeans, sweaters and other casual wardrobe on the open shelves.
Lower zone
The space is designed to accommodate shoes. In a small room, it is better to store shoes and boots in special modules, filling them seasonally. Unused models in the near future should be sent to the upper zone.
Shelves for everyday shoes should be placed 30-40 cm from the floor. They can be made straight or at an angle of 45 degrees, providing a good view. To save space, they equip the room with compact designs - sliding sections, roof rails with horizontal opening.
It is rational to place open shelves above the shoe rack for storing bags, belts, gloves. There are boxes for bedding. You can place the cells along one wall or around the perimeter of the dressing room.
Methods and finishes
You can remodel a room for storing clothes and shoes using a variety of materials. A dressing room from a small pantry with access to the corridor will be used mainly for placing outer clothing, so the wall covering should be practical, moisture resistant. The floor should be made of tiles or dense linoleum, since in the fall it will often be wet from the shoes after rain, in winter sand will be applied to it after running through the sprinkled sidewalks and steps.If you can convert a spacious room, surface repairs begin from top to bottom:
Ceiling. The most open surface in the dressing room must necessarily be light and expressive. For decoration, they often use colored putty, paint, whitewash, wallpaper, suspended, suspended structures, plastic panels. There are no serious requirements for materials if the room is ventilated and well-lit.
Walls. For side walls, it is better to choose practical, non-marking materials. Paint, plastic lining, washable wallpaper will do. Dense panels are best not to use, as they will take square meters precious to the former pantry. If the room does not resemble a storehouse in Khrushchev in size, you can finish the walls with wood, plasterboard.
Floor. The flooring in the dressing room will be subjected to severe stress. This should be considered when choosing materials for its design. A large number of clothes collected together implies a lack of dust formation. For the floor, you can use linoleum, tile, laminate, wood.
Stylistic and color design
You can create an expressive room from a simple pantry if you properly arrange the surfaces and make successful accents on the filling. A certain style is determined not only by rack structures, but also by their color, location features, design. The room can be decorated in accordance with the following stylistic directions:
Classic. Full facades, sliding wardrobes will be appropriate. The finish should be clear, without unnecessary details. The walls are plain, painted or pasted over with pastel colored wallpapers, the floor is made of natural materials (stone, wood). Furniture is only necessary and functional, as an example, a table, a small ottoman.
Eco style. The most peaceful design should not be overloaded with useless details.For surface finishing and only natural materials are used as furniture material.
Minimalism. No accessories or decor. Only open strict shelves. The color is white-black, beige, brown.
Techno Cold, thought out to the smallest detail style. In the dressing room there are only straight lines, a lot of drawers with fancy fittings, metal spotlights. Coarse materials are used for decoration: metal, glass.
High tech. Suitable for spacious dressing rooms. To equip the rooms using advanced technology and the latest materials. A lot of glass, plastic, metal. Mostly gray, metallic and white colors are present.
Fusion Allows you to connect several directions at once. You can combine angular shelving and fabric lampshade, plastic furniture and wooden floors. A combination of a bright textile screen and a shabby-chic dressing table would be appropriate.
Lighting and ventilation
Former storerooms of apartment buildings have no windows, so when designing the dressing room, the correct location of the lamps and ventilation holes should be provided. A specific room during operation will always be saturated with particles of skin and dust.
If the room is adjacent to the street, you can create natural ventilation by making small valves near the floor and under the ceiling, which will provide fresh air and exhaust outflow. This method can also be used with a close arrangement of ventilation ducts. To increase the air exchange rate, fans are installed. The flow of oxygen is provided in a natural way, and the conclusion is by forced extraction. The size of the holes, the speed of the air masses are calculated based on the size of the dressing room.
Any dressing room involves the presence of a large number of things and shoes placed in its place. Quickly find the necessary clothes, evaluate the correct combination of colors will turn out only in bright light.Better if it will be multi-zone lighting. Several lamps are placed on the ceiling, a swivel lamp by the mirror, LED strips above the bar with hangers.
Doorway Design
Remaking a pantry into a dressing room will forever change the attitude to a simple storage of stocks, if the doorway is properly designed. The room can be left open or closed with a stylish screen, a massive door, sliding structures. As a decor, you can use mirrors, glass, plastic inserts, textile elements.
Hinged doors are suitable for spacious rooms. The canvas can be improved by attaching narrow shelves from the inside. Small rooms will decorate curtains and accordion doors suspended on a cornice. This is the easiest and budget option.
Conclusion
It is possible to make housing comfortable for living if you use each square meter of an apartment or house correctly. The dressing room from the pantry will become a real highlight. It will not be difficult to re-equip the room, it is enough to make repairs in it and build in structures for storing clothes. From the household storage with any location, you can create a stylish multi-functional locker room.
A room for storing clothes allows you to save usable space in the house, not to install additional furniture. People accustomed to comfort and convenience during dressing, specially equip such facilities in their housing. If the living space allows, then they arrange separate spaces for men and women. Owners of small apartments do not share this area, they often re-equip the dressing room from the pantry.
Even a compact room can improve living conditions. Here, all objects are in full view on open shelves, hangers. This is especially true for those who lead an active lifestyle, because sometimes a person simply has no time to deal with warehousing and searching for things in the closet, so in most cases they are scattered throughout the house.
Content
Wardrobe Requirements
The pantry can be located near the kitchen or bedroom, in the hallway, have a different area, it all depends on the size of the apartment and its layout. Before proceeding with the conversion of the premises into a wardrobe, you should find out whether its parameters meet the minimum requirements:
Storage device location options
Before you begin the conversion, you need to draw up a plan, indicate in it all sizes. It is necessary to think over the structure of storage of things, foresee a place for large items, determine the number of hangers for outerwear, and choose between a closed niche or open shelves.
Depending on the parameters of the pantry, the wardrobe configuration is chosen. There are several options for arranging the layout used for the storage system:
Linear arrangement
A common way to equip a dressing room, which is suitable for small rooms. With a one-sided layout, a room with a width of 1.25 - 1.5 m is enough, the length can be any. The racks are located along one wall, are a spacious cabinet. If the wall is long enough, then with the proper arrangement of things, you can allocate a place to store additional devices, for example, an ironing board, a vacuum cleaner.
It will be possible to save space only when using open shelves, and it does not make sense to place a niche in a closed limited space. Wardrobe can be organized in many ways. It can be a separate sliding wardrobe, a design consisting of hanging shelves with hooks or a bar for hangers, floor and wall drawers for storing shoes and clothes.
Parallel arrangement
With such an organization of space, it will be possible to place much more things than in the previous version. The layout is optimal for the whole family. One of the sides can be made male, the other female. This will allow each tenant to pack up much faster. If, in the linear arrangement of shelves, experts recommend that the doors open inward, then for a two-sided arrangement it is better to provide an external method.
It will be possible to carry out the plan only if the width of the room is at least 1.75 m. The distance is calculated taking into account the storage areas of 60 cm from both walls, as well as the free passage, which should be more than 0.55 m. If there is no way to expand the room, then this way of storing things is not suitable for small pantries located in most apartments.
L-shaped / angular arrangement
This method is used when it is impossible to organize a parallel layout. Along with linear placement, the option will be optimal for Khrushchev, while the width of the closet should also be 1.25-1.5 m. This arrangement is more functional in contrast to one-sided, since two walls are used.
The wardrobe is easily divided into two zones used by heterosexual family members. Doors can open both in and out. For a more comfortable, appropriate use of space, it is worth considering the option of installing a corner cabinet. In the problem area, which is the corner, it is better to store rarely used items.
U-shaped arrangement
The most practical way to organize space when 3 free surfaces are involved. The length of the room should be at least 1.6 - 1.8 m, and its width 1.75 - 2 m. The closet can accommodate the largest number of things. However, just as with the parallel way of storing things, a fairly spacious room is required for redevelopment.
Along the perpendicular partition, in relation to the remaining walls involved, it is better to arrange the bar for hangers instead of shelves. This is due to the fact that it is easier to get clothes placed on the shoulders than trying to find something in the corner. In problem areas, large items can be stored.
Types of wardrobe storage systems
The functionality of the wardrobe depends on the organization of the storage structure. It consists of a large number of parts of different directions, the parameters of which are selected individually. Wardrobe systems differ among themselves in the material of manufacture, number of elements, installation method.
Among the existing species that can be equipped in the former pantry, the following complexes can be distinguished:
Cabinet
Such an arrangement is classic. Designs are in great demand. However, for small non-standard rooms you will have to make furniture to order. For its production using natural wood, MDF, chipboard. These materials give the complex an elegant look, they are easy to clean, do not require constant care.
The products differ in the stationary installation method, with a sufficiently large weight, since they have side walls, a bottom, and a ceiling. The structures are installed along the wall, the individual modules are connected together by screeds. The advantages of case systems include:
The disadvantages of the storage system include stationary installation, the inability to change the assembly parameters, with the exception of the position of some shelves, difficult installation to do it yourself.
Mesh
The mesh system in appearance resembles a honeycomb, includes various baskets and shelves. Allows you to place everyday items, shoes, hats.The design is very convenient, applicable for any non-standard rooms, especially those where it is not possible to install massive wood products and its derivatives.
Mesh wardrobe is equipped with shoe racks, rods for placement, shelves. It is made mainly of metal, but more expensive wooden models are also found. The structure has a rather unusual appearance that complements any modern style. Among the main advantages are:
Among the shortcomings, one can single out the high cost of the product, incompatibility with components from other manufacturers. Clothes can fall off even shelves if accidentally touched.
Wireframe
The main feature of the system is the presence of metal racks, to which shelves, drawers, rods, and other functional elements are attached. Usually the columns are fixed with their different ends to the floor and ceiling. The design has no side and rear walls, it allows you to use the entire space up to the ceiling. The layout is suitable for classic styles, whether modern or high-tech. The main advantages of such a dressing room include:
The disadvantages of the design include its rather high cost. The open shelves are unacceptable for some people, as even a slight mess will immediately catch your eye.
Dressing Area Planning
The effectiveness of any dressing room depends on the proper distribution of space. Typically, pantries do not differ in large sizes, so ergonomics in their arrangement comes to the fore. Zoning in a small room should be carefully thought out. Enough space should be for all-weather clothes, massive winter shoes, bedding and other things.
When designing shelves, cabinets, stands, it is necessary to provide for the presence of sections of different sizes and depths, enough space to accommodate hangers. Wardrobe space according to the standard is divided into three zones.
Upper zone
Here is the place for mezzanines. The upper zone is a space located at a height of at least 190 cm from the floor. This is a hard-to-reach place, so it’s better to put things that are rarely used here. The less often a garment, a suitcase gets, the further it should be pulled. The exception is the pantograph. The modern hanger is convenient to use at any height.
Just below the mezzanines are shelves for hats, scarves, scarves. Small items will not take up much space, so narrow but wide drawers are enough. They should be at arm's length.
Before embedding shelves in the dressing room, you need to determine the size of the stored items. Cells should ideally fit in depth, width. In height, it is better to do 2-3 cm more suitcases, boxes of shoes, mattresses. When drawing up a project for a small room from the former pantry, it is necessary to provide enough space in the center for the free movement of the stairs, the stepladder.
Middle zone
According to the drawing, the middle zone is placed at a height of 60-190 cm. The most favorable location for frequently used things. Any item can be reached by hand, from almost one point in the center of a small dressing room.
The main part of the middle zone space is filled with rods for storing clothes in a straightened form. Things on hangers can hang in the lower zone, but they must be removed without bending. If the depth of the former storage room allows, the rods are placed perpendicular to the wall, if not, in parallel.
Drawers, shelves should be at eye level. An interesting solution - wicker baskets, metal nets, transparent containers for linen. So the clothes are well ventilated, they will just make out. It is convenient to store T-shirts, sportswear, jeans, sweaters and other casual wardrobe on the open shelves.
Lower zone
The space is designed to accommodate shoes. In a small room, it is better to store shoes and boots in special modules, filling them seasonally. Unused models in the near future should be sent to the upper zone.
Shelves for everyday shoes should be placed 30-40 cm from the floor. They can be made straight or at an angle of 45 degrees, providing a good view. To save space, they equip the room with compact designs - sliding sections, roof rails with horizontal opening.
It is rational to place open shelves above the shoe rack for storing bags, belts, gloves. There are boxes for bedding. You can place the cells along one wall or around the perimeter of the dressing room.
Methods and finishes
You can remodel a room for storing clothes and shoes using a variety of materials. A dressing room from a small pantry with access to the corridor will be used mainly for placing outer clothing, so the wall covering should be practical, moisture resistant. The floor should be made of tiles or dense linoleum, since in the fall it will often be wet from the shoes after rain, in winter sand will be applied to it after running through the sprinkled sidewalks and steps.If you can convert a spacious room, surface repairs begin from top to bottom:
Stylistic and color design
You can create an expressive room from a simple pantry if you properly arrange the surfaces and make successful accents on the filling. A certain style is determined not only by rack structures, but also by their color, location features, design. The room can be decorated in accordance with the following stylistic directions:
Lighting and ventilation
Former storerooms of apartment buildings have no windows, so when designing the dressing room, the correct location of the lamps and ventilation holes should be provided. A specific room during operation will always be saturated with particles of skin and dust.
If the room is adjacent to the street, you can create natural ventilation by making small valves near the floor and under the ceiling, which will provide fresh air and exhaust outflow. This method can also be used with a close arrangement of ventilation ducts. To increase the air exchange rate, fans are installed. The flow of oxygen is provided in a natural way, and the conclusion is by forced extraction. The size of the holes, the speed of the air masses are calculated based on the size of the dressing room.
Any dressing room involves the presence of a large number of things and shoes placed in its place. Quickly find the necessary clothes, evaluate the correct combination of colors will turn out only in bright light.Better if it will be multi-zone lighting. Several lamps are placed on the ceiling, a swivel lamp by the mirror, LED strips above the bar with hangers.
Doorway Design
Remaking a pantry into a dressing room will forever change the attitude to a simple storage of stocks, if the doorway is properly designed. The room can be left open or closed with a stylish screen, a massive door, sliding structures. As a decor, you can use mirrors, glass, plastic inserts, textile elements.
Hinged doors are suitable for spacious rooms. The canvas can be improved by attaching narrow shelves from the inside. Small rooms will decorate curtains and accordion doors suspended on a cornice. This is the easiest and budget option.
Conclusion
It is possible to make housing comfortable for living if you use each square meter of an apartment or house correctly. The dressing room from the pantry will become a real highlight. It will not be difficult to re-equip the room, it is enough to make repairs in it and build in structures for storing clothes. From the household storage with any location, you can create a stylish multi-functional locker room.