Shelves in the interior. Pros and cons of whatnots in the interior

The bookcase is a sought-after piece of furniture, reminiscent in appearance and purpose of a standard wardrobe. The main feature of this design is that it does not have a façade or walls. When making bookcase furniture, various materials are used, which is why designs made of glass or other materials are presented on the market. These products differ in production material, configurations, dimensions and other parameters, so for each unique interior it is possible to choose the optimal model.

What is a whatnot?

To put it simply, this is a rack that consists of several horizontal shelves interconnected. It has no doors or back wall. As a rule, it is made of metal or wood. Historically, the bookcase appeared quite a long time ago, during the Renaissance. It was used quite often in everyday life, and has survived to this day.

Of course, during this period it changed a little in terms of design, but the characteristics remained the same.

Shelves in kitchens and bathrooms

Here, the shelves on the racks perform a primarily utilitarian function - they are used to store dishes, utensils, and bath accessories. The design matches the role: shelves for kitchens and bathrooms are reliable, practical, and water-resistant. They can be plastic, glass, steel, forged. The height of kitchen and bathroom shelves is most often small.

Types of whatnots

We figured out what a bookcase is, now let's try to find out what they are like and how they differ.

By type of accommodation there are the following options:

1. Floor-standing.
2. On wheels.
3. Angular.
4. Wall-mounted.

But which bookcases are best to use and where are they suitable?

Floor shelves in the interior

In principle, the name speaks for itself. It is logical that this type of bookcase is located on the floor, and is usually stationary. There you can put any little things that are so often scattered around the apartment. It looks narrow and tall, but in principle it can be wide. This will depend on how much space you are willing to allocate, and what it is made of is also an important factor.

On wheels, whatnots in the interior

Perfect for when you need mobility and ease of movement. For example, this could be a small shelf for a bathtub, which can be moved from one corner to another at any time. Very convenient, especially when you like to change your environment often.

Related article: Replacing and connecting a lamp

Wall-mounted bookcases in the interior

Often installed when indoor space is limited. It is important to take into account the fact that it is best to store those things that you use throughout the day on wall shelves.

Corner shelves in the interior

Also installed in cases where there is little space. This option will fit perfectly where you thought there was no room at all.

Kinds

These designs are actually produced in a large number of types. They differ in appearance, size, production material and other factors.

Office

Racks used in different office spaces are highlighted separately. They are indispensable elements that ensure a comfortable working process. Their main features include:

• They are small in size, so they easily fit into small areas located next to each employee’s desk;
• They have good capacity, so they can store numerous papers, small items or other elements;
• Available in standard colors and optimal design, perfect for an office work environment;
• the most popular are structures made of metal.

Typically, office shelving is purchased for each employee, so all these products in one office have the same appearance.

Household

These shelves are usually used in residential premises. They are installed in the kitchen or bedroom, and their main purpose is to store various small items, books or even household tools or dishes.

Household shelving can be created with your own hands, and for this you can use different materials. They usually have a standard appearance. They do not use any specific decorative elements, so they do not decorate the premises. Most often, the minimalist style is chosen for them, so they take up little space and do not stand out in any way in the room.

Decorative

Such furniture shelves are presented in numerous versions, and also have the following features:

• designed to decorate any interior;
• perfectly match the specific style formed in the room;
• they wander around not too spacious;
• do not have numerous functionalities;
• They have unusual shapes and unique colors.

Numerous different materials are used to make decorative shelves, and the most popular are designs that combine different components.

Types of materials for bookcases

There are the following types:

• Plastic.
• Metal.
• Wooden.

The plastic option will be the most cost-effective and practical. It's cheap and has a lot of color options. Such shelves do not grow moldy or get wet, and they weigh little. A nuance may be the fact that, in comparison with other options, it is less strong and durable. But again, depending on the purpose for which it is purchased.

Metal shelves are quite resistant to high humidity. The list of the most popular options includes chrome-plated metal structures, which are stable and last a long time.

The operation of a product made of such material is possible corrosion, which is inherent in any metal.

Wooden shelves are a kind of classic that is always in demand. Wooden products will serve you for a long time, they just need proper care. From time to time it is worth treating the material against insects or cracks. Alternatively, you can varnish it, then it will be less troublesome.

What is

The shelves are similar to standard racks, of course, not like those in a warehouse, but adapted to the size of the home and made from the same materials as the rest of the furniture. They can serve as:

• partitions to divide a room into several zones;
• spacious compartments for a home library, office documents, cosmetics, shoes;
• an elegant element of decor with beautifully arranged flowers, family dinnerware, collectibles and so on.

The bookcase serves as a showcase and is also suitable for storing everyday items.

The most popular models are those with:

1. Mobility. They should be light, yet stable; if appropriate, then on wheels.
2. Multifunctionality. The shelves are located at different heights; some space can be occupied by drawers and vertical partitions.
3. Capacity. Depending on the purpose, the racks should accommodate your favorite boots, a large indoor flower or stacks of books.

The most important thing is that the product must fit perfectly into the overall design of the room . For example, for high-tech, a square modular shelf is recommended, for oriental style - made of bamboo, for noir - forged. In recent years, bookcases have begun to replace larger pieces of furniture from rooms. In the living room they are preferred instead of a glass or bookcase, in the bathroom they are used instead of a cabinet, and on the balcony - for storing household items, tools or flowers.

Characteristics of garden and dacha furniture, main materials of manufacture

Where is the best place to install shelves?

Installing a shelf in one place or another depends on how exactly you plan to use it. It is usually useful for storing newspapers, magazines, books and other small items. But can be used to store shoes, boxes and anything else.

Accordingly, when you plan to store books and other items of this type, you can install a bookcase in the living room. If it will be used to store shoes, the most suitable place will be the corridor. It is also used for storing linen, towels and bathrobes - these are bathroom or pantry areas.

Peculiarities

Bookcase furniture is purchased to create additional space intended for storing various small items. Usually they have an unusual appearance, so they act as a real decoration for different rooms. They resemble standard racks, as they are equipped with numerous shelves, due to which they are multifunctional and spacious.

This furniture is compact and also has several tiers. With its help, it is possible to store a large number of small items in perfect order.

Most often, bookcases are used to contain books and flowers, and small household appliances are also installed on them. Some modern models additionally have small drawers designed for storing small items. Simple designs can be created with your own hands, for which the original ideas of the owners of residential premises are embodied. They can replace a bulky cabinet containing a large number of different items, and at the same time they do not take up much space. They are small in size, so if necessary they can be moved from one place to another.

Most products are purchased by people because of their appearance. This is because these shelving units come in numerous varieties, with the emphasis being on exceptional looks.

What do designers advise when choosing a bookcase?

• Undoubtedly, every person wants to feel comfortable and at ease in their apartment. Therefore, each of the items must be comfortable and functional, and the whatnot also belongs to this category. Designers advise choosing it in light, preferably pastel colors and from lightweight materials. Thus, it will not clutter up the apartment and catch the eye.
• To have more light and space in the house, it is best to choose shelves without a back wall, that is, through ones.
• If the room in which you want to put a bookcase is a little non-standard and has little space, then it is best to turn to a craftsman and make the item to order. Then it will be possible to accurately calculate the dimensions and choose the appropriate color.
• Another point is the zoning of space in the room. A bookcase is also perfect for this, because it will become a conventional border between two already separate zones.

Related article: How to build a pigsty yourself

Pros and cons of whatnots

Most fashion catalogs characterize whatnots as functional and fashionable items. Also, in addition to the obvious advantages of whatnots, designers highlight their ability to fit into different styles and harmoniously approach everything. Even if it seems to you that the design of your kitchen is already finished, a shelf can easily refresh it and make it even better if you choose a shelf that matches the style.

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Not so long ago, there were whatnots in kitchens in every Russian house, then in Soviet ones, and now the updated whatnots are entering our homes more stylish.

The most important advantage of bookcases in the house is their functionality. The bookcase is much more mobile than ordinary racks or shelves and is suitable for the kitchen. Without taking up space, a bookcase remains the best storage method.

Strict and elegant designs, simple in decoration, become the most fashionable additions to the room.

Important points

There are several interesting points that can help you when choosing a particular bookcase option.

• If we are talking about a kitchen that is made in an ethnic or retro style, a wooden option is best. At the same time, it is not necessary for the tree to have strict motifs; it can be decorated with some finishing in the form of carvings or an extravagant form of the product.
• The forged version will fit perfectly into country or Provence style. This will especially highlight your taste in choice.
• Budget types such as MDF or chipboard are more suitable in modern style. Then the bookcase will harmoniously fit into the overall interior of the room and will not stand out from the background of other items.
• The techno style option will perfectly combine metal chrome inserts and glass. This bookcase will be an excellent addition to the high-tech style.
• Plastic models are suitable for bathrooms and storage rooms. Their ease of care and use will not leave anyone indifferent. In addition, their light weight and variety of colors will help you simply use them without feeling inconvenienced.

Varieties

Shelves are divided into three main types: office, utility and decorative. The first ones are familiar to anyone who has at least once paid attention to how official work or educational premises are furnished: an office, a kindergarten or an accounting department, where there are open “cabinets” with perfectly fitting colored folders with signatures on the spines. These shelves are characterized by:

• strict, uniform design, no frills;
• big size;
• the presence of spacious high shelves and closed sections.

Because of these properties, especially if there are closed sections, they are still confused with full-fledged cabinets, but in fact they are classic office bookcases. There is a huge range of economic models. Although the name speaks for itself, they do not have any characteristic features, since each design is made to solve a certain type of problem:

1. In the bathroom, a shelf can be represented by a modest low rack, which is only suitable for storing clean towels. It can also be a large closet where all household items can be located at the same time: a bucket with a rag, laundry products, personal hygiene products and supplies of toilet paper.
2. On the balcony, the shelf can be metal if the room is unheated. It should have a more stable frame for storing tool boxes and flower pots. It can also be presented with a plastic shelf or its modification with drawers.
3. In kitchens and pantries, shelving units are almost always represented by strong, spacious structures that have a universal purpose.

Such racks are not often found in living rooms - they certainly will not become an interior decoration. Some classify book options as household ones, but this is not entirely true. The largest assortment is presented among decorative shelves. Their very name speaks volumes about their purpose. They are not made for storing office folders or household items, they are a decorative element. They are elegant, often artsy, with interesting designs and sometimes seemingly strange selection of materials. This look will fit perfectly into a living room or a spacious kitchen-dining room.

Each variety is presented on the market with hundreds of models to suit every taste and budget. In addition to the purpose, those wishing to purchase a bookcase will also have to decide on the materials from which it will be made and the shapes - there are many more of them than might seem at first glance.

Office
Step-by-step making a swing with your own hands, useful tips

Economic

Decorative

For bathroom

To the balcony

To the pantry

Indoor shelving

In the living room, you can attach a bookcase anywhere, even to the point of using it as a TV stand. Arrange beautifully around it vases or indoor plants, perhaps family photographs, etc. The advantage of this design is the absence of additional holes for fastening. You just need to put it under the wall. You can also create a home library using bookcases and shelving.

Related article: Curtains in a living room combined with a kitchen: how to choose and design correctly

In the bedroom, a bookcase can always be used instead of a table, holding a night lamp, books and magazines there. You can also place cosmetics and other feminine items.

In the kitchen, the bookcase performs a special design, replacing old-fashioned cabinets and bedside tables. You can place pots, dishes on it, even allocate space for seasonings, etc. It will help you organize all the small and large items in their places.

On the balcony it is used to store unnecessary empty cans and other things that are usually put on the balcony as unnecessary.

You can also use shelves and stepladders in your dacha to decorate your garden and home with flowers.

As you can see, there are quite a lot of operating options and each of them is unique in its own way. Therefore, the bookcase is a universal, indispensable item in home life.

To summarize, we can distinguish several types of whatnots according to their placement (floor-standing, corner, wall-mounted, with wheels), according to the materials from which they are made (wooden, metal, plastic).

They can be installed in any room, including the living room, kitchen, bedroom, bath and balcony. The main thing is to choose a convenient shape and size, as well as the material of the product that will need to be looked after.

Materials and shapes

If the bookcase is furniture for storing things, then the materials from which it is made must withstand maximum loads. This is exactly what you need to start from when choosing a rack or making it yourself. Manufacturers do not offer any innovative materials:

1. Metal. Widely used for the manufacture of decorative and utility shelves. The most popular are forged models. When using metal, the issue of stability, maximum load, and aesthetic component is resolved. Often, iron structures are painted bronze, which fits perfectly into rooms with warm, light tones, and if the room is designed in a noir style, then such a bookcase must be there.
2. Tree. Its main advantages: the ability to create any shape, carved inserts, choose color and texture, and can withstand quite heavy objects. The only thing worth considering is that wood does not like dampness, which means it is better not to choose products made from it for a bathroom or open balcony.
3. Plastic. This raw material is universal and can look good in any room. The issue of strength directly depends on the quality of workmanship. Commonly used in shoe racks and corner structures for shower rooms.
4. Glass. This material almost always looks advantageous and expensive. Manufacturers offer transparent, multi-colored and matte models. Furniture made from it is exclusively decorative; there is no place for glass shelves in the corridor, balcony or kitchen (with the exception of products where the material is used in finishing elements).

Pros and cons of plastic furniture, features of operation and care

In addition to the material of manufacture, it is worth carefully considering the shape. The bookcase will fit well into almost any room, but only if the dimensions are chosen correctly. The following configuration options can be roughly distinguished:

1. Rectangular. Great for long and tall rooms. Look great in the office, on the balcony, in the hallway.
2. Square. This is a universal shape if the room is wide enough. They are also often placed in corners. It is ideal when there are two or more shelves in the room.
3. Angular. If there are empty corners in the house, then it is worth occupying them with decorative shelves. This utility rack will fit perfectly into bathrooms, where every centimeter is usually precious.
4. Oval and semi-oval. They look great in the center of a studio apartment, zoning the space.

Metal

Tree

Plastic

Glass

Rectangular

Square

Corner

Round

Shelves in halls, corridors, hallways

Corner shelves are convenient in these rooms. But if the area allows, you can install a standard model.

In hallways, shelves on racks are functional: they are used to store hats, gloves, shoes, etc. To avoid chaos, things are stored in beautiful boxes and trunks.

In the corridors and halls, bookcases fill the voids. A narrow wall stand will not take up much space, but will add coziness. It is not at all necessary to fill the bookcase with a mass of decorative elements - you can place one item on each shelf.

Experiments with form

The most rational result of such experiments can be called corner shelves, which appeared as a response to the problems of owners of small-sized apartments. These pieces of furniture help save space, using even a small free space, and without compromising the functionality of the furniture. A corner bookcase easily fits next to a table or sofa, in a small niche.

Classic straightness, at the request of creative designers, gives way to complex curves. Thanks to this, the shelves look very impressive.

The fruits of even more daring experiments are models of forms that at first glance are not suitable for furniture. An example is a bookcase whose configuration resembles a meander (an ornament traditional for ancient Greek artistic products and architecture).

A variation of the appeal to classical patterns is the use of the symbolism of ancient Chinese natural philosophy of yin-yang.

The whatnot can turn into a little black dress and decorate the interior of a boudoir or an expensive boutique. Or become a boat to take its rightful place on the terrace of a country cottage or in a nautical-style living room.

Materials

Metal

Such products have a special chrome coating, which significantly increases their resistance to corrosion and rust, temperature changes, and also extends their service life. Therefore, such models can be used in any room of the apartment (even in the bathroom, despite high humidity). They can easily withstand numerous rearrangements and transportation without losing their functionality. Often, metal shelves are complemented by glass shelves and are used for high-tech interior solutions.

metal

Wooden

Wood is a natural, environmentally friendly, but capricious material that requires special attention and compliance with the rules of care. Remember that wooden furniture that does not have a varnished coating is susceptible to sudden temperature changes, as well as high levels of humidity. Therefore, its use is highly discouraged in bathrooms and restrooms, otherwise cracks may form. It is also necessary to treat the wood surface with a special impregnating compound at regular intervals to prevent “dryness” and delamination.

tree

Plastic

Plastic models are the most budget-friendly, convenient for daily use and practical to maintain. They are relatively light in weight, are not afraid of moisture, and are resistant to any chemicals (for example, detergents and powders), mold and mildew. Plastic shelves are available in the form of open shelves with 2 or more shelves, as well as with perforated drawers. Disadvantages include fragility (chips and cracks appear quite quickly), as well as mediocrity in appearance.

plastic

MDF

MDF is a sheet material made from sawdust, joined by hot pressing. Furniture made from MDF is characterized by low cost, high mechanical strength, and a long service life. But with prolonged contact with water, its surface can swell and peel. The use of MDF shelving is allowed only in “dry” rooms with low moisture levels.

MDF

Glass

Compactness, elegance, spaciousness and functionality are the main advantages of glass shelves. Due to its attractive and unusual design, this piece of furniture will decorate any living space: from the bedroom to the bathroom. It can be used as a bedside table, newspaper table, flower stand. Tempered glass can withstand significant loads, is easy to care for, does not absorb moisture, does not fade from exposure to sunlight, does not crack or scratch.

glass

Bamboo

Finished bamboo products are resistant to humid environments, ultraviolet radiation, and insect attacks, have an affordable price, and can be used in baths, saunas, and bathrooms. They are ideal for complementing an interior, for example, in a country style, and can also be combined with any other design solutions.

bamboo

bookcase

A multi-tiered frame structure (without walls), free-standing in or outside a building and intended for housing and servicing technological and other equipment. [123]

Source: Dictionary of construction terminology on Gufo.me

Meanings in other dictionaries

1. bookcase - spelling whatnot, -i, r. pl. -rock Lopatin's spelling dictionary
2. bookcase - Bookcases, w. [fr. йtagere, Wed. floor]. Furniture in the form of shelves on columns and columns. Large dictionary of foreign words
3. whatnot - -i, gen. pl. -rock, dat. -rkam, w. A type of furniture in the form of several shelves located one above the other on racks. Bookcase with books. Small academic dictionary
4. whatnot - ETAZH'ERKA, whatnots, female. (French etagere, average floor). Furniture in the form of shelves on columns and columns. Shelf for sheet music. Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary
5. whatnot - Whatnot/a. Morphemic-spelling dictionary
6. Whatnot - Shelves designed for storing books and trinkets in several tiers, connected at the corners by racks and without solid side walls. (Terms of Russian architectural heritage. Pluzhnikov V.I., 1995) Architectural Dictionary
7. whatnot - whatnot 1. A piece of furniture in the form of several open shelves located on racks one above the other; mini rack. 2. Frame-type construction for placing technological equipment. Explanatory Dictionary by Efremova
8. whatnot - whatnot; pl. genus. -rock, dat. -rkam; and. [from French étagère] A piece of furniture in the form of several shelves located one above the other on racks. E. with books. E. with dishes. Place a figurine on the shelf. Kuznetsov's Explanatory Dictionary
9. Shelf - (French étagere, from étage - tier, step) an engineering structure at an industrial enterprise, intended for the placement and maintenance of technological equipment. Most widespread... Great Soviet Encyclopedia
10. bookcase - bookcase From French. étagère – the same, further connected with the previous one; see Transfiguration, Works I, 127; Goryaev, ES 432. Etymological Dictionary of Max Vasmer
11. whatnot - whatnot, and, w. 1. A piece of furniture in the form of shelves mounted on racks one above the other. E. with books. 2. transfer A small biplane of simple design with two planes located one above the other (unfolded). Fly on whatnot. | adj. stacked, aya, oh (to 1 value). Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary
12. whatnot - See floor Dahl's Explanatory Dictionary
13. whatnot - whatnot and, w. etagere f. 1. A piece of furniture, which is a series of racks located one above the other on posts or racks. SIS 1985. Mahogany wardrobe. Folding shelves, red and burgundy wood. Decree. industrial 1831 103. Dictionary of Gallicisms of the Russian language

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Where is the best place to place a bookcase?

Shelves have the widest range of uses. Therefore, they can be found in any room in the house. In the hallway you can store shoes or shoe accessories in it. In the living room they store books, newspapers and magazines, knitting and other small items. In the bathroom, these are clean spare towels, robes or cleaning supplies. In the pantry, shelves are used to store seasonal items or items that are not used very often.