Materials for making furniture, types of wardrobes

In recent years, a built-in wardrobe can be found in almost every home due to its spaciousness and ease of use. You can customize such a cabinet to suit your needs and not have to worry about trying to choose several cabinets of the same style and size to store various items. If there are niches, sliding wardrobes become an even more profitable option due to the fact that they do not eat up space. Despite the fact that such structures are assembled mainly by professionals, there is also the option of self-assembly. Today we’ll talk about how to assemble a built-in wardrobe with your own hands.

DIY built-in wardrobe

Making a wardrobe with your own hands

Assembling a sliding wardrobe by hand is quite a feasible task, however, people who are encountering such a design for the first time may encounter a number of difficulties. Installing shelves and sections may seem simple enough, but installing guides and installing doors often raises a lot of questions for a beginner.

Installing a wardrobe requires knowledge of the basics of using a drill, screwdrivers and guides

Prices for the range of drills

Drill

Since it is not possible to describe from start to finish the nuances of assembling a wardrobe within the framework of the article, we will focus on the main supporting points that will allow you to get a general idea of ​​the process. At the same time, it is important to remember that each factory produces sliding wardrobes that have their own assembly features, therefore the installation details of the structure should always be clarified with the manufacturer.

Step 1. Take preliminary measurements of the area where you plan to install the cabinet. Based on the figures obtained, create a sketch of the proposed wardrobe. Already at this stage, it is advisable to finally decide on the internal configuration of the product. In this instruction we are considering a cabinet with three doors and four internal sections (the width of the cabinet is 3 meters). The section structure can be as follows:

• 1st is intended for elongated wardrobe items;
• The 2nd consists of shelves;
• The 3rd is intended for short clothes (jackets, blouses, sweaters, etc.);
• The 4th includes an ironing board and pull-out parts.

The width of both doors is a meter.

Preliminary drawing of a wardrobe

Step 2. Select a factory that produces components for cabinets of this type. It is recommended to entrust the actual production of the elements of the future cabinet to specialists, since without having the appropriate knowledge and experience, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to create reliable components.

Shelves, sections and components for sliding doors must be purchased from a trusted manufacturer

Step 3: Take accurate measurements. In this case, we will work with a niche - you will need to take measurements both inside and outside the niche. It is advisable to measure the niche at several points. Measurements are made to the nearest half centimeter, with rounding down to the nearest value. From the calculated measurements, select the smallest one - this is the width of the future structure.

It is most convenient to take measurements using a centimeter

Step 4. In order to determine the dimensions of the doors, measure the height and width of the niche.

Niche measurement

Step 5. After all the numbers have been transferred to the drawing, go to the company you selected to purchase the parts. If necessary, specialists will adjust your plan and recommend specific components that you will need during the work.

Correction of customer drawings is a frequent and necessary procedure

Step 6. Once you have all the necessary elements on hand, start assembling. It is most convenient to start making a cabinet with one of the side sections. In this instruction, a section with drawers and space for an ironing board is assembled.

Installing shelves on the side section

Step 7. Install a reinforcement that will strengthen the cabinet and extend its life.

Amplifier installation

Step 8. Attach special protective caps to the screws in advance, since once the lower shelves are installed, access to them will be difficult.

Screw caps

Step 9. Place shelves.

Shelves must be installed taking into account the height of the things that are intended for them

Step 10. Place the section in its designated place in the corner, without attaching it to the wall.

Finished side section

Step 11. Assemble the second section, which will be located on the opposite edge and also attach it to the wall.

Assembling the second section

Step 12: Start assembling the final center sections. Attach the lower amplifier of the future cabinet immediately and place plugs on those screws that will subsequently be inaccessible.

Installing the Bottom Amplifier

Step 13. If the shelves are at different heights, install those shelves that are lower first, and proceed to the highest ones last.

Installing lower shelves on the second side section

Step 14. Install the mezzanine and secure it to the cabinet partitions.

Securing the mezzanine

Step 15: Install the inner compartment "filler".

Installation of drawers

Step 16. To install the bar, measure 4 centimeters from the top and place a mark in the middle of the partition. Drill the marked places and insert special holders for hangers into them.

Taking measurements for the rod

Attaching the rod

Step 17. Install the side false panels first, and then the top and bottom.

Installation of false panels

Step 18: Screw on the top rails. Attach the bottom guides using double-sided tape.

Installing top rails for sliding doors

Installing the Bottom Rails

Step 19: Install the sliding doors and adjust them.

Door installation

Door adjustment

After we have briefly gone through the main stages of assembling a sliding wardrobe, we will dwell on the feasibility of this operation. In most cases, do-it-yourself assembly is associated with great savings, but in the case of such cabinets this is not entirely true. According to various estimates, the total price for individual parts (made to order in factories) and the price for a finished cabinet in a furniture store are not very different from each other.

Calling workers to install a wardrobe will not significantly affect its cost

At best, you can save up to 20% of the cost of the finished cabinet. However, these savings may turn out to be very dubious if we remember that manual assembly by an inexperienced person may not always go in the right direction. In this regard, most professionals advise ordinary buyers (who have no experience in assembling a coupe) to purchase finished products, since the possible financial savings may not cover the time and physical costs.

Installation of sliding doors

In the previous instructions, we briefly focused on the installation of sliding doors, while this particular operation is one of the most difficult when assembling a wardrobe. Sliding doors are the hallmark of this type of cabinet and they are the easiest to screw up, since working with the guides without the appropriate experience can easily end in warping or jamming.

Step 1. Before ordering sliding doors, you must take accurate measurements of the opening. In this case, you should be guided by the lowest values.

Example of measurements for a wardrobe

Step 2. Start installing the doors with the top track attached with screws to the ceiling of the opening.

Installing the Top Rails

Prices for popular models of screwdrivers

Screwdrivers

Step 3. The bottom guide is placed on the floor (there is no need to attach it). This part should be placed so that it is located opposite the top one.

Bottom Rail Placement

Step 4. Insert the first door leaf into the upper and lower guides.

Inserting the door leaf into the upper guides

Inserting the door leaf into the lower guides

Step 5. Level the canvas on both sides of the opening. Using a pencil, accurately mark the position of the bottom guide. This step is very important, since if there are uneven surfaces, the movement of the sliding doors will be disrupted during further use.

Fixing the position of the guide

Step 6. Remove the door panel. Attach the bottom guide using double-sided tape or screws to the places marked with a pencil.

Securing the guide with double-sided tape

Step 7: Reinstall the door leaf and adjust it to the wall level using the hex key. After you finish with the first blade, install all the remaining ones and adjust them in the same way.

Re-installation of the door leaf

Adjusting the door leaf

Step 8. Attach the self-adhesive dust cover to both sides of the profile handle directly in the center.

Attaching the boot

Upon completion of installation, it is necessary to check the movement of the installed doors. It should be easy, quiet and unobstructed.

Video - Adjusting the doors of the wardrobe

Selection of parts

In order for the sliding system to last as long as possible, it is important to take into account not only the door material itself, but also the material from which the parts that hold the structure together are made. Most factories have parts made from three main materials for wardrobe parts:

• plastic. Guide profiles made of plastic are the most economical and least reliable option. Most designs involve alternating elements made of plastic and elements made of metal (for example, rail supports consist of both a plastic profile and a metal supporting surface). The less plastic is used to create the guides, the longer they will last you;

  

  Plastic fittings fail most quickly

• steel. Steel is far superior to plastic in terms of reliability, but the price of components made from this material can vary significantly depending on pricing at a particular factory. As experience shows, regardless of price, steel shows equally good performance results, therefore it is not advisable to overpay for a certain “brand”;

  

  Steel fittings are the golden mean in terms of reliability

• aluminum. Aluminum is considered the most common material for creating rail supports for a wide variety of sliding systems. The reason for the versatility of aluminum is its high reliability, which allows it to work with both light-weight systems and massive cabinets. Due to its ergonomics and functionality, aluminum is higher in cost than all other materials, but it fully pays for itself.

Aluminum profiles cope well with loads

Design features

When designing a device, the following product parameters must be taken into account:

• sash width;
• height of the structure;
• depth, height of shelves and rods;
• cabinet length.

Door width

The width of cabinet doors is standardly made by furniture manufacturers in the range of 600-900 mm. However, the dimensions depend on the number of sections inside the structure and the design project of the product. In some options, it is possible to increase the width of the doors to 120 cm; the dimensions are optimal for spacious rooms, verandas, and living rooms.

Sliding systems

Sliding fittings for sashes must be reliable, durable, and wear-resistant. The systems differ:

• material of manufacture;
• opening method.

The profile for cabinets is made of aluminum alloys or steel. The raw materials of the fittings must match the structure frame. Aluminum profiles are comfortable to use. Steel structures are more cost-effective, but less functional and more difficult to repair and install.

Based on the method of sliding the cabinet doors in a niche, a distinction is made between bottom-supporting and top-hung systems. In a design with a bottom support, the sash with rollers moves along a rail. For top-hung rollers, they are attached to the ceiling or the top of the cabinet.

Height

To make a cabinet drawing, you need to determine the height of the furniture in accordance with the size of the room and the design solution. This type of product can be built into the ceiling or located at window level. Typical ceiling height is 2.6-2.7 m; cabinet sizes should be slightly smaller for comfortable installation.

For high ceilings (from 270 mm), you will need to assemble a structure from several blocks or design a mezzanine. The elements must be connected on the equipment.

Shelf depth

The recommended depth of the shelves is 60-70 cm. The dimensions will prevent damage to clothing by the doors when opening and closing the cabinet. Fastening accessories (boxes, trays) with a width of 50 cm must be freely placed inside the structure. Exceeding the recommended depth leads to difficulties during operation.

In small rooms, it is necessary to reduce the depth of the shelves to 40 cm. Taking into account the 10 cm from the depth of the cabinet required for the functioning of the sliding mechanisms, the hangers should be 30 cm wide. When the hanging rod is located perpendicular to the doors, the dimensions of the hangers are not limited.

Length

When determining the length of the cabinet, the dimensions of the room are taken into account. The standard option is 2.5-2.7 m. When designing a large structure for a dressing room or wall decoration, the dimensions can reach 3.5 m. For construction, you will need to combine several solid blocks of chipboard or wood boards, because building materials larger than standard sizes are not manufactured.

Height of shelves and rods

When drawing up a diagram of sliding wardrobes, the height between the internal drawers and blocks is calculated. The standard height between shelves is 25-30 cm. When drawing up a cabinet drawing, the dimensions of storage items are taken into account. When arranging suitcases and boxes, the height of the sections should correspond to the dimensions of the items.

The installation height of the bar is determined by the type of clothing:

• classic shirts and blouses – about 100 cm;
• jackets, cardigans, blazers – 110 cm;
• extended outerwear – 130 cm;
• fur coats, long down jackets, raincoats - 150 cm.

Materials used

After we have decided on the materials for the parts that support the wardrobe, we will move on to the materials from which the wardrobe itself was made. The most popular materials will be listed in the table below.

Table 1. Materials for making a wardrobe

Prices for laminated chipboard

Laminated chipboard

Internal filling

The main components of the internal filling of wardrobes:

1. Shelves. The quantity depends on the size of the product. Can be located in any part of the furniture.
2. Boxes. Usually located at the bottom of the cabinet. The quantity varies depending on the model.
3. Barbells. Designed for hanging clothes on hangers. A four-door cabinet can have 3 or more rods.
4. Baskets, shoe stands, hooks for accessories.

Suitable internal filling is selected depending on the purpose of the cabinet. For example, if the furniture will be in the bedroom, there should be the following components:

• spacious shelves (for bedding);
• deep drawers (for linen);
• rods (for hanging clothes);
• small shelves or drawers (for accessories);
• compartments for household appliances (ironing board, iron, steamer).

If you need a closet for the hallway, it should contain:

• rods for outerwear;
• drawers, shelves (for accessories);
• retractable systems (for shoes).

A standard dressing room can accommodate different storage systems. You can place all your clothes in it, including outerwear; for this you will need rods. The closet is convenient for storing suitcases and accessories, such as jewelry and hats. This will require drawers and shelves. You can put holders or racks for shoes, install convenient systems for household items, and retractable structures for a wardrobe.

Types of double-leaf wardrobes, their features

Wardrobe design

Due to its massiveness, the wardrobe often appears as an awkward dark or light spot in the context of the room. This effect is only enhanced if the area of ​​the room is small and the closet takes up the lion’s share of the area. In order to somehow hide the bulkiness of this object, designers are coming up with more and more new ways to decorate it, allowing the emphasis to shift away from its impressive size.

Single-color facades are suitable for apartments in a minimalist style

At the moment, several decoration techniques are considered the most popular:

• installation of mirrors and stained glass;
• use of sandblasting pattern;
• placement of photo facades;
• finishing with leather, bamboo and other non-trivial materials.

The combination of different types of textures is a characteristic feature of sliding wardrobes

We will talk about each of the above methods of working with the external appearance of a wardrobe in this chapter.

Mirrors

Installing mirrors is the most laconic and effective solution to the problem of massive cabinetry. This is why mirrored wardrobes are so often used when furnishing one-room apartments. Mirrored doors not only allow you to visually enlarge the space, but can also serve utilitarian purposes, since they allow a person to try on clothes without leaving the room.

Mirrored wardrobes work to visually expand the space

If you want to add personality to your wardrobe, then instead of ordinary mirrors, you can order stained glass with a specific pattern that will diversify the monotonous finish. However, such delights are usually made to order and are quite expensive, since they require manual work.

Sliding wardrobe with stained glass

Prices for sliding wardrobes

Closet

Sandblasting drawing

This technique involves applying a design to glass using a jet of air and sand released under very high pressure. The sandblasting pattern leaves a residue on the glass, a bit like frozen frost on windows. Thanks to the use of this processing method, the resulting pattern looks very sophisticated and minimalistic.

Facade made using sandblasting technique

This option is perfect for those people who want to bring something unusual into the interior, and at the same time do not want to experiment with bright colors and large shapes. The cost of this type of work is high, but it can last for many years, so if you like this delicate and unobtrusive ornament, then this option is for you.

Photo facade

Using a photograph on the front of a wardrobe is a very bold and bright solution that instantly attracts attention. The colorful nature of such a product, however, leads to frequent errors in its use. For example, a person takes the photo wallpaper he likes and places it on the closet, while in the context of the interior it looks like a completely inappropriate foreign spot.

Not only photographs, but also paintings can serve as a model for photo facades

Therefore, when selecting photographs, it is important to be guided not by their entertainment value, but by the color features that will allow them to fit into your room. It is also not recommended to select photographs with a lot of bright and small details - they will quickly begin to tire your eyes. To expand the space in small rooms, panoramic landscapes are usually used.

The photo façade motif can complement the overall style of the room