Apartments with niches are the most successful layout option, which opens up wide opportunities for original design ideas. However, a lot depends on the correctness of the chosen direction. Before placing a niche, you need to understand:
- What it is?
- What types of it happens?
- What functions does it perform?
General concept
A niche is a recess in a wall that can be used both as a decorative element and as a functional one. Its sizes can be very different, as well as the shape: from a classic rectangle to an abstract figure. In some residential areas, niches are provided at the design stage. They protrude beyond the boundaries of the room, while quite roomy and can be used, for example, to accommodate a large built-in wardrobe, furnishing a game or mini-cabinet.
The construction of decorative niches does not require global redevelopment, with the help of drywall, small recesses are created in the wall, which, as a rule, are used to place shelves or as a contrasting accent for a certain subject.
In order to choose the right option for how to create a niche in a room, first of all, you need to adhere to the general style and choose a harmonious color decoration.
Types of Niches
Three main varieties can be distinguished:
- Functional . Their main purpose is to hide the flaws of the layout, that is, batteries, pipes or wiring. They are also used to place certain built-in household and furniture items, for example, TV, home theater, music center, shelving, sofa, wardrobe. A feature of such niches is their size, mainly their depth - from 0.5 to 1.5 m. For small apartments, the use of this type is sometimes unacceptable only if it is not going to install a bed or some other bulky piece of furniture in it. But for spacious rooms this option is just a godsend that opens up a huge selection for interior decoration.
- Decorative . The purpose of such niches is to decorate the space of a room. They install additional illumination with soft and diffused light, which will not only complement the interior, but will give it mystery and originality. The functional filling of such niches can be changed depending on the mood: today hang pictures, and tomorrow replace them with an aquarium. Compactness is the main advantage that allows you to use this look for both small rooms and large ones.
- Floor niches are also constructed for contrasting the selection of large carved figurines or large apartment plants. They rise above the floor by 0.5 - 0.8 m, while their shape depends on the subject, which will be located in them. They fit perfectly into the interior of the hall or hallway. However, before you make a niche in the corridor, you need to carefully plan everything by weighing the size of the room and the features of its layout.
Variety of design
Decorating niches requires a strict stylistic approach, which must necessarily correspond to the main design direction chosen for the entire space of the room.
- Country. Most often, decorative options with shelves of a simple, simple form are used. The basic rule of this style is simplicity and lightness in everything.
- Retro . Niches are located symmetrically with respect to each other. Basically, they are decorated with panels, paintings or photographs.
- Classic Both strict rectangular shapes and arched structures optimally correspond to it. A carved finish or stucco molding along the edges of a white niche will look harmonious. Most often used for decorating fireplaces, highlighting a recreation area.
- Oriental styles do not represent an interior without niches. Arched shapes with soft and smooth lines are preferred. The color scheme is selected in bright and saturated colors. The emphasis of decoration is light natural fabrics.
- Minimalism How to create a niche in this style? Of course, a minimum of decorative elements. However, you can play with the shape and color palette. It is the use of such a design move that will help to get away from the monotony and dullness of the interior.
Niche location
The choice of place for the construction of a niche directly depends on the arrangement of furniture. This should happen in such a way that one in no way interferes with the other. Depending on the environment, symmetrically or asymmetrically located niches can be used. For their construction use a free wall, giving it a contrast. Symmetrical designs balance and streamline the interior, filling it with harmony and elegance. But asymmetric forms, on the contrary, enliven the space, making it unusual and extraordinary.
The size of the room and its layout features primarily affect the configuration of the niche. In narrow rooms horizontal structures with mirror finish are preferred. With the use of such a design move, it becomes possible to visually expand the space. In apartments with high ceilings, it is recommended to install vertical niches, decorated with wooden carved panels, natural stone or stucco. Such decoration will give the room greatness, rich appearance and sophistication.
How to create a niche located near the window? To do this, you can use both a vertical structure that captures the entire wall, and horizontal - to hide communications.
Lighting
A prerequisite for decorative and functional niches is the installation of additional light sources. Deep structures are quite darkened, so there is a need for artificial lighting. You can make an original composition of spotlights, which not only perform the main function, but also act as decorations. Also, fluorescent lamps or LED strips are used to enhance the contrast highlighting of a certain subject.
Before you make a niche, using a different backlight, you need to decide on the objects that will be located there. And already on this basis, choose the most suitable light source.
Niche Assignment
The functionality of niches is quite diverse. The most common options recommended by designers:
- Niche rack. It is mainly used in children's rooms and classrooms to organize books, magazines and other documents. The color scheme is recommended in pastel shades to create a relaxed atmosphere in the room.
- Niche for furniture. Basically, this kind is built in the bedroom, giving it originality. The head of the bed is decorated in such a way that there is spotlight in the recreation area, shelves for small items, accessories and bedside tables. Alternatively, for a one-room apartment, you can use a niche to isolate a sleeping place.
- Niche decor has no functional purpose, and acts only as a contrasting decoration of the interior. For its finishing, textured materials are selected, such as natural stone, decorative plaster, mosaics, stained glass. Their shape should be catchy, unusual and intriguing.
- Niches for household appliances. Often used for TVs and home theaters, and can also be used in other rooms. For example, how to create a niche in the kitchen for a refrigerator or a washing machine? It’s enough just to erect a plasterboard partition, decorating it with the original lighting and shelves.
- Niche closet. A great option for small apartments, which will significantly save space and unload space. If the recess in the wall is large enough, then you can equip a spacious dressing room.
- Niche as the main source of lighting. In such designs, the main details are fixtures that have a different direction.
How to create a niche in the living room?
Modern designers offer relevant ideas for decorating the space of residential premises. The living room is one of the main rooms, which can fully characterize the owners, so it is worth approaching its design, carefully considering everything to the smallest detail. A niche for her is the best option to get rid of the monotony and order of boring standard solutions. There may be several such structures, but their sizes should be small. In these niches beautiful vases, figurines, photographs are placed. Originally they will look at the picture. If preference is given to a large niche, then it is used to highlight a fireplace or household appliances, for example, a TV. Also, an aquarium with exotic fish will look quite harmonious in it.
Unusual bedroom design
This room serves for a good rest, the bedroom space is purely individual. Therefore, equipping it, you need to remember that the health of the owners depends on the comfort of this room. How to create a niche in the bedroom so that it does not just fit into the interior, but becomes a mysterious highlight? There are several options:
- A decorative recess at the head of the bed will add elegance and emphasize the purpose of the room.
- Zoning. With a sufficiently large size of the room, you can clearly distinguish a recreation area and office.
- The arrangement of furniture in niches will allow to unload the room, making it easy, free and spacious.
Niches are the most successful option for the design of residential premises. They are able to decorate the room, becoming the main element of the interior. They are also used to correct the layout and hide some defects. It’s not difficult to build a niche yourself, for this you will need a set of tools, the necessary materials and adherence to a certain technology.