How to choose a chest of drawers in the living room long, an overview of models
Traditionally, the central place in the living room opposite the sofa is TV. It can be attached to a wall or mounted on a pedestal. For these purposes, chests of drawers for the living room are most often used, which, depending on the stylistic decision, are made of different materials. Options and filling are also diverse.
Advantages and disadvantages
Long dressers fit perfectly into all interior design solutions. They perform several important functions.
Such a chest of drawers has the following advantages:
- universality - depending on the destination it is equipped with different elements: drawers, shelves (open and closed), small cabinets;
- can be made of a material that is optimally suited for the purpose of use. Most often made of wood, MDF and laminated boards, composite materials, glass. In this case, they can be in all possible colors;
- different decor options are used, depending on the style of the living room. Most successfully fit into a minimalist interior. A hinged stand can be used in the kit;
- functionality - a convenient element of a furniture set, which is used for different purposes;
- ease, variety and grace of forms. They do not clutter up the room.
If we talk about the shortcomings, it is worth noting a small capacity. If the fittings are not entirely high-quality, then functional malfunctions can occur. For example, drawers will become poorly advanced or the door will sag.
Main purpose
As noted, such a chest of drawers is used for various purposes. The main purpose is the placement of audio and video of home appliances and accessories. It has a TV, a music center, speakers from it, control panels.
What else is the purpose of long dressers:
- they can be an element of a furniture wall;
- a connecting furniture component between two sections of a high sideboard;
- when zoning a room with upholstered furniture, a long chest of drawers serves as an additional side table. I install it behind the sofa. This achieves two goals, the back wall is decorated. Moreover, this situation is convenient enough for use. For example, you can put a phone on it, put a cup of tea while watching programs on TV and so on. This is a commonly used trick in a minimalist style;
- as a separate additional element of decor. For example, the house has beautiful figurines, indoor flowers and other things that need to be installed in such a way that they are favorably reflected in the interior. To do this, use the dresser in the living room.
That is why this type of chest of drawers is produced by almost all furniture manufacturers and they are popular with buyers.
Materials of manufacture
Everyone knows that, depending on the concept of design and purpose, a long chest of drawers can be made of different materials. Most commonly used.
Laminated board
It is made from sawdust by adding glue and pressing. On top of the plate is covered with a thin layer of plastic. It can be of very different colors, have a diverse texture. This is the main advantage of a laminated board. In combination with a low price makes the material popular. Plastic is quite easy to clean from pollution, resistant to chemical attack. The disadvantage of such a plate is that it is necessary to cover the edge of the side cut. For these purposes, various kinds of edging material are used; over time and with improper use, the edging can peel off.
MDF plate
To avoid this problem, you can buy a long chest of drawers with facades from MDF boards. It is made using a slightly different technology. Wood waste is crushed to a finely divided state. Then vacuum pressed. As a result, resins that bind the slab stand out from the wood. On top of the plate is covered with plastic film or veneer (a thin cut of wood). Facades can be painted in a wide color palette. In essence, MDF board is a natural wood that has passed through a technological processing chain. An advantage of facades made of this material is that edging is not required. The side sections are sealed. In addition, during the manufacturing process, various relief patterns can be made on the stove. Internal elements are usually made of laminated board. Such products belong to the budget price segment.
There are facades with a combination of laminated boards with overlays of MDF boards, the so-called software.
Natural wood
Of course, natural wood is the most beautiful and environmentally friendly material. Carved products can be made from it. These are more expensive products. But here it is important to consider that the tree must be well dried. In addition, furniture should be made by a craftsman who has professional skills. Otherwise, the product may lead. Cracks may form on it.
Glass and composite materials
In modern interiors, tempered glass dressers are often used. Or a combined version of a laminated plate with glass elements. Such products look quite impressive and easy. The color of the glass can also be different, from transparent to black. If you additionally install LED backlights in such a chest of drawers, this will complement the aesthetic appeal of the product.
Recently, new materials from various kinds of plastic, epoxy resins and other chemical-technological combinations have appeared. These dressers, due to the plasticity of the material, can be given a non-standard shape. For example, the rounded sides of a long chest of drawers. Materials of this kind are used more often in futuristic interiors.
Accommodation options
Depending on the purpose, they are placed in different places of the living room. The most traditional placement near the wall opposite the sofa. This is when the cabinet is used for home appliances.
If the chest of drawers is the basis for placing decor elements, then the cabinet is installed where they will look most profitable. The product, on which beautiful home-made flowers stand, can also be installed under the window. When the room is zoned using upholstered furniture, the cabinet is installed behind it.
But the chest itself can become a zoning element. Large rooms can be divided into conventional zones, outlining space with a long chest of drawers.
Decoration Methods
Depending on the material from which the furniture is made, different decoration techniques are used. In the combination with glass, a spot or LED backlight is often used. It can be an additional muffled light source when watching TV.
The dresser can be installed directly on the floor, on the legs or fixed to the wall at a small distance from the floor. Often, LED strip is mounted to the hanging elements from below. Its glow gives airiness to the furniture composition.
The legs of the cabinet and the decor element, and a practical solution. In modern style, aluminum or composite supports of various shapes are used. They serve as an additional decoration. At the same time, it is easier to clean the room if the furniture is on its feet.
On the facades of MDF slabs often make embossing. This can be the selection of individual elements or just decorative embossment. But of course, separately you need to stay on wooden dressers. If they were made by a cabinetmaker, this product can become a work of art. Apply woodcarving, inlaid from expensive wood, metal. Some wood species themselves have a beautiful structure, which is favorably emphasized by the craftsmen, using various kinds of stains and varnishes. Products of this kind have been valued for all ages.
As a rule, in the mass production of furniture they offer a basic set of colors. When it is necessary that the furniture has exactly the shade that the customer needs, the chest of drawers is made to order. The widest range of colors for painted facades from MDF boards.
The nuances of choice
So, you decided to buy a long chest of drawers in the living room.
Things to consider when choosing:
- purpose of furniture - it will determine the content. If this is a cabinet for audio and video equipment, it is recommended that drawers and shelves be present in combination. When the cabinet is used as a stand for decorative elements, a combination of open and closed shelves will be sufficient. For zoning use cabinets with different contents;
- the dimensions of the room - respectively, they choose the length and width. The standard width of the shelves in the cabinet is 40-50 cm. The length starts from 100 cm;
- material of which the product is made. It should fit other elements of the furniture set in color and texture;
- interior design style - a classic chest of drawers made of wood and cramped facades of MDF boards. Laconic dressers from glass, a laminated plate, composite materials will fit into modern style.
Pay attention to accessories: sliding mechanisms, canopies, legs. The functionality of the chest will depend on how high-quality these elements are. For example, inexpensive Chinese-made hardware can fail. While more expensive pneumatic elements with closers from German manufacturers will last for decades.
Choosing a long chest of drawers in the living room, try to take into account the above points. This furniture segment will become a beautiful and functional element of the furniture set at home.