Overview of fabric cabinets, what are and how to choose
A modern alternative to classic wooden or wood-based furniture is a fabric cabinet that is lightweight, compact, and easy to install and maintain. Such furniture retains the functions of a standard cabinet, in addition, it has a number of advantages compared to traditional furniture.
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A wardrobe made of fabric is designed for the same purposes as a conventional one, made of standard materials: wood, particleboard, MDF, plastic. Its purpose is the storage of clothing, textiles, toys, shoes, office papers, books, magazines, small things for the home, dishes, seasonal items, household supplies.
The purpose of such a piece of furniture is determined based on its "filling". The presence of a crossbar with shelves means that the wardrobe. Shelves and colorful drawings make it a convenient storage for toys in the nursery. Strict appearance, laconic compartments - this is an option for storing books or papers.
The main difference between a fabric cabinet and a conventional one is that most often it is used as a mobile, temporary option. EThey are used in rental housing, with frequent relocations, in the country, during repairs, in a student dormitory, in a children's room, where children will soon grow up and they will need completely different furniture. Such a fabric cabinet is easy to disassemble and transport from place to place.
A variety of colors, shapes and options allows you to organically fit a wardrobe made of fabric into almost any interior. But most people still prefer stationary wardrobes for a permanent apartment. Therefore, the tissue variant is primarily considered temporary.
Advantages and disadvantages
A temporary or permanent fabric cabinet has many advantages over classic wood furniture or stoves. Its main advantages:
- ease of assembly and disassembly - even a fragile girl or teenager can cope without special tools and devices;
- compactness, light weight in disassembled form - easy to carry from place to place in an ordinary suitcase, it weighs several kilograms;
- a variety of colors, patterns, designs - thanks to this, you can choose the option for any room;
- ease of maintenance - the fabric cover can be washed in a regular machine, while it does not lose appearance;
- convenience, multifunctionality - textile cases are used to store a variety of things, and the presence of external pockets makes it even more practical;
- protection of things from light, moisture, dust - the closet is usually closed with a zipper or Velcro, and its fabric does not allow moisture to pass through;
- ease of movement - even when assembled, it weighs little; only one person can move it from place to place;
- low cost - in comparison with stationary, the fabric option costs mere pennies.
He also has drawbacks. For example, a textile wardrobe will not fit into any interior, it will not be able to emphasize the status, wealth of the owners.
It is sufficient to periodically wipe an ordinary cabinet from dust, and spills on it are easy to erase, while the fabric will have to be washed. Usually covers have dust repellent properties, but over time it still accumulates.
Varieties
There are as many varieties of fabric closet as usual. Such varieties are popular:
- wardrobe - the most common version of the fabric closet. It is presented either by a compartment with a crossbeam for a coat hanger, or by the classic version - a department with a crossbar plus compartments with shelves for storing bedding, towels, knitwear, sleeping accessories, underwear;
- cabinet shelving - its contents are represented only by shelves. This variety can be adapted for various purposes: storage of textiles, books, papers, kitchen utensils and other things;
- for children - can serve both for storing toys only, and for children's clothes, toys, underwear. Options for the nursery have bright colors, comfortable shelves, drawers, outer pockets, drawings with your favorite children's characters;
- for shoes - this is a convenient option for the hallway or for storing seasonal shoes. The material from which such storages are made is impregnated with a special composition that repels water and dirt.
There are varieties of cabinets by the method of closing:
- with a zipper;
- Velcro
- on the ties;
- with curtains;
- completely open.
This is a matter of taste, but the most airtight, reliably protecting from the penetration of dust, dirt, moisture - an option with a zipper. It will protect seasonal clothing and shoes well. Options with curtains or ties can look cozy in the interior of a summer house, summer house, especially if you choose a color in Provence style. It will be easier for children to handle Velcro closets, or completely open - especially when it comes to storing toys.
When purchasing a textile piece of furniture for a nursery, choose the option with good water and dirt-repellent impregnation. A good option would be a model with many decorative elements, bright details. The child will like to lay out things himself, and additional elements will help develop fine motor skills and tactile abilities.
OpenVelcroWith zipperWith curtainsMaterials of manufacture
As the name of this piece of furniture implies, the main material for its manufacture is fabric. Special synthetic materials are also used, which have high strength, density and are impregnated with special compounds in order not to let moisture in, repel dust and dirt.
The fabric should also have certain properties:
- do not fade in the sun;
- do not wrinkle when washing;
- do not shed;
- do not leave stains and stains;
- be tight enough to support different weights.
Everything is clear with the fabric, but the basis of the design is a rigid frame, on which the textile cover is pulled. For its manufacture, hollow, lightweight metal tubes, metal-plastic or simply made of thick plastic, are used. Tubes during assembly are fastened together by plastic connecting elements. The legs of the construction end either with wheels for ease of movement, or with rubber pads so as not to scratch the floor.
Crossbars for hangers, the base of shelves, drawers are made of the same tubes as the frame, or tubes of a different diameter. In addition, this item is equipped with metal or plastic elements for closing - the basis for the curtain, Velcro, zippers, hooks and so on.
Rules for selection and placement
When choosing a fabric cabinet, first of all, you need to be guided by the same principles as when choosing a conventional one. What things are planned to be stored in it? How much stuff? Where will it be located? All these issues should be considered when purchasing unusual furniture.
In addition, an important point is the selection based on the characteristics of the interior, because even if it is a rented apartment, you still want it to be beautiful, comfortable.
The most popular option is a wardrobe for the bedroom. It will store dresses and suits, bedding, home clothes, bedding, intimate wardrobe items. Therefore, choosing this option, you should pay attention to its spaciousness. The wardrobe is updated regularly, so even if there are not many things now, soon there may be more of them. So, you need to choose "with a margin." You should also make sure that in the storage of things there is a crossbar for hangers and a compartment with shelves. This is a classic, and therefore a win-win option.
When choosing a shoe cabinet, you need to pay special attention to the fabric from which it is made. It should be durable, non-marking, easy to clean, waterproof. Metal parts must be protected from moisture, stainless. Also, the cabinet should harmoniously fit into the interior of the hallway.
If the cabinet is used for temporary storage of seasonal shoes, cleaned for winter or summer, and therefore clean and dry, then the fabric can be almost any. The main thing is that it closes tightly with a zipper. Then neither dust nor moth gets to winter boots. For additional protection against the latter, it is worth putting special means inside.
Cases for the nursery, as a rule, are used to store toys, various trifles necessary for the child - a sort of large pencil case. This is a real scope for imagination in terms of shapes, sizes, designs, colors. However, choosing furniture for babies, you should give preference to a non-marking, easily washable fabric, possibly with a pattern on which different blots will not be so striking. Older children are more responsible for things, so choosing for them can only be guided by the personal preferences of the child.
Fabric for furniture, as a rule, does not pass water well. However, it is still a fabric, not a film, not plastic. Therefore, it is better to place such furniture away from water. A damp bathroom is unlikely to be a wise place for a fabric cabinet. Also, do not put it next to heating appliances, stoves, heaters. And although all manufacturers claim that the fabric does not fade in the sun, still you should not put the structure in direct sunlight.
How to care
The materials from which the fabric closet is made have a special density, strength, and are also treated with a repellent dust, water, and dirt composition. However, dust, though slowly but still accumulating, and pollution - especially if the house has small children or animals - is inevitable. Therefore, the fabric from which the cover is made must be washed periodically. To do this, it should be easily removed from the frame. Washing is carried out in a conventional washing machine with standard detergents, unless otherwise specified in the instructions for the product.
To prevent the accumulation of dust, it is possible to clean the furniture surface with special antistatic sprays during cleaning, and brush off the dust itself with a panicle. Many fresh contaminants are easy to remove immediately. After the time has elapsed, only the wash will remain.
You should also keep under control the condition of the tubes of the frame, connecting elements. Avoid breakage, damage, and do not put more things inside than the structure can withstand by weight.
Generally speaking, a textile wardrobe is an excellent alternative to traditional bulky furniture. Easy to install and maintain, stylish, bright, roomy, it is able to find its place in every home.