A niche in the wall can be not only an aesthetic, but also a useful structure. It serves as a convenient and effective element of the apartment’s interior. These architectural additions are divided into narrow decorative and large recesses for cabinets and appliances.
Decor in a niche Source m.yukle.mobi
Several niches in the wall Source decorationinfo.ru
Various figurines Source dekormyhome.ru
A large niche is used as a place for a hanger, a wardrobe, or a shelf for equipment. The shallow one is used for decorative purposes, decorating it with stylized elements in the form of reproductions, inlays, and lighting.
Planning stage
There are many techniques that allow you to use even very narrow elements with taste and imagination. Large functional structures are used for cabinets, gaining usable space.
A few recommendations on how to design a niche:
- When arranging, you need to start from the purpose of the living space.
- The size of the niche in the wall depends on the area of the room.
- The color scheme and style echo the overall interior.
- To create a deep alcove, you should not use dark colors.
- To prevent the design from looking tasteless, you should not overload it with decorative elements.
Vases in niches Source roomester.ru
Vertical recesses Source decorationinfo.ru
For rooms for different purposes, appropriate types of finishing are used. They are combined and complemented with LED lighting, mirrors and stylish elements.
Kinds
Using niches you can place, for example, a curtain rod for hanging curtains. A hidden version of such a device cannot be noticed from the outside; the observer only detects canvases descending from somewhere above. No distractions!
The portal is most often formed on the basis of galvanized profiles ; the wall is prepared in advance and sheathed with the original layer of gypsum plasterboard. To create niches, it is recommended to use sheets 1.5 cm thick, because individual elements of such recesses can be large and are designed to withstand hanging televisions and other structures weighing up to 10 kg.
It makes sense to illuminate niches for refrigerators from the inside by placing a strip of built-in LEDs under the very edge of the ceiling. As with other lighting options, the wiring location should be made as close as possible to the existing electrical network.
You can also hide in niches:
- corner wall;
- closet;
- curtains and battery.
Design ideas
To fit the structure correctly, you need to place it successfully and arrange it accordingly. The decoration is carried out in the same style with the overall design of the room.
On narrow structures, it would be a good idea to place collectibles, family photographs, vases, figurines, and candles. Closed recesses are best suited for storing clothes, bags and shoes.
Use to place a TV and other equipment. You can easily hide wires and cables and effectively zone the space.
Rectangular plasterboard arch Source th.aviarydecor.com
The shallow structure is used as a decorative element. Paintings, panels and frescoes are placed in it. If you equip the lighting correctly and place a flowerpot or figurine on the ledge, you can make an unusual and spectacular art object out of the recess.
Niches with decorative plaster Source th.aviarydecor.com
An aquarium in a niche always looks elegant and natural. With the help of such details, they create an expressive and light eco-design, giving the room an atmosphere of relaxation and comfort.
Aquarium in a niche between rooms Source design-homes.ru
A recess for an electric fireplace, inlaid with tiles or other impressive materials, allows you to create a warm and homely atmosphere in the room.
Through niches in the wall Source photopia.ru.net
The structure can be used as a bar corner. It is advisable to decorate the shelves with collectible bottles. This original solution will attract the attention of connoisseurs and add gloss.
Alcohol shelves Source crithome.com
Bookshelves decorated with flowers and trinkets will bring an atmosphere of lightness and comfort. You can place memorabilia, photos and stylized decor on them.
Recess in the bedroom Source design-homes.ru
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in interior redevelopment.
Using other textures
There are several ways to decorate a niche using stone texture. In this photo, the corner niche is only partially decorated with stonework.
Here we see a wall made entirely of stone.
The interior space can be decorated with a contrasting color, or you can add sophistication with the help of a mirror. Lovers of the loft style will love the design using brickwork.
The recesses decorated using wood look noble. The combination of dark tones, sandy elements and warm lighting looks advantageous.
Drywall products can be attached to any wall and fit into any design. It is a mistaken opinion that they are appropriate only in expensive, luxurious interiors. They can be used even in the most modest apartments. A competent design, color scheme, plus highlighting lighting - and you are guaranteed a beautiful and unique living room design.
See below for a master class on creating a niche from plasterboard.
Pros and cons of options
It is advisable to use one or more narrow structures located asymmetrically. In order to create an interesting interior, you can use not only decorative, but also completely functional recesses used for storing things. If you beautifully arrange cute little things on the shelves, stacks of neatly folded clothes, several books, trinkets, the room will look atmospheric. But the abundance of closets, solid shelves filled to the brim with things, looks tasteless and sloppy.
Pros of placing cabinets and shelves:
- Possibility of obtaining storage space.
- Economical use of usable space.
- A special flavor in the interior of the room.
Minuses:
- Built-in modules are limited by the dimensions of the recess.
- The need for frequent cleaning due to dust settling on open surfaces.
An empty wall in the bedroom can be decorated with a shallow design. It will be not only convenient, but also original. This is a fashionable, but not hackneyed option for creating an interior. Typically, recesses are made at the head of the bed. Additionally, there are convenient shelves and built-in lamps. If everything is put together correctly from a design point of view, the sleeping area will take on a truly magical look.
Niche in the work area Source design-homes.ru
Advantages of an alcove bed:
- Visual zoning of space.
- Getting a cozy private corner.
- Additional darkening.
Interesting solutions
True connoisseurs of luxury place aquariums in niches. These can be either single glass squares or entire glass structures.
If it is beneficial to highlight the underwater world, then such a corner will become a real relaxation area after heavy emotional stress or physical stress.
- A bar is set up in the niches. Alcohol and more are placed in such recesses.
- They are decorated with a beautiful set of electric lamps.
- The space is decorated with flexible clinker or mosaic.
Very often they decorate the bar with antique putty so that the bar looks not only appetizing, but also solemn.
Flaws:
- The space requires the creation of artificial lighting.
- Air exchange in the recess is reduced.
- Cleaning is complicated.
Functional and spacious shelves Source roomester.ru
The planes of the niche are used as a stand for equipment. The designs reduce the usable area, so they are only relevant for large rooms.
Recesses are well suited for the kitchen. They serve as stands for dishes, spices and cans of bulk products. A good idea would be to place narrow niches in the hallway wall or along the stairs. It is advisable to make several asymmetrical decorative elements and provide them with lighting.
A living flower on a niche shelf is an excellent solution Source strojka-gid.ru
Modern bedroom Source strojka-gid.ru
Construction designs
Based on the nature of their location, plasterboards are divided into the following models:
- Horizontal ones, which will make short walls wider. Combine with long and low furniture.
- Vertical ones will increase the height of the ceiling; they are best used near massive furniture and windows.
- Floor-mounted, up to 0.8 m high, look good with horizontally located recesses or stepped plasterboard ceilings. They contain indoor plants, figurines and much more.
Based on their functional purpose, niches can be divided as follows:
- for embedding furniture, appliances;
- decorative.
Niche made of cabinets
This option is good for a room of modest size. It significantly saves space and allows you to use it to maximum advantage. Typically this structure is built around a sofa or sleeping area. If you use a folding bed and functional cabinets, the space savings will be significant.
Large functional niche Source remontbp.com
The design of closed cabinets does not burden the interior; it looks laconic and restrained. It limits the bedroom area, creates a cozy alcove and organizes a convenient storage system.
In the attic niche
The attic area is usually small, and the shape of the ceiling limits design possibilities. To ensure that a room with a complex configuration does not lose useful space, it is necessary to position the structure correctly and not oversaturate it with decorative elements. Everything should be simple and functional.
Attic decoration Source peredelka.tv
Such a room must be carefully designed. Then you will be able to effectively manage the available space, giving it maximum functionality and integrity.
Bed in a niche
It will help to create a functional and cozy interior for an apartment in the form of a studio or one-room apartment. An alcove, complemented by drawers for bedding, will allow you to avoid purchasing massive furniture pieces. Built-in bed models:
- Regular fixed beds of small width. They are not removed or folded.
- Transformers are equipped with a lifting or sliding mechanism. For the day, the linen is put away in a drawer or closet, and the bed module is transformed into a table and seats.
Podium bed options have a monolithic ledge on which the mattress is located. Beautifully designed, they have a very aesthetic appearance. Suitable for apartments with a large area.
Modern bedroom design Source orgstek.ru
The bunk bed in a niche is a comfortable and ergonomic design. Forms a compact sleeping place, allowing you to significantly save the usable area of the room. When properly decorated it looks very nice.
Good idea for a bunk bed Source editorial-ink.us
To unload the room as much as possible, you need to use a horizontal or vertical folding bed. Due to the fact that the outer side of the product matches the color of the cabinet finish, when assembled the model merges with the surrounding surface.
Wardrobe with pull-out bed Source underpassbar.com
Drywall installation
After the frame of metal profiles is completely assembled, it is necessary to begin covering with plasterboard. Installation is carried out in several stages:
- The building material needs to be cut into pieces that will fit the required dimensions.
- The finished parts are applied to the profiles and attached using self-tapping screws.
- Installation should be done starting from the outer part and ending with the inner part.
Since lighting is provided in the niche, holes for lamps must be made in the sheets of plasterboard before installation. In some cases, an LED strip can be used, which is attached directly to the material.
Installation of lamps is carried out as follows:
- lighting fixtures must be inserted into the prepared holes;
- then connect them to the wiring that was installed on the frame of the structure.
It is important to remember that the heads of the screws during installation should not protrude above the surface of the drywall and be too recessed into the material, otherwise the final finish will not be sufficiently smooth
Decorating a small niche
How to design a niche if it is shallow? If it is so narrow that it is impossible to insert shelves, then it is advisable to use wallpaper or paint to decorate the surface. Narrow structures above a sofa or bed are decorated with photographs, books, souvenirs or other stylized decor.
Hall design Source luxhome.pp.ua
Location options:
- If you need to divert attention from the heating radiator, then make a recess under the window. You can also organize storage space under the windowsill.
- Corner design is used when there is a shortage of free space, and when the room has a complex configuration.
- Placing a niche in a false wall will add unusualness and individuality to the interior.
- Recesses located above a bed or sofa make the room more organized and elegant.
Niches in the kitchen Source roomester.ru
Bright interior accents Source happymodern.ru
Shallow niches in the wall will decorate the living room interior if you give them an original shape and equip them with lighting. Place flowerpots with flowers and decorative candles. Place family photos, souvenirs and books on the built-in shelves.
High-tech interior with niches Source strojka-gid.ru
How to do it yourself?
Step-by-step instructions for making a plasterboard niche always begin with preparation and collection of the necessary material part.
Home DIYers will need:
- several guides (made of wood or metal);
- plasterboard sheets;
- construction level;
- screwdriver and drill;
- dowels and screws;
- putty;
- putty knife.
The installation of the frame must comply with the drawings; The guides are fastened to the walls using dowels; they can be tightened together with self-tapping screws. However, structures included in a metal profile can also be connected with a riveter. This option allows you to avoid cracking of the drywall or not fitting it tightly enough to the guides.
The sheets placed on the frame are covered with plasterboard and puttied. The options for subsequent finishing are quite varied. This includes painting, wallpapering, decorative stone, and cladding with ceramic tiles. Shelves installed in addition to niches can be wooden or glass. The decision must be made in accordance with the dominant style in the room. All that remains is to place the desired interior items there and enjoy the result.
Preparing a niche for installing a TV with your own hands is quite possible. For work you will need aluminum profiles (ceiling-wall, guides and flexible). You will definitely need a number of hangers, connecting components, angles and extensions. The gypsum board and profile are secured with self-tapping screws, sometimes dowels are used. In most cases, you can get by with standard sheets of drywall, but there may be situations where arched material is required.
The gypsum board will need to be puttyed and primed, and all seams and joints will be sealed using serpyanka tape.
Before the production of a plasterboard niche begins, it is necessary to clearly determine whether it will protrude outward or recessed inward. The second method will require covering a significant part of the wall with sheets of material, but such a solution makes the space more expressive.
It is equally important to select the configuration of the element being created:
- rectangular (horizontally or vertically);
- square;
- oval;
- curved shape;
- original design.
The principles are well known to everyone - if the line is extended upward, it will help raise the ceiling, and if directed horizontally, it will expand too narrow walls. Atypical geometry is justified only if the room itself has a shape different from the standard one. But with the usual straight walls, various experiments are not always compatible, and if they can be carried out, then only on the instructions of an experienced designer.
To improve the area around the TV, you can make a number of shelves for sound equipment and decorative elements. Often they create racks or cabinets that, together with a niche, form an integral ensemble. Important: always leave 50-70 mm from the back wall of the TV to the niche so that you can safely place cables and provide ventilation. Free space should also be left around the perimeter of the screen.
When installing guide profiles, dowels can be placed a maximum of 0.4 m apart from each other. Then comes the turn of the vertical parts (ceiling and floor). The frame is covered with plasterboard gradually, and first of all they work with the most complex elements. The screws are placed at a distance of 25-30 cm.
In addition to primer, putty and serpyanka, you need to use a metal corner with perforation (they cover the outer edges).
Options for decorative finishing of a niche
To design a niche in the wall, different building materials are used. Set up lighting in the form of sconces, spotlights or colored LED strips.
Niches on the wall made of plasterboard Source dekormyhome.ru
Materials for niche design:
- Wallpaper. They are used more often for shallow structures. With their help, you can give the room a modern look or add a vintage touch.
- Laminate. Practical material with a wide range of colors.
- Tile. Used for small asymmetrical niches. Depending on the color and structure, it will bring asceticism or freshness, and will help to place bright accents.
- Stone or brick. Suitable for creating a bold, unusual interior. It will help to zone the space.
- Decorative plaster. Enlivens the atmosphere, adds elegance and aesthetics.
- Tree. Eco-friendly material with good aesthetic and performance characteristics. Presented with lining and wooden panels of different types of wood.
Decorating a niche with brickwork Source kakpostroit.su
Beautiful decoration of the hallway Source repaireasily.ru
A recess in the wall will be an alternative to a wall painting or fresco; you can place indoor plants, candles or stylized decor on a flat surface.
Niches-shelves in the wall Source stavlib.org.ru
If you paint the recess to match the walls, it will not stand out from the general background. If you want to focus attention on it, you need to choose a contrasting shade of paint. An inscription or graphic looks good in a decorative niche.
Shelves or a cabinet will add practicality to the design. You can put a wardrobe in a large niche. Place candles, souvenirs, photos, books on narrow shelves. The bedroom design will be complemented by soft lighting in the depths of the alcove. A good idea would be a corner with soft seating for drinking tea or reading. In the latter case, you need a bright lamp.
Dining place in the kitchen Source baneproject.com
A niche in the bathroom can be decorated with a mirror and equipped with side lighting. Place beautiful bottles, shells, candles and things on the shelf that will help create a marine-style interior.
Japanese-style bedroom decoration Source topdom.ru
Peculiarities
Drywall can be considered one of the best building materials. Rare repairs can be carried out without using its sheets. There are a large number of available options for its use - ceilings with one and several levels, slopes, smooth walls, partitions and screens. Among these and many other options for using drywall, the niche is not the least important.
The advantages of gypsum boards are quite obvious:
- lack of toxic properties;
- strictly standardized sizes;
- possibility of use in a variety of conditions;
- ease of decoration.
The plasterboard slab is always 120 cm wide and the length is either 250 or 300 cm. The material used for the walls is 1.25 mm thick.
A thinner gypsum board (0.95 cm) is used for ceilings, and for arches an even thinner option (0.65 cm) is needed.
Plasterboard niches are much better than the usual exquisite furniture , because they allow you to abandon bulky hanging shelves and whatnots, and original-shaped stands. Such designs are not very practical, are not suitable for every interior and often serve only as dust concentrators. With the help of recesses, it is easy to place the most important and pleasant things for people on the walls, give them a new meaning and radically change the atmosphere in the room. In addition, you can remodel the appearance of a room very quickly and at minimal cost.
This is interesting: Plasterboard ceilings in the interior (16 photos): design options and ideas
Niche in the interior of the hallway
Even a small hallway can be successfully decorated with narrow structures. Decorate with hooks for clothes, baskets for keys, shelves. Recesses of different sizes with soft lighting, located asymmetrically, will help create a dynamic interior. Decorating a niche in the wall:
- Wardrobe for things
In the hallway, a recess is most often used for practical purposes. A simple crossbar or wardrobe, shelves for things and a minimum of decor. This will help avoid overcrowding and clutter in the room.
Design of a dressing room in the hallway Source topsrestructuring.com
- Hanger for a large family
Dark panels and simple hooks are more practical than light trim. Emerald green or brown will perfectly hide minor scratches and stains. An interesting design solution would be steel hooks.
Hanger with mirror in the hallway Source glomart.ru
- Illumination in a niche
In the hallway, side lighting looks advantageous; it is more comfortable and soft. For example, you can run an LED strip along the edge of a niche.
Niche from a window opening Source krovati-i-divany.ru
- Storage area
When creating space for storing things in drawers and baskets, you need to reserve space between the shelves. This will make it more convenient to remove the baskets and put them back.
Hanger in a niche Source belnovosti.by
- Cozy corner
A niche in the hallway wall can be used for a soft seat. Decorate with pillows and lighting to make reading comfortable.
Hallway in modern classic style Source pinterest.com
- Space for accessories
If the recess was not planned, but arose due to an unsuccessfully located wall, then it is better to occupy the space with open shelves. A narrow closed cabinet will not decorate the interior, so it is advisable to make shelves and add color accents.
A way to decorate a hallway in an apartment Source cdbos.rickyhil.com Solution for a large hall Source gipsokarton-blog.ru
Creating shelves with stiffeners
After installing the base, you should begin installing the shelves. To do this, according to the width of the shelves, additional profiles are vertically attached to the wall for the strength of the structure. The profile must have stiffening ribs. These are mainly galvanized profiles, which have a thickness of 0.55-0.8 mm. Between the vertical posts, horizontal sections of the profile are inserted, connecting the verticals.
The base of the shelf is 10 cm. In order for the horizontal profiles to be reliable, corners are attached at the bottom. The recess of the shelf will be as shown in the diagram. This will be the thickness of the entire structure. Jumpers should be installed as often as possible to ensure the reliability of the structure. Let's say every 30 cm.
Scheme for creating plasterboard shelves with stiffeners. Basically, around a niche, a wall or corner needs to be sheathed with plasterboard for an impressive appearance.
