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.
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.
Varieties of niche designs
1. Bathrooms, shelving
Different rooms require a different approach from the architect. In bathrooms, niches are designed using high-quality brickwork: small “windows” with recesses are made in the walls, which act as shelves, and later the whole thing is tiled. Comfortable and pleasing to the eye surfaces. The safety aspect is also important: if a person accidentally loses his balance and slips in the bathroom, he will try to grab onto such a shelf - and it will definitely not let you down, because shelves “recessed” into the wall are much stronger than ordinary ones.
Bathroom shelf in a niche
The absence of sharp corners is no less important for safety. If we are talking about a large bathroom, it is possible to install lighting that creates an atmosphere of relaxation. Every trip to such a bathroom is a ritual of relaxation and an opportunity to replenish strength after a busy day. The main thing is that you need to follow all the rules for its installation. For example, choose non-slip surfaces and materials that can withstand temperature changes and constant moisture for many years. Color stability will also be an important aspect, so you should choose only high-quality tiles or another type of cladding.
Alcove bathroom storage system
2. Niche as an element of wall decor
It is known that in large rooms it is more difficult to create an atmosphere of comfort. Spacious halls, long corridors, high ceilings - the wall area is huge. We feel lonely among high walls and echoing rooms. It's like we're walking in a huge castle. Any person feels this, you don’t have to be a professional designer. You can get out of the situation in different ways. For example, use paintings, lamps, lamps. Place them all around. But in the end we will get decor of the same type, which will be striking, again, due to the size of the room. An abundance of paintings will turn the house into a gallery, and excessive use of light will create a semblance of a wide illuminated tunnel. The solution is a combination of different decorative elements. This is where a niche in the wall is needed; she will adjust the geometry of the walls using natural protrusions and recesses. This will make it possible to avoid pronounced monotony and harmonize a large space.
Niches in the wall as a decorative element
The feeling of “infinity of walls” will disappear if niches with the same finish are “rhythmically” arranged. You can alternate them evenly, or you can create the effect of disparate recesses - this will be especially clearly observed with different sizes of multiple niches.
Decorative niches in the wall of different sizes
3. Niches and built-in furniture
For furniture, “natural niches” already laid out by the designer are used. Therefore, built-in furniture will have the desired effect only if you do not have any problems with square meters, otherwise you risk not achieving the desired result. Furniture should be selected with a margin of size; that is, the furniture should be much smaller. At the same time, it’s a good idea to imagine how a person will sit on it, whether it will be comfortable for his head, legs, and arms. It’s also a good idea to think about the color and material of the furniture. Everything must fit together.
Sofa installed in a niche
You can equip a large niche that can even fit a folding bed. This option is also suitable for a small apartment - the space savings will be simply amazing. But to implement this idea, you will need additional equipment, one of which is reliable fastenings and a mechanism for transforming the bed.
Sleeping place in a niche
4. Niches at the head of the bed
The wall against which a wide double bed is located often requires a special approach.
When decorating, they rely on panels of various materials, posters and mirrors. Niche design is another common design method. You can place shelves in it to store things you need in the bedroom - bed linen and underwear, cosmetics and much more.
Niche at the head of the bed
5. Niches and built-in appliances
This kind of niches even have their own name - “media niches”, that is, devices into which a variety of equipment is built in: an electric fireplace, a music or video library. This type of use is most often found in spacious living rooms created in the style of contemporary or technical minimalism. The combination of functionality and convenience is especially noticeable here.
Media niche in the wall
When looking at such a wall, you get the feeling that “everything is in its place.” And what pleasure you will get from watching a movie with your family! If you install an audio system in a niche and throughout the room, you will get a very live sound, similar to what you get in a movie theater.
6. Niche-exposition
Each of us has special things that we don’t want to hide from the eyes of guests. On the contrary, we strive to demonstrate them in the most favorable light: in a beautiful place, well lit and harmonious with the things on display. Be it memorable souvenirs, photos dear to our hearts, lovingly kept collectibles. All this is an exposition. And for it it is necessary to create suitable visual conditions. It is very easy to ruin beautiful things due to the imperfection of the display location itself.
Photo display in wall niches
And here niches fit perfectly! You can equip them with transparent shelves, make them blind, set up proper lighting - and now the place for a beautiful, eye-catching exhibition is ready. These “special” things will look original and appropriate here, without overloading the space, as showcases or shelving, unclear fixtures or inappropriate “slides” would do.
Exhibition in niches will not overload the space
7. Niches, interior, style
Arched and lancet niches are characteristic of the countries of the Middle East and Asia. They are designed and oriented in accordance with the color of the main wall, and are complemented by lamps. An indispensable element of the Rococo, Classicism, and Baroque styles are arched niche structures with complex stucco molding, decorated with suitable small figurines. Such an interior will be simply ideal – both in appearance and by design standards.
Classic arched niches
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.
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
What designs are niches suitable for?
Niches fit perfectly into all styles and designs. They attract attention and significantly expand the space. With their help, it is easy to hide unnecessary but used items at the same time.
- if you have decorated your living room in a classic style, then make a niche with massive decorative elements and place a beautiful painting there.
- for modern rooms, the niche can be filled with decorative elements of unusual shape.
- Try decorating a niche with handmade items.
- if the room is made in Scandinavian style, the best option is a fireplace.
- decorate your bookcase in an antique style.
- Place expensive items in the niche and cover it with glass.
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.
Niche hiding the cornice
Suspended ceilings are also constructed using gypsum plasterboard material.
- When installing a false ceiling in the living room, design a niche for a curtain rod.
- It looks aesthetically pleasing and does not include unnecessary details in the interior.
- All that is visible to the eye is the material of the curtains, as if flowing from the ceiling.
Also, using a niche made of plasterboard, you can easily hide electrical wires, cords or sockets.
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
Dangers
The topic of errors and security cannot be ignored. If the marking was carried out ineptly and unprofessionally, then the end result is a frame that looks ugly and does not live up to expectations.
- The wrong color will create a visual hole that the eye will cling to.
- Inaccurate markings will not reduce a large space, but will only fragment it, creating a skewed appearance.
But these mistakes can be corrected if you redo the wall niche, taking into account previous experience.
It is much worse if safety precautions are not followed. If there is video and audio equipment in a niche, if it is filled with lighting fixtures, if there is a gas stove or other equipment in it, you can severely regret that there was a disregard for safety precautions and basic rules for using household appliances. All this must be taken into account before creating a plan on paper. This issue should be taken seriously, because the consequences can be catastrophic. This is especially true for housing in apartment buildings. It should be remembered that not only you, but also your neighbors can suffer from poor quality work.
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
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
Making a niche with your own hands - step-by-step master class
Do you dream of creating a decorative grotto in the hallway? Or want to have your own alcove in the bedroom? Then this master class will help you turn your idea into reality. To decorate a wall with a niche, follow a simple algorithm:
- Draw a drawing of the future recess;
- Create a niche frame against the wall from wood or metal profiles;
- Cover the entire frame of the niche with plasterboard;
- Seal the joints with construction primer or putty;
- Paint the product in the desired color.
A recess that is cut directly into the wall is best left to the professionals. They are the ones who know which walls are suitable for this work, and which are load-bearing and cannot be transformed.
It is best to think about illuminating a niche made by yourself in advance. Since it is difficult to install spotlights during the process.
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
