Apartments with niches are the most successful planning option, which opens up wide opportunities for original design ideas. However, a lot depends on the correctness of the chosen direction. Before you create a niche, you need to understand:
- What is this?
- What kinds are there?
- What functions does it perform?
General concept
Niche is a recess in the wall that can be used both as a decorative element and as a functional one. Its dimensions can be very different, as well as its shape: from a classic rectangle to an abstract figure. In some residential premises, niches are provided at the design stage. They protrude beyond the boundaries of the room, while being quite roomy and can be used, for example, to accommodate a large built-in wardrobe, arranging a playroom or a mini-study.
The construction of decorative niches does not require a global redevelopment, with the help of drywall, small recesses are created in the wall, which are usually used to place shelves or as a contrasting accent for a particular item.
In order to choose the right option for how to decorate 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
There are three main varieties:
- Functional. Their main purpose is to hide the flaws in the layout, that is, batteries, pipes or electrical wiring. They are also used to accommodate certain built-in household and furniture items, such as a TV, home theater, music center, shelving, sofa, wardrobe. A feature of such niches is their dimensions, mainly their depth is from 0.5 to 1.5 m. For small apartments, the use of just this type is sometimes unacceptable, only if they are 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, which opens up a huge choice for interior decoration.
- Decorative. The purpose of such niches is to decorate the space of the room. They install additional lighting with soft and diffused light, which will not only complement the interior, but will give it mystery and originality. The functional content of such niches can be changed depending on the mood: hang pictures today, and tomorrow replace them with an aquarium. Compactness is the main advantage that allows you to use this view for both small rooms and large ones.
- Floor niches are also built for contrasting large carved figurines or large apartment plants. They arerise above the floor level by 0.5 - 0.8 m, while their shape depends on the object that will be located in them. They fit perfectly into the interior of the hall or hallway. However, before you design a niche in the corridor, you need to carefully plan everything, weighing the size of the room and the features of its layout.
Design variety
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 uncomplicated shape are used. The main rule of this style is simplicity and lightness in everything.
- Retro. Niches are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other. They are mainly decorated with panels, paintings or photographs.
- Classic. Both strict rectangular shapes and arched structures optimally correspond to it. Carved trim or stucco 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. Preference is given to arched forms with soft and smooth lines. The color scheme is selected in bright and saturated shades. Light natural fabrics are the accent of decoration.
- Minimalism. How to arrange 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 monotony andboring interior.
Niche locations
The choice of a place to build a niche directly depends on the arrangement of furniture. This should be done in such a way that one does not in any way interfere with the other. Depending on the environment, niches can be used symmetrically or asymmetrically. For their construction, a free wall is used, giving it 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, first of all, affect the configuration of the niche. In narrow spaces, horizontal structures with a 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 carved wood panels, natural stone or stucco. This finish will give the room grandeur, richness and sophistication.
How to arrange a niche located near the window? To do this, you can use both a vertical structure that will capture the entire wall, and a horizontal one to hide communications.
Lighting
A prerequisite for decorative and functional niches is the installation of additional light sources. Deep structures - quite darkened, so it appearsthe need for artificial lighting. You can make an original composition of spotlights, which will not only perform the main function, but also act as decoration. Also, to enhance the contrast of a particular object, fluorescent lamps or LED strips are used.
Before you decorate a niche, using different lighting, you need to decide on the objects that will be located there. And based on this, choose the most suitable light source.
Assignment of niches
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 offices to organize books, magazines and other documents. The color scheme is recommended pastel shades to create a calm atmosphere in the room.
- A niche for furniture. Basically, this view is built in the bedroom, giving it originality. The head of the bed is decorated in such a way that there is spotlighting of the recreation area, shelves for small items, accessories and bedside tables. Alternatively, for a one-room apartment, you can use a niche to isolate the bed.
- Niche-decor has no functional purpose, but acts only as a contrasting decoration of the interior. For its decoration, textured materials are selected, such as natural stone, decorative plaster, mosaics, stained-glass windows. Their form should be catchy, unusual and intriguing.
- Niches for home appliances. Often used forTVs and home theaters, and can also be used in other rooms. For example, how to arrange a niche in the kitchen for a refrigerator or washing machine? It is enough just to erect a plasterboard partition, decorating it with original lighting and shelves.
- Niche cabinet. 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 lamps that have different directions.
How to decorate a niche in the living room?
Modern designers offer up-to-date ideas for decorating living spaces. The living room is one of the main rooms that can fully characterize the owners, so it is worth approaching its design by carefully considering everything to the smallest detail. A niche for her is the best option, allowing you to get rid of the monotony and boring standard solutions. There may be several such structures, but their dimensions should be small. Beautiful vases, figurines, photographs are placed in these niches. Pictures will look original in them. If preference is given to a large niche, then it is used to highlight a fireplace or household appliances, such as a TV. An aquarium with exotic fish will also look quite harmonious in it.
Unusual bedroom design
This room serves for a good rest, the space of the bedroom is purely individual. Therefore, equipping it, you need to remember that the he alth of the owners depends on the comfort of this room. How to arrange a niche in the bedroom so that it not only fits into the interior, but becomes a mysterious highlight? There are several options:
- 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 between a recreation area and an office.
- Arrangement of furniture in niches will unload the room, making it light, free and spacious.
Niches are the most successful option for decorating 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 will not be difficult to build a niche on your own, for this you will need a set of tools, the necessary materials and compliance with a certain technology.
