One of the interesting and attractive decorative elements in interior design is a niche in the wall. But in order for it to harmoniously fit into the style of the room, it should be correctly positioned and decorated accordingly. For the most part, the relevance of a niche in a room depends on its location, decorative design and functionality. Let's consider in what cases a niche in the wall would be appropriate, how to design it, and whether it should perform any functions.
A little history
Such a charming decorative element as a niche in the wall came into interior design from rustic styles, where people, even when building houses, made recesses in the walls for shelves in advance. The niches here were intended for storing various household items. In southern country styles until modern times, niches in the wall were also quite common and performed the same functions. Now in country styles, such recesses are painted the same color as the main wall.
Now niches are most often used as an original decorative element in interior design, and they do not perform any functions. But there are exceptions, which we will consider further.
Niche in the wall: functions in the interior
A niche in the wall always serves as a shelf that does not particularly occupy the space of the room. In bedrooms, such recesses in the walls are often located at the head of the bed. In this case, it serves both as a decoration for the room and as a convenient shelf.
It is best to install decorative lighting in such niches, which will give it more originality. But the presence of bedside lamps is still mandatory, since reading when lighting a niche is almost impossible.
A niche in the wall can serve as furniture for a TV or music equipment. But in this case its size should be quite large. Such interior design is relevant for spacious rooms, as it reduces the area of the room by at least 40 cm. In the photo below there is a huge room where there is an entire wall of niches, which serves as furniture for TV and shelves for decorative items. Judging by the size of the room, the owners did not lose too much of its space when creating such an interior.
In the kitchen, a niche in the wall always serves as an additional shelf for kitchen utensils, slightly decorating the interior.
It is best to use one or more niches as an element of room decor. Even if they are not only an addition to the interior, but also serve as shelves for storing some things - in reasonable quantities, niches can decorate a room. If you place many niches in the wall and fill them with books or other non-decorative items, an atmosphere of bad taste will be created, and the wall will look like a shelving unit.
In addition, you can’t decorate such a wall with anything: it’s impossible to hang a picture or a shelf on it, or put a chest of drawers or a cabinet on it. Do not do it once again attribute any niches in the wall additional functions. For example, to store books, it is better to use a regular shelving unit rather than many niches scattered all over the wall. In other words, it is better for a small recess in the wall to serve solely as interior decoration. Using this decorative element as furniture is not always relevant, so let’s figure out how to properly plan a niche in the wall.
Planning a niche in the wall
When planning the placement of niches in the wall, you should draw a picture of the future room in advance. One of the common mistakes is placing a niche where the furniture will stand. When the furniture covers part of the recess in the wall, firstly, free access to it is difficult, secondly, it looks ugly, and in general, in such cases the niche will be simply superfluous and can even spoil the interior of the room.
Since a niche in the wall is purely a decorative element, it is not at all necessary to make many such recesses. It’s enough to decorate one or two beautifully and originally. This is especially true for bedrooms and living rooms. If there is an empty wall in the bedroom or living room that is difficult to decorate with anything, the best option will be decorating it with a niche. It can serve as the only decorative element, without which the room would look empty and boring.
The size of the niche in the wall should also be wisely planned. If the interior of the room is light, with minimum quantity furniture and other items - a large niche will not be able to fit into it organically.
The location of niches in the wall along the stairs is an almost irreplaceable decorative element in such areas.
In the hallway, an excellent addition to the interior design will be several niches in the wall, different sizes.
How to place a niche in the wall?
There are three options correct location several niches in the wall:
1. Asymmetrical grouping of small niches on one section of the wall;
2. Asymmetrical arrangement of niches on sections of the wall not used for other purposes;
3. Symmetrical placement of identical niches relative to the doorway, window, bed or other furniture.
It is possible to create a dynamic interior of a room by asymmetrically arranging niches in the wall. Illuminated recesses of different sizes, arranged in this way, look charming. They are preferably placed on those sections of the wall that are not used for other purposes. In addition, in such areas of the wall you can place a niche in a single copy.
To give the room geometric precision, square niches of the same size are placed symmetrically in the wall.
Combination color range emphasizes the original taste of the owners. Therefore, it is better when the color of the interior space of the niches is combined with the color of other areas of the room or decorative elements. For example, in the photo above, the colors of the niche lighting are combined with a gentle peach color chandeliers.
A room with one large niche in the wall, asymmetrically divided into several small ones, looks amazing. You can place a collection of souvenirs in it, if it is large, so that everything is in one place.
Decorating a niche in the wall with lighting
A niche with lighting is an easy way to complement the interior of a room with a play of light and shadow, and it’s also inexpensive. Therefore, such decorative elements in modern interior almost always illuminated. But the lighting of the niches should harmoniously fit into the interior design, as well as the combination of the color scheme of the room. The main thing in decorating a niche is to use lighting where it is needed.
In rooms where there is already a lot of light, for example, the ceilings and some corners of the walls are illuminated, lighting a niche in the wall can become unnecessary and create a cold, office atmosphere in the room. In this case, it is more important to reduce the amount of lighting on the ceiling than to leave the niche unlit. In addition, the color tone of the ceiling and niche lighting should be harmoniously combined.
It is better to illuminate the niche in a diffused manner, since in intense light decorative accessories They won't look very nice in it. Intense spot illumination of the niche provides directional light, creating high contrast inside it. At the same time, objects inside the niche lose some of their color: the areas to which the light is directed appear white, and the areas that the beam does not hit look too dark.
This lighting is suitable for niches containing objects made of gold or crystal. In directional light they will flicker and sparkle interestingly.
It is better to illuminate any shiny objects in a niche with intense lighting; other accessories look great under soft diffused light. As for the items that can be placed in a niche, it can be anything, the main thing is that the accessory is matched to the interior of the room.
Classic interior style: designing a niche in the wall
The classic style of the interior assumes the presence of a niche, the upper part of which is rounded like an arch. The decorative element is almost always framed white. For classic style In the interior, it is preferable to place a vase of flowers or a black figurine in a niche. As for the color scheme, the internal surfaces of the niches are painted a different color in relation to the walls.
If in classic interior There are retro style motifs; in the niches there is a collage of family photographs, flowers or paintings. Illumination of niches in retro and classic styles is often absent, and they are always located symmetrically.
Modern interior style: designing a niche in the wall
Niches in the walls modern style The interior is designed as your imagination allows. They can be painted in any color or several shades at once, illuminated, glazed, and arranged asymmetrically. In addition, they are simply cut out in drywall and are almost never framed.
Correct design of niches in the wall: colors and objects
In order for a niche to fit harmoniously into the interior of the room, it is necessary not only to position it correctly and select matching shades, but also to place suitable decorative items in it. For example, in the photo below, the room is in brown tones, the inner surfaces of the niche are painted the same color as the walls, but due to the backlight they look a little lighter, which is very eye-catching. Items in niches also fit harmoniously into the interior.
In the next photo interior wall The niches are lined with the same decorative stone as the wall opposite. In addition, the combination with the tone of the chandelier gives the interior a special originality.
It is worth noting that accessories for a niche must match its size. That is, if the niche is large, and the objects in it are small, we can assume that they were placed there by accident, without thinking at all about the interior design. Leaving niches empty is also undesirable. In the photo below, there are three empty niches in the wall on the right, which looks ugly. If there is no object suitable for the interior, it is better to leave the wall flat and hang a picture or mirror on it. These decorative items will decorate the interior much better than an empty niche in the wall.
Regarding color internal surfaces niches, it is selected to match the tone of the main walls or other decorative items, as well as furniture. The main thing is that the niche in the wall does not stand out too much due to its color, but also does not remain completely invisible, then it will simply be superfluous in the interior.
If you still decide to make a niche in the wall, then watch the video on how to do it:
The owner of a small Khrushchev apartment needs to think through to the smallest detail what the design of each room will be like after renovation; its area is limited compared to one-room apartments in new buildings. A niche in the room is an excellent opportunity to divide the room into zones in order to make the home comfortable with all modern amenities. Despite the fact that the space is limited, you can place everything you need in it by choosing the right style solution.
When you can’t do a design project yourself for some reason, you need to turn to professional specialists for help.
Decoration of small-sized housing
Designers say that studio apartment with a niche has its advantages, the main thing is to see them and use them correctly. You should not perceive it as an unnecessary hindrance; it is better to rationally take advantage of all the available advantages. In a niche, many owners are satisfied home office, or place sleeping area.
Helpful advice! Choose a design for a niche taking into account the fact that the structures will be stationary; such partitions are more difficult to dismantle compared to fabric curtains.
One of the most common options is housing with a niche for a bed; it was for this purpose that the alcove was conceived by the architects during the design.
However, this solution cannot always be called optimal: it is necessary to take into account the number of residents, the age of each of them and their favorite activities. In a room with a niche you can make not only a bedroom, but also an office, a nursery and a dining room.
How to properly use niche space
The arrangement of the alcove depends on the purpose of the part of the apartment where it is located, therefore, you first have to decide what the niche will serve for. After this you need to select suitable option decorative finishing, furniture and lighting fixtures.
Children's zone
In the photo of an apartment with a niche you can see options for arranging an alcove for a children's area. This is the optimal solution for any young family in which a child is growing; having personal space for the baby is no less important than for adults.
What kind of furniture will parents put in children's Corner, depends on the age characteristics and taste preferences of its little owner. “Loft bed” is furniture that seamlessly combines a sleeping area, workplace and storage space.
To buy such a bed, it is important to take into account the child’s feelings; he will have to climb to the top bunk, and parents must be sure that the child’s fear of heights is not a problem, and he will be able to climb up or down on his own.
Sleeping place for adults
A sleeping place for adults, which fully corresponds to the architect's idea. If you decide to make a bed here for yourself, then you are going to use the niche for its intended purpose. In a cozy corner you can place a wide double bed, on which you can put a comfortable mattress.
Now you don’t have to huddle on a narrow folding sofa, the night’s rest will be complete, and you will greet every morning with new strength. If the design is equipped with drawers, then you can store bedding, personal items or books in them.
Helpful advice! Personalize the wall space above your bed with a collage of family photos and children's drawings.
Study
This arrangement can be considered ideal if only one person lives in the apartment. The owner does not have to buy a double bed for himself, so he can arrange a niche to his taste, turning it into a full-fledged office or making it a corner for his favorite activities.
They put it in a niche computer desk with shelves and a closet, it is better to make all pieces of furniture to order, so that the dimensions of the niche and room are taken into account.
Helpful advice! Racks or shelves will help to mark a clear boundary between the work space and the living space.
Sports corner
Take care of ventilation and place a wall bars with exercise equipment in this space to always be in good physical shape.
Wardrobe
This is the dream of any fashionista, which you can make into reality if you have such a desire. Having made a decision, all that remains is to order furniture with the optimal filling option - with required quantity hangers, drawers and mirror.
Helpful advice! To isolate the dressing room from another part of the room, use sliding sliding doors or fabric partitions.
Kitchen studio
Kitchen studio, standard kitchen or dining room. Construction organizations do not approve of installing a food preparation area in the alcove, but as for the dining room, this option is considered completely legal.
A compact table with stools is placed in the corner, Alternative option– place two soft sofas with a folding table in the middle to accommodate a large group.
It is important to know! If the owner has placed a kitchen in a niche, his home automatically becomes a studio apartment, to its decorative design there are special requirements that it must fully comply with.
If you place a recreation area in a niche, it should act as a continuation of the main room. A large sofa can accommodate guests, and comfortable armchair, surrounded by bookshelves, will provide comfortable leisure time for a person who enjoys reading.
Stylish design
The interior of apartments with a niche can be very diverse: consult a designer or look through a catalog with ready-made solutions. It is possible to choose an option to your liking, ranging from neutral design to separating the alcove into a separate area. Listen to the recommendations of interior designers:
Integrity. It is necessary that the niche be decorated in the same style as the room itself; design in a similar style direction is also allowed.
Color solutions require the use of a primary color; you can experiment with contrasts. Consider how the windows in the apartment are located; if there is not enough light in the room, it is better not to choose dark shades.
Zoning is carried out using the lungs mobile partitions light colors so as not to overload the space: such elements take up little space. Sometimes shelves, racks, glass or fabric partitions are used.
Additional lighting can be easily done using lighting, install sconces, LED strips or spotlights.
Surfaces made of glass or with mirrors have the ability to expand the internal space, so glossy furniture will make a modest corner more spacious.
Try to comply with all the above conditions, and you will see that the end result will not disappoint you. Make the interior space as open as possible; low furniture accomplishes this task perfectly.
The niche can be used as a living corner - place an aquarium with live fish there. The design of the recreation area can be combined at your discretion, let it be a place for a meal, during lunch there is an opportunity to watch the marine life.
Such contemplation has a beneficial effect on the human psyche, allowing him to fully relax and temporarily forget about problems and important matters.
Photo of apartment design with a niche
Niches have long been a part of our lives. Of course, in Soviet times, in small apartments it was simply not possible to dedicate an entire wall for such a luxury as a niche. IN modern design In the interior, niches occupy an important place, both from the functional and aesthetic sides.
Niches are not just openings in the wall; they can often serve as a cabinet or rack, visually expand the space, hide imperfections in the layout of the room or technical elements (pipes, radiators), or simply store things needed every day.
Niches make it possible to create additional free space in small spaces. This is especially true for small narrow rooms. Also, niches can be created in spacious apartments with long free walls; in such cases, niches will become excellent decorative elements of the entire interior. Now let's look at the main ways to use niches in ordinary apartments.
1. Built-in bookcase for books
This is a traditional and well known way of using niches in the home. Of course, the easiest way is to design a niche in advance, its depth and the number of shelves. But this can also be easily done with small repair work. The advantages are obvious - for such a number of books as in the photo, a rather large cabinet would be needed, but the niche perfectly accommodates the entire library, and also decorates an empty wall.
To create such a niche, you will need wooden shelves which are sold in construction stores. If you want to additionally illuminate such a built-in rack, think about it at the renovation stage, because the wiring is laid even before finishing works. Otherwise, you will have to install a floor lamp in close proximity to the niches.
2. Niche as a buffet for dishes
This method of using a niche is not particularly different from the previous one. The only difference is that such a niche for dishes would look especially appropriate in the kitchen, dining room or combined dining room with living room. Although there are several peculiarities here - niches for dishes can be much smaller, not as deep as for books, and shelves in niches can be made of glass.
Idea
A great combination - several shelves, finished wooden frame, are reserved for dishes, and one for candles. Practical and decorative function are combined together.
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3. Niche as a decorative design
If you have high enough ceilings and you don’t want to hang banal shelves, then built-in niches are perfect option for storing various small items, memorabilia and photographs. When a niche becomes a decorative element, you can already think about complex design our own and about unusual materials for its design. For example, you can paint the niche wall itself a different color from the rest of the walls, lay it out with mosaics, or insert a mirror on the back surface. Then, thanks to the visual effect, the niche will seem even deeper.
4. Niche near the bed in the bedroom
This one is very interesting way save space. As a rule, this is 20-30 cm, but sometimes you can “recess” the bed into the wall even by half a meter. We are also very familiar, especially from old French films, with folding beds that were placed in a niche and closed with a door that looked like a closet. This great idea for a small apartment, or an option for storing a guest sofa.
Several spotlights will fit very well into such a niche, which will give you the opportunity to comfortably read books while lying in bed. If you make a niche a little wider than the bed itself, then you can even place small shelves in it to replace a bedside table or bedside tables.
The back wall below should be made an accent - hang wallpaper with a bright pattern, paint it with paint that differs several tones from that used on the adjacent walls, hang paintings or a composition of photographs on this wall.
5. Niches in the bathroom
Niches in the bathroom serve as interesting decorative elements, as well as storage places for bath accessories and hygiene products. Such niches are placed in any suitable places- above the bathtub, above the washbasin, in the wall near the window (if the bathroom has a window). Niches decorated with contrasting materials look especially stylish: stone and tiles, mosaics of different contrasting colors, waterproof paint in dark shades.
It is convenient to store clean towels in such niches, then they will always be at hand. In addition to hygiene products, small potted plants or sets of decorative vessels will look great in niches.
To create a romantic atmosphere, place several lit candles in a niche.
6. Niches for placing additional lighting and visually expanding the space
As we said earlier, a niche is not just a shelf built into the wall, it is also an important element of the design of the room as a whole. So, with their help you can hide a TV or a picture, add a few additional lamps or sconces.
An interesting combination of niches of different sizes - in the photo below, a TV and a built-in fireplace are hidden in two large niches, and shelves with photographs are hidden in two smaller ones. The designer chose a natural stone as the main finishing material for the structure in which the fireplace with chimney is hidden. 
As we know, a mirror opposite the bathroom door helps to visually enlarge the space. And this especially works in tandem with a niche with additional light.
A mirror recessed into a niche, which is also finished with a different material, already serves as a decorative element. But to expand the space in the photo below, another interesting technique was used - the mirror is not the size of the entire wall, but a little smaller, as if a picture in a passport, and it is due to this that the niche visually deepens the wall.
To summarize: a niche is a universal way to design empty wall or small sections of walls. It can perform a functional role - shelves for storing books and dishes, or be a decorative item, provided beautiful design the niche itself and use unusual materials for its finishing.
Author
Yulia Danilova
Interior designer
In modern interior design, special niches in the wall are increasingly being used, which give the room a special appeal and individuality.
What is a niche in the wall
A wall niche is a recess in the wall, which plays a decorative or functional role and allows you to create original architectural compositions. Today, such niches are often created at the design stage, as they are extremely popular. However, almost anyone who wants to decorate their apartment can make special recesses.
Niche in the wall and its advantages
A niche in the wall gives us extra space, for example, with a wall thickness of 25 centimeters, you can gain an extra 20 centimeters of depth. And if such depth is not enough for you and you want to put something large in a niche, you can build a protruding shelf, then even video and audio equipment will fit there.
How to make a niche in the wall
You can make a niche in any wall, but to interfere with load-bearing walls, engineering permission and consent of the relevant authority will be required.
Make a niche in load-bearing wall much more difficult and here plasterboard partitions are easily amenable to any intervention and can be easily changed even independently, but here you will need correct calculations and a special tool. Therefore, it is best to turn to the services of professionals who will quickly create a beautiful niche of the desired shape for you. After you make a niche, you need to take care of sound insulation by finishing back wall insulating material, or put cabinets in this place in the next room.
Wall niche design
Modern niches are no longer just a recess in the wall intended for vases and figurines, but a harmonious space with an individual color scheme and lighting system.
Designers identify two ways to design a niche- using a contrasting or similar shade. It is not recommended to paint recesses in dark colors, since the niche will become like a “black hole”.
It is better to prefer calm pastel shades or bright colors. It is also worth paying attention to the shape of the niche. Horizontal suitable for rooms, in which there is low and long furniture, for example, a bed or a cabinet. Also, a horizontal niche can visually lengthen a short wall. A vertical niche will look good next to a window, door, bulky chest of drawers or closet.
Niche in the wall: what can be placed in it
Usually located in niches decorative elements, vases, figurines, bookshelves, or massive parts of cabinets and other furniture, household appliances and electronics are hidden. In some apartments there are natural niches, for example, recesses in the kitchen and bathroom, necessary for the ventilation system, recesses near the fireplace and radiator, protruding parts of the walls frame houses with pillars they also form natural niches.
Small shelves for decorative items can be placed in the niches, paintings, photographs, vases, and even place a library there. They are also perfect for placing cosmetics and other small items, such a niche is ideal for a bathroom.
Niche for large items
In addition to decorative ones, there are also functional ones, which are made specifically to accommodate various large items of equipment or furniture. They can accommodate a TV, stereo system, washing machine and furniture.
Chest of drawers, sofa, wardrobe, rack, placed in a niche, it saves a lot of free space in the room and brings order to the interior. Particularly popular are cabinets built into the wall, which save as much space as possible. Appliances, placed in a niche, for example, washing machine or refrigerator, will be practically invisible.
Small recesses can serve as bookcase or shelves for dishes. Decorative niches are usually located in the most noticeable places where the eye lingers. Big advantage such recesses is that you can often modify them by repainting, gluing, sheathing and adding various elements.
Making a niche in the wall
You can emphasize the relief of the wall by combining different textures. Metal is often used in the design of niches, decorative rock glass or wood. At the same time, the stone is ideal for public rooms - dining room, living room, hallway, and is not suitable for bedrooms and children's rooms, as it makes the space heavier.
Lighting for niches in the wall
Most modern decorative niches today are equipped with lighting, which can be located on top or on the side.
In the evening they can be used as a source of dim lighting. The number of niches located in one room may vary. If you make several recesses in the wall, they must be “rhythmic”, that is, they must be located at a specific distance with a certain frequency, and their design must match.
Today, for many owners of small-sized housing, it is considered topical issue, associated with the correct arrangement of a niche in the hallway, because this idea is an excellent alternative to huge cabinets. Also this is original decorative option, which, thanks to the play of tones, brings harmony to the room.
Except decorative properties, the design can be used to adjust the perception of the room's area.
An extraordinary design of a niche will give you the opportunity to abandon boring cabinets. Instead of purchasing cabinets for a niche in the hallway, the structure can be equipped with shelves for outdoor accessories and shoes.
To highlight such a decorative element, you can make spot lighting around its perimeter, arranged inside. For more elongated options, small ceiling lighting fixtures are suitable.
The versatility of a niche in the hallway
Owners of their own homes who do not like ordinary cabinets and numerous shelving in the hallway may prefer a built-in wardrobe in the hallway niche. Advantages of such a solution:
- significant space savings;
- creating a place to keep the necessary things;
- saving money on purchasing expensive pieces of furniture.
Niches made of plasterboard in the hallway can be complemented by shelves made of glass or natural wood, and the design is very similar to the finished rack.
If you want a niche to decorate the corridor, then it is not necessary to adhere to certain geometric shapes.
Using your ideas, create an original ornament, complement it with exclusive lighting, applying several shades to the details of the niche using special paint.
By designing a niche in the hallway, you can successfully emphasize the taste preferences of the homeowners. If you correctly adhere to the nuances during the construction process, the design will visually expand the room.
Thanks to the characteristics of plasterboard, it is possible to build both classic rectangular structures and various arched models of complex shapes; the photo of a niche in the hallway in the presented catalog confirms this.
At the same time, the style of the niche must certainly be combined with the design of the corridor, only then the design will become its unsurpassed decor. Otherwise, it will be inappropriate in the interior space and will spoil the pleasant impression of the interior.
Creating a niche in the hallway
Small hallway in a plasterboard niche - perfect solution for a small house. It will save precious meters, add zest to the style, and hide wall defects.
Features of arranging a niche in the hallway yourself:
- Creation of project documentation.
- Marking.
- Installation of the frame, as well as attaching drywall.
Step by step arrangement of this structure
The master will not need a complex project, but without a drawing it is difficult to count on good result. It is enough to make a drawing indicating the dimensions of the niche in the wall in the hallway.
During marking, the drawing must be transferred to the wall surface. The markings should clearly show the places for fixing the frame.
If there are unevenness on the wall, you cannot do without special tape for maximum tight fit of the profile to the wall surface. The profiles are fixed with screws along the entire perimeter of the wall.
Conclusion
The principle of installing a niche in the wall in the hallway is suitable for all rooms. By placing the structure horizontally, you can visually increase the space of the room.
The vertical method of arrangement will make it possible to show the height of the ceiling surface. If the ceiling has several levels, then the niche should also have a complex shape. In the created recess you can place things, shoes, and outdoor accessories.
If you arrange a similar niche in the hall, then it can be used to arrange equipment and decoration elements.
When equipping a kitchen space with a similar design, it can be used to install a washing machine, dishwasher, microwave, and even a refrigerator.
When designing the structure, focus on the shade of the walls. At the same time, designers do not advise highlighting niches with contrasting palettes, so as not to spoil the overall impression.
Photo of a niche in the hallway
