Ironing board, built-in cabinet: sliding, hinged, foldable

In modern small apartments owners seek to maximize compactly arrange furniture and accessories in order to save space. But even in large buildings such an important thing as ironing board, sometimes there is no place to place so that it does not interfere, do not clutter the space, but was on hand at the right moment. The solution to this problem is the ironing board, built-in wardrobe. It does not take much space, it will be hidden from prying eyes, at the same time, it is convenient to use thanks to the folding mechanism. The hostess did not have to think how to organize ironing to stay with comfort and without disturbing anyone.

Features built-in ironing boards

As the name suggests, built-in ironing board incorporated (integrated) in pieces of furniture or special niches. They are indispensable in small apartments, studios. Commercially available ready-made products from different manufacturers and brands; sometimes they are made to order with the specialist for the production of furniture. There are craftsmen that manufacture such devices on their own. They are usually inserted into the wardrobe department or walk-in closets, and sometimes hide in a special niche of the mirror or decorative panels, in the drawers, even in kitchen - a lot of variants. In appearance, the destination device, and they do not differ from the traditional flooring, except for the retention mechanism and unfolding. They are made of plywood, particle board or metal substrate and a solid adhesive qualities resistant to high temperatures with a layer of tissue wadding material.

Advantages and disadvantages

If we talk about the pros and cons of embedded devices for ironing, the benefits clearly outweigh. Among the advantages noted the following:

• Rational use of the living space: embedded device ironing takes up little space.
• Ease of use: easy to get, pet sheets and folded back, it is not necessary each time to think about where to place and connect the iron.
• A harmonious combination with the interior room: you can decorate panel ironing mirror, wall panels, or simply hide in furniture.
• Individual solutions: often order just below the size of the existing furniture to optimally fit into the room design.
• Functionality: often have built-in models and supports socket for iron, mirrors and other useful accessories.

There have decisions of this type and negative aspects of the drawbacks typically note the following:

• Lack of mobility - the design will not work to rearrange into another room.
• High price compared to traditional models, but it pays off all the benefits of this decision.

variety of structures

By type of construction there are three main types of embedded ironing boards - sliding, folding and hidden. Details of their differences are shown in the table below.

retractable

Typically, sliding devices for ironing are made to order, and stores are rare. The cost is slightly higher than that of folding, but they are smaller and more convenient. Dimensions sliding trowel limited size of the box in which they are built they should be placed back in full or in a folded form. There are models with rotating mechanism, they are much more convenient to use than static, but they are more expensive. Embed the drawer can be in chest or drawer cabinets, there are options that are integrated into the kitchen furniture. But here it is necessary to take into account the comfort of use. The kitchen does not always sit comfortably with a pile of laundry and ironing facilities, in addition to this you need to carefully clean up.

hinged

Hinged easier to manufacture, it can be made with your own hands. Fastened to the metal frame is usually fixed on the wall. Can be hidden in a cabinet hinged platform-compartments in a special niche or attached to one of the shelves inside. In the first case space is used less efficiently, so this variant is suitable when the cabinet is enough free space. The advantage of this option is that when ironing is convenient to lay out the linen on the shelves, and iron stored in the same department. Lead to the working position, and then storing it turns out the board in seconds. By adjusting the position of the support it may take some adjustment, sometimes very favorably suitable position higher for small items perfectly low for bed linen or curtains position.

hidden

Is a variation of a folding design, but usually hidden in a special niche, closed either mirror or decorative door, correctly inscribed in the interior. Mirror opens forward or moves laterally, as the closet door, but because it is extracted fixed on the wall panel. It all depends on the imagination of the owners or the ideas of the designer, and the availability of free space. This compact wall-mounted design will be the best solution for small apartments - the board for him to be seen, and to assemble and disassemble it if necessary - a snap. Guests can not guess what is hidden behind the mirror or beautiful wall mural.

fixing mechanisms

There are different mounting options embedded boards, starting with the most basic support to complex transformer swivel function, height adjustment, etc. The main thing when choosing a mechanism - that he was strong and durable; options with shaky loops and staggering supports better to dismiss. The variations are often used retractable telescopic mechanisms. They are undoubtedly convenient, but sales are usually only imports that are not cheap. Install them yourself - a difficult task; better to resort to professional assistance. When self-installing commonly used door canopies or hidden hinges - the latter difficult to establish, and the price is higher. The choice of accessories are now huge today, it is not recommended to save on its quality, because the product will last a long time.

board material

the platform material may also be different:

• plywood, chipboard, MDF - characterized by low cost and ubiquity, but not very durable;
• metal alloys (usually aluminum) - strong, durable but prone to rust over time. Also aluminum can be bent and deformed in the process of exploitation;
• Thermoplastic - modern, light, reliable, but relatively expensive.

The coating is a classic fabric (cotton, linen, carbon) and modern Teflon. Teflon cover fireproof and durable, but its price is higher. It is a fabric coated with a specialized, improving the quality of ironing and creating a thermal protection: if it for some time to leave the hot iron - fabric not kindled. Between the substrate and the coating layer is typically foam rubber, padding polyester or cotton batting.

dimensions

Standard dimensions of the models available on the market - 128h38 see. Those who are in the closet has enough free space, may choose larger - 130h35 cm or 150h45-46 see. Smaller options have dimensions 70h30 cm and a thickness of about 1 cm. You can do the ironing board and to order on the individual parameters, depending on the design and features of the free space in the apartment. The main thing is that it does not block the passage and do not cause inconvenience.

Tips and advice on choosing

When you select a built-in ironing panel must take into account all the parameters: location, size, substrate material and coating machinery reliability. It must be ensured that in size it will fit exactly into the niche, this is recommended in advance to make the required measurements. The mechanism should be reliable and durable, as is likely, the thing will not serve one year. Must be strong fixation - accidental fall of the iron often leads to severe burns and injuries. Take into account the need and the weight of the ironing surface, so that it could withstand the wall furniture.

Before you go shopping, it is desirable to view the photos of various models in catalogs or videos with reviews and determine the best accommodation option, and the most appropriate model. If you buy a turnkey device, it makes sense to give preference to already established brands. For example, the well-known "Iron Slim», Shelf On Iron Box Eco, ASKO HI115T. Many models are equipped with built-in sockets, stand for iron, mirrors, etc. These additional features increase the cost of the product, but are of great practical importance.

How to make your own hands

If desired, and you have the necessary skills embedded ironing board can be made with your own hands. Retractable design best left to professionals, but with a folding handle is easy. The simplest option - a panel fixed on a closet shelf. Its the easiest way to fix the door hinges. Backup with the help of the same loop is recommended to attach to the wall. Bottom panel hooks are placed under it. All that is required in order to lead to a working state structure - folded forward lower backup, and then lower it ironing surface to backup entered the hooks. It is possible to perform a wall-mounted box for trowels little more complicated (it is better to pre diagrammatic sketch drawing). You first need to collect a box of plywood 0.5-0.7 cm wide. Inside it, set a horizontal support, a little narrower than the assembled box. To fasten the support panel (e.g., using a door canopies). Backup in this embodiment is attached directly to the substrate, again using the canopies.

Built-in model will save space in the apartment and functional use of living space. It is important to choose a design that lasts for years and could not only ease the household work like ironing, but also optimally fit into the interior and decorate it. When installing the embedded structures should not forget about fire safety, because the hot iron could serve as an ignition source. Therefore it is better to take care of a support for him from a refractory material and secure location of electrical wires and sockets.