Floating joinery frees up space in the bathroom without losing out on storage

FLOATING joinery frees up space in the bathroom without losing out on valuable storage.

Storage is packed into this Laminex joinery unit which maintains a floating double vanity space with twin basins.

BATHROOM design has changed a lot in the past decade as the smallest room in the house evolves from basic wash station to virtual home spa. Perhaps the most popular design element in recent years has been the introduction of floating joinery, where the vanity unit is typically fixed to the wall and appears to ‘float’ above the floor.

Award-winning bathroom designer Darren Genner from Minosa says there are good reasons to opt for floating units over floor-length cupboards.

“In small spaces with joinery, if it is not connected to the floor you get a certain lightness,” Darren says.

“It makes the room feel expanded so that it can make a small space feel bigger. You don’t have that visual barrier to the floor.”

 

This slimline unit by Cantilever Interiors with Kohler bathware includes integrated handles and an open lower shelf for easy access to towels.

Despite its streamlined finishes, this award-winning bathroom designed by Minosa sits in a traditional home. A timber benchtop softens the sharp lines and gives it an unfitted look.

As cabinetry design throughout the house favours a streamlined look, handleless doors and cupboards remain a popular choice.

A surprisingly versatile style, Darren says floating units can work just as well in older homes as they do in newly constructed bathrooms.

“Although it is used a lot in contemporary design, you can have a wall-hung cabinet in an older bathroom that is curvaceous and old school and a bit more traditional in appearance,” Darren says.

In older homes, he suggests using decorative handles to stay in keeping with the style of the house.

 

This Kohler Terrace unit includes a lacquered timber push-open drawer which would be at home in traditional or modern bathroom spaces.

There’s no need to overcomplicate it. The single shelf in this space by Rogerseller delivers everything you need.

Not all floating cabinetry needs to be mounted high off the floor. This space was designed and constructed by Minosa and Liebke Projects.

ATTACHMENT ISSUES

There are practical reasons for staying off the floor as well.

“Joinery is generally made of MDF (medium density fibreboard) and MDF and water do not have the greatest of relationships,” he says.

Given it is porous, when water comes into contact with unsealed MDF, it can expand and warp.

“By floating the joinery, the (sealed) cabinets will last longer because they are less likely to connect with water,” Darren says.

Floating units have come a long way since the days when homeowners and designers alike expressed concern about attaching cabinets to the wall.

“The big issues are construction. If you don’t construct it and fix it correctly to the wall, you’re going to have problems,” Darren says.

“You have to think about a six-year-old boy climbing on it or a young girl sitting on it. Make sure you have solid fixings — you don’t want to rely on an MDF backing fixed with just a few screws.”

More: minosadesign.com

Pictures: Cantilever Interiors, cantileverinteriors.com; Kohler, kohler.com.au; Laminex, laminex.com.au; Rogerseller, rogerseller.com.au