Up and Away: Gravity-Defying Furniture
Create a magical, minimal effect with a floating vanity, console or bed
Natalie Myers
June 21, 2011
More and more modern interior design is featuring credenzas, nightstands, bathroom vanities off the floor and suspended from the wall. It opens up the floor space, creates a sexy, modern and minimalist look, and makes you think about the engineering involved in getting the piece cantilevered off the wall.
Once you decide to go for the floating vanity element, have some fun with the finishes you pick. The white and wood vanity against a dark gray wall is a decidedly contemporary selection of finishes.
The small bathroom is taken to another level by floating the small sink vanity a few inches above the floor and providing an accompanying floating shelf in front of the mirror. The simple boxy vanity and chunky shelf become sublime design elements with this small difference in installation.
Another small boxy vanity with square ceramic sink is not only suspended from the wall, but also provided with undermount lighting for a slick architectural look.
The glass counter top that is suspended a few inches above the wood bathroom vanity adds a transparent layer to the floating composition of materials for a truly magical effect.
Even a seemingly heavy double vanity can be made to look like its floating by constructing the right support bracing behind the wall and above.
I appreciate the design consistency of having the floating vanity neighbor the floating bench in the shower to create a spa-like bathroom space.
People seem to be afraid of using the floating vanity for lack of storage space. This is definitely a concern in a master bathroom, but less so in a powder room or guest bathroom. Here, the designer used the underside of the counter for the towel rod for a resourceful, space-saving solution.
The floating vanity concept is most popular in a bathroom, but it is making its way into other rooms, such as the bedroom. Here, clever furniture design creates the floating effect for the bed and side table surfaces.
The floating element of the credenza adds a modern touch to the antique Arts and Crafts style seen in this home. It's quite unexpected and a delightful break from the seriousness of the overall room.
I love this wraparound entry console that maximizes the floor area, enlivens an otherwise dead corner, and expresses the homeowners' tastes and style. A custom built-in element that adds so much to the quality of space. Again, you see the floating element repeated in the bar area for consistency in the interior design of the home.
This is one of my favorite entry consoles ever. Thoroughly modern and simplified, this little box does so much in the small space it inhabits. It floats more than 18 inches above the floor, providing a spot to store shoes. It has many nooks and cubbies for organized placement of keys, notes, and change, and it even has a small floating shelf for small flower or framed picture displays to welcome you into the home. Just perfect.
Next: Floating Features for Smaller Spaces
Next: Floating Features for Smaller Spaces
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Also LOVE the recess in the last one, what a good idea for a hallway or passage way, since we're bound to knock things off when in a hurry.
Excellent!