There are a great variety of modern finishing materials and design options today. But only some solutions can cause real admiration. One of the ways to decorate the interior wall of an apartment or house is an aquarium in the form of a partition. This interior element does not go out of fashion for a long time. It can be used in rooms for various purposes, be it a living room, a bedroom or even a dining room.
Aquarium and its purpose
An aquarium in a modern home becomes a natural embodiment when a person so needs harmony and tranquility in the bustling passage of time. If we consider this part of the interior from the point of view of the teachings of Feng Shui, it can be noted that it is a carrier of the water element. In this regard, many people install aquariums, guided by the fact that they help attract material wealth.
If the room is small, then using the described technique you can give it lightness and volume. You can complement this part of the room with lighting fixtures, which will focus attention on the built-in aquarium. In addition, quite often designers resort to such modernization of a room in order to hide defects in surfaces or finishes, because all attention will be focused on that part of the space that looks most advantageous.
Comfort for little inhabitants
However, we should not forget that the aquarium is inhabited by living creatures, and for their prosperous existence it is necessary to create comfortable conditions. You will need special equipment to supply small residents with air, heat and light, and you will be faced with a new task of how to place all the auxiliary devices as discreetly as possible from prying eyes. To do this, they resort to the services of companies that develop individual projects. But if you decide to make an aquarium in the wall yourself, do not forget a few important rules.
The aquarium should fit into the interior of the room
The aquarium should not be exposed to sunlight
- Do not install the aquarium in such a way that it is exposed to direct sunlight. Natural lighting leads to abundant growth of green algae, which pollutes the water, and, therefore, you will have to clean the glass much more often. A sharp change in temperature during the day and evening will not have a positive effect on the health of the fish.
- Do not place the aquarium near heating devices; some of its inhabitants are very sensitive to fluctuations in water temperature.
- A stable, solid foundation is the key to your peace of mind and safety. When making large vessels, it is important to correctly calculate the thickness of the glass and supporting fasteners, otherwise the product will burst when water is released.
The aquarium should be placed away from heating devices
Types and features of aquariums
An aquarium built into a partition can be classified according to several criteria - purpose and shape. According to the first factor, the decor described can be decorative, spawning, quarantine and age-related. But if we are talking about a partition, then you should take into account only decorative aquariums. They can be divided into several more types, among them:
- biotope;
- collectible;
- species.
The former must correspond to the natural habitat, while the latter provides for the presence of only a few species of fish. As for the shape, the partition in the interior usually provides for the presence of rectangular and asymmetrical aquariums, while oval, round and cylindrical ones are usually installed separately.
Arrangement of the structure
- First you need to mark the future recess . Its parameters depend on the size of the frame profiles. For example, the size of a plasterboard niche for bookshelves or household appliances should correspond to their dimensions.
- Next, draw a design diagram on a piece of paper.
- Calculate the amount of materials : sheets, self-tapping screws, frame strips and corners, hangers, serpyanka (reinforcing tape). The tools you will need are a screwdriver, a hammer drill, a level, an angle grinder, and a tape measure.
- Next, the dimensions are accurately transferred to the surface.
Note! Take into account the width of the profile, it is at least 1.5 cm. The line for installing the guide strips will be drawn from it.
- If the niche is on the floor, transfer the markings to the ceiling.
- Then the frame is mounted. To do this, measure sections of profiles of the required length and connect them with self-tapping screws. Fix to vertically located posts that are installed transversely at the corners of the structure. This element is called the “sheathing profile contour” and is connected by jumpers. This part must be completely flat.
- When the frame is finished, it can be sewn up with gypsum board . Fix the sheets to the sheathing posts with self-tapping screws. In the process of making walls with niches from plasterboard, all seams must be reinforced with serpyanka (reinforcing tape), and the corners must be leveled with special perforated metal profiles.
- Then the structure is primed, puttied and sanded..
- A fairly common option for painting gypsum boards . In this case, it must be taken into account that the tone matches the color of the walls or contrasts with them.
GCR structures are convenient, functional and versatile, able to find their place in a room of any size and purpose. Choose the appropriate option and feel free to get to work, and the videos and photos in this article will help you with this.
Tanks with shellfish and phenotypes are suitable for completing decorative partitions. With their help, a large room is divided into several zones. An aquarium is built into the wall not only for decorating the room. With the help of such a tank, the room is visually expanded and made more spacious. But before you build an aquarium into the wall, you need to select a suitable model.
Stock only with stress-tolerant fish species. Failure to comply with the rule will lead to the death of small creatures, which vitally need to hide from view in secluded places, which is impossible if their house is visible from all sides. The aquarium has been known to mankind for thousands of years.
Even in ancient China, it was noticed that the contemplation of peacefully swimming fish brings not only aesthetic pleasure, but also calms. The lazy movements of the fins, the dim lighting and the quiet sound of the water all have a calming effect.
- The total area of the walls increases, and they need to be used and decorated somehow. You can’t leave a corner of the room empty and bare.
- Barriers to light are created and the number of dark areas increases.
The section can always be moved and the layout changed. In the photos below, you will find examples of dividing the living room and kitchen in the studio space, highlighting the hallway area and, as always, many design ideas. In today’s article we will try to understand in detail the designs of wall-mounted aquariums, methods of their installation and original design options.
- firstly, in order to facilitate the process of servicing a built-in aquarium, its design must be equipped with additional filters, water aeration systems and cleaning compressors;
- secondly, by thinking about the location of the aquarium, you can arrange discreet internal cabinets above it, which will provide you with comfortable access to the tank.
There is an alternative to tanks built into the wall or furniture - “a dry pond, where instead of water and fish there are decorative elements, artificial plants and corals. Built-in aquariums are a great option for decorating a room and increasing space, but before installing a tank of this type, you should carefully weigh the pros and cons. After all, an artificial reservoir is not only a decoration, but also a responsibility for the life of flora and fauna.
Selecting a location
Each partition is suitable for installing an aquarium, but a load-bearing wall cannot be drilled for this purpose. Among the main requirements, the correct choice of location should be highlighted. This should not be the part of the room that is exposed to the sun most of the day.
If you are considering the idea of an aquarium in the living room, then it is important that the interior of the room does not include a fireplace or other heating device nearby. Typically, such aquariums have an impressive weight, so before starting installation work it is important to make sure that the support is quite strong, because it must bear the load.
Aquarium materials
The main material is, of course, glass. But all other parts (for example, internal filling and frame) can be made from:
- wood;
- glass;
- plastic;
- ceramics;
- stone;
- metal
The latter is used quite rarely, because it undergoes oxidation. In order to eliminate such processes, the elements are coated with special compounds. But even with this, metal elements lose their attractive appearance over time and require replacement. The internal filling is usually made of plastic.
When choosing stones, you should pay attention to:
- granite;
- flint;
- quartz;
- basalt;
Attention! It is important to eliminate lime and also ensure that the elements will not interact with the water in any way, such as staining or polluting it.
When choosing a base material, it is important to consider quality. The glass must be damaged, have a uniform color and not contain harmful impurities released into the liquid. When choosing internal filling, pay attention to ceramic products that act as decorations. If there are coastal areas, you can use wood for decoration. Willow and alder trunks are perfect.
The basis may be acrylic or plexiglass, which is called organic. An alternative solution is silicate glass. By choosing organic glass, you ensure strength and reliability. This material does not interact with water in any way, but has one important drawback - not so high resistance to mechanical stress. The surface can be easily damaged, and over time it even becomes cloudy.
Frameless tanks are made from silicate or organic glass. If the size is impressive, you should choose a frame structure that has metal frames. It is impossible to store such a container without water, as it may become unusable, and the putty will dry out and be destroyed. Seamless plexiglass containers look most impressive. They can protrude beyond the partition and have rounded corners and curved walls.
Shape and dimensions
The aspect ratio of the container will form a certain shape. The ideal configuration for keeping fish is a cube configuration with a side of 50 cm. Such an aquarium holds 125 liters of water. But such a design is rarely used, because the partition will be filled to a limited height.
Usually structures with a small depth and significant height are built into the wall, but they lose in contemplation. It is also important to take into account the peculiarity of the behavior of fish, which by nature are quite shy. If you install a cubic shape, then most of the time you will observe the internal contents, but not the living inhabitants.
In terms of size, rectangular aquariums are quite popular, with the height being higher than the width. You can build a 20 liter aquarium into the wall, which will be easier to care for. Moreover, the partition itself may also have functional niches or drawers.
It is important to consider that when choosing an impressive height that looks more harmonious in the wall, you will have to think about the internal filling, otherwise the water world will look rather sparse in the upper part. Typically, experts do not talk about clear capacity parameters. Therefore, you can choose the dimensions yourself, taking into account the dimensions of the partition.
How to choose a design for premises for different purposes
When choosing a container, you need to take into account the purpose of the room and its size. For example, large aquariums are not suitable for the hallway area, especially if free space is limited. It is better to prefer a miniature version, but choose a non-standard shape. So, aquariums in the form of cylindrical structures look good.
But if there is not much free space, in addition to the container itself, you will also need to think about a place for equipment, namely a cooler and a filter. Some rooms are not at all suitable for such an interior element, since the only place for installation is near the window, and it is extremely undesirable, because algae and fish should not be exposed to sunlight that is harmful to them.
Niche installation
There are two methods for installing niches from gypsum plasterboard sheets: adhesive and frame. In the first method, the sheets are fixed on smooth walls with a special adhesive solution. In the second case, they are fixed to an installed sheathing made of steel or aluminum profiles.
The price of the first method is lower, but the second method is more reliable. Now instructions on how to make a niche from gypsum plasterboard.
Where to place the aquarium
Such a structure must be installed in a place in the home that has sufficient free space. Usually this is the living room or bedroom. Despite all the harmony, an aquarium does not always look advantageous where it does not belong, so you need to carefully think through the style and select the shape.
Kitchen
Here, a small container will look most natural, which will give the room comfort and coziness. If the area of your home is large, you can zone the space in the dining room area, separating it from the kitchen. Here the design will fit well into the entire niche.
Living room
This installation option is classic. The main thing is to choose a design that matches the style of the interior. The partition can be decorative, then it only serves to install the aquarium and does not reach the ceiling. Today, they even sell ready-made walls with aquariums that are installed on site. Often the living room borders on the kitchen area; in this case, you can use a narrow but rather tall aquarium.
Bedroom
Such a piece of furniture is rarely installed in a recreation area, because the operation of its equipment is accompanied by a certain noise. When choosing content, you should avoid flashy bright items that will unnecessarily attract attention. The color of the fish should also be restrained.
Children's
This method of decorating a nursery is rarely used, because even furniture there is usually installed with soft corners, not to mention an object that may pose a danger to the child. But if the child is already growing up, the aquarium will be a great way for him to relax after a hard day at school. To prevent falls, you need to consider a secure base and good fall protection when installing.
Hall
When the size of the corridor is not too limited, you can use a technique such as installing an artificial fish habitat. And the lighting can become a night reference point for household members.
Bathroom
Here the aquarium will look most harmonious, and if it is also built into the wall next to the shower, water treatments will become even more enjoyable. Often artificial ponds in this part of the house are also supplemented with speakers, which will add audio accompaniment to the visual pleasure.
Other suitable room options
The above premises are limited to an ordinary apartment or small house. But if you are the happy owner of a cottage where there are many other rooms, you can also think about where else to install the aquarium. You can consider the option of a wall next to the stairs or a gap between the flights. When there is a recreation room with a swimming pool in the basement, a transparent large container with fish can be an excellent decoration and addition to the space.
What does the design bring to the interior?
A niche in a plasterboard wall can completely transform the design of a room.
- visually expand the space;
- give the room additional volume;
- hide planning flaws, uneven partitions and walls;
- decorate window and door openings.
Note! A niche can also be simply a decorative design element. In this case, it can be decorated with paintings, stained glass inserts, plastic baguette, mirror and glass tiles.
The best option is when plasterboard walls with niches are made in rooms with complex geometry. These include rooms with multi-level ceilings and floors or having an atypical configuration.
Basic options for using and designing aquariums
You should not assume that an artificial pond in a partition is a limited way of designing a space. The aquarium can be built not only into a wall, but also into a column and even a clock.
Built into the partition
When this method of designing a partition is chosen, a false wall is usually installed, because in an existing stationary structure it is quite difficult to make an appropriate hole for installing the structure. But if you still want to use such an opening, you can leave a gap on top, which will further lighten the space and make the atmosphere more airy.
Corner designs
Maximum free space does not always look advantageous. Sometimes an area needs to be filled, and this can be done with a corner aquarium. It can be supplemented with functional cabinets, which are most convenient to use in the dining room or living room.
Part of the table
If you have such furniture, then not a single visitor to your home will remain indifferent. Unsightly equipment can be hidden in the legs, which are located on the sides. Such an aquarium will become the center of attention of your home and will distract the eye from the less attractive areas of the room.
Interior partition
You don’t always want to delimit space with monolithic walls, which are difficult to construct and require the installation of doorways. If you want to make the room as modern and colorful as possible, you should install a partition with an aquarium in the middle part. The structure is usually illuminated from above, which makes it appear to be hanging under the surface of the ceiling.
Column aquarium
This piece of furniture is suitable for those who have a small apartment, but want to add aquatic inhabitants to it. The column can be functional and support the ceiling, or mobile.
Aquarium clock
If there is even less space where you could place the container, you should purchase an aquarium in the form of a clock. They will not only allow you to relax and escape from the busy rhythm of work, but will also decorate the interior.
Alternative solutions for aquariums
When there are no plans to install a partition, and there is absolutely no space for it, you can use alternative solutions. For example, an aquarium can be panoramic or designed as a wall decoration.
Plasterboard niches in the wall (photo). Varieties, designs for TV, shelves. Installation
Functional and beautiful niches made of gypsum plasterboard are a common element of modern interiors. They make it possible to disguise room defects and create convenient shelves for books, furniture and decor.
They are usually decorated in harmony with the overall design of the room.
Niches made of gypsum plasterboard can decorate any room.
Aquarium ideas for the living room
To diversify your interior design, you can use interesting techniques, for example, placing an aquarium in such a way that it looks like part of the kitchen unit. You can build it into a partition between two rooms, but do not make it all the way to the ceiling. Such an aquarium can become an extension of the back of the sofa, which zones the space. A technique that involves the appearance of not two opposite, but two adjacent walls looks very interesting. Then you can watch the fish from different angles.
Planning installation
Should you install it yourself or hire a professional? First, you will need to schematically depict the interior of the room in which the aquarium will be installed in the wall, with this new detail. Next, you can plan which part of the work you can do yourself, and which issues will require professional advice or assistance.
The easiest way is to install a rectangular or square container with water for fish into the wall. In this case, the side parts of the aquarium can protrude outward or form a single unit with the wall.
For a smooth outline, aquariums with rounded convex sides are better suited. The combination of rounded shapes with pastel walls will add romance to the room. Ideal for a bedroom or lounge. A wall-mounted aquarium with blunt protrusions without curves will look good in a modern interior with clear straight lines and geometric shapes.
Aquarium in the wall in the living room Aquarium in the wall in high-tech style
If you plan to build an aquarium into the wall yourself, it will be easiest to use the classic design option. A tank installed flush with the wall, without protrusions, is considered universal. It can be easily secured and decorated using planks that match the style of the room.
