Small-sized kitchens: design and layout

Not all apartments can boast a large area, and even a somewhat spacious kitchen - even more so. The closest kitchens are located in "Khrushchev" - a maximum of 5-7 square meters. Smaller only in old brick houses for servants from tsarist Russia, where people still live. It is small and in many private homes. How it is most convenient to plan the design of a small-sized kitchen, the selection of its color design, the interior of individual zones, detailed in the text of the article.

Corner layout

The most commonly used angular, L-shaped layout - headsets are located along two walls. There is enough space for a small dining area, and all the necessary equipment, equipment is placed as ergonomically as possible. There is an angular module that can be used as much as possible by equipping with a special pull-out section with a basket. From above, if there is no washing in the corner, a gas stove, a washing machine, they will equip open shelves on which they put a microwave oven and dishes.

    
If you plan to put a sink in the corner, the best solution is the corner stand. Under it there is a lot of storage space, for working in the kitchen it is also convenient. The cupboard above the sink should also fit, open up. When the kitchen is quite small - no more than five meters, then the headset buys a bit already standard or narrow, only one side is made. The closest to the door stand is rounded, beveled so that no one catches it when entering or leaving it.
Trying not to overly clutter the room, some of the wall cabinets are replaced with open shelves. With a shortage of storage space, they are built into the base of the headset, existing closed cabinets are made to the ceiling, a cabinet is also used, a whole block of such cabinets. In the free corner is a small dining group.

Linear layout

This arrangement is preferred for rectangular, elongated rooms. All furniture is placed along one wall. This option is sometimes called galley, as on the ship.
From the advantages of this layout there are:

• convenience of access - everything is at your fingertips, it is very comfortable to work;
• takes up little space - this is especially important in the conditions of crowdedness;
• flexibility - modules are interchangeable, relocatable, supplemented;
• low cost - materials for the manufacture of a small headset need a little bit, which will affect the cost.

Minuses:

• little storage space;
• lack of working surfaces;
• inconvenient to work in pairs with someone;
• lack of normal cross.

Opposite the headset is a dining area, a refrigerator. The table is needed not too voluminous - it is necessary to leave space for normal movement.

U-shaped layout

U-shaped arrangement of furniture fit square kitchen. In order to have enough work space, a narrow headset is acquired, the window sill is turned into another working plane. It is very convenient to cook, lay out the food, arrange the dishes, but for the dining area there is not enough space, because it is transferred to the living room or you have to dine at the bar counter - a logical continuation of the headset.

    
Storage space is abundant here, as it uses three walls. The window sill becomes a work plane with storage sections, a eating place with high chairs. With the organization of the working triangle - sink-cooker-refrigerator, problems usually do not arise. When the kitchen has a rectangular shape, the distance between parallel cabinets should not be less than 80-110 cm. One wall is fully equipped with cupboards, the other has only a couple of hanging shelves, used primarily for decorative purposes.

Mini kitchen

For a private house, a summer house, a cramped city apartment, where a normal suite cannot be placed, sometimes a mini-kitchen is purchased. This very practical furniture is no more than 2 square meters. m., but it has all the minimum necessary for a full cooking. This item is used in the room, if necessary, in the office, trailer cabins. It will easily fit in any niche, which is very convenient for small studio apartments.

A mini-kitchen is a wardrobe, a cabinet with modern appliances built into it, such as:

• small fridge;
• gas stove or hob;
• microwave;
• Dishwasher;
• exhaust hood;
• sink.

The package bundle may differ slightly if space allows, the kitchen is complemented by a dryer, a drawer for dishes, a built-in trash can, a mini bar, a compact bar counter, etc. The rustic mini-kitchen is equipped with, among other things, a geyser and a hot-water boiler. In a typical version, a refrigerator is mounted below, a hob with an extractor hood is mounted above it, a dishwasher is on the side, and a sink is above it. An individual project is completed with any equipment, based on the wishes of the customer.

Location, shape of the kitchenette:

For the kitchen-living room, kitchen-dining room, kitchen-hallway such furniture will be the ideal solution in a limited area.

Kitchen style

In the stylistic design of a small kitchen, it is difficult to reveal such areas as baroque - suggesting the presence of many volumetric details, loft - requiring space, art deco - wanting luxury and glitter.

The following styles work well:

• classic - dark or light wooden set, decorated with carvings, sturdy finishing materials, large chandelier, comfortable dining area;
• minimalism - a minimum of furniture, lack of decor, clean, bright colors, built-in appliances;
• ethnic - simple set, decor made from natural materials, furniture in the dining area wicker rattan;
• high-tech - an abundance of light, glass, metals, modern household appliances;
• ecological - only natural materials are used, natural decor, the simplest furniture;
• Provence - light wood furniture "antique", decorated with decoupage, rustic, floral ornaments;
• Country - the most suitable for giving, natural colors, there are floral prints;
• futurism - a set of "cosmic" colors, asymmetry in everything;
• modern - a minimum of decor, simple multifunctional furniture, the latest finishing materials.

When choosing a kitchen interior should be guided by their preferences, that is, "like - do not like."

Color design

The kitchen is primarily a place for cooking, its use, because the colors are often selected "appetizing", such as:

• red-orange;
• sunny yellow;
• lime;
• pastel green;
• strawberry;
• honey

They are reminiscent of juicy fruits, fresh pastries, stimulating the appetite, helping digestion. For those who are going to lose weight or simply do not consider it necessary to eat much, blue, gray, purple-black, and dirty-green are preferable.
The color decision directly depends on the illumination: if the windows face north, north-west, it is better to give preference to warm colors - after all, the sun rarely “sees” the kitchen. Cold, darker colors are acceptable for southern, southeastern rooms.
The less “squares” the kitchen occupies, the brighter its design is. If the facades are the same in color with the walls, the headsets seem to "dissolve", creating the effect of a large space. If the whole room is monochrome, the furniture is chosen two to three colors darker than the walls, and the floor is darker than the furniture.

The best color combinations for a cramped kitchen:

• pale cherry with white;
• tangerine with light yellow;
• beige with spring green;
• amaranth with rapeseed yellow;
• golden with turquoise;
• red-brown with silver;
• ocher with canary;
• light carmine with cream;
• red-lilac with lavender;
• pastel orange with olive.

Designers suggest using no more than three colors at the same time, while the main color, preferably light, takes up to 65% of design, the rest is about 25% and 10%.

Lighting

For an overly tight space, the presence of a central ceiling lamp is not at all necessary - it visually narrows the space, rather separate lamps above the working area, the dining table. It is desirable that the lighting "knew how" to change the height and level of illumination.
Spotlights are mounted in the set, including inside the glazed cabinets, the LED strip illuminates its bottom, the perimeter of the ceiling - this will help create the effect of "floating" furniture, visually expand the space. Lighting devices have at least 60 cm from water sources, they must have waterproof covers. It is better to prefer a neutral white light stream - with it cooked food will look more appetizing.
Natural street light is indispensable in any room - you should allow it to freely enter the kitchen through the window, removing heavy curtains, leaving only thin curtains or blinds. When it is possible to enlarge the window, it should be done.

The presence of mirrors will expand the space, multiplying the available light several times.

Work area design

The work area is the main kitchen. The floor here should be convenient for frequent washing, because it is decorated with ceramic tiles, stone, linoleum, waterproof laminate flooring. It is important that the coating does not slip too much. The walls are decorated with tiles, washable wallpaper, covered with paint, decorative plaster. The kitchen apron is faced with plastic, glass panels. Various elements should be combined with each other - flooring with a kitchen apron, facades with window curtains, etc.
The backlight is selected adjustable - during operation it is turned on "to the full", after - it is slightly muffled. The LED strip under the cabinets or the lamps inside them have a rather decorative purpose.

If the working area is located at the window, you can significantly save on lighting, but you will have to wash the window quite often.

Dining area design

The dining area is often carpeted - it should be well cleaned of dirt, fit into the overall design. The lamp should be placed directly above the table - well, if it is possible to adjust its height above the floor level. When the chandelier hangs in the center of the room, a wall lamp is hung above the table located near the wall; there you can also place:

• picture in frame;
• large 3D sticker;
• photo wallpaper, combined with the size of the table;
• decorative plates or watches;
• souvenir cutting boards.

To add comfort, pillows are placed on chairs, stools are decorated with covers. In the presence of an angular sofa, it is decorated with drapery, combined with other kitchen textiles. Table linen, homemade cover on the teapot-teapot, in harmony with the openwork knitted shade, will create a unique interior. The window sill is often decorated with potted indoor flowers, if the dining area is located at the window, then it is easy to create the effect of a meal in the "jungle".

Furniture for small kitchen

All the furniture for a cramped kitchenette is selected in a small-sized - narrow set, compact straight or corner sofa, a miniature dining table or a folding bar counter.
What is necessary in the kitchen:

• kitchen appliances - stove, refrigerator, microwave, washing machine, etc.;
• dining group - a table with chairs, stools or a corner sofa;
• storage space - wall cabinets, open shelves, sliding sections, cupboards, cases.

Production materials, colors, furniture design are selected individually in accordance with the stylistic design of the interior.

Many firms sell kitchen furniture in whole sets suitable for rooms of various shapes and sizes.

How to be with the refrigerator

If the refrigerator is low or horizontal, it is used as another working plane, if possible it is embedded in the headset. Vertical is placed in a free corner or at the door, but preferably not near the kitchen stove, the distance to which should be at least 20 cm. If the family is small, it is not necessary to have a lot of food at home, a small refrigerator is placed under the table top. The most inconvenient option is considered to be its location in line with the stove and sink.
Refrigerator does not necessarily try to fit in this cramped room. It is perfectly located in the pantry room, the corridor around the corner, on the way to the bathroom. This is possible if the corridor itself is not too narrow - in order to safely move in it, the required width of aisles should be at least 80 cm. Sometimes a refrigerator is placed in a niche that is formed when moving a door as a result of redevelopment. In the kitchen, combined with loggia, a refrigerator is placed there.

If possible, observe the "work triangle" or make the refrigerator a bright accent of the room.

Bar counter

This piece of furniture is as convenient as possible for small studios, kitchens combined with a loggia, a warmed balcony. With the help of it, the working area is separated from the place where they eat, the kitchen from the living room, as a separate piece of furniture, it is also relevant.
The advantages of the bar:

• compactness - fit almost anywhere;
• mobility - there are folding, swiveling, sliding models;
• functionality - it is convenient to eat, cook;
• variety of design solutions - it is possible to choose for any interior.

Bar counters vary in height, and in shape are:

• U-shaped - are neat continuation of the working surface;
• Straight lines are convenient for placing different equipment under the bottom;
• classic - mounted on the tabletop height of the bar console;
• folding - laid out, put forward in cases where additional space is required;
• island - instead of the dinner table;
• with niche - additional storage space;
• modular - they can be moved;
• round, semicircular - they require a lot of space, because they are located in the living room combined with the kitchen.

Design, color, material of manufacture are selected in accordance with the style of the interior.

Conclusion

The main plus of a small kitchen is low compared to a large, the cost of repairs, improvement. The real design project will also be cheaper. It's easy to do it yourself - it will take quite a bit of time. Modern designers offer a lot of original solutions for kitchens of different sizes, including combined with other rooms in a small or spacious accommodation.