Not all apartments can boast a large area, and even any spacious kitchen - even more so. The closest kitchenettes are located in the "Khrushchev" - a maximum of 5-7 square meters. Less is only in old brick houses for servants of the times of tsarist Russia, where people still live. It is small in many private homes. About 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, in detail in the text of the article.
The most commonly used corner, L-shaped layout - the headset is located along two walls.There is enough space for a small dining area, and all the necessary equipment, machinery is placed as ergonomically as possible. There is an angular module that can be used as much as possible, equipping with a special retractable section, 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, dishes.
If you plan to place a sink in a corner, the best solution is a corner stand. Under it there is a lot of storage space, it is also convenient for working in the kitchen. The dish cabinet above the sink should also fit in shape, open up. When the kitchen is very small - no more than five meters, then the headsets are bought a little narrower than standard or only one side is narrow. The closest closest door to the door is round, beveled so that no one catches on it when entering and leaving it. Trying not to clutter up the room too much, part of the hanging cabinets are replaced with open shelves. With a lack of storage space, they are built into the headset base, the existing closed cabinets are made up to the ceiling, a pencil case and a whole block of such cabinets are also used. In the free corner there 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 a galley, like on a ship. Of the advantages of this layout are:
ease of access - everything is at hand, it’s very comfortable to work;
takes up little space - this is especially important in crowded conditions;
flexibility - modules are interchangeable, relocatable, complemented;
cheapness - materials for the manufacture of a small headset need a little, which will affect the cost.
Minuses:
little storage space;
deficiency of working surfaces;
it is inconvenient to work in tandem with someone;
lack of normal cross.
Opposite the headset is the dining area, refrigerator. The table is needed not too voluminous - leaving a place for normal movement should be mandatory.
U-shaped layout
U-shaped arrangement of furniture is suitable for a square kitchen. To ensure that there is enough workplace, they get a narrow set, the windowsill is turned into another work plane. It is very convenient to cook, lay out products, arrange dishes, but there is not enough space for the dining area, so they either transfer it to the living room or have lunch at the bar counter - a logical continuation of the headset.
There is plenty of storage space here, as three walls are used. The window sill becomes a working plane with storage sections, a place to eat with high chairs. With the organization of the working triangle - sink-stove-refrigerator, problems usually do not arise. When the kitchen is in the shape of a rectangle, the distance between parallel cabinets should not be less than 80-110 cm. One wall is fully equipped with pencil cases, the other has only a couple of hinged shelves, used mainly for decorative purposes.
Kitchenette
For a private house, a summer residence, a cramped city apartment, where it is not possible to place a normal set, a kitchenette is sometimes purchased. This highly practical furniture occupies no more than 2 square meters. m., but it has everything minimally necessary for proper cooking. This item is used in the room, if necessary, in the office, in the caravan. It easily fits into any niche, which is very convenient for small-sized studio apartments.
A kitchenette is a cupboard, a cupboard with modern appliances built into it, such as:
small fridge;
gas stove or hob;
microwave;
Dishwasher;
extractor hood;
sink.
The equipment may vary slightly, if the space permits, the kitchen is supplemented with a dryer, a drawer, a built-in trash can, a minibar, a compact bar counter, etc. The village kitchenette, among other things, is equipped with a gas water heater and a hot water boiler.In a typical version, a refrigerator is mounted below, above it is a hob with an extractor hood, on the side is a dishwasher, above it a sink. An individual project is completed with any equipment, based on the wishes of the customer.
Location, shape of the kitchenette:
Wall
Located in a niche or along the wall, only the front facades are decorated
Island
Most often rounded in shape, has a hull assembly, is equipped with swinging, withdrawable mechanisms
Modular
Any variations are possible, made to order
For the kitchen-living room, kitchen-dining room, kitchen-hallway, such furniture will be the perfect solution in a limited area.
Kitchen style
In the stylistic design of a small kitchenette, it is difficult to reveal such directions as baroque - which implies the presence of many voluminous details, a loft - requiring space, art deco - who wants luxury and brilliance.
The following styles work well:
classic - dark or light wooden set, decorated with carvings, high-quality materials, large chandelier, comfortable dining area;
minimalism - a minimum of furniture, lack of decor, clean, bright colors, built-in appliances;
ethnic - a simple set, decor from natural materials, furniture in the dining area wicker rattan;
hi-tech - an abundance of light, glass, metals, modern household appliances;
ecological - only natural materials are used, natural decor, the simplest furniture;
country - the most suitable for a summer residence, 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, you should be guided by your preferences, that is, “like - don't like”.
Color scheme
The kitchen is primarily a place for cooking food, its consumption, because the colors are often selected "appetizing", such as:
red-orange;
sunny yellow;
light green;
pastel green;
strawberry;
honey.
They remind of juicy fruits, fresh pastries, stimulating appetite, helping digestion. For those who are going to lose weight or simply do not consider it necessary to eat a lot, blue, gray, violet-black, dirty green are preferable. The color scheme directly depends on the light: if the windows face north, north-west, it is better to give preference to warm tones - after all, the sun rarely sees such a kitchen. For southern, southeastern rooms, cold, darker colors are acceptable. The less “squares” a kitchen occupies, the lighter its design is selected. If the facades are the same color as the walls, the set seems to “dissolve”, creating the effect of a large space. If the whole room is monochrome, then the furniture is chosen two or three tones darker than the walls, and the floor is darker than the furniture.
The best color combinations for a cramped kitchenette:
pale cherry with white;
tangerine with light yellow;
beige with spring green;
amaranth with rape yellow;
golden with turquoise;
red brown with silver;
ocher with canary;
light carmine with creamy;
red-lilac with lavender;
pastel orange with olive.
Designers suggest using no more than three colors at a time, with the main color, preferably light, occupying up to 65% of the design, the remaining about 25% and 10%.
Lighting
For an overly cramped space, the presence of a central ceiling lamp is not necessary at all - it visually narrows the space, there are enough separate lamps above the working area, dining table. It is desirable that the lighting fixtures "know how" to change the height and level of illumination. Spotlights are mounted in the headset, including inside glazed cabinets, a LED strip illuminates its bottom, the perimeter of the ceiling - this will help create the effect of "soaring" furniture, visually expand the space. Lighting devices are located at least 60 cm from water sources, they must have moisture-proof shades. It is better to prefer a neutral white luminous flux - 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, this should be done.
The presence of mirrors will expand the space, multiplying the available light by several times.
Workspace design
The working area is the main one in the kitchen. The floor here should be convenient for frequent washing, because it is decorated with ceramic tiles, stone, linoleum, waterproof laminate, floorboard. 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 must 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 more of a decorative purpose.
If the working area is located near the window, you can significantly save on lighting, but you will have to wash the window often enough.
Dining area design
The dining area is often carpeted - it should be well cleaned of contaminants, fit into the overall design. The lamp should be placed directly above the table - it is good if its height above the floor can be adjusted.When a chandelier hangs in the center of the room, a sconce is hung above a table located against the wall, you can also place:
picture in the frame;
large 3D sticker;
murals combined with the size of the table;
decorative plates or watches;
souvenir cutting boards.
To add coziness, pillows are placed on chairs, stools are decorated with covers. If there is a corner sofa, it is made out of drapery, combined with other kitchen textiles. Table linen, a home-made cover on a teapot, in harmony with an openwork knitted shade, will create a unique interior. The windowsill is often decorated with indoor potted flowers; if the dining area is located by the window, it is easy to create the effect of a meal in the "jungle".
Furniture for small kitchens
All the furniture for the cramped kitchenette is selected small-sized - a narrow suite, a compact straight or corner sofa, a miniature dining table or a folding bar counter. What you need in the kitchen:
kitchen appliances - stove, refrigerator, microwave, washing machine and more;
dining group - a table with chairs, stools or a corner sofa;
places for storage - hanging cabinets, open shelves, pull-out sections, wardrobes.
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 a refrigerator
If the refrigerator is low or horizontal, it is used as another working plane, if possible, it is built into the headset. The vertical is placed in a free corner or at the door, but preferably not next to the 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 countertop.The most inconvenient option is its location in line with the stove and sink. The refrigerator does not have to try to fit into this cramped room. It will perfectly fit in the storage room, the corridor around the corner, on the way to the bathroom. This is possible if the corridor itself is not too narrow - for safe movement in it, the necessary width of the aisles should be at least 80 cm. Sometimes the refrigerator is placed in the niche formed when the door is moved, as a result of redevelopment. In the kitchen, combined with a loggia, a refrigerator is located there.
If possible, you should observe the "working triangle" or make the refrigerator a bright accent of the room.
Bar counter
This piece of furniture is most convenient for small studios, kitchens, combined with a loggia, insulated balcony. With 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 appropriate. Advantages of the bar:
compactness - fits almost everywhere;
mobility - there are folding, swivel, extendable models;
functionality - it’s convenient to eat and cook here;
a variety of design solutions - it is possible to choose for any interior.
Bar counters are different in height, and in shape are:
U-shaped - are a neat continuation of the work surface;
straight - convenient for placing various equipment under the bottom;
classic - a bar console is mounted on a countertop of normal height;
folding - fold out, put forward in cases where additional space is required;
island - instead of a dining table;
with a niche - additional storage space;
modular - they can be moved;
round, semicircular - require a lot of space, because they are placed 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 advantage of a small kitchen is the low, compared to the large, expenses for repairs, landscaping. A real design project will also be cheaper. It is easy to make it with your own hands - it will take very little time. Modern designers offer a lot of original solutions for kitchens of different sizes, including those combined with other rooms in small or spacious housing.
Not all apartments can boast a large area, and even any spacious kitchen - even more so. The closest kitchenettes are located in the "Khrushchev" - a maximum of 5-7 square meters. Less is only in old brick houses for servants of the times of tsarist Russia, where people still live. It is small in many private homes. About 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, in detail in the text of the article.
Content
Corner layout
The most commonly used corner, L-shaped layout - the headset is located along two walls.There is enough space for a small dining area, and all the necessary equipment, machinery is placed as ergonomically as possible. There is an angular module that can be used as much as possible, equipping with a special retractable section, 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, dishes.
If you plan to place a sink in a corner, the best solution is a corner stand. Under it there is a lot of storage space, it is also convenient for working in the kitchen. The dish cabinet above the sink should also fit in shape, open up. When the kitchen is very small - no more than five meters, then the headsets are bought a little narrower than standard or only one side is narrow. The closest closest door to the door is round, beveled so that no one catches on it when entering and leaving it.
Trying not to clutter up the room too much, part of the hanging cabinets are replaced with open shelves. With a lack of storage space, they are built into the headset base, the existing closed cabinets are made up to the ceiling, a pencil case and a whole block of such cabinets are also used. In the free corner there 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 a galley, like on a ship.
Of the advantages of this layout are:
Minuses:
Opposite the headset is the dining area, refrigerator. The table is needed not too voluminous - leaving a place for normal movement should be mandatory.
U-shaped layout
U-shaped arrangement of furniture is suitable for a square kitchen. To ensure that there is enough workplace, they get a narrow set, the windowsill is turned into another work plane. It is very convenient to cook, lay out products, arrange dishes, but there is not enough space for the dining area, so they either transfer it to the living room or have lunch at the bar counter - a logical continuation of the headset.
There is plenty of storage space here, as three walls are used. The window sill becomes a working plane with storage sections, a place to eat with high chairs. With the organization of the working triangle - sink-stove-refrigerator, problems usually do not arise. When the kitchen is in the shape of a rectangle, the distance between parallel cabinets should not be less than 80-110 cm. One wall is fully equipped with pencil cases, the other has only a couple of hinged shelves, used mainly for decorative purposes.
Kitchenette
For a private house, a summer residence, a cramped city apartment, where it is not possible to place a normal set, a kitchenette is sometimes purchased. This highly practical furniture occupies no more than 2 square meters. m., but it has everything minimally necessary for proper cooking. This item is used in the room, if necessary, in the office, in the caravan. It easily fits into any niche, which is very convenient for small-sized studio apartments.
A kitchenette is a cupboard, a cupboard with modern appliances built into it, such as:
The equipment may vary slightly, if the space permits, the kitchen is supplemented with a dryer, a drawer, a built-in trash can, a minibar, a compact bar counter, etc. The village kitchenette, among other things, is equipped with a gas water heater and a hot water boiler.In a typical version, a refrigerator is mounted below, above it is a hob with an extractor hood, on the side is a dishwasher, above it a sink. An individual project is completed with any equipment, based on the wishes of the customer.
Location, shape of the kitchenette:
Kitchen style
In the stylistic design of a small kitchenette, it is difficult to reveal such directions as baroque - which implies the presence of many voluminous details, a loft - requiring space, art deco - who wants luxury and brilliance.
The following styles work well:
Color scheme
The kitchen is primarily a place for cooking food, its consumption, because the colors are often selected "appetizing", such as:
They remind of juicy fruits, fresh pastries, stimulating appetite, helping digestion. For those who are going to lose weight or simply do not consider it necessary to eat a lot, blue, gray, violet-black, dirty green are preferable.
The color scheme directly depends on the light: if the windows face north, north-west, it is better to give preference to warm tones - after all, the sun rarely sees such a kitchen. For southern, southeastern rooms, cold, darker colors are acceptable.
The less “squares” a kitchen occupies, the lighter its design is selected. If the facades are the same color as the walls, the set seems to “dissolve”, creating the effect of a large space. If the whole room is monochrome, then the furniture is chosen two or three tones darker than the walls, and the floor is darker than the furniture.
The best color combinations for a cramped kitchenette:
Lighting
For an overly cramped space, the presence of a central ceiling lamp is not necessary at all - it visually narrows the space, there are enough separate lamps above the working area, dining table. It is desirable that the lighting fixtures "know how" to change the height and level of illumination.
Spotlights are mounted in the headset, including inside glazed cabinets, a LED strip illuminates its bottom, the perimeter of the ceiling - this will help create the effect of "soaring" furniture, visually expand the space. Lighting devices are located at least 60 cm from water sources, they must have moisture-proof shades. It is better to prefer a neutral white luminous flux - 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, this should be done.
Workspace design
The working area is the main one in the kitchen. The floor here should be convenient for frequent washing, because it is decorated with ceramic tiles, stone, linoleum, waterproof laminate, floorboard. 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 must 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 more of a decorative purpose.
Dining area design
The dining area is often carpeted - it should be well cleaned of contaminants, fit into the overall design. The lamp should be placed directly above the table - it is good if its height above the floor can be adjusted.When a chandelier hangs in the center of the room, a sconce is hung above a table located against the wall, you can also place:
To add coziness, pillows are placed on chairs, stools are decorated with covers. If there is a corner sofa, it is made out of drapery, combined with other kitchen textiles. Table linen, a home-made cover on a teapot, in harmony with an openwork knitted shade, will create a unique interior. The windowsill is often decorated with indoor potted flowers; if the dining area is located by the window, it is easy to create the effect of a meal in the "jungle".
Furniture for small kitchens
All the furniture for the cramped kitchenette is selected small-sized - a narrow suite, a compact straight or corner sofa, a miniature dining table or a folding bar counter.
What you need in the kitchen:
Production materials, colors, furniture design are selected individually in accordance with the stylistic design of the interior.
How to be with a refrigerator
If the refrigerator is low or horizontal, it is used as another working plane, if possible, it is built into the headset. The vertical is placed in a free corner or at the door, but preferably not next to the 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 countertop.The most inconvenient option is its location in line with the stove and sink.
The refrigerator does not have to try to fit into this cramped room. It will perfectly fit in the storage room, the corridor around the corner, on the way to the bathroom. This is possible if the corridor itself is not too narrow - for safe movement in it, the necessary width of the aisles should be at least 80 cm. Sometimes the refrigerator is placed in the niche formed when the door is moved, as a result of redevelopment. In the kitchen, combined with a loggia, a refrigerator is located there.
Bar counter
This piece of furniture is most convenient for small studios, kitchens, combined with a loggia, insulated balcony. With 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 appropriate.
Advantages of the bar:
Bar counters are different in height, and in shape are:
Conclusion
The main advantage of a small kitchen is the low, compared to the large, expenses for repairs, landscaping. A real design project will also be cheaper. It is easy to make it with your own hands - it will take very little time. Modern designers offer a lot of original solutions for kitchens of different sizes, including those combined with other rooms in small or spacious housing.