How to choose a kitchen: tips from professionals

Stylish, beautiful, ergonomic kitchen is the mistress’s dream and her little paradise in the house. Once upon a time, when people just started building full-fledged houses, the hearth became the focus of life, all the households were drawn to it and it was near it that it was warmer and most comfortable. Centuries passed, the stoves were replaced with modern stoves, massive, roughly trimmed tables and shelves with ergonomic headsets, clay pots with unbreakable dishes, but the role of the kitchen in the house has not changed.

It still remains the center of attraction for households and a small oasis of comfort and warmth. A beautiful and comfortable design is important not only for the hostess, who will spend most of her free time here, but also for the rest of the family, who love to “have a tea” and conduct long conversations in the evenings after a hard day. So, the preparation for the repair is in full swing and the very difficult question has ripened: how to choose a kitchen? What should it be so that everyone feels comfortable here? How to fill it so that the culinary inspiration does not leave the hostess, and the appetite of the household? We will talk about this further.

Features of choosing a kitchen set

Everything is important in the kitchen: both decoration and filling. This room is used daily, “extreme” conditions are created here (elevated temperature and humidity), during cooking, a large amount of waste deposits (water, grease, dirt) settles on the surfaces of furniture and finish, which is why the room is regularly cleaned (much more often than others premises).

Furniture must withstand such loads, endure abrupt changes in the “climate”, be easy to clean and serve a person faithfully for a long time. For kitchens, they often use not separate objects, but sets - furniture complexes.

They first appeared in the United States in the last century and were so much liked by the housewives that their mass production was quickly established. Europeans took over this experience from the Americans, having “tasted” the idea for taste. In Soviet times, in vernacular, headsets were called “walls” and they were actively used not only in kitchens, but also in living rooms. Furniture, selected by the manufacturer, eliminates the need for the buyer to “assemble” a set of different items on their own.

Perhaps this is the main advantage of headsets. In addition, the price of the kit is lower than the total cost of all items included in its composition, if purchased separately.A furniture complex usually consists not only of a “wall”, but is also complemented by a dining table, chairs and mobile elements.

When choosing a kitchen set, you should pay attention to four characteristics:

• Aesthetics (appearance).
• Functionality.
• Long term of operation.
• Ease of use (ergonomics).

Let's talk about each of them in more detail.

Aesthetics

The aesthetics of a headset is its beauty from the point of view of a choosing person (this is important, because everyone has their own ideas about beauty). What about the appearance of kitchen furniture? Of course, it should look appropriate in combination with other items of furniture and at the same time please the hostess and household.

You can’t just choose your favorite model, for example, in the Provence style and put it in the kitchen, which is already finished under the high-tech direction. The filling and decoration must match each other.

Functionality

You can determine what possibilities the headset provides to the headset by familiarizing yourself with its contents, that is, with the components. What should be included in the furniture complex for the kitchen so that it is considered complete, fully satisfying the requirements of the person using it? The standard list of modules and additions is as follows:

• Floor constructions. They include cabinets, cabinets and shelf systems (mainly closed type).
• Pencil cases. Tall narrow cabinets that are designed to accommodate built-in appliances and kitchen utensils.
• Hinged type lockers. May be closed and open. Usually represent a mixed storage system of shelves and drawers.
• Mobile items. Screens, partitions, tables on castors, convertible furniture. These elements are usually complemented by headsets designed for cramped kitchenettes.
• Freestanding furniture: tables, chairs, corner sofas.

The filling of the headset is selected depending on the characteristics of the kitchen and the needs of the hostess, that is, individually for each house. Someone needs more boxes, and someone prefers to give half of the storage system for new home appliances.

Usability

Any furniture should be convenient to use. Even before buying, you need to “try on” it, that is, try what it is like at work, whether the hostess is suitable for height, whether the shelves are conveniently located, and whether she reaches all the drawers. Next, you should carefully measure and think in advance about the location of the headset in the room. It is necessary to take into account the convenience of movement between the vertices of the working triangle and the possibility of additional “routes” from the dining area to the working area, stove and refrigerator.

Durability

The durability of the headset is primarily determined by the materials from which it is made. For housing and facades, an array of wood is considered optimal. Countertops are best chosen from natural stone. A kitchen apron will last longer if it is made of stainless steel or made of ceramic tiles.

Design and layout features

The correct layout of the kitchen will create all the necessary conditions for its convenient use. Experienced designers are aware of such a concept as a “working triangle”. This conditional geometric figure has its peaks at three points: tile, refrigerator, sink. The zones must form a triangle, only in this case it will be convenient for the housewife to move around the kitchen while cooking.

L-shaped kitchen

L-shaped layout is considered the best option for most kitchens, but is best suited to square-shaped rooms. The headset placement option allows you to equip a separate platform and easily place the vertices of the working triangle at two adjacent walls.

L-shaped layout leaves enough space for the organization of the dining area.The advantages of the option include the possibility of using built-in technology. The only exception where the L-shaped layout will be inappropriate is too narrow rooms, where the length of one wall will exceed the length of the other by more than two times.

U-shaped kitchen

U-shaped or U-shaped layout is widely used in rooms with different quadrature, but it is considered the best solution for kitchens with an area of ​​12-15 sq.m. The set is located along three walls. There is the possibility of arranging a working triangle, each of the vertices of which can be placed against a separate wall.

U-shaped layout allows you to place a variety of technical stuffing with virtually no limits. Of the shortcomings, experts note only the impossibility of through traffic, but for an impassable room it is not mandatory. It is not recommended to use the U-shaped layout in the cramped kitchens of the Khrushchevs and in the oversized rooms of the luxurious apartments. In the first case, it is better to “crop” one side and resort to the L-shaped model, and in the second - to the island one.

Linear kitchen

Linear or single row planning is suitable for small rooms. This compact option is often used in modern studio apartments, where limited space is allocated for each zone and the kitchen does not belong to the areas that “dominate” the area.

The layout model of the kitchen set is in the very name of the layout - linear, that is, the furniture is located in a line along the wall. On the one hand, this greatly saves space, leaving the other three free, but on the other, the rule of the working triangle is simply impossible to observe. Specialists only advise placing a sink in the center, and a refrigerator and stove on the sides. This option will be more convenient than the other two.

Island and peninsular cuisines

The island layout is characterized by the presence of a small "oasis" that protrudes forward, as if separated from the rest of the kitchen "mainland" left behind. On this symbolic island you can place a stove, work or dining area, bar counter. The option is suitable for very large rooms and for combined apartments.

“Islet” as if combines two spaces into one and at the same time unobtrusively delimits it into a culinary site and other zones. The peninsular layout in everything repeats the island one with one small exception: the island does not “detach” from the “mainland” completely, but connects to it on one side.

In fact, such a kitchen can be L-shaped or U-shaped, but the second or third side does not fit along the wall, but replaces it, leaning against the end. The option ideally zones the kitchen into two areas: for cooking and for eating. Both types of layouts are not suitable for small apartments. In the conditions of island and peninsular cuisine, it is easy to organize a working triangle by placing one of its peaks (usually a stove) on an island.

Double row kitchen

Double-row or parallel layout is a popular option for walk-through rooms and rooms, the area of ​​which exceeds 15 sq.m. The kitchen is divided into two parts, which are located along opposite walls. With such a layout, it is easy to observe the rule of the working triangle: the sink and stove are placed on one side, and the refrigerator on the other.

The kitchen takes up a lot of space and allows you to decompose in a large number of storage systems a large number of utensils and kitchen trifles, to integrate household appliances. Of the shortcomings, only the difficulty of placing the dining area is noted. In the two-row kitchen, there simply is no place for it, although the platform for eating can be moved outside the kitchen zone by slightly “shortening” the length of the headset.Such a solution requires thorough work on the project, so that the design organically complements each other.

Kitchen set material

In the furniture complex for the kitchen, several materials are used at once, since its individual components are intended for different purposes. Elements of a kitchen set can be combined into the following groups:

• Building and facades.
• Hardware.
• Countertop (it is also a working area).
• Apron.

Let's talk about the advantages and disadvantages of various materials used by manufacturers.

Housing and facade of the kitchen

The body and facade of the kitchen are most often made of wood or its derivatives (MDF, particleboard, chipboard). They are a good combination of quality and price. Most of the furniture from the budget category is made of MDF and particleboard.

Sheets are easily cut, they can be given any (even complex) shape. Unfortunately, the material crumbles in sections. After the installation of the entire structure, they must be processed by sealing with special veneer tape. The technology of laminating and gluing PVC films allows you to give the surface of facades and buildings any texture. Most often, it imitates expensive wood species.

In parallel, the film protects the surface from the aggressive microclimate of the kitchen. Unfortunately, particle board and fiber board cannot be classified as durable. Any furniture has its own service life, but compared to solid wood, chipboard and MDF are very short. Wood for kitchen units is used less and less.

Its cost is higher, but the furniture is more solid. To protect the facades, they are often covered with a layer of acrylic, plastic film or even made of impact-resistant, tempered glass. It can be transparent or matte. If the glass is complemented by chrome elements, then such a set will ideally fit into the high-tech kitchen.

There is another mixed option for the facades of the kitchen,consisting of aluminum frames and inserts made of wood, MDF, glass, plastic. The metal "skeleton" provides the structure with strength and durability, but does not create additional loads, since the aluminum material is light.

Countertop

The three leading materials from which worktops are made include:

• Tree. An eco-friendly, stylish option that will never go out of style. The tree should be treated with special compounds that will prevent its swelling and deformation during systematic contact with moisture and high temperatures.
• Ceramic tile. Now this option is not used so often, but it is in perfect harmony with an apron made of similar material. If you choose a color with a difference in a couple of tones and a similar texture, then the countertop and apron will become a single set in the kitchen.
• Natural stone (marble, granite, quartz). Such countertops will last a very long time. They are not afraid of absolutely anything and will withstand any test: heat, cold, high humidity, regular cleaning.

With a small margin from the leading three are: stainless steel, artificial stone, glass, MDF, particleboard and plastic. They are not so durable (with the exception of glass and stainless steel), but at the same time they please potential buyers at affordable prices.

Kitchen apron

Kitchen apron - the area of ​​the wall between the hinged and floor structures, which is closed with a special coating. The material should be easy to wash, withstand regular contact with household chemicals, and not respond to temperature increases. As a rule, aprons are stretched along the entire furniture complex, capturing the sink, work area and tiles. These three areas are considered the dirtiest. Kitchen aprons are made using the following materials:

• Ceramic tile. The undisputed leader of the list. “Fast and for long” is her motto.Tiles are not afraid of anything but severe mechanical damage, which can lead to a split tile. A wide range of colors and textures allows you to choose the original version specifically for your kitchen, which will be combined with the style of the room and the color palette of the headset.
• Mosaic or mosaic tiles. The material is made of ceramic, granite or stone, glass. It consists of numerous small modules, but is sold already assembled on a grid matrix. Mosaic tiles - strong, durable and reliable protection for the wall.
• Metal. Aprons are made of stainless steel. She is not afraid of water, heat and cleaning products. The disadvantages of the material include only its “soiling” - fingerprints, droplets of fat and streaks of water instantly remain on the surface. The metal apron will have to be washed regularly.
• Natural and artificial stone. Durable and durable materials. If you use natural granite or marble, it is better to choose the same countertop in tone to make the kit look harmonious.
• Glass. A transparent canvas will be an excellent protection for a “delicate” finish: wallpaper, photo collage, panorama. The material is not afraid of anything except abrasive cleaners that will leave micro-scratches on the surface. Glass is as easily soiled as metal. Requires frequent cleaning.

Much less often for an apron, PVC panels and laminated MDF or chipboard are used. They will last less ceramic tile or stone, but provide the opportunity for owners to partially change the design without much expense a couple of years after the repair.

Interior filling and fittings

Internal filling (in this case, dryers and pallets) and small accessories (handles, hinges, shelf holders, corners) must be made of durable and reliable material. Metal is best suited for this role, but if we are talking, for example, about pens, here you can consider other options:

• Tree.
• Glass.
• Plastic.
• Any material with an additional leather coating.

For dryers, pallets, corners, latches, hinges, as a rule, stainless steel is chosen.

Style selection

The style of the kitchen is chosen solely on the basis of the preferences of the owners of the house. Any directions in design are applicable for this room.

The following styles can be attributed to the popular ones, to which a short description of their characteristic features is attached:

• Loft. Brick, communications “threads”, some metal and original lighting fixtures.
• Scandinavian style. The combination of blue sky and white snow, glossy surfaces of facades, glass and cold light.
• Modern. Restraint, a minimum of decor, smooth lines, rounded shapes, an original combination of stone, wood and glass or plastic.
• Classic. Luxury, bright texture of wooden surfaces, ornate decor, stucco molding, massive chandelier, gilding and expensive textiles.
• High tech. Steel, chrome surfaces, gloss, glass, cold light and a combination of gray, black, white in the color palette.

For cozy kitchens without pretense of luxury, simpler and unobtrusive country destinations (rustic style) are suitable: Russian, Spanish, Mediterranean (Greek), French Provence. They are all united by the use of natural materials (wood, metal) and a whole range of techniques for aging surfaces.

The combination of colors in the kitchen space

In the design of the kitchen you can use any colors, but in certain quantities. If we are talking about bright warm shades (red, orange, yellow), then they should be balanced with pastel colors. For cold colors (blue, blue, violet), it is better to choose warm notes as opposed to.

You need to combine colors according to one of the generally accepted principles:

• Complementary. The combination of color opponents in Itten's circle.
• Similar. Three colors are used that are adjacent to each other in the Itten circle.
• Monochrome.It uses one color from Itten's circle and several of its shades.
• The classic triad. A combination of three colors, whose sectors become the vertices of a triangle inside the Itten circle.
• Classical tetrad. Colors are calculated in the same way as in a triad, but using a rectangle, not a triangle.

If you decide to try your own way of combining colors, then keep in mind that designers do not recommend using more than seven shades in the interior. The more colors involved, the less vivid they should be.

Location Tips

Extraction of equipment and its placement is one of the stages in the process of arranging a kitchen. The most important role is played by the tops of the working triangle, which consists of a stove, a refrigerator and a sink.

The distance between the peaks should be kept within 1.2-2.7, and the sum of all sides of the triangle should fall into the range of 4-8 m. If this rule is neglected, it will be crowded in the kitchen, moving between three zones is inconvenient.

In addition to the working triangle, the set of technical filling for the kitchen may include:

• Hood, responsible for high-quality ventilation of the room. Located above the stove.
• Microwave (oven, oven). It is placed either in a special niche or in the corner of the countertop.
• Coffee maker (coffee machine), kettle. Usually placed on a countertop.
• Food processors, blenders, toasters, double boiler, bread machine. Usually they hide in niches and shelves of the headset.
• Dishwasher. Built into the headset and masked by the facade.

The kit can be supplemented with other household appliances that the hostess uses, but the most massive ones have already been listed above, so for additional technical tricks there is a place inside the headset on shelves or in drawers.

Lighting and backlight

The lighting system in the kitchen is divided into three zones:

• Main (ceiling lighting).
• Working or local (backlight above the countertop).
• Sometimes a third zone is added where decorative lighting is used. (Usually around the perimeter of a room, near niches or along the contour of furniture).

You need to plan lighting only after purchasing a kitchen unit. When all the furniture is arranged, it is easier to calculate the correct location. Adjustable lighting is the last "peep" of the interior fashion, so installing a dimmer will be a nice bonus. It will allow in the evenings to "drown" the light, giving rest to tired eyes, and in the morning on the contrary, to make it brighter in order to cheer up.

Different types of lighting devices are used for the kitchen (overhead, bus, spotlights, LED lights, ordinary incandescent lamps in chandeliers), the main thing is that they have a durable, moisture-resistant housing.

Feng Shui in the kitchen

And now we turn to the ancient Taoist practice, the set of rules for the harmonious design of space, through which the flow of qi energy flows freely. What does feng shui say about the interior of the kitchen? First of all, this room symbolizes abundance and wealth, and even according to Taoist practice, it is one of the most important.

A major role is played by the location of the kitchen relative to other rooms and the front door. It is clear that the owners of apartments do not have to choose, but those who are just starting to build their own house should place it away from the hallway or hall. A person entering a house should not look from the threshold into the open kitchen.

In Feng Shui, this arrangement contributes to the "leak" of useful energy, which is responsible for well-being and prosperity. You can correct the situation: install doors or hang light curtains. Another option is to hang a bright decor in the hallway that will draw attention to yourself (a picture, a ceramic composition on the table, a backlit mirror).

Feng Shui experts do not recommend zoning the kitchen using the podium.The differences in floor height “cut” the flow of qi energy, like protrusions in a cascading waterfall, after which it “flows” randomly. The popular idea of ​​using a podium to emphasize the dining area also needs to be abandoned. The kitchen should first of all coincide in levels with the dining room.

The stove should not be placed next to the window, as its heat, symbolizing the well-being of the family, will "leak" into the street. Avoid using mirror tiles and bulky ceiling decorations (massive chandeliers). The catchy, juicy red color of Feng Shui falls under the taboo for the kitchen. Do not litter the room. Ruthlessly get rid of unnecessary utensils, leaving only what is really used.

Conclusion

In the design of the kitchen, four components should be taken into account: color, lines and shapes, texture and light. These are the “whales” on which the art of decoration is based. If you use this traditional recipe when drawing up a project, season it with talent, add a couple of spoons of imagination and a pinch of creative, then the result will be an original dish. It may be slightly eclectic, extraordinary, unlike other “restaurant” masterpieces from the best chefs of designer cuisine, but this culinary masterpiece will definitely blow warmth and coziness.