A living room, where the kitchen is a single space with a living room, can be found more and more often. It has a lot of open space, so the modern interior here can be implemented most successfully. One of the most popular layout options for such a kitchen is U-shaped. This method allows you to use all available square meters to the maximum.
Size matters. In which rooms to use the U-shaped layout
You can place kitchen furniture, all appliances plus work surfaces along three walls in the kitchen, which has at least 10 m2. Putting it all with the letter “p” will turn out even on 5 squares, but only if the room is combined with the living room or dining room. Very narrow is also not suitable for design in this way, there will be nowhere to turn around.
With the small dimensions of the room, the layout is carried out especially carefully. When developing a project, consider:
area;
the shape of the kitchen;
arrangement of all windows, balcony, entrance doors;
distance from the floor to the windowsill;
principle of the "working triangle";
budget framework.
The size of 12 m2 is optimal, here you can place everything you need, without limiting yourself in choosing the color and height of the kitchen, bold creative ideas.
Advantages and disadvantages of U-shaped kitchens
U-shaped layout has many fans, because This option is the most convenient. Convenience consists in:
Rational use of space. Here, the hostess has everything at hand.
Opportunities to zone the room, to hide the working part from prying eyes.
If the window sill is high enough, you can use it by placing a sink there.
The presence of a large number of work surfaces, storage places. In the lower modules you can place dishes and utensils, which unloads the upper part of the room, it becomes easier and more spacious.
The furnishings of the U-shaped kitchen are usually symmetrical, which is in demand in the design of the kitchen in a classic style.
The disadvantages of the selected layout include:
Excessive clutter with furniture. A lot of tall cabinets visually narrows the room.
The set has a large working area, so it is sometimes not possible to squeeze a full-fledged dining group into a small space.
Individual furniture sizes and hard-to-reach corners requiring well-thought-out fittings make the project more expensive.
A room of 16 m2 can not do without an "island".
It is difficult to implement a p-shaped layout in a standard apartment, the wrong location of communications always interferes, the presence of a window or door is not where you would like, the inappropriate height of the windowsill.
Layout Options
The most effective way to equip a kitchen in the form of the letter "p" is obtained in a square or rectangular room. It is convenient, satisfies safety requirements. If the dining area can be located outside the room, then with the method of its formation there will be no problems at all. For those who like to “conjure” over dinner, lovers of experiments, an exciting process of cooking will provide complete satisfaction.
The variant of the p-shaped layout is most appropriate if the room is equipped with a bay window or the space is combined as a kitchen-living room or dining room. The physical separator of the functional areas becomes the "island" or bar.
U-shaped kitchen with "island"
The insulated furniture module is very convenient. This design of the U-shaped kitchen makes it possible to arrange additional storage systems or household appliances. "Island" can be used as another work surface, a place for a quick bite. At its base, in addition to storage systems, there is an oven or other household appliances, even a wine refrigerator. It all depends on the size of the room and himself, the needs of households.
If beyond the “island” it is planned not only to eat a morning sandwich, it is nice to have high bar stools or soft mini-chairs.
Integration of the hob or gas stove into the surface of the “island” involves the installation of a powerful hood here. In a large kitchen with a more compact arrangement of the "working triangle", the hostess will have to make less unnecessary movements.
The device of the hob or sink in the center of the room will require laying communications under the floor,which is easily feasible in private households, but can cause certain difficulties in an ordinary apartment. From the point of view of ergonomics, to install the "island" you also need to have a fairly spacious room. There must be at least 120 cm between the main furniture space and other structures so that the doors and drawers open without damage to the owner's health.
U-shaped kitchen with a "peninsula"
The design, attached on one side to a wall or furniture set, easily fits even into a relatively small space of 12-15 m2. If the apartment combines a kitchen and a dining room, then a p-shaped layout is possible even in a 5- or 7-meter kitchenette. The “peninsula” is convenient in that it has a sufficient width, therefore it is used as a working surface. Here you can knead the dough or chop the salad, cook with someone else. Such a layout clearly divides even a very small space into separate zones, saves time and effort during cooking, all the elements of the “working triangle” are at hand. The Peninsula is convenient for a small room: you can do without a dining table, but there is more storage space.
As in the case of the "island", sometimes spotlights or LED backlighting is not enough. Pendant lights will become a spectacular accent and an additional way of zoning.
U-shaped kitchens in studio apartments
If the dining area does not require mandatory placement in the kitchen, then a decent p-shaped layout is carried out even in a small space. The absence of extra partitions will provide more light, visually increase the area.
All the nuances of the arrangement must be thought out in advance, because here it is important to take into account whether the walls to be converted are load-bearing, whether it is necessary to change the floor level during the transfer of a sink, buy a sewage pump and violate housing operation standards if it is equipped with a gas rather than an electric stove.
For the rational use of precious centimeters, you need to make a kitchen to order, if possible fully integrated.
With a bar counter
If earlier the bar counter was associated with corporate parties and cocktails, now with design it becomes a bright accent of the room where food is prepared. Its installation is advisable where there is no separate dining room, and the kitchen is very small. It will replace a table and at the same time will become an element of zoning.
For a large kitchen-dining room, where there is a dining table, sitting at the bar, you can quickly have breakfast or a coffee break, so as not to waste time setting up a dining table. Children or elderly people who are not comfortable sitting on high stools can sit in comfortable corner sofas or armchairs next to a coffee table during dinner, and young people “occupy” the bar counter.
The configuration of the bar depends on the design idea. She can:
be built into the headset;
continue with a curved arch, "island" or "peninsula";
be a spaced element;
to depict a console resting on the floor, a headset, and when there is not enough space, located at the window.
U-shaped kitchens with involved window
With sufficient height and width of the window in the countertop, a sink can be placed under it. It is necessary not to forget about radiators, the heat flow from which can be accidentally blocked, if you use tightly closed facades.
If the room does not have sufficient dimensions, and a full-fledged dining table doesn’t fit there, it makes sense to place a bar counter by the window, which will replace the table and become one of the elements of zoning.
Style solutions
There are practically no restrictions on the stylistic solution of the U-shaped kitchen. It organically looks both in the modern version, and in the classic style. The only not entirely successful stylization can be called country. "Island" does not fit very well with village motifs. An exception can only be spacious rural housing, where rural motifs or fanciful bright elements will be appropriate.
The spacious room, decorated in a modern minimalist spirit, is suitable for smooth monolithic built-in wardrobes without fittings, glossy surfaces that move the space apart. Design excellence is achieved through careful selection of techniques in the design of the space, using the shapes of windows, furniture, color and light. The modern style should be considered optimal; the practicality and simplicity of the loft and the Scandinavian style are welcome. Massive classic headsets in a small space look somewhat bulky.
Color options
The uncomplicated forms of the facades of neutral tones with unobtrusive bright impregnations enliven the p-shaped layout, making it elegant. Following the rules of ergonomics, it is permissible to play with matte and glossy surfaces, the difference in contrasts, textures, which looks especially advantageous in a modern spacious room equipped with the “latest word”.
In bright colors
When choosing the color of facades and walls, preference should be given to light shades, they do not overload the space. This is especially true for small rooms. Wide monophonic modules with a push-open system or hidden handles do not create obstacles when moving, visually push the walls apart. The room will seem larger if the headsets and facades are the same color as the ceiling and walls.
For a small room, the white color of the kitchen set with a stone countertop in the middle is relevant.
Color combinations of furnishings with a light tree do not bother the eye, they are always appropriate. For a snow-white kitchen, a pastel maple shade of surfaces is a good alternative. They will blend perfectly with stainless steel parts.
In dark shades
The use of dark tones does not always imply the use of colors close to black. The kitchen successfully combines:
various combinations of brown;
contrasting colors;
bright and bright accents.
The dynamism of the interior is achieved using contrasting color combinations. Completely dark shades, without dilution with bright or light accents, are permissible only in very large rooms. The most popular is black and white. Dark facades with marble countertops, black household appliances on a background of snow-white furniture visually expand the kitchen, make its interior unique.
The combination of dark wood, light surfaces, especially if you also use the ceiling plane, makes an unforgettable impression on the incoming.
Noble dark shades, imitation of a wood pattern are always win-win.
Using vibrant accents
A trend in modern cuisine can be considered a combination of white or calm pastel, cream shades with bright elements: raspberry-colored cabinet doors or the metallic luster of a refrigerator, microwave, and accessories.
For those who do not like bright kitchen furniture, we can advise you to pay attention to the kitchens, where only the kitchen apron, the “island” countertop or small decor elements, textiles will be bright.
Orange elements look cheerful on the background of white or gray walls. Lilac and blue facades are popular, contrasts of black, white, and red are relevant. Experts advise you not to overdo it with yellow, purple and green. If the walls are quite bright, the furniture should be designed in neutral colors: white or beige, gray.
Conclusion
The basis of the aesthetics of a U-shaped kitchen is its symmetry. The central emphasis of such a room will be the original hood above the stove, the window opening, decorated with a beautiful curtain or a chandelier of a unique design over the "island" or sink.
The optical illusion of the unity of space will help create built-in models of kitchen appliances. Do not just forget that the refrigerator should not be located in a niche somewhere on the side, but in close proximity to the working area.The combination of paneled furniture and the “island” of stainless steel is also not the best solution.
It is appropriate to place more light sources here, give preference to “warm” lamps. In the U-shaped kitchen, it is necessary to achieve a combination of all the elements, otherwise the room will seem disorderly, albeit spacious.
A living room, where the kitchen is a single space with a living room, can be found more and more often. It has a lot of open space, so the modern interior here can be implemented most successfully. One of the most popular layout options for such a kitchen is U-shaped. This method allows you to use all available square meters to the maximum.
Content
Size matters. In which rooms to use the U-shaped layout
You can place kitchen furniture, all appliances plus work surfaces along three walls in the kitchen, which has at least 10 m2. Putting it all with the letter “p” will turn out even on 5 squares, but only if the room is combined with the living room or dining room. Very narrow is also not suitable for design in this way, there will be nowhere to turn around.
With the small dimensions of the room, the layout is carried out especially carefully. When developing a project, consider:
Advantages and disadvantages of U-shaped kitchens
U-shaped layout has many fans, because This option is the most convenient. Convenience consists in:
The disadvantages of the selected layout include:
Layout Options
The most effective way to equip a kitchen in the form of the letter "p" is obtained in a square or rectangular room. It is convenient, satisfies safety requirements. If the dining area can be located outside the room, then with the method of its formation there will be no problems at all. For those who like to “conjure” over dinner, lovers of experiments, an exciting process of cooking will provide complete satisfaction.
The variant of the p-shaped layout is most appropriate if the room is equipped with a bay window or the space is combined as a kitchen-living room or dining room. The physical separator of the functional areas becomes the "island" or bar.
U-shaped kitchen with "island"
The insulated furniture module is very convenient. This design of the U-shaped kitchen makes it possible to arrange additional storage systems or household appliances. "Island" can be used as another work surface, a place for a quick bite. At its base, in addition to storage systems, there is an oven or other household appliances, even a wine refrigerator. It all depends on the size of the room and himself, the needs of households.
If beyond the “island” it is planned not only to eat a morning sandwich, it is nice to have high bar stools or soft mini-chairs.
Integration of the hob or gas stove into the surface of the “island” involves the installation of a powerful hood here. In a large kitchen with a more compact arrangement of the "working triangle", the hostess will have to make less unnecessary movements.
The device of the hob or sink in the center of the room will require laying communications under the floor,which is easily feasible in private households, but can cause certain difficulties in an ordinary apartment. From the point of view of ergonomics, to install the "island" you also need to have a fairly spacious room. There must be at least 120 cm between the main furniture space and other structures so that the doors and drawers open without damage to the owner's health.
U-shaped kitchen with a "peninsula"
The design, attached on one side to a wall or furniture set, easily fits even into a relatively small space of 12-15 m2. If the apartment combines a kitchen and a dining room, then a p-shaped layout is possible even in a 5- or 7-meter kitchenette.
The “peninsula” is convenient in that it has a sufficient width, therefore it is used as a working surface. Here you can knead the dough or chop the salad, cook with someone else. Such a layout clearly divides even a very small space into separate zones, saves time and effort during cooking, all the elements of the “working triangle” are at hand.
The Peninsula is convenient for a small room: you can do without a dining table, but there is more storage space.
As in the case of the "island", sometimes spotlights or LED backlighting is not enough. Pendant lights will become a spectacular accent and an additional way of zoning.
U-shaped kitchens in studio apartments
If the dining area does not require mandatory placement in the kitchen, then a decent p-shaped layout is carried out even in a small space. The absence of extra partitions will provide more light, visually increase the area.
All the nuances of the arrangement must be thought out in advance, because here it is important to take into account whether the walls to be converted are load-bearing, whether it is necessary to change the floor level during the transfer of a sink, buy a sewage pump and violate housing operation standards if it is equipped with a gas rather than an electric stove.
With a bar counter
If earlier the bar counter was associated with corporate parties and cocktails, now with design it becomes a bright accent of the room where food is prepared. Its installation is advisable where there is no separate dining room, and the kitchen is very small. It will replace a table and at the same time will become an element of zoning.
For a large kitchen-dining room, where there is a dining table, sitting at the bar, you can quickly have breakfast or a coffee break, so as not to waste time setting up a dining table.
Children or elderly people who are not comfortable sitting on high stools can sit in comfortable corner sofas or armchairs next to a coffee table during dinner, and young people “occupy” the bar counter.
The configuration of the bar depends on the design idea. She can:
U-shaped kitchens with involved window
With sufficient height and width of the window in the countertop, a sink can be placed under it.
It is necessary not to forget about radiators, the heat flow from which can be accidentally blocked, if you use tightly closed facades.
If the room does not have sufficient dimensions, and a full-fledged dining table doesn’t fit there, it makes sense to place a bar counter by the window, which will replace the table and become one of the elements of zoning.
Style solutions
There are practically no restrictions on the stylistic solution of the U-shaped kitchen. It organically looks both in the modern version, and in the classic style. The only not entirely successful stylization can be called country. "Island" does not fit very well with village motifs. An exception can only be spacious rural housing, where rural motifs or fanciful bright elements will be appropriate.
The spacious room, decorated in a modern minimalist spirit, is suitable for smooth monolithic built-in wardrobes without fittings, glossy surfaces that move the space apart.
Design excellence is achieved through careful selection of techniques in the design of the space, using the shapes of windows, furniture, color and light. The modern style should be considered optimal; the practicality and simplicity of the loft and the Scandinavian style are welcome. Massive classic headsets in a small space look somewhat bulky.
Color options
The uncomplicated forms of the facades of neutral tones with unobtrusive bright impregnations enliven the p-shaped layout, making it elegant. Following the rules of ergonomics, it is permissible to play with matte and glossy surfaces, the difference in contrasts, textures, which looks especially advantageous in a modern spacious room equipped with the “latest word”.
In bright colors
When choosing the color of facades and walls, preference should be given to light shades, they do not overload the space. This is especially true for small rooms. Wide monophonic modules with a push-open system or hidden handles do not create obstacles when moving, visually push the walls apart. The room will seem larger if the headsets and facades are the same color as the ceiling and walls.
Color combinations of furnishings with a light tree do not bother the eye, they are always appropriate. For a snow-white kitchen, a pastel maple shade of surfaces is a good alternative. They will blend perfectly with stainless steel parts.
In dark shades
The use of dark tones does not always imply the use of colors close to black. The kitchen successfully combines:
The dynamism of the interior is achieved using contrasting color combinations. Completely dark shades, without dilution with bright or light accents, are permissible only in very large rooms. The most popular is black and white. Dark facades with marble countertops, black household appliances on a background of snow-white furniture visually expand the kitchen, make its interior unique.
The combination of dark wood, light surfaces, especially if you also use the ceiling plane, makes an unforgettable impression on the incoming.
Using vibrant accents
A trend in modern cuisine can be considered a combination of white or calm pastel, cream shades with bright elements: raspberry-colored cabinet doors or the metallic luster of a refrigerator, microwave, and accessories.
For those who do not like bright kitchen furniture, we can advise you to pay attention to the kitchens, where only the kitchen apron, the “island” countertop or small decor elements, textiles will be bright.
Orange elements look cheerful on the background of white or gray walls. Lilac and blue facades are popular, contrasts of black, white, and red are relevant. Experts advise you not to overdo it with yellow, purple and green. If the walls are quite bright, the furniture should be designed in neutral colors: white or beige, gray.
Conclusion
The basis of the aesthetics of a U-shaped kitchen is its symmetry. The central emphasis of such a room will be the original hood above the stove, the window opening, decorated with a beautiful curtain or a chandelier of a unique design over the "island" or sink.
The optical illusion of the unity of space will help create built-in models of kitchen appliances. Do not just forget that the refrigerator should not be located in a niche somewhere on the side, but in close proximity to the working area.The combination of paneled furniture and the “island” of stainless steel is also not the best solution.
It is appropriate to place more light sources here, give preference to “warm” lamps. In the U-shaped kitchen, it is necessary to achieve a combination of all the elements, otherwise the room will seem disorderly, albeit spacious.