A small kitchen can be comfortable if properly furnished. To do this, you need to know all the subtleties of arranging a small room. There are a number of rules on how to equip a small kitchen. This will be discussed later.
Kitchen layout
A small kitchen is a problem of many apartments built in the middle of the last century, the so-called Khrushchev. How to equip a small kitchen? - This question worries many owners of such apartments. After all, its area in Khrushchev is only 5-6 m².
To place in it you need a fairly large amount of modern technology, without which it is impossible to imagine modern life. At the same time, the room should remain cozy, comfortable and functional. The task is difficult, but quite feasible. Its successful solution in many respects depends on competent planning, which is called upon to use every centimeter of the room’s space with maximum benefit.
First of all, you should decide whether the kitchen will be used only as a working room for cooking, or whether it will have a dining area. The further choice of furniture, kitchen equipment and the design of the room as a whole depend on this.
Kitchen Zoning
There are some simple tips on how to equip a kitchen (photo below).
Typically, this room is divided into two parts - the cooking area and the dining area. The ideal option is to take the table for eating in another room, for example, in the adjacent living room. In this case, you can use the option of redevelopment of the apartment, removing completely or partially the partition between these rooms. However, this option is not always acceptable. Therefore, the correct division into zones should be considered.
In the working part of the premises must be present:
- place of cooking - stove, microwave, oven and other cooking equipment;
- work surface, that is, the place of preparation of products for cooking;
- sink;
- refrigerator and various wardrobes.
The classic option of placing the dining area in Khrushchev is by the wall adjacent to the entrance, on the side opposite to the working area. But other options are possible. For example, in a square room you can place the dining area by the window in the form of an integrated panel with a folding table in place of the window sill.
Basic layout rules
You should consider the general requirements of how to equip a small kitchen (photo is presented below). The components of the working area should be placed in the following order: stove → work surface → sink → refrigerator. Do not place the refrigerator near a gas stove to avoid overheating.
Household appliances must not be installed close to each other. The distance between the devices should be at least 5 cm. Planning the placement of different devices should be based on the availability of water supply, sewage systems, gas and ventilation communications in appropriate places. Above the future work area, you need to install several outlets and take care of good lighting.
Kitchen Interior
How to equip a small kitchen in Khrushchev, what finishing materials to prefer? It is necessary to proceed not only from aesthetic considerations, but also to take into account the requirements of practicality and safety. Finishing materials for floors, walls and ceilings should be resistant, durable, easy to clean and environmentally friendly. The flooring should also not be slippery.
Since in a small space all the walls are covered with furniture and household appliances, the main emphasis in terms of aesthetic design lies on the kitchen apron. It depends on him appearance and convenience. The task of the kitchen apron is to protect the most contaminated part of the walls, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the stove, water and the desktop.
There are many different materials for this finish. But the most common is ceramic tile. It is easy to clean, resistant to high temperature, mechanical stress. At the same time, ceramic tiles have a rich selection of colors and textures.
However, modern designers do not limit their imagination with just tiles. The following materials are currently used as materials for a kitchen apron:
- plastic in the form of panels made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC);
- special durable glass with various patterns;
- photo tiles decorated with landscapes, archival family photographs or original patterns;
- mirror tiles, which gives the kitchen an incomparable charm, allows you to visually expand the space.
Of these options, preference should be given to mirror surfaces. However, it is worth considering that this material is very difficult to maintain. You have to constantly wash the surface from drops of water and fat, as well as from various prints.
Color schemes
How to equip a small kitchen in the house so that it seems more at least visually? Not the last role in this matter is played by the color scheme. Everyone knows that light colors visually increase the space. Therefore, in a small room, walls and furniture decorated in such colors are preferable. Facades should choose one color, then they will not give the impression of a chaotic pile of objects.
It is desirable to arrange the floor a tone darker than the walls, and pick up the door to match the floor. The ceiling should be the same color with the walls, but much lighter.
No need to deprive yourself of the pleasure of using bright colors and contrasting combinations. It is only necessary to know the measure in their use. Small furniture details in the form of contrasting color spots, bright apron design, floor finish and some furniture details in warm wood tones will enliven the kitchen space and at the same time do not visually clutter it.
Lighting
An important role in solving the issue of how to equip a kitchen of 6 m² is played by lighting. It gives the interior coziness and a sense of comfort. Each part of the space should have its own separate lighting.
In the center of the ceiling you need to install a chandelier of various shapes or several lamps. In addition to them, you need to take care of the illumination of the working area. For this purpose, spotlights, as well as diode tapes, can be used. To illuminate the dining area, you can use any fixtures, in accordance with the overall interior design. It can be wall sconces, etc. Proper lighting should be bright enough, but at the same time soft and unobtrusive.
In daylight, the window should be the light source. Do not use bulky curtains and vertical blinds. Roller blinds or horizontal blinds, a short tulle - quite a design for the window. They do not take up much space and do not prevent light from entering the room.
Furniture selection
When deciding how to equip a kitchen in Khrushchev, it is necessary to carefully select furniture. In this case, you need to be guided by the following rules. Preference should be given to built-in household appliances so that the variety of electrical appliances is hidden by the same facades.
All surfaces must be used efficiently. For example, a window sill can become an additional work surface or a small table for one person. To save space, the doors on the cabinets should not swing open, but should go up. Additional storage locations for utensils can become roof rails. In floor cabinets, instead of traditional shelves, it is more rational to use sliding structures.
When planning how to equip a small kitchen, you need to pay attention to multifunctional furniture. A work table that transforms into a dining room, a cabinet that hides chairs, a horizontal refrigerator that also serves as a dining table are perfect solutions for a small kitchen.
The table can be replaced with a folding or folding design. Instead, you can use a small bar, in extreme cases, use a small round table. Folding furniture can be of help. A dining table with chairs that can be stored on the balcony or in the hallway without taking up scarce space is a great option.
Material selection
Furniture is an important planning step in deciding how to equip a kitchen. To do this, choose light materials with a gloss effect, resistant to aggressive influences and temperature extremes.
It can be countertops made of artificial stone or cheaper coatings made of durable plastic, MDF. Glass and metal surfaces also create the illusion of free space. Glass countertops and doors on the facade blend perfectly with chromed metal parts.
A headset made of natural wood can become a decoration of a room, however this option requires a lot of money and care. Instead of expensive natural wood, you can use veneered MDF that mimics natural material. It is more affordable and much easier to care for.
Furniture arrangement
When deciding how to equip a kitchen, it is worth considering several options for arranging furniture. A classic is its linear arrangement. Sometimes this is the only option in tight spaces. Furniture and appliances are installed along one of the walls, but on the contrary, if there is enough space, the dining area is located. It is advisable to install the refrigerator along with other furniture, but this is not always possible.
L-shaped or angular layout involves the arrangement along the wall with a window and an adjacent surface. Allows you to use the angle at which you usually install the sink and floor cabinet under it. This arrangement of furniture is suitable for a square room.
Parallel planning involves placing the headset in two rows, so it’s not suitable for every room. In this case, there is no room left for the dining area. But if there is an opportunity to take it outside this room, the option may be quite acceptable.
U-shaped layout, in which the furniture occupies three adjacent walls, is the most unfortunate decision. Despite the fact that it allows you to place the maximum possible number of work surfaces, storage systems and household appliances on a small area, the room will look very cramped and there will be no room for a dining table. And only one person can work in here.
Having considered the recommendations of experts on how to equip the kitchen, you can create a successful layout yourself.