The kitchen has long been not only a place where food is prepared, but also a cozy room for chatting with friends or gathering with the whole family. Each hostess presents her in her own way. But what types of kitchens actually exist, and how to correctly design your own so that it is truly comfortable and convenient in it?
Types of kitchen layout
Planning is a rather complicated issue, which often causes controversy. Everyone sees it in their own way and to come to a universal option is very difficult. It’s good if the dimensions of the room allow you to experiment freely. And if the kitchenette is small, then you won’t especially run away. Consider the basic requirements for the design of the premises and workspace.
- The rule of the golden triangle (in our case, it is made up of a stove, a refrigerator and a sink, which should be located nearby).
- The distance from the stove to any work surface should be at least 40 cm.
- An ideal place for a refrigerator is a corner.
- The location of the sink is determined first. And then the rest of the layout.
This is with regards to the rules for creating a comfortable working area. Now consider the main types of kitchen layout.
- Corner (L-shaped). A universal option for both large and small rooms, but it is still preferable in rooms with an area of 8 square meters. m. This layout allows you to easily place all the necessary equipment and provide a sufficient number of jobs. Not suitable for narrow rooms.
- Linear (along the wall). Ideal for small kitchens, but does not leave much choice for the installation of equipment. Only the necessary minimum.
- Parallel (two rows). This option is used only in large kitchens, which are a walk-through (through) room, so we will not focus much on it.
- Circular (U-shaped). This layout is well suited for rooms ranging in size from 12 square meters. m and more. It is very convenient in terms of organizing the workspace, but you will have to fantasize well with the dining area.
- Island. Only suitable for kitchens larger than 16 square meters. m. In fact, this is a linear layout with a small extension (island) separately, the dimensions of which can vary from 1 to 2 meters in length.
- Peninsular. This option is well known as a kitchen with a breakfast bar. It looks like an island, only the "island" here is part of the main kitchen.
Zoning
Unfortunately, in an apartment it is rarely given the opportunity to separate the working area for cooking from the dining area. Increasingly, there are options when the kitchen is combined with the living room and divided into zones using various methods.
Furniture zoning is the easiest and most convenient option. It is enough to visually separate the kitchen and the room with a small cupboard, shelves or at least a sofa so that the borders of the territory are visible, but the room remains solid and free.
Zoning using partitions is a more time-consuming method, because it requires a little repair and installation of the partition. Usually it is made of drywall with a height of 70 to 120 cm. There is no sense in doing it above, since the "transparency" of the room is lost.
Zoning with the help of light is a very controversial technique, which requires an appeal to a specialist. You yourself are unlikely to be able to correctly arrange the lighting. As a rule, a brighter light is installed in the working area, and an additional chandelier is hung above the dining room (ideally movable so that it can be lowered above the table).
Zoning with podiums and ceilings is the most expensive of all options, which implies the quality work of specialists. Using the podium (raising the floor), you can separate the working area from the dining area, and different ceiling heights can create the effect of separate rooms.
Design and theme
Of course, every housewife makes out the kitchen to her taste. There are many design options using various topics. We will consider the main types of kitchen styles that are popular always and everywhere. Of course, everyone can choose their own design. But before you decide, evaluate your capabilities and budget, think about the location of furniture in the room, see which types of kitchens are right for you, it is better to show the photos of the options you especially liked to the designer in order to create the perfect kitchen together.
Classic kitchen
Strict and clear lines, restrained and unobtrusive shades, high functionality and rationality. Such a kitchen will last for many years and will never go out of style. But even the classics are different. Each designer uses different types of kitchen finishes. All types of classic kitchens involve the use of natural materials. Wooden cabinet doors, handles, walnut or oak finish. Especially appreciated are kitchens made in black or dark brown. As a rule, classics are monotonous, occasionally discreet drawings on textiles are used.
Country style
It is rustic, very popular lately and is suitable for rooms of any size. If we talk about home-style kitchen designs, then country is perhaps the most comfortable option. Light and warm shades, natural materials remotely resemble the classics. However, decorations on furniture and the addition of paintings to various accessories make this style recognizable and unique. Even light scuffs and artificial antiquity look so harmonious here that it is difficult to imagine this kitchen different.
Modern kitchen or hi-tech
And this is the exact opposite of country style. There are no natural materials and the ball is controlled by glass, metal and modern technology. As a rule, all types of kitchens in this style are made in two contrasting colors using clear lines and ideal proportions. The main disadvantage of this design is its high cost. And the types of kitchen facades are not suitable for everyone here.
Provence
We examined the main types of cuisine, but this is far from all. There is, for example, a direction such as Provence. These are soft light shades, delicate and elegant furniture, a variety of fabrics and an abundance of domestic plants. Thanks to these trifles, such types of modern cuisine are very cozy and comfortable.
Additional design
Finishing is selected based on design and capabilities. But it is worth remembering that in the design it is important to pay attention not only to the materials from which the kitchen and furniture are made, but also to details, such as curtains, lamps and lamps, various accessories, whether it be a basket with artificial fruits or a vase of flowers. Each such trifle creates comfort in the kitchen and allows you to work without irritation even for a long time in a row.
Kitchen Supplies
When ordering furniture, it is important to consider all the details. Carefully read what types of kitchen materials a manufacturer can offer, because it depends on how much time it will serve you. There are many options:
- natural materials (MDF, particleboard, solid wood);
- semi-natural (MDF coated with PVC);
- artificial (plastic, metal).
The choice depends not only on the size of the wallet, but also on what design you have chosen, because all types of kitchens have their own unique selection criteria for the material.
Furnishings
In addition to the working area, stove and refrigerator, it is extremely important to think about how to arrange the rest of the furniture. Dining area, extra tables, high chair - all this must be determined in advance in its place.
Small kitchens use small square tables and several (2-3) chairs that are easy to slide in. If the area allows, you can install a large round table in the center. In any case, it is important that the furniture not only harmoniously fit into the design, but also be comfortable.
Kitchen appliances
Any kitchen requires the availability of equipment. For example, a hi-tech will fit both a dishwasher and a modern electric kettle and microwave. But the classic requires some restraint, so it is unlikely that a multi-colored trash can or a bright pink plate will be appropriate. Otherwise, there are no restrictions, because modern technology is so diverse in performance that it fits all the main types of cuisine.
Proper lighting
Lighting is a very important part of the design. Firstly, it is necessary to think over the location of the fixtures in advance to make wiring, since not all types of kitchens require any changes in this regard. Here are some tips to help avoid mistakes when choosing kitchen lighting.
- Plan the location of fixtures and sockets in advance, but not before the kitchen design project is ready. This is important, because the lamps should be clearly above the working areas, but above the stove in additional light is not necessary.
- One lamp in the whole kitchen is the biggest mistake. Of course, in Soviet times this was considered enough, but today progress has stepped far forward. Of course, overhead lighting must be present, but it is imperative that there are additional light sources for work areas.
- The inability to adjust the light is also a blunder. Think of your design so that you have the opportunity to turn on the lighting separately, for example, only above a table or work area. This will also help save on electricity bills.
How to create the perfect kitchen? Advice
An ideal kitchen is not only a beautiful design, but also a convenience. Therefore, it is important to take into account all the nuances during the creation of the project.
- See which types of kitchens are right for you. You can get photos of various layouts from the designer or look at thematic resources.
- Discuss in advance important points for you, for example, where you want to place the refrigerator or close any wall defect.
- Think about what kitchen appliances you plan to install, because not only the size and layout of the kitchen set, but also the number and location of outlets depends on this. It will be sad if the kettle or oven is left without electricity, right?
- Remember the rule of the golden triangle. All the most necessary items should be nearby, ideally at arm's length. That is, standing at the sink, you must go straight to the cupboard, in which plates and mugs are drying, and also to the stove on which the soup boils.
- If you have a small kitchen area, do not clutter it with various accessories and massive furniture. But competent lighting and color selection will help to visually expand the room and create the illusion of spaciousness.
- Many neglect the hood above the stove, believing that it only clutters the space and does not bear any benefit. And in vain, because it is very important. The first is getting rid of odors and temperature. Secondly, it increases the service life of the kitchen, because together with the steam, particles of fat also rise up, which are very difficult to wash off surfaces, especially old ones.
- Do not install the TV in the kitchen. Of course, many housewives are now outraged. After all, after a hard day, you have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen to cook dinner for the family and make preparations for breakfast. Why not combine business with pleasure? In fact, the TV not only distracts from cooking, but also from the dinner itself. It has long been proven that the simultaneous viewing of programs or films and eating is a direct path to disruption of the gastrointestinal tract and, as a result, to obesity. Watching cartoons during meals for children is especially dangerous, because you provoke a change in eating behavior in them from an early age.
Now you know what the different types of cuisine are called, and these simple tips will help you create a truly perfect one that will last for many years and will delight the eye. For a good housewife, it is important that everything is at hand, and warmth and comfort reigned in the house. It is much nicer to drink tea in a comfortable kitchen with your family than in front of the TV in the living room.