A kitchen up to 8-9 square meters is considered small. m. This is not a rare occurrence for apartments in old housing stock.
In Soviet times, a tiny room area, which was mainly intended only for breakfasts and tea parties, was considered the norm. But what was acceptable for an unassuming Soviet citizen in the absence of so many kitchen gadgets, is extremely uncomfortable for a modern person.
Provence style
The main problems that owners of a small kitchen face are the organization of a functional workspace, storage and the allocation of a full-fledged dining area. If you wish and have a well-thought-out project, you can actually fit a refrigerator, oven, dishwasher and even a washing machine on 6-7 squares.
It may seem that for a family with more than 3 people, this is unrealistic. But in fact, a small kitchen is not a reason to be upset. After all, its design can be stylish, functional and practical at the same time. Don't believe me? Our selection of photos of real examples will prove this.
Room tour for a kitchen 6 sq m:
Use every centimeter of space wisely
From the photo of the layout of a small kitchen you can see how easy it is to do everything. It is enough to apply simple tips from designers. However, before ordering a set or purchasing a ready-made option, you need to plan a small space.
Layout of a small kitchen of 6 square meters. m. - this means the correct placement of communications, a minimum of furniture, and the absence of a dining area. Instead, there is a compact bar counter, or a small oval folding table attached to the wall.
Features of kitchens by type: “Khrushchev”, “Stalinka”, “socket”. What should you pay attention to?
A common problem in small apartments is small kitchens. In Russia, this is, as a rule, the old housing stock - Soviet apartments, the so-called “Khrushchev”, “Stalin”, “socket” apartments, in which the kitchen occupies from 4-6 to 9 m². Due to such a limited area, many questions arise regarding its arrangement, for example, how to properly distribute the space, what layout is the most rational, what kind of furniture is best to use, what color to prefer, is the decor appropriate in such a small space, etc.
We will try to give practical advice that will help turn even the smallest and most unpromising kitchen into a cozy and stylish space where it is comfortable not only to cook, but also to spend free time with a cup of tea or a glass of wine.
Let's start on an optimistic note - do you have a small kitchen? So what? Even if it is 4 meters, it is still a separate room!
Professional recommendations will help make it the pride of the apartment, the warmest and most comfortable place in the house. You can easily verify this by looking at these photos.
A few words about the features of kitchen spaces in houses of different years of construction. Despite the fact that kitchens in “Khrushchev”, “Stalinka” and “panelka” buildings are classified as small-sized, it is important to understand that these types of residential buildings have their own characteristics and distinctive features that must be taken into account when developing the design.
Thus, kitchens in “Khrushchev” buildings, five-story apartment buildings of mass construction built in 1960-1985, have a square shape with an area of 4.5 to 6-7 meters with low ceilings - 2.6 meters.
Another feature of the “Khrushchev” apartments is the presence of a gas water heater and a window from the kitchen to the bathroom. The presented photos of modern Khrushchev kitchen interiors demonstrate extraordinary elegance, practicality and comfort.
A feature of other small kitchens in “Stalinka” houses, externally presentable cinder block and brick houses built from the mid-1930s to the early 1960s, are high ceilings, reaching three meters, thick walls, large windows with wide window sills. Although in some projects, on the contrary, the windows are small and narrow.
The area of kitchens varies from 4.5 to 15 m². In “nomenklatura” houses - “Stalin” houses it ranges from 7 to 15 m², in houses of a lower class - from 4.5 to 7 m². There are kitchens with a chimney, a gas water heater and even an internal garbage disposal. There are a lot of interesting options for organizing a small kitchen space in such houses.
Kitchens in typical “socket houses” - houses built from concrete and expanded clay in 1960-1990, as a rule, have a strict rectangular shape and a low ceiling, reaching 2.7 meters. Their area is 6-8 m?. A feature of such kitchens, in most cases, is the presence of a gas water heater and a small storage room located nearby.
Considering the small footage of the kitchen space, most often homeowners attach a pantry to the kitchen, adding an additional 1-2 meters to it. The photos below confirm that a beautiful modern kitchen in an old panel house is quite possible.
Despite the small area and other problems associated with these projects, the given interior options convince us that knowing and following the recommendations for decorating small kitchen spaces can do a miracle and turn the kitchen into a modern, stylish and very cozy corner of your home.
gold standard
There are several options for planning a small kitchen. The gold standard is to arrange furniture so that everything you need for cooking is within walking distance, directly at hand. The sink, work surface and hob should be placed on the same line.
Storage niches should also be placed in this part of the kitchen. Wall drawers in a small kitchen should be ordered in sizes up to the ceiling.
Corner furniture arrangement
The layout of a small kitchen in a Khrushchev-era building also involves a corner arrangement of furniture and appliances. You should place a sink in the corner space and hang a corner cabinet up to the ceiling at eye level.
Below under the sink it is worth placing retractable niches for detergents, rags, sponges, brushes, everything that is necessary for cleaning and cleaning surfaces. You can also install a trash can here.
Storage ideas. Everything will fit!
1. Increase the height of the top drawers to 90 cm (standard 72 cm). You will have an extra shelf in each drawer. Example of a kitchen with 90 cm drawers
2. Install carousel shelves in the corner drawers, and special baskets in the lower and upper modules. The disadvantage of use is the high cost of the mechanisms;
A module with a basket can be of different dimensions in width and height, its capacity depends on this.
3. Rails with hooks. They help optimize the cooking process, since everyday items and spices for dishes are placed here.
The rails are fixed to the apron and filled with various fasteners at your personal discretion. The length of the railing can be any.
4. An additional tier of drawers (almost at floor level) will allow you to place some products and items.
What should be in a small kitchen, and what should you get rid of?
Only necessary appliances and furniture should be installed here. If you are planning a small kitchen with a refrigerator, it is better to place it on the side opposite the stove. And yet, if it is possible to place a refrigerator in the hallway, you need to do it. In a small kitchen space there must be a sink, a stove, and a countertop.
If space allows, on the opposite side of the work area, it is advisable to place a cabinet or table for storage, on which to install a microwave or other household appliances necessary in the kitchen.
How beautiful and practical can you design a work apron?
Special attention should be paid to the design of the working wall - the apron located above the sink, stove and countertop. This kitchen wall is perhaps the most important. It must be particularly resistant to high temperatures and excessive moisture.
In addition, this zone is not only constantly in view, but also often acts as an accent element of the interior.
Therefore, when talking about the features of its design, it is necessary to take into account not only the quality characteristics of the facing materials, but also its compliance with the chosen style. Today, designers offer many interesting options for designing a backsplash, for example, covering it with ceramic tiles, natural and artificial stone, wood, and brick. Interesting options for tiling with patterns.
Mirror aprons
Interesting options for a working wall lined with glass. In this case, a tempered type of glass is used, which is much stronger than usual, does not scratch, and is not afraid of sunlight or temperature changes.
The design of such an apron can be monochromatic, imitating any other materials or containing photo prints. It's very stylish and original.
A kitchen apron with a mosaic composition looks impressive
No less interesting are wall options with mirror mosaics
Of course, all recommendations are very conditional. In any case, you need to build on your own financial capabilities and preferences; fortunately, the range of materials today is quite wide.
If there is access to a balcony from a small kitchen
This is an excellent layout, since utensils, vegetables, fruits in boxes can be stored on the balcony. It’s also worth ordering a cabinet up to the ceiling or putting a mezzanine on it. Niches and shelves can successfully accommodate pots, pans, jars of pickles, and canned food.
You can specially organize storage systems in such a space. On sale there are always special boxes, sections, baskets, retractable structures in which it is easy to place small things and larger items.
What not to do
In a small kitchen, a U-shaped layout or a large dining table in the middle of the room is undesirable for any furniture arrangement. These solutions will “steal” useful space and will not make it possible to make the kitchen cozy and ergonomic. A linear layout and a minimum of items in the so-called free zone are preferable.
It is advisable to avoid decor and floor decorations as much as possible. It is also important to avoid large, roughly designed furniture for the kitchen, so it is better not to use Provence (rustic), Baroque, and Gothic styles when decorating a tiny kitchen.
What style should you use to decorate the interior?
When choosing a style for a kitchen in a private home, the area of the room, the layout and its features are taken into account. The main thing is to choose the right furniture, decoration and decorative elements.
Provence and country
These are rustic trends that are most often found in private homes. They are characterized by restrained tones, furniture made of light cherry and oak wood, an abundance of textiles, and many different little things for decoration.
Provencal interior
Provence is a direction that originated in France. There are no fussy elements and the furniture is aged, reminiscent of the charm of the French countryside. The colors are discreet - white, sand, pale blue, brown. Textiles with thematic prints - flowers, rural motifs. Finishing is made only from natural materials - plaster, stone, brick. A feature of the styles is the ceiling wooden beams.
The effect of windows and curtains decorated in French style enhances the effect. A wooden varnished table, decorated in a rustic style, will perfectly complement the interior.
Handmade jewelry, baskets, salt shakers, porcelain toys are used for decoration. Bunches of garlic are stirred under the ceiling, and herbariums of dried leaves are used to create a tranquil environment. The windows are decorated with linen curtains, and clay dishes are placed on the window sills. All the furniture has scuffs - it looks as if it is many decades old. If possible, household appliances are hidden in the facades so as not to go out of style. You can lay homemade rugs on the floor, which will add not only style, but also comfort.
Country style
Classic
The classic direction is also popular in the interior design of kitchens in private homes. Wood panels, wallpaper, laminate, parquet, and ceramic tiles are used for finishing. Marble or granite countertops, stained glass doors, whitewashed ceiling with stucco or standard stretch fabric.
Classic interior
Classic presupposes symmetry and clear lines, so furniture is arranged in an angular or linear manner. Household appliances are built into the facades of the set. Natural wood is used for furniture - Karelian birch, Carpathian beech, walnut, pine. In a spacious kitchen you can use dark colors, but in a small kitchen it is better to use white, beige, ash, and cream.
Furniture includes a dining table in the shape of a circle or oval, chairs with high backs and leather inserts on the seats. Often in the classic style you can find a sideboard, a buffet, a chest of drawers and a fireplace. The windows are decorated with draped curtains with a lambrequin, the color matching the base color of the design.
Ecostyle
The ecological style contains warm wooden shades, which are perfectly reflected by natural wood. The floor can also be made of stone or tiles. It’s good if the kitchen in a private house has large windows through which enough natural light comes in, since energy-saving lamps are not suitable for this style. The cooking area is decorated with mosaics, glass or wood panels.
Ecostyle
Accents include flowers in stone or ceramic pots, compositions made of shells and stones, the walls are decorated with photo wallpapers with natural motifs, the floors are woven rugs, the windows are bamboo blinds, and wooden dishes are placed on the table.
Abundance of wood in eco-style
Loft
The loft style is suitable for those who prioritize originality rather than comfort. The main colors in the design are brown, gray, black, blue. The highlight of the interior will be open communications, concrete and brick walls, high ceilings with massive beams.
American loft
Only in the loft style can you find unusual chandeliers made from bottles, abstract statues and graffiti on the walls. All furniture looks like equipment from the factory.
Is it possible to organize a dining space in a small room?
Designers recommend creating a small eating area in a small kitchen. However, such a space will be very laconic. For example, it is worth ordering a folding surface in the form of a table or bar counter.
The structure should fold, freeing up usable space. It is worth remembering that such a table can only accommodate two people at a time.
The dining area can also be equipped near the window by expanding and strengthening the window sill, or by attaching a small tabletop to it.
Color selection
It is best to choose a light color, from white to light brown, which will make the room expressive. Designers advise using all shades of gray and smooth lines. This gives the appearance beauty and elegance, aristocracy and gallantry.
Gloss is a good choice because it reflects light well. Only small images can be used. In this case, large-scale decorations and patterns are strictly unacceptable.
Decorating a small kitchen
In a small kitchen space, it is most beneficial to use a minimalist style, or prefer a classic design option. It is important that the materials for the walls, ceiling, and floors are in light colors. It is not forbidden to play with contrast by ordering a set with bright facades and a more restrained tone of the ends. Moreover, the design of the walls can be cream, olive, soft peach, depending on the color scheme of the furniture.
The kitchen apron can also be contrasting, but it is advisable that it be combined with other decorative items.
When decorating a small kitchen, designers recommend combining just a couple of tones. These are contrasting: black and white, red with vanilla, delicate olive with bright yellow or green, blue with white, dark gray with cream, soft apricot with brown or dark beige.
Monochrome is also held in high esteem, but you shouldn’t do everything in an exceptionally light or boiling white shade, so as not to create the impression of a medical laboratory in the kitchen. It is advisable to “dilute” light shades with bright decorative items, household appliances with a silver body.
Finishing floors, walls and ceilings
The choice of materials should be taken carefully. Their quality affects the service life of the repair, and their appearance is responsible for the atmosphere. It is important to take into account the operating features of a small room.
The floor in the kitchen should be wear-resistant, easy to clean, and resistant to moisture. It is important that the surface does not slip. The specified criteria correspond to: porcelain tiles, vinyl, linoleum, laminate, tiles. You can make a self-leveling floor with the inclusion of polymers.
To prevent a small area from looking divided into separate sections, the coating should consist of large, monochromatic elements of a light color and laconic design.
The walls of a small room are decorated using moisture-resistant materials. Plastic panels, fiberglass, latex or acrylic paint, and vinyl wallpaper stand up well to tests of temperature changes, water. To protect the area above the sink and countertop from grease and dirty splashes, tempered tinted glass and ceramic tiles are used.
To decorate the ceiling in the kitchen, a painting method or stretched fabric is suitable. The surface is perfectly smooth and straight, so as not to reduce the height of the room. From this point of view, it is inappropriate to use suspended plastic panels and drywall.
More light
In a small kitchen, it is advisable to make bright ceiling lighting, but do not hang a bulky chandelier or lamp, but install small LED lights or a large lampshade in the middle part of the ceiling. Additionally, it is worth illuminating the workspace and sink.
Window decoration
Curtains in the kitchen should not only perform an aesthetic function, but also be safe in terms of fire, non-staining, easy to wash, and clean off dirt and soot. For window draping in this room, you should choose curtains made of light fabric, or short curtains, up to the length of the window sill.
It is advisable to order vertical blinds for the kitchen with fabric slats impregnated with a specialized composition that protects against fading and moisture.
Horizontal blinds or structures with vertical plastic slats are good in such a space. Manufacturers produce them in a wide range of colors. Shades - from delicate light to dark, rich. You need to choose depending on the overall tone of the kitchen design.
Photo of a small kitchen
Category: Kitchen
