Surely you have already heard about the niche kitchen. But does everyone know what she represents? Kitchen niche - what is it? This is a space that is not separated by walls.
A niche in the kitchen can become the highlight of your interior, becoming both a decorative and functional space.
It helps to visually make the room larger. It should be noted that recently such options have begun to become popular not only in apartments, but also in private homes.
Kitchen niche: interior design options
This is an additional room that can be used for cooking, but there is no dining area. There must be a stove and a hood. Often, such kitchens are designed in new one-room apartments, so as not to separate the living part of the room from the kitchen.
The kitchen, located in the studio, also belongs to the category of niches.
It can be completely windowless. Most often, new buildings are already built with a niche, but in old-style houses you will have to do redevelopment. In order to remove the partition, you need to develop a project and contact the housing inspector. It can be installed in absolutely any part of the apartment - corridor, storage room, living room.
A kitchen with a niche is a great option for those when there is little space, but there is so much of everything.
Noise level in the room: requirements
The kitchen, which is combined with the living room, should be quiet. In our time, these requirements can be met by using high-quality equipment: a dishwasher and a washing machine, which have a “night mode” function. But with a range hood the situation is different: even the most expensive options produce a hum.
You can zone the kitchen space, “dampening” excess noise, by installing a glass partition.
Another interesting design option is installing an opaque sliding door. This option is especially relevant if you want to protect your kitchen niche from prying eyes.
What is a niche
A niche is a design phenomenon that many people have heard about, but few have any idea what it exactly is. There are a large number of photos on the Internet that will help you understand what it is.
So what is it: a kitchen set in a new way, new cabinets, a kitchen front in a studio kitchen?
The advantage of a studio is that it can be located in any part of the apartment. But do not forget that you will have to coordinate all the redevelopment, especially if you live in a high-rise building and not in a private house.
If space allows, then almost the entire cabinet and cooking area can be recessed into the existing niche.
Design tips
When arranging a kitchen-living room with an area of 40 square meters, it is important to understand that there is enough space for both a harmonious interior and for redundant solutions, which often happen when planning the space independently
All furniture should be proportional to the area of the functional area. That is, only having distributed the space between all the necessary areas, you can start furnishing
When choosing furniture, it is important to take into account not only personal wishes: models that are too large or small will look strange. For example, if you install narrow walls 40 cm wide in a living room, they should occupy the entire wall, only then such designs will be harmonious in relation to a large space.
At 40 m, neoclassical and classic look harmonious and natural, but we should not forget that these styles are built symmetrically
But modernity - a smooth and fluid design - does not accept any symmetry at all. Chaotic lines are more appropriate here. In such cases, it is better to abandon eclecticism and choose a canonical design.
The room should be zoned in clear ways so that the composition is harmonious and truly cozy. Rarely does anyone really love completely free space without any partitions.
Any interior should be individualized - do not be afraid to include things that are non-standard for the style that you simply like. But you shouldn’t get carried away.
In the photo there is a living room with a workplace combined with a kitchen.
Advantages and disadvantages
A significant advantage is that it can visually increase space. This is an excellent solution for small apartments. This will help save space that would have been used to build walls and doors. It will allow you to cook food and at the same time watch what is happening in the living room, communicate with your family and watch TV in the living room.
The niche allows you to successfully hide the hood, so very often a stove is placed in it.
Stylish and original solution. But you shouldn’t keep silent about the shortcomings. The first negative point is that unpleasant odors will spread throughout the apartment. Especially if there is no good hood. The same applies to sound insulation. In addition, such a kitchen requires much more attention, otherwise the living room will lose its appearance after a short period of time.
The niche can be used to define part of the work area and kitchen cabinets.
Varieties
The entire kitchen is like a separate niche in the interior
The kitchen is a room that must meet certain requirements, and we do not have the right to rebuild it without permission. Arrangement in other rooms also requires approval. Each kitchen should be equipped with a stove, sink, refrigerator and other useful devices for cooking.
The niche can accommodate all the appliances that are necessary for cooking, frying, baking, and so on.
In the wall
Lately it has been in demand. This option is a practical and stylish solution. You can not only save space, but also make the kitchen a real decoration of your interior.
If the recess in the wall is deep, then the “hot” cooking zone - the stove and work surfaces - is completely located in such a recess.
Near the car wash
In this case, it is located behind the sink and does not interfere with the integrity of the space. Cabinets are designed to store various kitchen appliances.
A small recessed kitchen is a great option for small spaces. The kitchen niche will be both aesthetic and functional.
Under the window
This type is also called the Khrushchev refrigerator. An original solution that will save space and add something new to the familiar interior.
Quite often, corner sets are used for equipment, where an electric or gas stove is located in one corner, and a sink or sink in the other.
Types of layouts
For small kitchens, a corner layout in the shape of the letter “L” is suitable. The set is installed along two adjacent walls. The corner layout provides maximum space for preparing dishes: spacious worktops are much more convenient. Large household appliances are stored in floor cabinets, small dishes and textiles are placed in hanging cabinets. The corner is equipped with retractable structures that contain glasses, cutlery, and food.
Another option for planning a kitchen in a panel house is a direct linear arrangement. The furniture is located along one wall. To increase the working space, roof rails, plinths, and built-in household appliances are used. The advantage of the layout is its compactness: such a set will fit even in the smallest area. The standard length of a kitchen is about 2.5 meters.
A well-organized dining area will help increase the free space. For example, an oval table takes up little space and can accommodate at least 3-4 people. If there is very little space, install bar counters or transforming tabletops.
Kitchen corners with built-in drawers where kitchen utensils are stored are used as seats. In addition, they are comfortable to sit on. If the family consists of 2-3 people, then use bar stools or compact stools.
Features of the interior design of a small kitchen
When organizing a small space, we recommend taking a closer look at common techniques and methods that visually enlarge the space and add freshness and comfort:
- Use light colors and their shades in the design. These can be white, pink, beige, milky, olive colors. The more light accents, the better.
- Use windows as the main source of lighting, especially if they face south.
- Don't forget about artificial light. Build a multi-level lighting system.
- Use mirror and glass surfaces for decoration: due to their ability to reflect light, they visually enlarge the kitchen.
- For finishing, choose high-quality and environmentally friendly materials - wood, stone, veneer, multiplex, aluminum.
- Think through storage systems in advance. Use a niche under the window, ledges, or hanging structures as additional places.
- Do not use dark colors or large drawings in the decoration of walls.
- Vertical lines in the design make the kitchen appear larger. This could be a pattern on the wallpaper or tall shelving with open shelves.
- A kitchen with a niche in the corner is an excellent solution for storing dishes and other utensils. The design of a kitchen with a niche can be anything: classic, hi-tech, minimalism.
How to decorate a niche in the wall in the kitchen
Often found in panel buildings is a niche in the wall in the kitchen. Very often it spoils the appearance of the apartment, but we offer several options on how you can successfully beat it.
- Covering it with drywall is a method that does not require special skills. You will get a perfectly flat wall, for which kitchen furniture will be designed in the future.
- You can also place a refrigerator in it and thereby save a large amount of free space.
- Many people make a safe in it, where they keep their savings.
- You can place small household appliances - stove, microwave, multicooker and more. You can place a small “plasma” on it, and the housewife can watch an interesting video while cooking.
Just like the hood and stove, you can slide any kitchen appliances into the niche. This honor is often given to the refrigerator - the most bulky object in the kitchen.
Useful tips for arranging a kitchen with a niche
We offer you several options on how you can improve the familiar appearance of kitchen niches.
Near the sink can be used for drying and storing dishes. To do this, you need to place shelves. In addition, it can be used to store various decorative elements - figurines, frames, clocks, flower pots and flowerpots.
To ensure that the kitchen space does not look gloomy and dark, its design should be approached with special care.
In what styles can you decorate kitchen niches and kitchen niches?
Many people think about how to arrange it in such a way that it is not an unnecessary element, but brings benefits. You can do it yourself or with the help of a professional.
You can make a whole combination in a niche - in the same place as the refrigerator, place an oven and add cabinets and shelves to the space.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with the most common design styles.
Country
Country is a style that looks natural and harmonious, but at the same time is distinguished by accuracy and smooth lines. This kitchen will resemble a cute country house. An excellent addition to such a kitchen would be embroidery, clay pots, wicker baskets, and painted plates.
You don’t have to combine them, but put your own equipment, cabinet, table or decor in each separate niche.
Other styles
The kitchen niche can be made in other styles. For example, in a classic style. First of all, this is a practical option. It should be a contrasting element. Often in the classic version you can see an arch.
They use furniture with drawers, folding or pull-out tabletops and cabinets up to the ceiling, which visually increase the volume of space.
Modern style is the best option for those who do not want to adapt to any framework. Bright colors, contrasting colors, a combination of bright decorative elements - all this is characteristic of the modern style. In this case, it is also possible to install it in the most unpredictable places - for example, under the ceiling itself.
The kitchen niche in the living room should be sufficiently ventilated. This is due to safety requirements, being an important factor determining the comfort of apartment residents.
Increased space
Before you begin renovating and designing a small kitchen in a standard nine-story building, you need to maximize the area of the room using any available additional corners. It is very good if there is a storage room or niche next to the kitchen (they are often found in apartments of a panel house). They must be completely dismantled and attached to the area. If this is not possible, you need to make the most of the opening by placing a refrigerator, some furniture sections or shelves there. The old heating system with massive cast iron radiators, typical of panel houses, is being replaced with a new modern one. Such a replacement will both visually and actually increase the space and make the design more airy.
If there is a neighboring loggia, it is possible to significantly increase the size of a 7-meter room, a kitchen of 9 meters or more. To do this, it is necessary to dismantle the balcony door completely or partially. When completely dismantled, the space continues to the windows facing the street. In this case, it will be necessary to demolish the vertical part of the wall, the area under the window sill. For such redevelopment of an apartment in a panel house (as in any other) you will need permission from the relevant authorities, since the heating battery will have to be extended using welding work. During partial dismantling, only the balcony or block with a window is demolished. A window sill can become a bar counter and replace a dining table.
Combined kitchen module in place of the former window sill
The boundaries of a small space will visually expand if you abandon the door in favor of an arch
If you have an electric stove, you can remove the kitchen door and replace it with a decorative arch. If a gas stove is installed in the apartment of a panel house, the door cannot be demolished. A reasonable solution would be to replace it with an accordion folding one or (if space allows for the rollers to move along the rails) a sliding one.
Kitchens in panel houses, photos of which are also presented on our website, as a rule, do not have a full-fledged dining area. Due to the small number of meters, it was originally planned as a place for a small family to eat. To receive guests, you need to take care of additional space. This is possible if the kitchen in a panel house is redesigned and turned into a studio or if the next room is used.
Features of creating niche lighting
If it is located directly under the window, then you can do without additional lighting in the work area. Some design styles also do not provide lighting in the kitchen work area.
According to hygienic requirements, the realm of cooking must be exposed to sunlight.
But in many cases, the correct placement of lighting turns the kitchen into a real work of art. It is with the help of backlighting that you can achieve the desired light and highlight all the bright details.
Additional cabinets and shelves that can be arranged in niches will create new places for storing various dishes and utensils.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with the intricacies of lighting.
- If you decide to add additional lighting in the kitchen, make sure that it is not too bright, because working in such light will be uncomfortable.
- An excellent option are spotlights. They can be positioned in completely different ways.
Proper air circulation should reduce the penetration of unpleasant odors, for example, as a result of frying in the kitchen recess, which is located in the living room.
- Choose the color scheme of light at your discretion.
- Using color you can achieve the desired effect.
If you have a kitchen niche, it is worth installing an additional hood, for example, a hood, which will contribute to improved ventilation.
- If the niche is decorated with paintings, then in this case you cannot do without additional light.
For safety reasons and for greater comfort of residents, kitchen work areas should be well lit.
How to use a niche in the kitchen
It can be used in completely different ways. First of all, a niche kitchen is an interesting design solution that can be used in an original way. Many people still use it for practical purposes, because in small apartments every square meter is very important. We invite you to consider several options for using a kitchen niche.
- If it is too narrow and only allows you to hide communications, then it can simply be sewn up with drywall. In this case, there is no need to order special furniture, because if you have smooth walls, you can place absolutely any kitchen set.
An excellent solution is to install under-cabinet kitchen lighting that will work regardless of the ceiling.
- You can make a safe in a small niche. In this case, you will use the space profitably, and at the same time, such a safe will not attract the attention of strangers. In order to disguise it, we suggest that you use the same wall coverings for finishing as throughout the kitchen. There is no need to focus on it in this case. The handle can be made in the form of a hook on which a kitchen towel will hang. Not a single thief will guess where your savings are hidden.
Placing a refrigerator is quite a complex process. You can save a lot of space by choosing a tall or narrow model.
- If you are lucky enough to become the owner of a large niche, then you can place a refrigerator in it. If communications are located in it, then they will have to be moved to another room. After this, the refrigerator can be placed in a niche, and all the kitchen furniture next to it.
Under-cabinet lighting provides an interesting decorative element and can also illuminate a countertop or stovetop.
With the right layout, the kitchen will become the highlight of your apartment. On the Internet you can find a large number of interesting solutions, but do not forget that you need to equip your apartment in such a way that you like it first of all!
An interesting layout idea that can be used in a recess is to paint one of the walls a dark color.
Color spectrum
The most popular colors:
- White. Stylish white color is always relevant. This design increases the space, fills it with air and spaciousness, and due to the peculiar refraction of light, it looks completely different in daylight and nightlight.
- Green. Natural and natural colors, due to their naturalness and freshness, are considered the most successful choice for small spaces.
- Gray. It is an aesthetic design solution, which, due to the competent preparation of shade schemes and color combinations, becomes a rather original and ergonomic design of the kitchen area.
- Pink. This coloring visually increases the dimensions of the room and pieces of furniture, without weighing down or overloading the space.
- White and wooden. Allows you to fill the atmosphere with calm, coziness, comfort and homeliness and make it truly elegant and light.
The photo shows the design of a green kitchen located in a niche.
The color scheme is a very important criterion that requires special attention. A wide variety of shades are used for decoration, giving different effects.
The photo shows the interior of the apartment and a niche with a kitchen made in white.
