A small kitchen is not a death sentence. On the contrary, it is cozy, comfortable and beautiful. But you need to try to ensure that, in addition to these characteristics, it is also multifunctional and spacious. Be sure to think through everything down to the smallest detail: where the spoons, forks and knives will be, where the stove will be, whether there will be closers on the cabinet doors.
To some, this task will seem creepy and impossible, but in reality everything is not so scary - the main thing is that this requires observation - it will open all possible horizons.
Maybe you want your kitchen to be in a modern style? Or maybe you decide to limit yourself to minimalism? Please!
And to develop your observational skills, we offer you some interesting ideas for original and bright solutions.
Features of modern style
The modern style is considered inexpensive and easiest to implement. It is perfect for a small space - a minimum of bulky decorations, a maximum of useful functions, a monochromatic color scheme. All this plays into your hands when planning a small kitchen.
How to arrange a small kitchen in modern style - choose for yourself. But there are a few important little things that are best observed - they will help you expand the space.
- use light colors;
- increase the amount of light, use all possible natural and artificial lighting;
- choose no more than two or three colors and one accent in the palette, this way you can avoid pretentiousness, and the range will not hurt your eyes;
- the colors of the furniture should match the color of the walls;
- An interesting solution would be glass or plastic furniture. It will create a feeling of lightness and will “float” in space;
- choose cabinets in the ceiling - firstly, they will be very spacious, and secondly, they will save you time on cleaning;
- In the layout of the room, you can also provide space for transformable furniture - for example, folding tables and chairs;
- It is preferable to leave the windows undecorated. In a pinch, blinds or Roman shades will look good;
In addition, during planning you can use some features of the “minimalism” style: buy built-in household appliances, choose geometric patterns and a minimum of decorative elements. This will make the kitchen more useful and convenient to use.
Or you can, on the contrary, use the Art Nouveau style: original accessories, metal, mirrors.
Headset placement options
If you are planning a narrow kitchen, then the only option for preserving free space would be to use large niches and built-in drawers, where both equipment and equipment are stored. Often a refrigerator is also installed in a niche.
The height of the set can take up the entire space up to the ceiling, and, if possible, the drawers should open upward and not to the side.
A folding table is placed in such a small area so that after lunch you can partially fold it and free up space. As for the refrigerator, it does not need to be installed against the door or close to the wall, since its door, when open, can hit the wall or interfere with the passage. The best place is near the window in the corner.
A U-shaped kitchen allows you to create optimal space for working and storing utensils. L-shaped is also a good option if the sink is on one side and the stove on the other.
As for the space in the middle, this design is more useful for large kitchens where the units are placed around the perimeter of the room. It can be located at a distance from the work triangle, providing seating and additional storage space for instruments. If you have a kitchen of 6 square meters, you won’t be able to run wild with your imagination. Somewhere you have to make room, part with something.
When placing the refrigerator, you need to make sure that it is not next to the wall, as this will limit the opening to 90 degrees. Do not place equipment near the oven or stove, as such a position will affect the efficiency of work.
When installing such large appliances, you should make sure that there is enough working space between the hob and the sink.
One of the more modern design ideas is the use of a built-in refrigerator with drawers. From the outside it is impossible to immediately understand what these actually are - departments for storing dishes or drawers for food. The total capacity of such a unit is 170 liters. It includes 2 outer drawers and an inner one.
If you have a small space in a compact room, this will be a great kitchen design idea with a minimum number of squares.
Color, pattern and accessories
The interior of a small kitchen can be well enhanced with the help of color and pattern. There are many different bright ideas for narrowing or expanding a space, so the choice of palette plays an important role.
When decorating small spaces, it is better not to choose dark colors - they will burden the space and make people feel despondent.
A good idea would be white, beige, cream, peach, olive, and gray shades.
At your own peril and risk, you can experiment: add contrasting or bright colors, focusing attention on them. But remember that such colors will not always be appropriate: for example, a red spot on a white background will narrow the space.
In addition, a smooth surface coated with gloss will add space - it reflects light and seems to make the walls move away. If you decide to add a pattern, then only a small one.
If you nevertheless decide to add accessories to your renovation, then remember that they should also have some useful functions: for example, a decorative apron will attract attention, an interesting clock will show the time. Well, or if you really want, you can hang a picture.
Monochrome kitchens are at the peak of popularity - it seems that the set does not exist, there is only a space of color. The accent will be a refrigerator or other household appliances. And voila - your interior design seems out-of-this-world!
Textile
Regardless of the size of the kitchen, hanging large, heavy curtains in it is simply unacceptable! They absorb odors, quickly become dirty and, finally, are easily flammable.
To protect a room from the sun, light tulle or thick dark curtains are often used, hung with a thin border like a visor.
A universal idea would be blinds or thin curtains made of bamboo that are assembled into a roll. Or you can hang Roman blinds - they fit like skin over the windows and keep the sun out.
But if the choice nevertheless fell on ordinary curtains, it is better to choose products made from synthetic materials rather than natural fabrics: they are easier to care for. In addition, they have fire-resistant and water-repellent impregnation.
Accessories
European-made fittings are considered the generally accepted standard of quality. Mechanisms produced by Blum, Hettich, Boyard, and Edson have proven themselves well. The cost varies depending on the quality of materials and complexity of production.
The handles of cabinets and drawers in a small kitchen should not be pretentious or large: on the contrary, there should be simplicity and conciseness. The optimal material option is stainless steel.
It is durable and does not lose its appearance over time. It is more expensive than plastic, but it is strong. Gamet, Nomet, Boyard, Edson pens are in demand.
In small rooms, cabinet doors and drawers equipped with an opening mechanism without the use of handles are very practical. In order to open such a door, it is enough to press it and the door will open.
You can equip the kitchen unit door with gas lifts, which is also very convenient.
Doors equipped with mechanical closers are also convenient. Such doors do not slam and close smoothly.
To ensure that cabinet doors swing open as much as possible and do not get in the way, you can use regular simple hinges.
In a small kitchen, it is useful to use “cunning” accessories for storage - rotating shelves, “train shelves” for storing pots, etc.
Such fittings will require additional financial investments, but the level of convenience and functionality of the kitchen will increase significantly.
Table and bar counter
In a small kitchen of 5 sq. meters to fit a large table will be a truly difficult task. One might even say impossible. But then you should ask yourself how to save space and organize the dining area conveniently and correctly.
An L-shaped kitchen layout leaves room for a small table in the corner, but what about people with other layouts?
There is always a solution. For example, you can use a window sill as an extension of the table. This will be an unexpected solution - an additional multifunctional surface will appear.
You can order a tabletop that will replace the window sill, or you can make a multi-level table. You will need to buy chairs for it, or better yet, bar stools that can be pushed under the tabletop.
Important: calculate the appropriate distance so that those sitting at the table do not feel uncomfortable due to the radiator. It may have to be moved (in consultation with housing services).
In addition, a retractable table would be an interesting solution. It can be pulled out from anywhere - from the same window sill, from the headset - there are a lot of ideas!
You can even put a table and attach an additional tabletop to it. And if there is a free wall, install a folding table along it, which will fold out if necessary.
Or, if there is no space at all, a bar counter will be an excellent replacement for a table. It can also become a continuation of the window sill, part of the headset, or even help with zoning in a studio apartment! They are compact and take up little space. Moreover, bar counters come in different shapes, so everyone is sure to find something to their taste.
Opening upper cabinets
Swing
This option is considered the most common and affordable. I prefer him.
Folding
If you use folding facades, then you need to provide good fittings for them. Otherwise, the gas lifts will quickly break and you won’t even be able to leave the doors open.
Folding
This option is the most expensive. But also the most beautiful. However, short people are unlikely to like it.
Floor and ceiling
It is also important to make the ceiling monochromatic in a light style. It is better to choose white for it, but other shades will not be overwhelming. The simplest option would be regular painting or wallpaper. But in addition, plastic panels would be a practical and inexpensive idea.
Stretch ceilings will already be a more expensive alternative. They do not take up much height, only 2-3 centimeters. The main thing in this case is to use a glossy film. It will add space and reflect light. And these removed centimeters will not be noticeable - the film will visually lengthen the walls and the height of the ceiling.
PVC tiles will be a win-win material for finishing the floor - they are not afraid of moisture and are easy to clean.
Other good ideas would be linoleum, porcelain tiles or self-leveling flooring. The main thing is no patterns, they will only distract attention.
A few more important tips
- Do not clutter the space near the window. Plan the arrangement of furniture so that it does not interfere with the free penetration of light into the room.
- Don't hang voluminous curtains. No lambrequins; curtains with a prominent pattern, large pattern, etc. are not suitable.
- More lighting. Several miniature lamps with a simple design are better than one large chandelier.
- Avoid colorful wallpaper. A simple pattern is only possible if it serves the purpose of expanding the space. For example, a low ceiling will be raised by wallpaper with a vertically oriented pattern.
Walls
When choosing finishing materials for walls, it is better to choose washable surfaces: vinyl wallpaper or, which is better, matte paint. Painting can be done over plaster, and there are now an endless variety of paints: from textured ones to paints of some incredibly interesting shades.
Photo wallpapers look bright, but with them, as with any accessories, you need to be careful - you can overload the room once or twice.
The best materials for a backsplash are ceramic tiles, stone or tempered glass. It is also advisable to make it monochromatic, or at least a small pattern.
Ideas for a kitchen apron
Tile splashback
This option is very popular and widespread. No matter how much time passes, it will not lose its popularity. In addition, the choice of tiles is very large!
Tempered glass apron
This option opens up enormous possibilities for kitchen interiors. If the kitchen is designed in a minimalist style, then a tempered glass apron will work well under plain walls. By the way, even wallpaper will look stylish with it! For kitchens in the neoclassical style, this option will be especially popular. There is also another option - glass with photo printing, but it is used extremely rarely.
Wood effect apron
For those who are tired of the asceticism of the kitchen, a wood-effect apron is perfect.
By the way, laminate was previously used for this. Cleaning laminate flooring is easy. But the material has its drawbacks. If water gets on the seams, the seams will be very damaged. Today laminate is used infrequently. As an alternative, wood-look tiles are used. Lots of ideas for an apron!
Lighting
Lighting for a small room is very important - the more light, the better. Thanks to this, comfort will be created in the room - and what could be more important than that? Moreover, for a room in which you spend a lot of time.
Everything is appropriate here, except for large chandeliers: from lamps in ceiling spots, evenly distributed over the entire ceiling area, to LED strips under the upper cabinets of the kitchen unit, which will illuminate your work area.
Video choosing a floor for the kitchen
Secrets and tricks
Choose narrow and tall cabinets - they will accommodate more items. The more cabinets, the more you can store in them.
Rational storage
To fit as many things as possible in your closets, use special organizers.
In addition, transformable dishes would be an interesting solution. In addition, roof rails - metal tubes with hooks that are attached to the apron under the cabinets - will help with storing dishes. You can hang ladles and other utensils on them.
In addition, you can use all kinds of shelves and boxes, for example, to properly distribute space under the sink. And in modules, instead of cabinets, it is better to use drawers: with them it will be easier to find the desired item.
In addition, you can use the plinth for storage!
Windowsill
Using a window sill as a table is not the limit of its capabilities. You can move the sink to the windowsill (the refrigerator can then be in the corner), or simply make it a work surface - the ideas are endless!
You can make it not a table, but a chair - cover it with pillows and a blanket. It will look very warm and cozy.
Free table top
You can install an additional tabletop in the shelf and pull it out if necessary. A roll-out cabinet has the same function.
Cabinet depth
When planning, instead of the usual 60 cm cabinets, you can choose 40 or 30 cm wide cabinets. This will give you more space in the kitchen itself.
The downside will be spaciousness: such cabinets will fit fewer things. But, if you don’t have many storage ideas, and the cabinets will be built to the ceiling, then the game is worth the candle.
And finally, you can install sloping cabinets at the edge of the cabinet - here the capacity will not be catastrophically small, so this will be a good solution.
Photo gallery
Read: Brown kitchen - 80 design photos in dark colors, how to combine brown in the kitchen.
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