It doesn’t matter in which room the dining table is located - in the kitchen, dining room or living room. There should always be seating next to the table. Most often these are chairs or sofas.
But it is chairs that allow you to save space and organize a comfortable place for each specific person.
During gatherings with friends and family, chairs play a huge role.
Since comfortable furniture is conducive to long-term communication, when choosing this piece of furniture you need to take care not only of aesthetics, but also of convenience.
Advantages of chairs
Traditionally, kitchen chairs are placed at the table. But besides them, stools that take up little space or benches that line the walls can be used as seats. However, the choice of chairs also gives kitchen users certain positive features:
- Firstly, the chairs have a back on which you can lean your elbows;
- Secondly, despite the backrest, thematic seats fit perfectly onto the table, going under the edge of the tabletop;
- Thirdly, different specimens have a certain design and composition, which with a high degree of probability allows you to harmoniously arrange the kitchen space and comfortably spend your time inside it.
Chairs are not as compact as stools, but they are still portable. And compared to bulky shops, themed products are even a gift. Moreover, no one forbids combining dining chairs for the kitchen with a corner bench or sofa.
Rich assortment
Buyers of kitchen furniture have access to a huge selection of products from a wide variety of materials - metal, natural wood, plastic.
Following the fashion trend, today it is not even necessary to purchase a set made in the same style. Many homeowners design their dining area using tables and chairs created in different styles and from different materials.
You can add light plastic Ikea kitchen chairs to a wooden kitchen table, and it will look absolutely correct and aesthetically pleasing.
There is no need to be afraid to experiment, since unexpected combinations look exclusive and allow you to create an ideal space of coziness and comfort in one of the main points of any home.
Chair design
In appearance, the chair is a seat with a backrest on four legs. But a design that is simple at first glance can please you with a host of other useful elements:
- Soft upholstery;
- Tsargi;
- Back bar;
- Inserts;
- Pneumatic mechanism.
The latter is demonstrated by bar stools for the kitchen, the height of which must be adjusted depending on the height of the user and the height of the tabletop. Soft upholstery softens operation.
The drawers are designed to fix the legs, while the crossbar serves as additional support for the upholstery and the user, respectively. Inserts are rubber or plastic elements that are placed on the ends of the legs so that the latter do not leave dents on the flooring.
What materials are used for production
Modern models of kitchen furniture are made from durable materials. These include:
- Solid wood. Models can consist entirely of wood or have individual elements. In combination with fabric upholstery and foam rubber, a wooden chair becomes more comfortable. Milling is used to create a curved shape. Thanks to it, a kitchen chair can have a streamlined or geometric shape;
- Metal alloy. Kitchen furniture is not made from dense types of metal. For this purpose, aluminum is used in combination with galvanized steel. To make the product comfortable, a combination with soft upholstery or a wooden seat is added to its design;
- Plastic with glass imitation. This version of kitchen chairs is used to furnish a modern kitchen. These models have an unusual shape and decorative surface;
- Models made of wicker. Rattan furniture is distinguished by its high cost. Most often it is chosen for decorating terraces, balconies and country verandas. The disadvantage of such products is their short service life.
An alternative solution would be to purchase kitchen chairs with imitation rattan. In this case, polymer alloys are used for manufacturing, which create the illusion of braiding.
Chair upholstery and stuffing
The finished chair can always be supplemented with a soft seat and back. Moreover, both elements are made by upholstering the finished filler, i.e. paddings. The latter are used:
- Polyurethane foam;
- Polystyrene;
- Foam rubber;
- Sintepon;
- Comfortel;
- Durafil.
But for the upholstery, synthetic fabric is used, which does not wear out from the humid and hot microclimate. These types of textiles include:
- Lavsan;
- Spandex;
- Vistra;
- Fleece;
- Softshell.
There are also universal combined fabrics that make kitchen chairs with soft seats not too expensive and capricious to the microclimate of the thematic space.
In addition to fabric, you can use leather or leatherette. But the corresponding material is more suitable for chairs for a study or office. After all, the skin itself is solid and capricious. Therefore, even a special cover will not save it inside the kitchen.
Features of gray color in the kitchen interior
The seemingly boring gray color is actually universal - it does not bother, does not distract, and can be combined with any other tones in the spectrum, acting as a background. Furniture and accessories on gray look expressive - the neutral color emphasizes the shapes of the furniture and makes them stand out against the general background.
The interior of a gray kitchen generally looks elegant, noble and modern. This situation will be in trend for a long time.
The color gray has many shades. The range of light gray shades includes granite, concrete, pearl, pebble, silver, smoky gray, platinum, lichen and white lead.
The list of deep dark gray tones includes cashmere, graphite, black-brown, steel, twilight gray, charcoal, marengo, mouse and wet asphalt.
There are a couple of nuances when working with a gray tone.
- If the room is small and there is not enough natural light, then in gray the room will seem cold.
- Also, you should not make a monochrome setting - mix many shades of gray or take only light and dark tones without adding other colors. As a result, a gray kitchen design will turn out boring, monotonous and even depressing.
Metal-plastic chairs
If the target audience requires strength and reliability, then you should rely on metal chairs for the kitchen. It is clear that the rigid material is only on the supporting frame. This metal is mainly steel, which can be:
- Solid or hollow (pipe);
- Straight-line (profile) or rounded - if the supporting frame is made of pipes;
- Thin- or thick-walled;
- Galvanized, alloyed, standard;
- Matte, silver, patina.
Therefore, even metal chairs can bend and break, although the risk of corresponding damage is not as great as in the case of wooden counterparts. Another thing is corrosion. If the steel is not galvanized, then rust on its surface will make itself felt already in the first years of operation.
To avoid this, the theme material must be treated or replaced with other more corrosion-resistant metals such as bronze. But this replacement is more relevant for stylish chairs that are used inside luxury dining rooms.
Characteristics of gray kitchens in a modern style
When considering many examples, references, and photos of gray kitchen design in a modern style, one can trace the following common characteristic features:
— lack of handles on the facades of the kitchen unit;
Photo from source: italybel.by Tabletop Cedar 9022/S Whitened Oak
— upper modules reaching to the ceiling;
Photo from source: pinterest.ru
Tabletop Cedar 3230/S Light Sonoma Oak
— lack of upper cabinets;
Photo from source: kitchendecorium.ru
Tabletop Cedar 3028/S White Marquina Marble
- built-in equipment.
Photo from source: alkamebel.com.ua Tabletop Cedar 0410/S Carrara marble
By following these trends, you can create a truly fashionable interior.
Combined chairs
So that the target audience could buy chairs for the kitchen while spending as little money as possible, furniture makers began to combine several materials in one product. In the design of chairs you can comply with:
- Wood and chipboard;
- Wicker and wood;
- Metal and plastic;
- Metal and fiberglass.
Do not confuse fiberglass with traditional glass. The latter does not withstand greater loads compared to the former. By the way, fiberglass is often used in greenhouses, gazebos and pavilions. In particular, we are talking about monolithic and cellular polycarbonate.
Kitchen decoration in gray
To decorate a kitchen in light gray colors, you need to follow some recommendations. The walls are light in color. Furniture of the same tone with the walls will visually dissolve, so the color of the facades is at least one tone darker or lighter.
Bright colors are used for facades or as accents. Facades, countertops and curtains - match the interior or contrast. A general recommendation for facades is that it is better to make them in one color or in large blocks so that the illusion of a checkerboard does not arise.
Household appliances – white, stainless steel and black. Gray-tone appliances will fit into any interior, but white ones are used for interiors of the same color. It is better to integrate the technology - for the integrity of perception. It is allowed to use one or two items of bright color, but small in size.
Glossy or matte facades
Which texture to choose for facades - glossy or matte - depends on the color saturation. Glossy facades in light colors will visually hide all stains, fingerprints and grease stains. But gloss on dark facades is impractical - all dirt will be visible.
Complex, deep and dirty shades of gray require a matte texture. These are tones such as gray-green, gray-beige and gray-blue, as well as colors with different textures - concrete, marble chips, stone.
A gray matte kitchen with a large area and sufficient lighting will look noble even with the use of dark gray colors. Such facades are ideal for neoclassical style.
The optimal materials for facades are MDF coated with enamel, acrylic and plastic.
Which countertop to choose
The color of the countertop for a gray kitchen is white, brown wood or light colors. Texture – various types of wood, natural stone, concrete. Materials for the tabletop: acrylic, artificial stone, textured wood-like plastic.
Natural wood is an impractical material that requires special care. The texture of the countertop and wooden furniture should match.
A kitchen with a gray countertop will balance the interior if dark gray tones are used.
Interesting options are a stone countertop that exactly matches the color of the facades or a contrasting bright color against a monochrome background.
Apron for a gray kitchen
The basic rule is this: if the kitchen is monochrome gray, then the apron is bright. In the case of bright details in the interior, choose an apron in calm gray tones. The most minimalistic option is tempered glass without a pattern.
When choosing an apron for a gray kitchen, any options are used - skins with a medium-sized pattern, decorative glossy and matte tiles, small mosaics, brick-look tiles. The shape of the tiles is square, triangle, pentagon. You can use grout in a contrasting color.
Material – plastic, tempered glass, polycarbonate, porcelain stoneware. Texture – imitation of natural stone, concrete, marble, brickwork, polished metal.
Wall and floor decoration
Design options for kitchen walls are painting or washable wallpaper.
In the first case, the walls are painted light gray in whole or in part. Textures range from smooth to rough. When painting part of a wall in a complementary color, you should use neutral shades - white, beige and brown.
We leave bright colors for furniture and accessories. An interesting wall texture is obtained by using gypsum plaster.
Gray wallpaper in the kitchen is a backdrop for additional color. The interesting texture of the wallpaper will add originality to the interior. The choice is wide - gray wallpaper, with a concrete, marble pattern, for painting with a rough texture.
Large patterns on the wallpaper will not be visible, since most of the walls are occupied by cabinets and household appliances, and unoccupied space remains near the window.
The standard and most correct solution for the ceiling is white with a glossy texture. When decorating walls and ceilings, it is necessary to maintain color balance - use no more than two primary colors.
Flooring – ceramic tiles, imitation parquet boards, laminate and linoleum. At the same time, the pattern of the tiles is simple and laconic, without excessive diversity.
Curtains and lighting
Bright colors are used for curtains if they are an accent in a gray kitchen. If the accent is something else, then the shade of the curtains matches the color scheme of the kitchen. The best option is Roman blinds, roller curtains, short curtains. The most suitable color is rich graphite.
Pendant lamps above the dining table are chosen with diffused light - this will give the interior coziness and softness.
The work area requires additional lighting with LED lamps. The apron lighting switch is located at the entrance - this is more convenient when you need to go into the kitchen for food or drink water.
Pendant lamps - simple geometric shapes made of glass and metal or designer options from similar materials.
Choosing furniture for a gray kitchen
The basic rule when choosing furniture for a gray kitchen is dark colors at the bottom, light colors at the top. This will make the room visually easier to perceive. It’s easier with bright colors - the fronts of the upper and lower cabinets can be made in the same tone.
The layout for a gray interior is light gray facades for the upper cabinets and dark gray for the lower ones. Instead of light gray facades, you can choose white ones. Another option is to abandon the top row of cabinets.
If dark gray furniture is arranged in two rows, then make the apron light - this will prevent the kitchen from turning into a gloomy portal.
If the task in the kitchen is to fit a refrigerator into the furniture row, then it is easier to buy a gray appliance - the kitchen set will look complete. Or play in contrast - a black glossy refrigerator against a background of gray facades.
A large kitchen with a separate place for a refrigerator allows you to use an option with a bright accent, since refrigeration units are now available in all colors of the rainbow.
Decor
The kitchen interior in gray tones is an excellent background for various decor. These are bright plates, picture frames, watches, beautiful dishes. The decor should be small in size and fit into the decor in terms of color scheme.
An interesting decor option for large kitchens is a classic fireplace of a simple shape, without stucco, or a modern version made of glass and metal.
Bar chairs
Studio apartments are no longer a rarity. They come with open kitchen and living areas. Sometimes only furniture serves as a limiter indicating the purpose of a particular space. And if the bar counter serves as this limiter, then it must certainly be supplemented with bar stools, which are characterized by:
- Round seat (not found in all models);
- Low back or no back;
- High legs so that the user can freely lean on the tabletop;
- Pneumatic mechanism for raising and lowering the seat;
- Limited number of legs - one to three units.
Today, the kitchen chair store offers any bar seat configuration. Therefore, the thematic choice can be difficult only due to the large assortment.
Scheme No. 6. Same style, different design
Quite a complex selection, but if you correctly determine the style, then different chairs in the interior will give an interesting result. If you are using this combination for the kitchen, dining room or living room, then we advise you to contact a professional to avoid making a mistake. Due to the variety of styles and shapes, it is easy to confuse one with the other, but in most cases, a different design will be your highlight.
A great combination of different styles
Business style diversifies different chair designs
Here, an accent chair and different designs are successfully combined
Transformable chairs
A cramped kitchen is a common phenomenon in domestic apartments. Although chairs can be placed against a table, their backs definitely interfere with movement within the problem space. In order not to cling to themed products when moving, it is better to abandon them altogether in favor of transformable chairs. These models:
- They are folded like a book (two planes of the structure are combined into one);
- When folded, it is very easy to carry and store;
- Have little weight;
- They consist mainly of artificial materials - metal, plastic, particle board.
Moreover, there are matching chairs with backrests for the kitchen. True, there is no upholstery. But is it worth paying attention to this if saving space is at stake? In addition, the seat can be softened with a pillow or fabric.
What styles and how to use wooden dining chairs?
Firstly, this is a classic style, which means bulky chairs with carved decorations.
In addition, you can use fabric decor, which will look elegant and skillful. But the main thing to remember is a sense of proportion.
Secondly, wooden chairs can even fit into a loft or high-tech kitchen. To do this, you should use restrained shades of colors and minimal decor.
Thirdly, in order to bring a little cozy country atmosphere into the kitchen interior, you can use wooden chairs with different scuff marks and removable cushions.
Fourthly, a country style interior can be diluted with wooden chairs in light and gray shades.
Fifthly, a black and white kitchen in a minimalist style can be decorated with wooden chairs with interesting carved backs.
In order to visually divide the kitchen into two zones, you can use two different types of chairs. But it is very important that they are in harmony with each other and complement the overall picture well.
Matching the design of the chairs to the interior
Of course, kitchen chairs should be chosen based on their surroundings. It’s even better if the chairs come with a table. Then the task of equipping the kitchen properly becomes easier. True, the target audience will have to be guided by:
- Space - the smaller the kitchen area, the more functional or compact the seats should be (in particular, we are talking about folding or small models);
- A furniture set (if the chairs and table are made of the same material as the kitchen set, then the design of the finished kitchen looks very advantageous);
- Tabletop and window sills (this point applies more to the table, the tabletop of which should be similar to the tabletop of the set and the window sill);
- Textiles (the upholstery must match the curtains and tablecloths).
If you want to buy chairs for the kitchen inexpensively, you can abandon the natural composition and upholstery. But this is unlikely to have a positive effect on the visual perception and operation of the dining set.
Gray kitchen apron: which option to choose?
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In the photo: Designer interior with a formal dining room and panoramic windows
Next, we will look at interior design projects with gray kitchen aprons made of porcelain stoneware, marble, glass and other interesting materials. Let's start!
Lilac kitchen with gray composite stone backsplash
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In the photo: Fashionable wall decoration in the interior
A chic solution with an apron and countertop made of composite stone.
Gray marble-like porcelain tiles in the design of the apron and countertop
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In the photo: Small corner kitchen with designer interior
A great example of laconic finishing in a small room.
Gray kitchen apron made of natural stone in the interior of an attic kitchen
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In the photo: Small kitchen without upper cabinets
A very stylish solution with a geometric finish.
Gray marble-like porcelain tiles in floor design
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In the photo: Small room with designer decoration
A classic version of finishing in porcelain tiles imitating white and gray marble.
Designer panel in gray, beige and black tones for the hob area
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In the photo: Luxurious glass panel for an apron
An incredibly beautiful example of a glass panel for the design of a classic kitchen.
Steel-look apron in the interior of a modern kitchen-dining room
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In the photo: Fashionable apron for steel/metal
And such an apron is perfect for loft, contemporary, industrial, minimalism and modern styles.
Gray-yellow onyx apron in the interior of a townhouse
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In the photo: Living room with fireplace in a townhouse
Luxurious onyx finish looks great in an eclectic interior.
Glass splashback in gray for an elegant, bright kitchen
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In the photo: Glass sliding doors with beveled mirrors
An excellent solution to add gloss to the interior.
Gray marble-like porcelain tiles with white veins
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In the photo: Cozy living room interior with pastel accents
Porcelain stoneware is a material that is universally suitable for the image of a fashionable apartment.
Mirrored apron for interiors in a modern style with art deco elements
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In the photo: Stylish kitchen design project
A trendy solution with an art deco mood. Your guests will be amazed!
Optimal number of chairs
Another important question is how many chairs should I buy along with the kitchen table? To answer this, you need to pay attention to the following points:
- Number of family members;
- The age of each family member;
- Kitchen area;
- Kitchen table dimensions.
For a small family, three chairs will be enough. But even if the number of family members is five to nine people, this is not a reason to buy a chair for everyone. After all, small children sit better on their parents’ laps and on comfortable chairs with steps.
In addition, dining inside the kitchen usually attracts a limited number of people. And if the kitchen is small, then instead of two or three chairs it is more profitable to install a corner sofa or bench. Moreover, this approach is relevant provided that the kitchen table itself is large.
And since this is rare, chairs for a small kitchen usually have to be purchased for the table separately or together with the table, if their number is no more than three units.
Is it legal to have different chairs in the same room?
Should you be embarrassed by different chairs? Let's say for sure that no. Different chairs in the kitchen will refresh the interior and attract the enthusiastic attention of guests. Many will say that combining is a fantasy and people just buy what they like. This option, of course, is acceptable, but designers use little tricks and recommendations for repairs and decoration. Even an ordinary table with different chairs in the interior will look special.
Artistic composition of chairs from the inside
Artistic composition of chairs outside
Original kitchen chairs
There is an opinion that the kitchen is designed for convenient cooking, but not for comfortable relaxation. However, bar and folding chairs, combining original design and different functions, indicate the opposite. Although besides them there are other universal models:
- Folding chairs with steps;
- Products with shelves instead of drawers;
- Folding chairs with telescopic legs;
- Forged analogues with armrests.
Not all of the listed models are as comfortable as soft chairs for the kitchen, but they can give a head start when carrying and storing various things. And inside the kitchen, these features are not superfluous, because thematic space is often cramped and cluttered with supplies.
And if products that have an open or closed shelf instead of drawers do a good job of storing cans, then a folding chair with steps allows the child to climb up to sit. Although this model also turns out to be useful for storing various cans and more.
Small housing
The main problems of a compact kitchen are:
- Lack of surfaces for processing products.
- Small cabinet capacity.
- Lack of space to install complex household appliances.
- There is an acute shortage of space for arranging a dining area.
When there is simply no space for a stationary table and chairs, you can solve the problem by fixing a folding tabletop on the wall, and in addition to it, buy a folding chair for the kitchen, which takes up minimal space when folded.
