Kitchen layout and design: we develop ourselves
The kitchen is classified as technical or auxiliary premises. But, not only do the housewives spend a significant portion of their "free" time there, but also all the inhabitants of the apartment love to sit there with a cup of tea or coffee. Often it is this small, usually in size room that is the center of the entire apartment or house. Therefore, kitchen planning and design development are carried out taking into account all requirements. It should be practical, comfortable, nice and cozy. The task is not easy, and if "inexpensive" is added, it becomes even more difficult. Nevertheless, an acceptable solution can be found in such a situation.
The content of the article
Planning Basics
It is difficult to create a completely original design solution in the design of a kitchen without an appropriate education, but it is real to remake the interior seen in the picture to your liking. The main thing is to find the photo that will become the basis. It is necessary to make adjustments to what you see in accordance with the existing conditions, and now, the unique design of the kitchen is ready.
Kitchen layout can be broken down into several stages:
- determination of the place of installation of furniture - formskitchen set and dining area;
- choice of style (find your favorite design photo);
- choice of colors;
- definition with types of wall finishes, work area apron, ceiling;
- lighting development;
- window decoration in the kitchen.
If you are friends with computer technology, you can model in one of the free design programs. There you can evaluate the proportions, dimensions, general impression - most utilities provide a three-dimensional image. After that, you can start implementing the created project.
Types of furniture arrangement in the kitchen working area
First of all, you need to decide what kind of kitchen area will have. Depending on the geometry of the room and the placement of communications (water supply, sewerage, electrical outlets), first of all, they choose the way of placing cabinets, lockers and equipment.
When planning, keep in mind that it is desirable that the stove, sink and refrigerator form a triangle. Scientists have analyzed the movement of housewives in the kitchen and found that she spends most of the time near the sink, near the stove and refrigerator - a little less. But it moves mainly between these three objects.
To make it convenient to work, the sink is placed in the center, and the stove and refrigerator are on either side of it. They can be located in one line or create a really triangle, but between them it is advisable to put cabinets with work surfaces of at least 80 cm. Having solved this problem, you will get a perfectly planned work area.
Linear kitchen layout
As the name suggests, cabinets and appliances are lined up along one wall. This kitchen layout option is also called single-row or straight. This option is used in small rooms with an area of 6-8 square meters. meters. It is convenient for a small number of people - 1-2, but not more. Since there is little space, you cannot fit a lot of equipment here. Like it or not, it's best to buy built-in appliances, since it is more compact.
Usually two or three cabinets befitting, one of which with a sink, a stove. In theory, you need to fit a refrigerator into the same wall, but this does not always work out and it is placed where there is a place.
Angle or L- or L-shaped
A versatile arrangement that allows you to more fully use the space. It is most advantageous in square rooms. Also, with such a device, the forced movements of the hostess in the kitchen are reduced: everything is close by hand.
You can use both the wall in which the window and the one in which the doors are. Just thinking about what to put under the window, try not to limit the amount of light that enters the room.
You can plan your kitchen in this way even with a small area: 7 meters is already enough. Maybe there will be few cabinets, but everything should fit. Often with an L-shaped kitchen, a sink is made in the corner, under it is a compartment for storing a trash can, detergents and technical devices.
Double row
This layout method is suitable for a long and narrow kitchen with a window in a short wall. In order not to block access to the window, leave the battery open, cabinets and equipment are placed along two walls. They are forced to do the same if the room is a walk-through.
This is a good option for a narrow kitchen if the window and doors are in short walls. The dining area is moved closer to the window, and the remaining space is occupied by work surfaces and appliances. Only when determining the dimensions of the furniture, keep in mind that the distance between the rows should be at least 80-90 cm. To increase the functionality, it is better to make the doors in the lower tier sliding, and in the upper tier, sliding or opening upwards. This will further reduce the likelihood of bruising against open doors.
U- or U-shaped
This layout is convenient in more or less spacious kitchens, but it can also be used in long narrow ones.
For a small family, you can organize a dining area using multi-level countertops, as in the photo above. If the room is square or wide, the dining table can be placed in the middle.
In general, with such an organization, there are options. You can experiment, if the area allows in the program, or by cutting out squares from cardboard according to the size of the planned furniture and moving them according to the plan drawn on a sheet of paper. Just keep in mind that everything should be drawn on the same scale.
Isle
This layout is most often found in kitchens combined with living rooms or dining rooms. A free-standing "island" is added to any of the above layouts, in which a sink, stove or just a work table can be located.
This option can be carried out on an area of more than 16 meters. With smaller dimensions, this place is usually occupied by a dining area. The minimum size of the island is at least 1.2-1.2 m, and it is also worth adding a distance from the cabinets of the working wall of at least 80-90 cm, otherwise it will be inconvenient to work.
Peninsular or G-shaped
This is a modification of the island, when a ledge is added to one of the sides - a peninsula. If the dimensions allow, you can expand the functionality in such a simple way. This ledge is used as a separation of the dining area, at the same time it can be used as a counter, bar counter. If you put high chairs next to it, it is convenient to have a snack or drink tea and coffee.
Small kitchen layout
If the available area is only 5-6 meters, you have to use not just every meter, but every centimeter. Therefore, wall cabinets are often made in two rows - up to the ceiling. Frequently used items and equipment are located in the lower tier, those that are rarely used in the upper tier. They make cabinets or shelves above the refrigerator: why should the place be lost?
If there is an exit to the balcony, having insulated and glazed it, you can take out the dining area there.Recently popular redevelopment option: due to the advent of new heaters, it is realistic to maintain a normal temperature even if the neighbors above and below have balconies / loggias open.
Also, in small rooms, various devices are used - drawers, rotating shelves, folding or pull-out tabletops. In general, they make a transforming kitchen out of an ordinary kitchen.
By the way, pay attention: in order not to hit the corners, it is better to make the countertops rounded. By the way, this is one of the latest trends - round kitchens and circular design.
More about all the intricacies read the design of a small kitchen here.
Photos of kitchen layouts
In this section, we tried to collect photos of different kitchen layouts - both large and small, in different styles and versions. Many photos of real apartments. This is a good example of how designers' ideas can be realized in real conditions.
First, a few ideas from the designers. For example, how to visually expand a narrow kitchen. One option is to create a reflective wall. If possible, paint it with paint with a metallized sheen, and close it on top with sheet (not cellular) transparent polycarbonate. A more budget option is shiny plastic.
The latest design trends are flowing curved lines rather than sharp angles and straight lines. It looks interesting, and such a construction is definitely safer: you won't hurt yourself against the corners. Here one more technique is used: glass doors soften the bright color.
The waterfall on the kitchen apron in the work area and the lighting of the furniture from below are interesting and unusual. And the hard contrast of color - black and white - is broken by floral ornaments.
Classic furniture in a non-classic color. In this photo, the kitchen layout is island, but this idea is easy to transform: try to beat the traditional furniture with some unusual color.
Next - a photo of kitchens in apartments. There are very small rooms, there are more. Although the kitchens are typical, there is a difference in size and layout, but you can spy on a few interesting ideas. Moreover, these are already real projects.