Design of a small kitchen: best ideas, expert advice, photos

Small-sized kitchen is a common problem not only for residents of Soviet apartments, but also for those who live in small houses in Europe and the USA. However, you should not think that a kitchen with a small area is a sentence that cannot be appealed. A separate cooking space should please in any case, the main thing is to competently develop the design of a small kitchen. In this article we will talk in detail about how to design a kitchenette cheaply and tastefully, pay attention to interesting ideas for a small kitchen, in general, we will put everything on the shelves.

Common mistakes in the design of a small kitchen

Very often people, thinking about how to decorate a small kitchen, make many mistakes. We will try to protect you from the most basic. Firstly, the majority for some reason believes that in a zone of 4-6 square meters it is impossible to fit everything that is desired. Such an opinion is fundamentally wrong if you approach the layout of furniture and the design of the room wisely. On the Internet you can find a variety of options for kitchen interiors, photos. Simply and tastefully furnishing a room has never been so easy.

The main problem is the placement of excessively bulky furniture and appliances that occupy most of the space. The feeling of crampedness arises due to incorrect color solutions, disharmonizing among themselves the shades of walls, ceiling, floor. You should also not leave the pipes of the gas pipeline and water supply in sight, they certainly do not add comfort to the room. Multi-colored dishes should not stand in the open, attracting attention - it is better to put it on a shelf or in a drawer. The kitchen should be not only pleasant to the eye, but also practical.

Choosing the right layout

The most important decision that residents will have to make is to choose the type of layout. If the kitchen is very modest in size, then there is an option to combine it with the next room, for example, a living room. This can be done by removing part of the wall. The result should be one spacious room where you can already show more creativity. If you are not ready for such a radical repair, then in this case there are useful tips.

Please note that the comfort of the kitchen area is based on the principle of a triangle. This principle was invented just for small spaces. It helps to simplify the cooking process and creates the possibility of placing several people in the kitchen at the same time. This triangle includes a refrigerator, sink and hob, which are connected by a headset. Activity should be focused on the corners of the room, between which you can safely move.

The layout is determined by the length of the walls, the location of the door and window openings. The most successful solutions for a small kitchen are constructions that resemble the letters G and P. A parallel layout is usually used in a walk-through kitchen, and in the cooking area in a studio apartment, you can choose between island, linear or circular options.

Layout of a square small kitchen

For a square-shaped kitchen, the U-shaped design is the best solution. The refrigerator and stove are installed symmetrically, and the sink, ideally, is at the window. This location will provide quick access to the most important points. One corner of the working triangle remains straight.

L-shaped design is suitable if you want to leave one corner as a dining area. At this point, a table with chairs or a sofa is installed, the sink is placed in a corner, and a stove with a refrigerator on either side of it.

Layout of a narrow (rectangular) small kitchen

In a rectangular kitchen, a layout of a linear or parallel type will look good. In the first case, work surfaces are placed along a long wall. In the second case, there is a sink and hob on one wall, and a refrigerator and most drawers on the opposite. Remember that a person must necessarily walk quietly and unfold between pieces of furniture.

Layout of a small kitchen of non-standard shape

Unusual open kitchen is typical for studio apartments. Here you can show a little more creativity and use almost any type of furniture placement. The layout in this case is determined by the architecture of the room. Often, to furnish a kitchen of a non-standard shape, it is necessary to produce sets and countertops to order.

On the Internet, you can find many design solutions, how to design non-standard kitchens, photos, room design.

Color solutions for a small kitchen

Color largely affects the overall impression of the situation, has the ability to visually increase or, conversely, reduce the area of ​​the room. Choosing the right shade means ensuring the right perception of your workspace. Basic rules for the design of the kitchen:

1. Use light colors that expand the space. Milk, sand, cream, ivory, peach, light olive, coffee with milk - there are many options. The kitchen seems spacious, looks stylish, modern and well-groomed.
2. Use no more than 3 colors at a time. Numerous multi-colored spots distract attention, create the impression of a mess. Such a kitchen looks tasteless.

Details of soft shades like gray, green, yellow will bring a pleasant variety, as well as greatly facilitate the cleaning of light surfaces.

Finishing a small kitchen

The quality of the materials used in the decoration of the kitchen determines the service life of the repair. Do not chase after the economy options, it is better to do well and for a long time. The type of decoration also affects the overall impression of the room: how comfortable it is in it, whether you want to be there not only while cooking, but also just for a pleasant conversation with friends or family members.

Walls

The following materials are used for wall decoration:

• paint - must be resistant to moisture, dampness and mold;
• non-woven vinyl wallpaper - easily cleaned from dirt;
• plastic panels;
• fiberglass;
• tile;
• decorative plaster.

There is a division of the kitchen wall into regular zones and apron zones. The following materials are used to decorate the walls in the place of the apron (above the hob and sink):

• tinted glass panel - the glass is tempered and not afraid of temperature differences;
• ceramic tile - has a glossy sheen;
• artificial stone - smooth, easy to clean;
• mosaic.

Ceiling

Ceiling finish depends on its height. If the distance from the ceiling to the floor is more than 2.5 meters, then it is permissible to install any suspended ceiling: stretch, drywall, rack. This solution will provide additional heat and sound insulation. Owners of apartments with low ceilings also have plenty to choose from. You can paint the ceiling or stretch a light film on the plane, leveling the surface with fiberglass.

Kitchen set

The suite is the most massive element of the kitchen design. It is important to downplay its bulkiness as much as possible. In a modern kitchen, design for a small area cannot be complicated by many large details. The headset should be done carefully, it should not have extra slots. Facades without door handles, selected in the color of the walls, have the property of dissolving in the overall design, thereby forming more visible space. Kitchen cabinets with transparent doors do not overload the space. Another great solution would be to integrate the pipes, the hood and other equipment into the headset, as if to hide it.

Now there are also a variety of transformer models that are multifunctional. A good example is a corner cabinet that drives out and provides even more storage space for dishes or food.

Textile

Textiles cannot be ignored, since it plays an important role in the finished image of the kitchen and any other room. Curtains have the ability to absorb moisture and odors, so it is better to avoid dense and heavy material. Natural fabrics are unreasonably difficult to care for, and also have a high price. An inexpensive and practical option will be synthetic textiles, such as nylon or polyester.

Curtains should not interfere with the hostess in cooking and cleaning, because often the window sill is used as additional space for storage or work. Light translucent tulle is able to protect eyes from sunlight, and also allows air to pass through, does not attract dust, and is easily washed from dirt. One of its varieties is photo tulle. This version is gaining popularity due to the possibility of placing any pattern on its surface. A great design decision will be the placement on the window of blinds, rolled bamboo products or fashionable Roman curtains, folding accordion. For fabrics, choose cold shades, as they visually expand the room.

Furniture for a small kitchen

In addition to all of the above tips regarding kitchen furniture, it is important to dwell on a couple of subtleties. When choosing furniture, pay attention not only to the aesthetic component and compatibility with the interior. The table, chairs, cabinets, sofa should be made of quality materials, carefully assembled and twisted. This affects the durability, functionality of the furniture, as well as the health of the inhabitants of the house.

For furnishing, small and elegant objects that can also dissolve in space are suitable. For example, a glass table, chairs made of transparent plastic or bar stools with thin metal legs are suitable. If you want to save even more space, you can make a choice in favor of folding furniture. The table can be folding, have a sliding tabletop or wheels for moving around the apartment, which is very convenient.

Proper lighting in the kitchen

The more light sources in the kitchen, the better. For this purpose, LED lamps are most suitable. They can be placed in the form of point diodes, or can be mounted in a headset. Such lamps consume little energy, last a long time and do not pose a danger, if we talk about accidental fire.

A pendant chandelier can be placed in the dining area. The ceiling is better to buy a simple form, unusual, without complex details. It will simply be cleaned from dust and dirt.

Merging with other rooms

If you decide to combine the kitchen with the next room, then your project is undoubtedly more complex and unique. However, this is not as difficult as many fear. After expansion, each centimeter of area is used more efficiently. A tight kitchenette can easily be turned into a spacious studio if you tear down a wall or part of a partition.

Good luck with the design for your unique, perfect kitchen!

Photo: interior design of a small kitchen