An apartment in Khrushchev is a common budget type of housing. The area of a typical kitchen in such panel or brick houses is from 4.9 to 7.1 m². In the standard version of the Khrushchev, the size of the room is from 5.5 to 6 m².
Kitchen renovation in Khrushchev has several goals: to visually increase the area, as efficiently as possible use every meter of a small space, make a small room comfortable, cozy, functional.
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Where to begin?
For the owner, who for the first time decides to overhaul the kitchen in the Khrushchev, this is not an easy task. The main thing is to prevent typical mistakes, for example, by being tempted to order a furniture set before developing a project. There are two ways to do design and renovation work:
- The first is to use the services of construction companies that perform the full range of required services, which have a designer and a team of craftsmen on their staff. Such a step has a number of obvious benefits: it guarantees a decent result thanks to the work of professionals, frees up the landlord's time, relieves worries about a possible mistake. However, this method requires sufficient financial investment and the search for an experienced, proven construction team.
- The second is to choose an economical option: draw up a project yourself, calculate and purchase materials in wholesale building supermarkets, carry out repairs on your own. This path is suitable for people on a budget. There are obvious drawbacks and requirements: significant time costs, the need to have at least a basic understanding of how the repair works. However, do not be afraid: believe in your own strength, study the algorithm of actions, read the advice of professionals.
We develop a design project
The small size of the room dictates special rules when choosing textures and color palette. When developing a design project, keep in mind that too dark, saturated colors, bulky furniture are not the best ideas for Khrushchev.
Suitable stylistic renovation options:
- Cozy Provence. It brings calmness and pacification into the interior. The style excludes pretentious, "heavy", voluminous elements. Features - delicate, light, clean colors, decoration with floral prints. Decoration - paintings with rural landscapes, pottery, bouquets of meadow grasses, flowers. Use of textiles.
- Conservative shabby chic. Emphasizes the refined taste of the owner, the history of the family. Style does not accept strict geometry. Distinctive features - vintage, pastel colors, lace. Used antique furniture, antiques. Decor - figurines of porcelain angels, carved picture frames.
- Cool hi-tech. Ideal for small spaces. Dignity - minimalism, ergonomics, modern building materials, advanced technological solutions. Features - perfect clarity of lines, almost complete absence of decor. A great opportunity to experiment with plastic, glass, metal. It is optimal to opt for a kitchen on white or cold metallic, avoiding shades of black.
- An outspoken loft. Great idea if there is little space in the kitchen. Advantages - ease of creation, since traditionally hidden communications do not require expensive masking. Reduces costs - no need for wallpaper: loft style is whitewashed or dyed brick walls. A distinctive feature is the absence of curtains and curtains on the windows, which advantageously increases the size of the room.
- Expressive, laconic minimalism in apartment design. The style is clear, precise, simple. The motto is a minimum of furniture and decor, a maximum of functionality. The difference is a clear organization of space, the use of no more than three colors. Minimalism is a symbol of cleanliness and unobtrusiveness of apartment interiors.
Expansion of the kitchen due to the area of the bathroom
By combining the bathroom and toilet, installing a shower stall instead of a bath, moving partitions, it is possible to expand the space of a small kitchen in Khrushchev. Borrowing a part of the bathroom is a way to create a niche for a refrigeration unit.
You can get permission for such a redevelopment if the apartment is located on the top floor of the house. Otherwise, it will be much less likely to implement such an idea during repairs. It is forbidden by regulatory documents to place bathrooms, bathrooms above kitchens.
It is unlikely that the residents of the second or fourth floors will be able to agree on the redevelopment, since the neighbors' bathroom will be above the extended kitchen. If you do not follow the letters of the law, this option for expanding the premises is technically possible, since the wall between the bathroom and the kitchen in Khrushchev is not load-bearing.
Choosing the color and materials of finishes
In a small Khrushchev apartment for wall covering, we give preference to plain light colors. They will visually increase the volume, bring lightness and freshness to the atmosphere.
Wall decoration options in the Khrushchev kitchen:
- Wallpaper is an affordable, popular solution for budget renovation. We choose durable, moisture resistant coatings. A good option is washable ones that can withstand wet cleaning with the use of cleaning agents. Requirements for wallpaper for painting - the possibility of multiple painting.
- Decorative plaster is suitable for all coatings, does not require preliminary leveling of the walls. This finishing material is easy to use: surfaces decorated with plaster can be washed and vacuumed. The components present in the composition prevent the development of fungus and mold. Cons - relatively high cost, the need for the services of a professional to cover the walls, it is undesirable to place it in the zone of active influences of temperature, steam and fat.
- Self-adhesive panels are made of high quality polypropylene. With plastic sheets, you can easily, independently and quickly update the surface. Advantages - does not require preliminary leveling of the wall, due to its lightness, they do not load structures. They have high moisture resistance, dirt-repellent effect.
- Painting the walls is a way out for those who want to achieve a neat look in the kitchen. The painted coating is simply renewed, it is subject to repeated washing. The disadvantage is the need for thorough preparation of surfaces before applying paint.
The ceiling in the Khrushchev must be made as light as possible. The options are:
- Glossy backlit stretch. Visually raises the upper surface, adds volume.
- Putty. It attracts with its low cost, however, plastering is a long and laborious process that requires the professionalism of the master. Not suitable for rooms with high humidity.
- Plasterboard. Assumes a quick repair. Provides a flawless view of the room. Disadvantage - after installation, the height of the room decreases by 5-10 cm.
Image taken from https://www.youtube.com/watch? v = bcbSSDSi3rE
- Whitewash. Advantages - fire safety, low cost, does not reduce the height of the ceiling. Flaw - over time, the whitewash cracks, falls off.
- Painting with water-based paint. A budget option, easy to implement. Difficulty - painting requires preliminary leveling of the surface.
We use light, neutral colors to finish the floor. A smart choice is to use matte, unglazed tiles. Laminate is not the best solution for the kitchen, since the material deteriorates from falling heavy objects, regular moisture ingress. Self-leveling floors are a fashionable, popular trend, they are not afraid of moisture and scratches, but the price is not cheap.
Layout and zoning
A good way to divide space is through lighting. Backlighting should be of different shades and intensities. We decorate the working area with bright lighting. Create a soft, relaxing light above the dining area. When renovating a Khrushchev kitchen, most of the owners prefer a backlit ceiling.
Zoning can be done using all kinds of wall covering materials. We decorate the working area with ceramic tiles. Walls in the dining area with warm materials such as wallpaper, wood or cork.
An interesting design move is zoning with flooring. For example, in the area with a sink, on the slabs when repairing the floor in the Khrushchev, we lay porcelain stoneware, and cover the rest with linoleum.
Dismantling
To dismantle old coatings, you will need respirator masks, sealed dust goggles, heavy gloves, window film, garbage bags. We strictly adhere to safety precautions. To carry out dismantling work, we prepare tools: a construction trowel, a jackhammer, a sledgehammer, a chisel, a nail puller, a crowbar, a grinder, a hammer drill. We use a special construction vacuum cleaner for garbage collection.
At the time of dismantling, it is necessary to stop the supply of current to the apartment of the Khrushchev. It is better to connect power tools to the electrical panel. We carry out dismantling work from top to bottom (from ceiling to floor). If cosmetic repairs are planned, we remove only old finishing materials. With a major overhaul, the desired result is bare walls and floor slabs.
Surface preparation
Before starting plastering work in the kitchen in Khrushchev, it is necessary to check the state of utilities, and if necessary, replace them. It is often required to lay new electrical wiring, bring lines to the site of the subsequent location of equipment.
We place electric wires and cables in specially created grooves, which are then sealed with a plaster solution. During major repairs, water and sewer pipes must be replaced. Sometimes it is necessary to install new pipes going to the heating devices.
The next step is to align the vertical surfaces. For these purposes, we use plaster or drywall sheets. We install a kitchen apron on the prepared walls.
Image taken from https://www.youtube.com/watch? v = egIg9fBgqI0 & feature = youtu.be
After that, we move on to preparing the ceiling in the kitchen. If whitewashing or painting is expected, layers of old material must be removed. If suspended or stretch ceilings are to be installed, this stage of work is omitted. It should be remembered: the plasterboard ceiling is assembled before the alignment of the vertical surfaces begins, the tension is placed only after all the dirty work after finishing the walls.
We prepare a flat surface for any type of flooring. Level differences should not exceed 5 mm per 1 sq. m. A common way of leveling is making a concrete screed with a minimum thickness of 3 cm. It is necessary to take into account the insufficient bearing strength of structures in Khrushchev. Therefore, it is advisable to perform a dry screed. We put lightweight porous expanded clay on the floor plate, then place the sheets of drywall.
Design and technical equipment
The main task of repairs in the kitchen in Khrushchev is to competently equip the area where cutting, sorting of products, and preparation of dishes takes place. The design of the working area in the kitchen should be functional, since comfort and ease of cooking depend on it. For the convenience of the hostess, the optimal width of the working surface of the headset is up to 60 cm.
The table top is made of different materials:
- Chipboard covered with heat-resistant plastic;
- artificial or natural stone;
- wood;
- tile;
- stainless steel.
The wall between the worktop and a number of upper cabinets must be covered with an apron. The standard height of the protective screen is 60 cm. In the absence of wall cabinets, the apron is brought up to the ceiling.
- ceramic tile;
- mosaic;
- glass;
- wall panels from MDF;
- natural or artificial stone.
We are thinking over the option of storing food, kitchen utensils, small household appliances. A logical, simple, convenient way is to distribute objects into zones so that you don't have to make unnecessary movements. Available ideas for a small kitchen:
- under the countertop (bottom row of cabinets);
- above the countertop (hanging modules);
- freestanding cabinets (pencil cases).
Do not place many items on the countertop. The freer the surface, the more spacious the kitchen looks. Put items that are rarely used in closets. Ideally, if only a kettle and a coffee machine remain on the surface of the appliances.
Light and ventilation
To visually enlarge the room, we perform multi-zone lighting. The main thing is to provide a sufficient amount of light to the area above the work surfaces. Convenience and functionality will be added by the placement of lamps on the bottom of the wall cabinets. A noteworthy option is the LED strip between the top row and the apron.
We carry out the lighting of the dining area separately. Instead of a bulky chandelier, we install several small ceiling lights. Additional lighting options are lamps built into drawers, shelves or hoods.
Natural light is equally important. The windows of a small kitchen should not be covered with thick curtains and blinds that do not let in the sun's rays. Remember - the brighter the lighting in the room, the more "airy" the atmosphere.
It is impossible to renovate the kitchen, having achieved convenience, forgetting about ventilation. To make it easy to breathe in the apartment, the fumes do not spread throughout the Khrushchev, it is necessary to achieve high-quality air ventilation. The hood will also solve the problem of ensuring the required humidity in the room. The device is connected to the provided air ducts for the removal of combustion products.
How to choose appliances and furniture
We choose a kitchen set in light, soft shades for Khrushchev. Furniture with pastel, beige, light cream facade colors seems less bulky. In a small area, the headsets can be matched to the tone of the walls, which will visually increase the area.
The Khrushchev area requires a minimum of items. You should give preference to roomy furniture, but limit the number of its units.
An excellent solution for small spaces is transparent or matte furniture. The dining table, bar counter, glass shelves create the effect of weightlessness.
The choice of home appliances is an important step for the logical arrangement of a small kitchen. All devices must be reliable, easy to operate, roomy and compact at the same time. It is advisable to buy appliances that can be built into a kitchen set. As for other household appliances, especially such bulky ones as a bread maker or a multicooker, you should make sure that they are needed in the household.