On TV screens, advertising shows us happy families who gather at dinner in a cozy dining room, full of many useful things and household items. But what if you had enough money only for a one-room studio, in which the kitchen is completely fenced off by one small zone, so to speak, with a “pocket” in the framework of one common room? In this case, of course, you need to think about how to save valuable space, visually reduce the area, arrange furniture and household appliances in the most ergonomic way.
There are many designs of small kitchens, however, they do not solve the problem of comfort and proper logistics, furniture placement. Today we tried to combine all the effective tips that will help to equip a small kitchen and keep the usable space to the maximum.
10. Arch instead of door
Modern residents of apartments have long been abandoning standard swing doors that are extremely uncomfortable in the kitchen (as they often touch the adjacent toilet or bathroom doors). Also, in principle, the entrance to a small room does not allow the door to fully open. If you have a very small kitchen, then the option with a leaving door will also not work, especially since not every layout allows you to lay such a mechanism. The best solution comes to the rescue - abandon the door and make an opening in the form of an arch. Firstly, it is very aesthetically pleasing and fashionable. Secondly, it will visually expand the space of the kitchen, make it brighter. Thirdly, there are no problems with a bulky door, which prevents you from moving freely into the kitchen and back. Of course, to eliminate the spread of odors throughout the apartment you will have to purchase a powerful hood.
9. Retractable structures
In fact, in modern kitchens, not all cabinets are used 100% and economically. Often, 1-2 gizmos and a heap of packages hang on boxes, and after all, excess furniture elements eat up the visual and useful space of the room. Designers in this case are advised to use folding and retractable structures. The leader in this regard, of course, is a pull-out table and cutting boards, which are very conveniently hidden under the countertop after performing their functions. To retrieve items, simply pull them or press a button.
8. Solid facades
And here is the corporate advice from designers. If you want a visually more spacious kitchen, pay attention to the plain facades with an even texture. Each monogram, curl, decorative molding, volumetric fittings and patterns visually consume space. Matte surfaces in this regard also win over colored glossy, corrugated, embossed and other “rough” ones. Preference should be given to light monochromatic shades, which will visually make a small kitchen more voluminous. In terms of fittings, you will also have to fall in love with minimalism - down with the massive handles of the cabinets, because there is an excellent choice of thin and small elements.
7. Built-in appliances
Along with the retractable structures, try to integrate into the furniture everything that is currently possible in the market of domestic services. We know for sure that with success a small kitchen can be equipped with a refrigerator, microwave, oven and hob. If possible, place the washing machine where it belongs - in the boiler room (if you have a house) or in the bathroom, in the worst case, in the hallway, but it does not belong in the kitchen. We also recommend that you abandon the dishwasher, which, although it is built into modern kitchens, but eats up valuable storage space in which to put pans and other bulky dishes.
6. Roller blinds
As for the visual design, the heavy tulle curtains and curtains, of course, create the comfort of the room, but they take far from a couple of centimeters. In addition, all the smells, steam, burning smoke, etc. will be absorbed into their surface, so the kitchen will never have the perfect freshness that you dreamed about. The way out can be roller blinds or modern blinds that quickly assemble, letting sunlight into the room, are easily erased and cleaned, and also eat up much less valuable room space.
5. Lighting
Fans of massive light bulbs and sconces should understand that in a small kitchen they take away volume and distort lighting. The hinged small bulbs remain the best option, and the most ideal solution is the integration of spotlights in drywall, suspended ceilings and the upper elements of the cabinet facades. They look stylish, save energy, perfectly illuminate cooking surfaces and visually save room space.
4. Double burner stove
Most often, small kitchens find themselves in the same small apartments, designed for 1-2 people. Agree that 2 cooking rings are quite enough for you to cook. Of course, if you have a built-in hob, then you can easily afford all four burners. But if you put a small electric stove with 2 burners, then it will allow you to save significantly space on the work surface.
3. Rails and shelves
In fact, housewives, even in large kitchens, would not refuse such “organizers”, as they save space on the work surface and in cupboards, speed up and facilitate access to the most used household items and utensils. Additional shelves under the cabinets are optimal for spices, dishwashing detergents and cleaning the stove, various sponges and potholders. Railings with magnets allow you to place knives and other utensils with iron elements on them. On screwed hooks you can hang potholders, towels, ladles, mashed potato slicers, silicone blades, chopping boards, a whisk and many other devices that would occupy several drawers in the kitchen.
2. Decor wisely
Perhaps a bachelor agrees to a dry and strict minimalism. But a woman, even if she spends most of her time in the office, really wants to have an outlet in the kitchen, so she begins to refine and decorate her. Coziness will add a small vase with artificial flowers, or maybe natural fruits and sweets in the center of the table. Roller blinds can be selected with warmer shades with themed patterns. And the tile with which the apron was laid out in the kitchen can be cozy and with an interesting print. A lot of space will not be taken away by a beautiful kitchen clock, slate boards or magnets on a refrigerator or amulet above the entrance. You can also sew beautiful covers on chairs or stools in the tone of a tablecloth - everything is simple, but with taste and without harm to the common space.
1. Wall cabinets - yes
It is necessary to optimize the kitchen space not only in breadth, but also up. The maximum possible number of shelves is best placed above the working surface at the height of an outstretched arm. This, firstly, is very convenient and facilitates the logistics in the kitchen. Secondly, wall cabinets eliminate the need to add standing units, and it is precisely because of them that most of the time in a small kitchen is “not to turn around”. Please note that visually less space is eaten by open cabinets or with transparent shelves.
These simple life hacks in design and ergonomics will help you to equip a small kitchen correctly, while preserving its useful space as much as possible.