Color scheme for a small kitchen. Six steps to the perfect kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most favorite places in the house where food is prepared, friendly conversations and gatherings are held. There is nothing better than relaxing over a cup of coffee or tea with friends and family.
Before you go shopping for kitchen furniture, you should listen to the advice of experts, measure, and draw a plan.
It is preferable to choose a kitchen body from chipboard for furniture, preferably laminated, it is more heat-resistant and moisture-resistant. The laminated surface is easier to clean with household reagents.
The ends of the body parts must be treated with a special edge material. It is usually made on the basis of PVC, which gives the furniture an aesthetic and attractive appearance and extends its service life.
Which material to choose
More than 40 types of wood are used to produce kitchen furniture. For kitchens, as well as sofas, solid wood and multiplex are used. Furniture made from multiplex is cheaper than solid wood, but is more durable and less susceptible to water.
The most popular materials for kitchen production are MDF and chipboard. Products made from chipboard are the cheapest, so when purchasing, ask the seller for a quality certificate or a hygiene certificate, which indicates the amount of harmful substances emitted, such as formaldehyde.
Furniture made from MDF (medium density fiberboard) is more durable and environmentally friendly. Furniture based on MDF does not swell, withstands high temperature changes and kitchen steam, does not warp and is highly durable. MDF is flexible to manufacture and easy to mold into a variety of shapes.
Furniture facades (drawers, doors, shelves) are often made of chipboard with a special coating, for example, laminate. I cover the edges in 2 ways: postforming and softforming. Postforming - the finishing material moves to the main plane at the ends. This coating is better and more expensive, without seams, which distinguishes it from softforming.
In the production of kitchen furniture, metal (aluminum) coated with special composition, increasing wear resistance. High-strength glass is used on cabinet doors and shelves.
Choosing the right kitchen color and style
Classic
Does not age and will never go out of style. Furniture made of wood, beautiful, carved, massive in size. Wooden furniture is expensive, but if the house has high ceilings and windows, it will be ideal. To match such an interior, the dazzling whiteness of the ceiling with stucco and wallpaper classic version– vertical stripes with gilding, piping or designs.
Modern
Appeared in Germany in the 20th century. main feature– convenience. Domestic manufacturers have created quite a wide selection of such kitchens using MDF and chipboard. In such a kitchen, everything is thought out to the smallest detail, there is nothing superfluous, there are built-in household appliances. There is no feeling of clutter. A modern kitchen looks modern, without pretentiousness.
Kitchen interior design video
Country
Also called rural style, it is very romantic. Choose natural materials. Country style is characterized by wicker furniture, bunches of onions or garlic on the walls, and flowers in clay pots. They try to hide household appliances, with the exception of small things, for example, toasters and kettles. Craftsmen sometimes decorate them with brass. Country combines simplicity and functionality.
High tech
The opposite of country. If country style uses warm, natural material, then high-tech is displayed in the form of glass and metal. The facades are often painted, there is chrome in the decoration, and the built-in appliances are the most modern. The style implies beauty, space, comfort and minimalism.
Color selection
Choosing a kitchen style is half the battle. Color plays a huge role in design. In order to decide on a color, you need to know some meanings.
- Blue - peace and feeling of freshness.
- Green - harmony and calm.
- Yellow and orange - comfort and improvement of mood.
- Blue - suppresses appetite.
- Red - causes aggression and irritation.
It is fashionable to combine colors to create comfort and mood. If the kitchen small size, choose light-colored furniture to visually enlarge the room. You can experiment with the color of furniture, curtains, wallpaper.
Photo examples of interior
Selection of accessories
Creating your own kitchen is a fascinating and time-consuming process. Facades are form, and content indicates meaning and purpose.
Arrangement of boxes. Boxes are sold: with double bottoms, rubber mats, with all kinds of dividers and delimiters.
An interesting device is the unfastening loop-clips. They are easily removed and rotated 180 degrees. An interesting mechanism is called “stroke crank”; it is equipped with sliding elements. Available from German manufacturers. The remaining 2-3 centimeters of the path, the drawer or door, overcomes itself, then closes tightly. The most practical drawers are those that can withstand loads of up to 80 kg and are fully retractable.
Choosing a tabletop
The choice of countertops is huge; manufacturers take into account the taste and contents of customers’ wallets. For example, a tabletop made of tempered glass is expensive, but a tabletop made of laminated MDF board is much cheaper. Some people like it a natural stone- marble or granite, some prefer ceramic dust pressed with rubber mass.
Tabletops are also made from corian, a special material. The basis is acrylic resin and mineral fillers. It turns out fake diamond, with high strength and durability.
Kitchen layout
The convenience and coziness of the kitchen depends on the layout. The corner kitchen is considered the most popular; it is compact and fits well into a small room. Corner cabinets are so spacious that they give the impression of bottomlessness.
The next most popular kitchen is one line. It is used in narrow rooms or where they plan to create a large and spacious dining area.
Fashion trends recent years– island or peninsular kitchens. These options are suitable for large rooms.
The ideal kitchen is comfortable and bright, where it is so harmonious that you don’t feel constrained and uncomfortable. It is not advisable to have huge shelves or beams hanging over your head while cooking. You should take into account the location of sockets, ventilation channels, and convenient water supply.
Considering the style own life and the preferences of family members, the kitchen space will turn out to be unique world, where there is warmth and comfort.
Most families spend quite a lot of time in the kitchen: preparing food, daily meals, and just sitting at home drinking tea, and receiving guests. Therefore, it is very important that we be surrounded by comfortable and multifunctional furniture, which at the same time would also please the eye. It is important to choose the right piece of furniture in the kitchen, carefully consider all the nuances, right down to the system for opening them. If, then the task becomes more complicated, because you will have to enter everything necessary elements, while trying to leave free place for movement and make the room visually more spacious. But there are no unsolvable problems, and you can choose the perfect furniture for any kitchen.
No. 1. Determining what furniture is needed for
Some aspects of kitchen use may vary from family to family, so furniture different situations you will need a different one. It is important, before purchasing an entire kitchen or its individual parts, to clearly define for yourself the scenarios for using a given room, so that later it does not turn out that some pieces of furniture are not functional, not needed, and some are completely missing.
So, a kitchen can be in an apartment “for beauty,” no matter how strange it may sound. If the owners don't like to cook and they do this extremely rarely, then minimalism should reign in the kitchen: only the most necessary items to perform the simplest things when needed. If the hostess - businesswoman who wants spend minimal time cooking, then the organization of space will need to be approached with the utmost care, so that all objects are located very close, and it takes a minimum of time to perform some action.
For those who like to cook something tasty to please your family, and all those who spend a lot of time in the kitchen creating the next culinary masterpiece can be advised to pay attention to kitchens with the maximum possible number of shelves, cabinets and bedside tables that can only fit into the space. But do not forget that it is very difficult to transfer communications, so you should choose furniture sets very carefully, or opt for modular systems.
If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen outside of cooking, for example, family conversations, tea drinking, and also often there are guests, then it is important to pay attention not only to the work area, but also to the dining area. It should be as comfortable as possible and conducive to long gatherings. It would be nice if this is possible: different finishes, zoning with a bar counter, etc. are used. By the way, which often becomes a decoration - great option separate the space, but at the same time make good use of every square centimeter of space. A combined kitchen and living room, in which you can place a dining area, is convenient, stylish and fashionable, and the kitchen space increases by one and a half to two times, and you can fit much more useful things in the form of furniture and appliances.
No. 2. Furniture color
It would seem that choosing the color of furniture for the kitchen is not so difficult, but in order to end up with a harmonious, stylish room, you need to think through many details in advance. You can use the services of an experienced designer, or you can try to handle it yourself by scrolling through successful examples in the Internet. It will be best if the furniture is matched to the kitchen in which the renovation is being carried out: you can immediately select the appropriate color for the walls, linoleum or tiles and other details. You should immediately decide whether one color or a pair will be used, what color it will be, and then use the selected shades as a starting point when choosing everything: from the furniture itself to curtains and accessories.
As for specific colors, it all depends on your preferences, and kitchens can now be of all imaginable and inconceivable shades. The well-known rule applies here: light shades visually expand the space, so if you have a small kitchen, then you shouldn’t load it dark furniture, which will look harmonious in a spacious room. You can opt for bright colors: orange, green, yellow, red, and then the kitchen will become stylish interesting place. You can even use contrasting rich shades, but remember that they are only appropriate in spacious rooms. In no large rooms Light and pastel shades save the day, and to prevent the kitchen from looking too boring and faded, simply add a few bright accessories: curtains, tablecloth or napkins. Besides, for miniature kitchens Shades such as light green, light blue, light yellow, peach, light gray, etc. are suitable.
By the way, psychologists have long proven that our mood largely depends on color which surrounds us. To improve appetite, the design uses bright colors characteristic of fruits and vegetables: green, yellow, orange, red. White in this case remains neutral, but is able to enhance the impact of other colors. If inducing an appetite is not in your plans, but is planned for the coming years proper nutrition and diet, then for the kitchen you can choose colors such as gray, olive, marsh, blue, purple, blue.
Illumination level also influences the choice of color scheme. If the kitchen faces south, it means the sun will constantly shine, and to make the room visually a little cooler, you can use cool colors: blue, green, purple, indigo, gray. If the situation is exactly the opposite, then your option is sunny warm shades: yellow, peach, sand, orange.
No. 3. Deciding on a style
Choosing the right color is only the first step; then you need to decide on the style of the kitchen, which will determine the style of the furniture. There can be a lot of options: as many as there are on this moment. The choice should be based on your own tastes, as well as some features of the premises.
Classic style certainly won't go out of fashion, at least, in the next few decades, so such a kitchen will always be relevant. True, such a solution will not cost the owner very little, since the style involves the use of natural wood or materials that are as close as possible to it in properties and appearance. Such kitchens are usually massive, so they are suitable for larger rooms with high ceilings and large windows.
Modern– an excellent option that will fit into any kitchen of any size. The main thing here is simplicity and functionality, and every detail is thought out, only the necessary furniture is present, which amazes with the laconicism of its forms. In addition, kitchens in the Art Nouveau style are most often executed in light colors, and there is no place for dark, contrasting and flashy colors.
Country style kitchen– this is comfort, beauty and functionality. The so-called rustic style is very well suited for arranging kitchens, however, for this you will need sufficient quantity space. Everything natural is held in high esteem: wooden or wicker furniture, clay pots, linen textiles.
High tech- one of the most modern styles interior It makes the kitchen look like it's from the future, and all thanks to the presence of the modern technology and furniture with clear outlines, made of metal, glass or plastic. Such kitchens captivate with their simplicity, bordering on maximum convenience.
Close to high-tech and modern minimalism, which contains only the most necessary pieces of furniture, but at the same time they can be made of almost any material. The main thing in style is simplicity, the presence of free space and a single color scheme.
In addition, there is also lots of other styles, which are also used in the kitchen, but less often: Japanese with its simplicity and compactness, Scandinavian with its predominance light shades, Provence with an abundance of floral prints.
No. 4. Furniture material
No matter how stylistically different and dissimilar the pieces of kitchen furniture may be, there are not so many materials for their manufacture.
Let's get started from frame material, which is hidden from our eyes. Wooden kitchens are executive class kitchens that are environmentally friendly and high quality. But such material will require a special approach in difficult kitchen conditions, since it does not tolerate moisture well.
Due to the high cost of wooden furniture, its analogues are increasingly used. For example, MDF furniture It is environmentally friendly and easy to maintain. Since such boards are plastic and flexible, furniture can have any shape, and at the same time it is also affordable. The disadvantages include not the highest durability and a high risk of peeling off the cladding.
Chipboard also has good performance qualities: modern technologies treatments allow such furniture to withstand Negative influence moisture and temperature, remaining in its original form for a long time. The cost is also reasonable, but the shape will be simpler than that of MDF, since the material bends poorly.
Another alternative to wood is multiplex, a material made by gluing together thin sheets of natural wood different breeds. The result is a material that is resistant to deformation and moisture.
As for facade of kitchen furniture, then the range of materials used is expanding. In addition to the chipboard and MDF mentioned above, specially treated wood is also used, which will not warp when exposed to moisture. Plastic, glass and metal inserts can also be used.
MDF May be covered with enamel, in this case, the kitchen facade will be resistant to moisture and deformation, will retain its original appearance for a long time, and at the same time there are a lot of options for appearance: a bunch of colors, glossy and matte surfaces, etc. If used as a coating PVC film, then the quality of the furniture decreases: these are not the most durable sets, but in the area of the sink and oven The film will soon begin to peel off and fade.
Kitchen furniture can have plastic facade: in this case, the material is glued to a base made of chipboard or MDF. Quality depends on the type of plastic and how it is processed. In any case, this is a material whose disadvantages are more than offset by its advantages: varied appearance, resistance to sunlight and aggressive chemicals, moisture, etc. And here laminated chipboard, although it remains the most budget option, will last a very short time and is suitable for office spaces or as a temporary option.
Today furniture designers combine aluminum profile with other materials: plastic, wood, slabs, glass, and the result is stylish and original furniture, however, aluminum can darken over time. And here glass elements , which can be easily combined with any material, have been held in high esteem for many years: they add lightness to the kitchen and originality to the furniture.
As for interior furniture space, then the modern offer is simply amazing. Kitchens combine pull-out shelves, bedside tables, rotating shelves, corner cabinets with completely different opening/closing mechanisms. You need to choose an option so that all the elements are convenient to use and so that they are located as ergonomically as possible. Also, do not forget that storage spaces can be expanded with all kinds of shelves, hooks, etc.
No. 5. The right countertop
Choice of countertop material – . This is the place where all kitchen processes take place, such as cutting, washing, cleaning, etc., which are accompanied by constant exposure to moisture, splashes of grease, and possible mechanical deformations, so the material of the countertop must be such that it can withstand all this and not lose its original appearance.
Today, countertops are made from the most different materials. A few words about the most popular of them.
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No. 6. We are drawing up a project
It is important not only what quality of furniture you buy, but also how you place it, which will determine the comfort and ease of use. That is why it is better to measure all the parameters and decide what will be placed where: you need to take into account the location of communications, the features of the layout, and personal convenience. Doesn't interfere draw a diagram or create a model in special programs. We arrange all the necessary furniture, household appliances, chairs, etc. on a scale. so that you can then choose the best one.
While arranging a dining area is not so difficult, the working area requires close attention, because it is important that you can cook something there comfortably and quickly. Stove, sink and refrigerator– key elements – should be located in close proximity, so take this into account in your design. There are several options for the location of these elements:
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No. 7. The right kitchen table
The kitchen table must be comfortable. Ergonomists have calculated and found that there must be at least 70 cm of space for each person sitting at the table to feel comfortable. This is exactly what you should start from when choosing a kitchen table, knowing the number of people who regularly gather around it. In case of guests there are transformable tables with retractable additional slats that can increase the size of the table by 2-4 times.
Suitable for classic cuisine wooden table or its imitation. But for more modern kitchens, you can choose a table from glass, or even plastic or metal, or combinations thereof. Transparent glass tables on metal legs is an excellent addition to a small kitchen, since with all its functionality they do not clutter up the space, and since a person sees everything that is at the table, the tabletop is not perceived as some kind of object: therefore, the room seems more spacious.
Round tables they are not so dangerous because they do not have corners, and more people can be accommodated there, and a more trusting atmosphere is created. However, a round table cannot be pushed all the way to the wall, so there may be some positioning issues. Oval tables have the same characteristics, but at the same time they are even more “roomy”.
Square and rectangular tables– a true classic, comfortable and functional. But if square tables placed in a corner are an option for only two people, then a rectangular table is suitable for the whole family. Moreover, if you place it in the center, then you can receive a respectable company of guests. Triangular, irregular or polygonal tables– this option is not for everyone, but it will attract attention and, with the right approach, will even become convenient.
Chairs to table are chosen in the appropriate style: material, presence of decorations, backs and handles - all this is individual. The main thing is that the entire set fits and is comfortable and practical.
No. 8. Selection of household appliances
If you still have an old refrigerator or washing machine, you will have to work hard to choose a suitable kitchen, or have it made to order. But if you need everything completely, then in the store you can choose a complete set so that there are no problems when combining: a guarantee that all items will match each other. True, if you take furniture and appliances separately, you will be able to save a decent amount.
By the way, today built-in technology– it’s not only fashionable and stylish, but also very comfortable. It allows you to organize space as ergonomically as possible, and even save about 20% of the area, not to mention the harmonious appearance. But there are also disadvantages: you have to buy new technology, and if you want to change the arrangement of furniture in the kitchen, problems will arise.
No. 9. Decorating the kitchen
Accessories must be present in the kitchen in optimal quantities. You can also use quite functional things as decoration: curtains, tablecloth, napkins, pillows with bright interesting colors. If the colors match, the kitchen will turn out incredibly stylish. Beautiful dishes, salt and pepper shakers, cutlery, glasses and other elements, even fittings are excellent kitchen decorations. In addition, delicious paintings or photographs, plants, decorative lamps. Even ordinary kitchen utensils hung on the wall can become decorations and create a cozy homely atmosphere.
Finally
The functionality and style of the kitchen largely depend on the furniture chosen, which is why this issue should be approached with all responsibility and seriousness. Furniture should be practical, functional, withstand difficult conditions, which are not uncommon in the kitchen, fit the parameters, but at the same time please the eye. The task is not the easiest, but with the right approach it can be easily solved.
When wondering how to choose a kitchen, you should think through everything down to the smallest details. It may not hurt to seek help from a designer, because on this difficult path you will have to take several serious steps.
Step one: developing a kitchen project
The first is the exact dimensions of the kitchen. As a rule, the kitchen space is rarely large, and you want every centimeter to be put to good use. After measurements have been taken from all the walls, it is advisable to draw the room on a scale and begin developing a kitchen project, arranging the furniture, sink and household appliances from the most rational point of view.
Kitchen project example
Professionals in the field of culinary art suggest placing kitchen equipment in the sequence of cooking actions: refrigerator, cutting surface, sink, table for cutting food, stove. When developing a kitchen project, you should maintain the distance between work areas for the most comfortable work, it should be no more than two outstretched arms.
Types of kitchen layouts
Designers identify five options for kitchen layout:
- L-shaped;
- linear;
- L-shaped;
- U-shaped;
- island
The classic and most functional option for square rooms is the L-shaped kitchen layout, which retains the ability to freely move around the working triangle of kitchen areas: washing, storage and cooking.
L-shaped kitchen layout
A linear arrangement fits perfectly into narrow spaces. The set has built-in appliances under the countertop, helping to save space. The following arrangement of work areas would be rational: on both sides of the long sink wall located in the center, cutting tables are mounted, along the edges of which a refrigerator and stove are placed. In small rooms, to free up the passage on the opposite side, a folding dining table is mounted and other kitchen furniture is placed.
Kitchen with linear layout
The elongation of the room is well hidden by double-row or L-shaped placement of furniture and household appliances. As an option, a refrigerator and a sink are placed on one side, and a stove and work table on the other. This layout has one drawback - it is not possible to clearly define the dining area.
L-shaped kitchen layout
For a spacious room, a U-shaped kitchen layout is suitable, in which all items are lined up along three walls. It allows you to place a sufficient number of places to store food supplies and appliances.
U-shaped kitchen layout
Very interesting and popular kitchens today are islands. In large rooms, a table with a sink, stove or bar counter is placed in the middle. Which kitchen is better to choose depends entirely on your desire, imagination and capabilities.
Kitchen island for large spaces
When creating a kitchen project Special attention The focus is on ergonomics and comfort; a minimum amount of time should be spent on cooking, so it is necessary that the composition be easy to use.
Step two: determine the style of the kitchen space
Like any room, the kitchen room must be decorated in the same style. Photos on the Internet, proposals for kitchen styling in furniture stores, in designer catalogs demonstrate what kitchen styles there are, presenting a variety of models, colors and textures.
Classic cuisine
Classics never go out of fashion or get old, which is why classic kitchen design is the most popular in modern housing. These are beautiful kitchens, often made of pure wood, massive, decorated with carvings and quite expensive. Such furniture will not look good in a small kitchen, but for a tall, spacious room with large windows, this is an ideal option, adding solidity, calm and grandeur to the atmosphere. Such a kitchen will be a favorite place for all household members.
Classic style kitchen
Art Nouveau style
Kitchens in a modernist style are chosen by successful, self-confident city dwellers who place convenience at the forefront. The basis in this direction is convenience, comfort, and a thoughtful arrangement of the working and dining areas. Calm colors, absence of trifles, multifunctional furniture, built-in appliances, plenty of light and open space characterize kitchens in the Art Nouveau style.
Spacious, bright kitchen in modern style
Country style
This style combines functionality and convenience of kitchen design with charming simplicity, light artistic clutter, and home comfort. Household appliances are hidden behind wooden facades, wicker furniture is often used, textile decoration, sanitary equipment is decorated with brass.
Cozy kitchen in country style
High-tech kitchen
Restraint of strict lines, glass and metal, painted chrome furniture facades, latest models appliances make the difference between a high-tech kitchen and a rustic kitchen. There is no place for trinkets on tables and shelves, no cluttering of space, the kitchen should be spacious, bright and comfortable for the hostess.
High-tech kitchen
Have you decided on the style of your kitchen? Go ahead. Choices on the agenda color design and kitchen lighting.
Step three: color of the kitchen space
Solving the problem of how to choose the color of the kitchen, in which color scheme decorating the room plays an important role, because the overall impression made by the interior depends on the main color of the kitchen space. In addition, it affects not only your mood, but also your desire to eat. Blue color adds freshness to the room, green adds peace and harmony, orange lifts your mood and appetite. Improves appetite and red color, blue and its shades have the opposite effect.
Monochrome in the kitchen
Monochrome combinations have become very popular in kitchen interiors. When decorating, only one color is used, diluting it with different shades. Great solution will not only black and white colors, but also gray tones. Zoning the room is achieved using shades; bright accessories dilute the interior, making it less boring. Monochrome interiors make it possible to experiment with styles, which can result in an original, expensive and aristocratic room.
Monochrome kitchen with bright accents
Kitchens in contrast
The color scheme of the kitchen space in this case is based on the use of opposite shades. Most interior styles are based on contrast. Interesting color combinations:
- white with black;
- orange with blue;
- green with red;
- yellow with purple.
Contrasting kitchen in green and red tones
Contrasts should be used sparingly in the kitchen interior; it is best to use them on facades. To prevent overly rich combinations from causing irritation and discomfort, you can use a clever trick: arrange accessories in a contrasting color, which can be easily and inexpensively replaced at any time. An inexpensive option would be to replace a boring interior using plastic facades, which are also simply replaced with new ones.
Kitchen with contrasting red facades
Kitchens in one tone
The best option for a monochromatic kitchen interior is light pastel colors. Such interiors seem boring, but if you use correctly placed accents, it will look no worse than contrasting combinations. Multi-textured surfaces will add expressiveness to a monochromatic kitchen space. In this case, everything depends on the imagination and capabilities of the apartment owner.
Plain white kitchen
Adjacent tones in the interior
Colors that are adjacent in the spectrum provide a very organic and pleasing combination to the eye. Yellow with orange, purple with blue look interesting. Such combinations of shades are possible even in small kitchens and in any interior direction. Painting a wooden facade or using plastic will help you easily change the interior if necessary.
Adjacent tones in the kitchen interior
The basic techniques used when selecting kitchen colors will help you decide how to choose the color of kitchen furniture:
- facades are chosen lighter than the floor, but darker than the walls;
the flooring should be several tones darker than the ceiling;
- three primary colors are used in an approximate ratio of 6:3:1 with a predominance of shades of a light palette;
- upholstery and facades should be in contrast with the walls (bright walls and calm shades of facades or expression of furniture colors and a neutral background);
Upholstery and fronts should be in contrast with the walls
- it is not recommended to make the apron and tabletop in the same tone as the facades;
- contrasting combinations will add uniqueness to even small kitchens where dark shades are undesirable.
Adjacent tones will add uniqueness to a small kitchen
These simple techniques will help you create an exclusive interior in a kitchen of any size, making it comfortable, stylish and cozy.
Step Four: Kitchen Lighting
But even a well-chosen kitchen color scheme can look dull in poor lighting. Dim light turns even the most stunning color into a gloomy and unattractive one. Dark colors in the kitchen are appropriate only with properly placed lamps, while bright and neutral colors require additional lighting. The kitchen should have three levels of lighting: above the work table, in the dining area and general overhead lighting.
Desk light
The work surface requires the best lighting, so local lighting is necessary here. Ideal for this purpose are overhead lamps mounted on bottom part cabinets
Local illumination of the working surface
They perfectly illuminate the cutting table, making the kitchen comfortable, cozy and safe. Such lighting consists of round lamps or elongated lamps with a plastic housing that protects the lamps from steam, moisture and grease deposits. As an alternative, you can use LED strips, which also provide effective illumination in a variety of colors.
LED lights
An original way to illuminate a desktop would be shelves that glow from the inside or the glass bottom of wall cabinets. An interesting option There is also a kitchen apron in which LED lighting is mounted.
Kitchen apron with lighting
Dining area lighting
The dining table should also be in sufficiently illuminated For this you can use different options.
The most popular way now is an original pendant lamp, decorated with a beautiful lampshade or shade. It is located directly above the center of the dining area, and ideal solution in this case there will be a mechanism that regulates the length of the hanging cord. The average distance from the light bulb to the table should be within one and a half meters. If you raise the lamp higher, the room will become bright and solemn, lower it lower to the table, more comfortable, soft and homely. It is advisable to take matte lamps that softly diffuse light. Otherwise, it will hurt the eyes of those sitting at the table. It is not recommended to purchase a fabric lampshade for your kitchen. It is quite difficult to clean, and it gets dirty quite quickly, even with excellent hood. Plastic or glass shades will be more practical.
Lighting the dining area with a pendant lamp
Another way to illuminate a dining table is to use several small lampshades. For standard tables, 2-3 such lamps are quite enough. You can place them in different ways: in one pile, or along the center line at an equal distance from each other. Above a round and square table, one lamp in the center is enough; if the table model is elongated or it serves as a bar counter, then ideal option there will be two or three pendants that evenly illuminate the dining table.
Lighting the dining area with a group of lamps
To illuminate a table pushed up against the wall, you can use sconces whose light is directed downward. This method is not very successful, since it is not always appropriate in terms of style, it illuminates only part of the tabletop, and greatly diffuses the light.
The lighting of the dining room can be well designed using a busbar system or a suspended plasterboard structure with built-in spotlights. Such a module can play the role of an element dividing the kitchen space into zones. The lamps can also be built into a canopy made of furniture laminated chipboard or MDF.
Illumination of the dining area with spotlights
Overhead light for kitchen
The general lighting of the kitchen should be planned uniformly, as neutral as possible. All lighting options can be used partially or simultaneously. For basic room lighting, spotlights built into the ceiling, a chandelier, an LED strip, and a pendant lamp are ideal.
The overhead light in the kitchen should be uniform
When designing a kitchen lighting system, try to ensure that zone lighting is turned on in parts. In addition to ease of use, this will help save electricity by turning on exactly as much light as is needed at the moment.
Step five: kitchen materials
The question of what material to choose from for a kitchen is much more serious than it seems at first. If for a living room or bedroom the choice of interior materials depends only on the taste and desire of the owner, then the design of a kitchen space requires a special approach, since not all materials will withstand high humidity, exposure to steam and temperature changes.
Facade materials
The face of the kitchen is the facade, which determines the design of the kitchen furniture and the general style direction of the room. The amount of materials used for the body and facade of furniture is enormous. Furniture facades made of chipboard and MDF are covered with film, laminated or painted with enamel.
Facades are produced from aluminum profiles or frames decorated with glass or plastic. Before choosing materials for the kitchen, you need to evaluate all their properties and shortcomings.
Natural wood, coated with a water-repellent composition, is ideal for kitchen furniture; products made from it are durable, resistant to deformation, and designed for a long service life. With proper and careful care, they last for decades, only slightly changing under the influence sun rays. This is not a very plastic material, so it will not be possible to create curved, wavy lines from natural wood. But the design in a classic style will add respectability and solidity to the kitchen interior.
Kitchen with natural wood fronts
Multiplex is a more budget-friendly material, with environmental properties similar to natural wood. It consists of glued strips of trees of different species, resistant to moisture, high temperatures, and steam flows.
Multiplex facades are resistant to high humidity
Much lower in cost, but in terms of characteristics, also a suitable material for the kitchen is MDF. This material consists of compressed wood chips impregnated with special resin compounds that impart special strength and moisture resistance. In terms of resistance to deformation and strength, MDF is superior to some types of wood. Its plasticity allows you to create original forms of facades, use diverse different types coatings The most durable coating is plastic, which is easy to care for. Painted MDF looks much more interesting than film-coated MDF, but it also costs a little more. The film also has a disadvantage - over time it can peel off, especially in places exposed to water and high temperatures.
Kitchen with MDF fronts
Lowest in price, but less durable and environmentally friendly material– Chipboard. Low grades of this material easily get wet in a humid environment and become deformed, so when purchasing a kitchen made of chipboard, you need to be prepared for the fact that in a few years the body will have to be replaced.
An economical option - a kitchen made of chipboard
Countertop materials
The kitchen countertop is most often exposed to chemical and physical attack, so when choosing a material, you should first of all pay attention to practicality.
Natural stone is a noble material, beautiful, respectable, and lasts almost forever. However, it has one peculiarity: it is very fragile and with a strong impact, chips can form. Constant contact with products and chemicals may change color, especially in light-colored stones. Artificial stone, which is a mixture of stone chips and environmentally friendly resins, does not have these disadvantages. In appearance it is in no way inferior to natural stones, but is more resistant to various kinds external influences.
Practical countertop made of artificial stone
Steel is the most suitable material for countertops in high-tech kitchens. Working surfaces made of steel are easy to clean, are not afraid of water or fire, are very durable and look great.
Steel kitchen countertop
Laminate for countertops is much more budget-friendly than tables made of stone and steel, although it is almost as strong as them. Laminated surfaces are easy to clean and can withstand high temperatures, and also have a large selection of shades. These characteristics apply only to high-quality laminates; inexpensive ones quickly deform and lose their attractiveness.
Laminate countertop
Natural wood is the most beautiful material for countertops, giving warmth, comfort, and a pleasant atmosphere to the kitchen space. To maintain wooden countertops in excellent condition, you should regularly treat them with special oil compounds that create a water-repellent coating.
Natural wood countertops must be regularly treated with oil compounds.
Kitchen accessories
The facades and body of a furniture set are just a picture, a form behind which the main contents are hidden, the filling of the kitchen, its internal components, which should be comfortable, practical, ergonomic.
The most popular kitchen accessories are drawers, the design of which is so diverse that you could write a separate treatise. The boxes can have a double bottom, removable rubber mats, contain linear and vertical dividers, and be equipped with plastic and wooden trays for storing cutlery.
Storage system in drawers in the kitchen
When choosing a sink, you should give preference to stainless steel products round shape. Such sinks look aesthetically pleasing and are easy to use. A sink installed in a corner significantly saves kitchen space. It is better to place the dish drainer directly above the sink or at arm's length from it.
A corner sink will significantly save space in the kitchen
Retractable work surfaces and roll-out tables are considered convenient and very practical for cooking. Corner cabinets are often equipped with retractable rotating elements that save corner space in kitchen sections.
Extendable work surface
Some manufacturers install a rotating shelf with containers for different types of waste in such cabinets.
Almost all factories install separate shelves with special slots for storing wine bottles.
Built-in shelf for storing wine bottles
Modern kitchens are unthinkable without handrails and rails mounted on the wall. They allow you to always have the necessary small kitchen utensils at hand. The bar counter is often decorated with a metal pole with rotating shelves.
Bar counter with rotating pole
Showcases with built-in sockets and lighting, special niches for small household appliances: toasters, blenders, coffee makers deserve special attention.
Kitchen fittings
A small, but quite important and noticeable detail in the appearance of the kitchen is the fittings, which completely change the interior of the kitchen space. Like all other parts of the kitchen, handles should be ergonomic, beautiful and practical. The most convenient form of handles is in the form of a bracket or U-shaped.
For rustic country and Provence styles, handles are used - buttons, less convenient, but completely merging into the style space.
Country style kitchen fittings
Modern kitchen cabinets are often mounted without handles, since all the fittings are hidden inside. The doors open by pressing on the surface of the cabinet.
Modern kitchen facade without handles
You should also be interested in the “closer” mechanism, which is installed on doors, drawers and other sliding elements. The mechanism allows the last centimeter of the closing movement to be done slowly and smoothly, which prevents loud door slams. To make it easier to care for façade elements, they are sometimes equipped with unfastening hinges. With their help, the doors can be removed or rotated 180 degrees to easily remove dust and dirt from the surface.
Lifting mechanism for kitchen cabinets
There are many other accessories that make working in the kitchen easier. You just have to remember that installing each of them, even the most insignificant ones, will increase the overall cost of the kitchen. Little things make a big difference, but they are sometimes the main reason for price premiums: the more parts there are in the set, that is, shelves, drawers, glass and mirror decorative elements, the higher the final amount will be.
Step six: choosing kitchen furniture models
The question of how to choose furniture for the kitchen is not an idle one. Most Almost every family spends time in the kitchen: cooking, eating, sitting over a cup of morning coffee, evening tea, and receiving guests. That's why kitchen furniture should be, first of all, comfortable, functional, and at the same time organically fit into the style of the space. It is especially important to choose the right furniture for small kitchen spaces, since everything you need must fit in such a way that there is free space for movement. However, there are no unsolvable problems; in any situation you can find best option solving the problem.
Kitchen furniture should be comfortable and functional
Purpose of furniture in the kitchen
The first thing you need to do is determine what the furniture in your kitchen is for. Every family uses the kitchen differently. For those who do not like to cook or do not have free time for it, the kitchen serves more to decorate the apartment. In this case, a minimal set of the most necessary furniture would be ideal.
If the housewife likes to please the family with new delicious dishes, then she will need a large number of systems for storing food, kitchen appliances. You just need to carefully consider the placement of furniture cabinets and tables in relation to communications.
Think carefully about the placement of cabinets in your kitchen
A kitchen that is often used as a dining area should have a large dining area. If possible, it should be visually or using pieces of furniture separated from the food preparation area. A bar counter that performs several functions at once is ideal for this purpose: it separates the dining room from the work area, replaces the dining table, and serves as a storage system. Not a bad option is a combination of living room and kitchen. This is a very fashionable and stylish trend, the convenient and comfortable arrangement of furniture increases the space visually and actually, allowing you to place it in the kitchen large quantity necessary furniture and appliances.
Zoning the kitchen space
Before purchasing furnishings, clearly determine what types of kitchen furniture in your home will be needed to ensure that the room is comfortable, functional and contains all the necessary items.
Choosing a dining set of furniture
The main item in the kitchen-dining room is the dining table. Ergonomics experts have calculated that the optimal distance for comfortable placement of each person present at the table will be 70 cm. Using this formula, it is worth calculating the size of the kitchen table, first determining the average number of people constantly gathering at it. For unforeseen cases, transformable tables are suitable, increasing the surface up to four times.
Transformable table for organizing a dining area
Kitchen furniture should look perfect in the interior of the kitchen. Classic kitchen tables are chosen from wood or imitation. For stylish modern and high-tech kitchens, tables made of glass, metal, plastic or their combinations are suitable. Tables with glass tops and metal legs are perfect for small spaces. They do not clutter up the room, glass is not perceived as an object, so the kitchen seems more spacious.
Glass dining table is suitable for a small kitchen
Rectangular and rectangular tables have become classics of the kitchen genre. square shape, comfortable, ergonomic and functional. The whole family can easily sit at a rectangular table, and if you place it in the center, you can take big company guests.
A good option for the kitchen - round tables. They do not have sharp corners, therefore they are less dangerous. At such a table you can accommodate a larger number of guests, and the atmosphere of gatherings will be closer and friendlier. The downside is that such a table requires location in the center of the room, since it cannot be moved to the wall.
Round table in the kitchen interior
Oval tables have similar characteristics, they differ only in their larger capacity. Tables irregular shapes in the form of a triangle or with a polygonal tabletop are not suitable for everyone, but they will attract attention with their unusualness, and in some situations they can be very convenient.
Original triangular table
The chairs are selected in the appropriate style direction, the main thing is that the set looks stylish, is convenient, practical and comfortable, does not take up the entire kitchen space, and leaves room for the hostess to maneuver. For a large room, you can choose a soft sofa; the kitchen will become even more comfortable and pleasant.
A soft sofa in the dining area will make the kitchen more comfortable
Household appliances in the kitchen interior
It is impossible to imagine a kitchen interior without household appliances. If your old refrigerator and washing machine still serve you well, then most likely the furniture set will have to be made to order to fit the size of the equipment. If absolutely everything needs to be replaced, then it is better to choose a complete set so as not to complicate the design with combination options. If you have the opportunity to choose the color of kitchen appliances, you should choose the one that ideally matches the chosen design of the room.
Select only those appliances that are necessary for your kitchen. The technical devices you purchased, such as a steamer or microwave oven, may be practically not used, taking up space and reducing free space. Calculate the number of burners you need on the hob, think about the parameters of the refrigerator.
Place only necessary household appliances on kitchen surfaces
Built-in appliances look convenient and stylish, creating the most ergonomic space, giving neat look. But this option has negative aspects. Firstly, you will have to initially purchase all the equipment, and later problems may arise with replacing broken equipment and arranging furniture.
Ergonomic built-in household appliances
The comfort, style, and functionality of the kitchen largely depend on the furniture chosen, so this issue must be resolved responsibly and seriously. Furniture should be practical, pleasing to the eye, withstand temperature changes, high humidity, and fit the parameters perfectly. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which kitchen to choose, the design and color of the furniture, and the style of the interior. Dare, fantasize, try. You will succeed!
Photo gallery - how to choose a kitchen
A kitchen designed in a single color scheme can become the most original and attractive room in the house. To make your choice easier, we offer a selection of photographs of kitchens of different shades, bright, unusual, but at the same time functional and cozy.
1. White kitchens
This white kitchen has a lot of bright elements that prevented the interior from becoming sterile and too cold
Do you think White color impractical? Believe me, you will have to clean such a kitchen no more often than in a room decorated in a different color scheme
For fans of minimalism, such a laconic kitchen is perfect
The snow-white interior of this kitchen was perfectly complemented by pale blue chairs and the same mosaic on the kitchen apron
If a perfectly white interior seems too boring to you, just add bright accents
Glass furniture, such as a dining table, would look very appropriate in the interior of a white kitchen.
But here there are quite enough bright accessories - this interior cannot be called cold and boring
Kitchen in Scandinavian style. This trend prefers fairly simple, light-colored facades, which are usually combined with a wooden tabletop - a tribute to fashion trend use natural materials
In a white interior, any greenery always looks especially advantageous
And this is a high-tech option - it turned out that white suits such modern interiors perfectly
2. Green kitchens
Fresh greens have always been associated with spring and renewal. It's no surprise that this is one of the most popular options when decorating a kitchen.
Shine, gloss and rich green color These kitchens are suitable for creating interiors in the Art Nouveau style
Photo printing was used in the design of the kitchen apron, and the facades dazzle with their brilliance
Look, three fairly bright colors - red, silver and light green - and how harmonious it looks
There are many shades of green, so you can choose the one you like best. For example, in this kitchen both light green and green go perfectly together.
Of course, such a kitchen is not an option for everyone. But as an example of using green in design, it fits perfectly
If you are drawn to the classics, be sure to combine bright green shades with beige, brown and white. However, this combination can be called universal, as this functional kitchen clearly demonstrates.
Green facades look especially advantageous against the background of wood
A light green kitchen with the same apron. Its monotony is diluted by tiles with original flowers and light yellow fronts of symmetrically arranged drawers and cabinets
Simple, modern, functional. Nothing extra, but very attractive at the same time
3. Yellow and orange kitchens
Cheerful yellow goes well with calm gray, so the countertops can be made just like that
If the kitchen is bright orange, and even glossy, it is better to leave the walls neutral, white or beige
Orange and black coexist harmoniously in this kitchen. By the way, this combination is considered one of the attributes of the African style. It was decided to emphasize this exotic focus with photo printing depicting palm trees on the kitchen apron.
In this case, a bright golden shade was chosen to decorate the kitchen. Slightly softens the golden shine of a neutral gray backsplash
An unusual, asymmetrical kitchen with a non-standard arrangement of cabinets and built-in appliances. Compact and very modern solution
A kitchen for fans of “high-tech” style. Streamlined shapes, an abundance of technology and shiny metal - high-tech in action
They say that yellow and orange colors increase appetite. In such a bright kitchen, your children will definitely not leave a crumb on their plates.
An original option for arranging furniture in a small kitchen
Have you ever seen such an unusual kitchen apron? The owners decided to take advantage of the possibilities of photo printing on glass
The brilliance of this kitchen is simply dazzling. Of course, it’s not suitable for lovers of quiet classics, but for fans of gloss and glamor it’s quite
4. Red kitchens
A red and white interior can make any room original and very attractive.
This option is suitable only for devoted fans of red. Everyone else has such abundance bright color will cause rejection
The red color of the facades goes well with the aluminum parts of the kitchen
The three primary colors are white, red and black. This design solution has already been recognized as a classic and looks great in modern style kitchens.
Noble burgundy or dark red color will be a good alternative for those homeowners who do not accept scarlet or crimson
The slightly muted red color of the facades will not irritate, it looks fresh and unusual
Now it won’t be difficult to choose furniture and household appliances to match
A noble combination of dark red and black. Appreciate how well the dining group is located under the glossy stretch ceiling, and the white walls soften the dark tones of the furniture
In this kitchen, red cabinets don't look too bright or out of place thanks to the light gray splashback and white fittings
The convex shapes of the cabinets and the gloss of the facades made this kitchen very unusual, somehow cosmic. But at the same time, neutral walls and apron helped to avoid an excess of shine
5. Blue, light blue and purple kitchens
Blue color will make any room “cooler”
If, as experts believe, yellow color increases appetite, then blue, on the contrary, will help those who are on a diet not to eat too much
One of the trends of the season is the lilac shade.
If you think that stylish solutions are not for small kitchens, take a look at this option. The kitchen is standard, corner, but thanks to the unexpectedly bright colors it turned out to be extraordinary and attractive
The combination of white and blue is considered one of the main signs of marine style. But also in modern kitchens looks very fresh and attractive
The muted blue color perfectly emphasizes the classic design of this kitchen. The interior looks respectable and bright at the same time
Another beautiful shade of blue is azure. Color sea waves, very gentle and at the same time bright
It was decided to make the lower part of the facades darker - a good design move
You can choose a soft blue tint for the facades if you want to decorate your kitchen in a Mediterranean style.
Blue goes well with wood, so you can decorate your kitchen not only in a Mediterranean style, but also in a country style
Anna Sedykh, rmnt.ru