Kitchen layout and design: developing it yourself

The kitchen is considered to be a technical or auxiliary room. But, not only do housewives spend a significant part of their “free” time there, but all the inhabitants of the apartment like to sit there with a cup of tea or coffee. Often it is a small, usually by size of the room is the center of the whole apartment or house. Therefore, the layout of the kitchen and design development is carried out taking into account all the requirements. It must be practical, convenient, beautiful and cozy. The task is not easy, and if you add “inexpensive”, it becomes even more difficult. Nevertheless, it is possible to find an acceptable solution in this situation.

Planning basics

Completely original design solution in the design of the kitchen to create without the appropriate education is difficult, but to remake the interior seen in the picture to your liking is realistic. The main thing – to find that photo, which will become the basis. In the seen it is necessary to make adjustments in accordance with the available conditions, and here, a unique kitchen design is ready.

The layout of the kitchen can be broken down into several stages:

If you are friendly with computer technology, you can model in one of the free design programs. There you can evaluate the proportions, dimensions, the overall impression – most utilities give the possibility of a volumetric image. After that, you can proceed to the realization of the created project.

Types of furniture arrangement in the working area of the kitchen

First of all, it is necessary to determine what kind of view the kitchen area will have. Depending on the geometry of the room and the location of communications (water supply, sewerage, electrical outlets), first of all choose the method of placing cabinets, cupboards and appliances.

When planning, take into account that it is desirable that the stove, sink and refrigerator make up a triangle. Scientists have analyzed the movement of hosts in the kitchen and found that most of the time she spends near the sink, near the stove and refrigerator – a little less. But she moves mainly between these three objects.

To work comfortably, the sink is placed in the center, and the stove and refrigerator – on the sides of it. They can be located in one line or create a really triangle, but between them it is desirable to put cabinets with working surfaces of at least 80 cm. Having solved this problem, you will get a perfectly planned working area.

Linear kitchen layout

By the name it is clear that cabinets and appliances are lined up along one wall. This variant of the kitchen layout is also called a 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 the space is small, you can not put a lot of equipment here. Want-no-want, but it is best to buy built-in appliances, as it is more compact.

Usually there are two or three cabinets, one of which with a sink, a stove. Ideally, in the same wall should fit a refrigerator, but it turns out not always and it is put where there is space.

Corner or L- or L-shaped

A universal way of arrangement, which allows you to more fully utilize the space. It is most advantageous in square rooms. Also with this arrangement reduces the forced movements of the hostess in the kitchen: everything is close at hand.

You can use the wall in which the window, and that – in which the door. Just thinking about what to put under the window, try not to limit the amount of light that enters the room.

You can plan the kitchen in this way even with a small area: 7 meters is enough. Maybe the cabinets will be a little, but everything should fit. Often in L-shaped kitchen sink is made in the corner, under it – a compartment for storing the trash can, detergents and technical devices.

Two-row

This way of planning 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 open the radiator, cabinets and appliances are arranged along two walls. The same have to do and if the room is passable.

This is not a bad option for a narrow kitchen, if the window and doors are in the 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, take into account that the distance between the rows should be at least 80-90 cm. To increase functionality, it is better to make sliding doors in the lower tier, and in the upper tier – pulling away or opening up. This will reduce the likelihood of bruises from open doors.

U or U-shaped

This layout is convenient in more or less spacious kitchens, but can also be used in long narrow ones.

For a small family, you can organize a dining area at the expense of multilevel 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 this organization there are options. You can experiment, if the area allows in the program, or cutting out of cardboard squares according to the size of the planned furniture and moving them according to the plan drawn on a sheet of paper. Just note that everything must be drawn to the same scale.

Island

This layout is most often found in kitchens, combined with living rooms or dining rooms. To any of the above layouts, a freestanding “island” is added, which may contain a sink, stove or just a desk.

This option can be implemented 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 – at least 1,2-1,2 m, and it is also worth adding the distance from the cabinets of the working wall at least 80-90 cm, otherwise it will be inconvenient to work.

Semi-island 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, in this ingenious way you can expand functionality. 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. That’s why often hinged cabinets are made in two rows – up to the ceiling. In the lower tier are often used items and appliances, in the upper tier – those that are rarely used. Make cabinets or shelves and above the refrigerator: what place to lose.

If there is an exit to the balcony, insulated and glazed it, you can take out there dining area. Popular in recent years, a variant of redevelopment: due to the emergence of new insulators, it is realistic to maintain a normal temperature even if the neighbors upstairs and downstairs balconies / loggias are open.

Also in small rooms use various devices – drawers, spinning shelves, folding or extendable countertops. In general, make the usual kitchen transforming.

By the way, pay attention: in order not to hit the corners, countertops are better to make rounded. This, by the way, is one of the latest trends – round kitchens and circular design.

Read more about all the subtleties of 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 variants. Many photos of real apartments. This is a clear example of how the ideas of designers can be realized in real conditions.

To start with a few ideas from designers. For example, how to visually expand a narrow kitchen. One option is to make a wall with a reflective surface. If possible – to paint it with metallized gloss paint, and cover it with a sheet (not cellular) transparent polycarbonate. A more budget option – shiny plastic.

The latest trends in design – smooth curved lines, rather than sharp angles and straight lines. It looks interesting, and such a construction is definitely safer: you will not hurt yourself on the corners. Another trick is used here: glass doors soften the bright coloring.

Waterfall on the kitchen apron in the working area and illumination of furniture from below – interesting and unusual. And the hard contrast of coloring – black and white – is broken by plant ornamentation.

Classic furniture in a non-classical color. In this photo, the layout of the kitchen is island, but this idea is not difficult to transform: try to beat traditional furniture with some unusual color.

Next – photos of kitchens in apartments. There are rooms quite small, there are bigger. Kitchens though typical, there is a difference in size and layout, but you can see some interesting ideas. Especially since these are already really embodied projects.