Kitchen with separate work area. Practical advice on choosing a kitchen layout. L- or L-shaped headsets: advantages and limitations

The kitchen can definitely be called the heart of the home. After all, the whole family gathers in it, guests are invited there. And for hostesses, this place is the most visited in the house. And it is doubly pleasant to be in the kitchen if it looks beautiful and thought out to the smallest detail.

The assortment in modern furniture stores will help you choose the appropriate environment for any, even the most sophisticated and fastidious taste. Now there are no restrictions on the choice, the room can be decorated in the most daring colors. The price range is also quite wide and will allow you to choose headsets and accessories for any budget. Therefore, to ask the question: “How to plan a kitchen?” no longer makes sense.

Where to begin?

In this case, it is better to abandon the bulky set of furniture. It is better to divide the room into two zones, and leave a large area for work, and a smaller one for the living room. If desired, these areas can be separated by a partition or screen. If the dimensions of the kitchen allow, you can delimit the zones with mobile cabinets or shelving (a great option for a studio apartment).

By placing it, you can easily achieve the effect of a living room.

If the room has an elongated shape, then the kitchen set can be placed on one side, and leisure furniture on the other.

If the kitchen has access to the balcony, then a great solution would be to remove the partition and combine the balcony with the common room. In addition, it can be turned into a recreation area.

Kitchen layout in a private house

We figured out how to plan a kitchen in an apartment. And what about its design in private homes? In essence, there is no difference. But the plus is that the area of \u200b\u200bthe kitchen in a private house is usually larger. And, of course, there are also many places for a flight of fancy.

What options exist? How to plan a kitchen in the house?

For the design of such a room in the private sector, the most suitable styles are classic and country (the so-called farm or rustic style). The classic is dominated by simplicity of form, discreet headset, built-in appliances and expensive materials. Country style implies the presence of woody shades, soft texture and up-to-date equipment and accessories.

In the kitchens of houses, as a rule, there are several windows, so there will be no problems with lighting during the daytime. For work in the dark, it is better to place the basic lighting in the form of a chandelier in the center or beat it in the form of evenly embedded lamps in the ceiling.

How to plan a kitchen in a private house

In the kitchen of a private house, an island type of layout is applicable due to the large area of \u200b\u200bthe room. When it comes to furniture, most designers prefer rustic furniture. And in general, wooden furniture sets are very durable.

Massive rough cabinets and cabinets are suitable for a room with high ceilings and a larger area. For smaller kitchens, dotted pieces of furniture are suitable: several shelves, a corner sideboard, an “island”.

Compared to apartments, the house has more options for decorating the room, and the question of how to plan a kitchen in a private house is not so much painful as pleasant.

Kitchen furniture

In order to plan the kitchen according to your preferences, you need to use the right furniture. There is a huge variety of furniture stores, kitchen studios, providing a wide selection of appropriate sets. The IKEA furniture and related products store is very popular with buyers.

With the IKEA range, it is possible to plan a kitchen with minimal loss to the budget. Headsets from this manufacturer have excellent functionality and durability. The company has earned the trust of customers and has proven itself from the best side for several years.

Ready-made kitchen expositions are also presented in stores, in case buyers have not yet decided on the design. The sets of prefabricated furniture contain assembly instructions - in case there are no craftsmen of the corresponding profile in the region.

IKEA has a catalog with a wide selection and product names. A necessary element of the kitchen is the sink. The catalog contains models in ceramic and steel, with a tap hole, single and double. If a huge choice confuses, experts will help you choose the right option and make the right choice.

Conclusion

The question of how to plan a kitchen should be taken responsibly, taking into account all the features of this room. After all, the kitchen is a place for eating, which, with the right approach, can be turned into a favorite corner of the whole family. To achieve the best result, it would be more expedient to use ready-made design solutions.

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house, because it is here that cooking and eating takes place, and it is also here that friends or relatives most often gather at a large festive table.

Therefore, it is necessary to plan the kitchen correctly even at the repair stage: it must be functional, comfortable and ergonomic. How to do it?

Making the right measurement of the kitchen

We will need the following data:

total area;
height and width of the doorway;
the length of the wall, the dimensions of the main (working) and adjacent
room height;
width and height of the window opening.

Tip: The best way to design the arrangement of furniture will be to sketch in the form of a diagram or photo of everything already in the kitchen (heating batteries, gas pipes, plumbing, exhaust, as well as counters, a column, a boiler, if any).

From the existing options for planning a kitchen, choose the right one

You will have to choose from the following types of design:

1. Linear layout of the kitchen

This option assumes placement of all furniture in one row along the working wall(do not forget to take into account the presence of sockets, gas pipes, water and sewer pipes). Most often, such planning is done in rectangular elongated kitchen rooms, where a dining area is located opposite the working wall.

2. Two-row kitchen layout

This design option is also suitable for rectangular rooms.

Just keep in mind that there should be enough space to install furniture on both sides, that is, the distance between opposite objects in the headset should not be less than 120 cm.

Only in this way will the hostess be able to move freely around the kitchen while cooking.

3. L-shaped (corner) layout of the kitchen

This is the most common type of design, suitable for any type of kitchen, even for the smallest ones.

3. U-shaped layout of the kitchen

U-shaped kitchen set only suitable for spacious kitchens, since the placement of all items in the headset is supposed to be along three walls.

In this case, the dining area can be placed in the middle or a separate area should be allocated for it.

4. Peninsula kitchen layout

Such planning is most often done to separate the cooking area from the dining area in the kitchen of a sufficiently large area, at least 15 sq.m.

This modern and unusual furniture arrangement is incredibly popular. Very often, such a project is chosen by the owners of "Khrushchev", combining the kitchen with the living room.

A table with cabinets and drawers, a bar counter can act as a dining or working area.

5. Island layout of the kitchen (Kitchen-island)

The island layout is the most non-standard, very comfortable. But it is rarely used: our kitchens are too small for this layout option.

In this case, a kitchen of any layout option from the above is installed, and in the central part of the kitchen room is placed a desktop of a square, rectangular or round shape.

This table is called "island".A cooking or working surface or a sink cuts into the table top of the "island".

We determine the location of the main kitchen areas

The kitchen has four main zones:

food storage (refrigerator, cupboards);
washing dishes (sink);
food preparation (work surface);
cooking (stove).

Regardless of the size of the kitchen, these zones should not be very far from each other. The maximum distance between the stove and the sink is 90 cm, the minimum is 40 cm, this is the main working area.

The distance between the refrigerator and the stove must be at least 30 cm, keep this in mind when drafting the kitchen.

Tip: If there is a gas stove, the interior of the new kitchen should be designed in such a way that the stove is at a minimum distance from the gas pipeline. If a washing machine or dishwasher is supposed to be placed in the kitchen, then it is better to install them next to the water supply.

Now you can start drafting a kitchen set

Furniture should be located functionally: between the stove and the sink, place drawers with cutlery, cabinets for pots, pans and other utensils.

A dish drying cabinet is best placed directly above the sink. When designing a kitchen, keep the following in mind:

Three principles for the distribution of necessary items

Frequently used items and products should be in easily accessible places, i.e. on the countertop, directly below it or in the bottom of the upper cabinet.
Periodically used items and products can be placed in the middle of the upper and lower cabinets.
Rarely used - at the very bottom or at the very top of the lower or upper cabinets, respectively.

Kitchen interior design

When designing a kitchen, consider the laws of style and the use of colors in the interior:

The color of the furniture set and household appliances should correspond to the general concept of the interior.
Warm colors will make the kitchen more cozy and comfortable. Do not choose too bright colors in a small room.
Particular attention should be paid to lighting. It is clear that natural light is not always enough. Therefore, artificial lighting devices must be bright and located in the right places.
Additionally, you can install lighting in certain areas, for example, above the work area, hob or sink. Also, do not forget about romance: a small lamp installed at the dining table will help create a romantic atmosphere in the interior of the kitchen room. You need to choose lighting fixtures in accordance with the overall interior design.
The free walls of the kitchen room can be decorated with themed pictures that will complement the overall concept of the kitchen room interior.

Withtip: You should not clutter up the room with things that are not related to kitchen utensils, as their appearance can spoil the interior design of the kitchen and the mood of the hostess.

And remember: the correct layout of the kitchen is the key to the excellent mood of the hostess and deliciously cooked food!

The kitchen is classified as a technical or auxiliary room. But, not only do the hostesses spend a significant portion of their “free” time there, but also all the inhabitants of the apartment like to sit there with a cup of tea or coffee. Often it is this small room, usually in size, that is the center of the entire apartment or house. Therefore, the layout of the kitchen and design development is carried out taking into account all requirements. It should be practical, convenient, beautiful and cozy. The task is not easy, and if “inexpensive” is added, it becomes even more difficult. However, it is possible to find an acceptable solution in such a situation.

Non-standard solutions for the kitchen - photo printing on cabinets

Planning Basics

It is difficult to create a completely original design solution in the design of the kitchen without the appropriate education, but it is real to remake the interior seen in the picture to your liking. The main thing is to find the photo that will become the basis. What you see needs to be adjusted in accordance with the existing conditions, and now, the unique design of the kitchen is ready.

The layout of the kitchen can be divided into several stages:

determining the place of installation of furniture - form and dining area;
choice of style (find your favorite design photo);
choice of colors;
definition with types of wall and ceiling finishes;
lighting development;

If you are friends with computer technology, you can model in one of the free design programs. There you can evaluate the proportions, dimensions, overall impression - most utilities provide a three-dimensional image. After that, you can start implementing the created project.

Types of furniture arrangement in the working area of the kitchen

First of all, you need to decide what kind of kitchen area will have. Depending on the geometry of the room and the placement of communications (water supply, sewerage, electrical outlets), the method of placing cabinets, lockers and equipment is primarily chosen.

When planning, keep in mind that it is desirable that the stove, sink and refrigerator form a triangle. Scientists analyzed the movement of housewives in the kitchen and found that she spends most of the time near the sink, near the stove and refrigerator - a little less. But it moves mainly between these three objects.

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

Linear kitchen layout

As the name implies, cabinets and appliances line up along one wall. This type of kitchen layout is also called 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 no more. Since there is not enough space, you can’t put a lot of equipment here. Like it or not, but it is best to buy built-in appliances, as it is more compact.

Usually two or three cabinets are appropriate, one of which is with a sink, a stove. In theory, you need to fit a refrigerator into the same wall, but this does not always work out and it is placed where there is a place.

Corner or L- or L-shaped

A universal way of arranging, which allows you to more fully use the space. It is most advantageous in square rooms. Also, with such a device, the forced movements of the hostess in the kitchen are reduced: everything is close by hand.

You can use the wall in which there is a window, and the one in which there are doors. Just thinking about what to put under the window, try not to limit the amount of light that enters the room.

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

double row

This layout method 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 the battery open, cabinets and appliances are placed along two walls. They are also forced to act if the premises are passable.

This is a good option for a narrow kitchen if the window and doors are in 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, keep in mind that the distance between the rows should be at least 80-90 cm. To increase functionality, it is better to make the doors in the lower tier sliding, and in the upper tier - pulling out or opening up. This will further reduce the chance of bruising on 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 due to multi-level 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 such an organization there are options. You can experiment if the area allows in the program, or by cutting out cardboard squares according to the size of the planned furniture and moving them according to the plan drawn on a piece of paper. Just keep in mind that everything should be drawn to the same scale.

Island

This layout is most often found in or dining rooms. To any of the above layouts, a free-standing “island” is added, which can house a sink, stove or just a desktop.

Island - freestanding table

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 is at least 1.2-1.2 m, and it is also worth adding a distance from the working wall cabinets of at least 80-90 cm, otherwise it will be inconvenient to work.

Peninsular or G-shaped

This is a modification of the island, when a ledge is added to one of the sides - a peninsula. If dimensions allow, in such a simple way you can expand the functionality. This ledge is used as a branch of the dining area, at the same time it can be used as a counter, bar counter. If you put high chairs nearby, 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 only every meter, but every centimeter. Therefore, wall cabinets are often made in two rows - up to the ceiling. In the lower tier are frequently used items and equipment, in the upper - those that are rarely used. They make cabinets or shelves above the refrigerator: why waste a place.

If there is access to the balcony, after insulating and glazing it, you can take out the dining area there. A recently popular redevelopment option: in connection with the advent of new heaters, it is realistic to maintain a normal temperature even if the neighbors at the top and bottom have balconies / loggias open.

Also, in small rooms, various devices are used - drawers, rotating shelves, folding or sliding tabletops. In general, they make a transforming kitchen out of an ordinary one.

By the way, please note: in order not to hit the corners, it is better to make the countertops rounded. This, by the way, is one of the latest trends - round kitchens and circular design.

Photos of kitchen layouts

In this section, we tried to collect photos of different kitchen layouts - both large and small, in different styles and options. Many photos of real apartments. This is a clear example of how the ideas of designers can be implemented in real conditions.

For starters, 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, paint it with paint with a metallic sheen, and cover it with sheet (not cellular) transparent polycarbonate on top. A more budget option is shiny plastic.

The latest design trends are smooth curved lines rather than sharp angles and straight lines. It looks interesting, and such a construction is definitely safer: you won’t hurt yourself on the corners. Here one more technique is used: glass doors soften the bright color.

Nonlinear surfaces - a new trend

A waterfall on the kitchen backsplash in the work area and furniture lighting from below is interesting and unusual. And the hard color contrast - black and white - is broken by floral ornaments.

Classic furniture in non-classical colors. In this photo, the layout of the kitchen is island, but this idea is easy to transform: try to beat traditional furniture with some unusual color.

Next - a photo of the kitchens in the apartments. Some rooms are very small, some are bigger. Although kitchens are typical, there is a difference in size and layout, but you can peep some interesting ideas. Moreover, these are already real embodied projects.

5 main rules for a comfortable layout

Many factors influence the layout of the kitchen: location in the apartment, its size and shape, the number of family members and, of course, the location of utilities. All these points must be taken into account even at the stage of developing a design project and before purchasing furniture. There are a number of rules, compliance with which will be the key to creating a functional and safe space.

"Rule of the Triangle". The main components of the kitchen working area - a sink, a refrigerator and a stove - should be located so that the hostess does not have to waste energy and time on obviously unnecessary movements. It is optimal to place these kitchen elements at the vertices of an imaginary triangle, the length of each side of which should not exceed 2 meters.
First of all, you should determine the place for the sink, which requires connection to communications and acts as the main center of activity in the kitchen. And only after that you can plan where the furniture and appliances will be located.
The plate is installed in such a way that at least 40 centimeters of the working surface remain on both sides of it. It is not safe to place the stove next to the sink and the window, but its close proximity to the dining table is not the worst layout option.
It is better to put the refrigerator in one of the corners of the kitchen so as not to tear the work surfaces into small sections. Naturally, its door, being open, should not block the free space.
Tall pieces of furniture or household appliances should be placed so that they do not end up in the working area of the kitchen, otherwise this will lead to its significant reduction.

Types of kitchen layouts

L-/L-shaped (angular)
Versatile design option suitable for almost any room. But it will be most advantageous for medium-sized square kitchens (from 8 to 10 square meters). From the point of view of implementing the “triangle rule”, the corner kitchen is the most ergonomic: furniture and appliances, being placed along two adjacent walls, create a very comfortable separate work area.

Pros: you can easily organize a full-fledged dining area, install built-in appliances.

Cons: not suitable for too narrow and very large rooms

WE RECOMMEND:

Single row (linear)
This layout scheme is mainly used in small, narrow kitchens and small studio apartments. Furniture and household appliances are installed along one of the walls, preferably in such a way that the stove and refrigerator are located on opposite sides of the sink. If the total length of the working surface in a linear kitchen exceeds 3.5 meters, then such a layout cannot be called ergonomic.

Pros: the ability to use the layout in small kitchens

Cons: limited space for cooking, no space for additional appliances.

WE RECOMMEND:

Double row (parallel)
This layout option is suitable for decorating a fairly spacious kitchen (12-15 square meters), which can be used as a passage room. The stove and sink are usually located along one wall, and the refrigerator and cabinets are along another, parallel to it.

Pros: spaciousness, the ability to accommodate a significant amount of embedded equipment

Cons: Due to limited space, it is difficult to find a place for a dining table.

WE RECOMMEND:

U or U-shaped
A convenient type of layout that can be used in rooms of various sizes, but will most successfully fit into a kitchen of 10-12 square meters. meters. The kitchen set and appliances are grouped along three walls, each of which has one element of the working triangle.

Pros: no through traffic, plenty of space for household appliances.

Cons: not suitable for both very small and oversized kitchens, difficult to organize a dining area.

WE RECOMMEND:

Island
This option is exclusively for large kitchens (from 16 square meters), which are often combined with dining rooms. In fact, we are talking about any of the layouts mentioned above, supplemented by an island. It refers to a working area or a dining table that is taken out to the center of the kitchen. The optimal size of the island, which can be of a wide variety of configurations and sizes. At the same time, it should be placed so as not to share access to the elements of the working triangle.

Pros: Functionality, creating an atmosphere of a single space in large rooms

Cons: Not suitable for small kitchens.

WE RECOMMEND:

peninsular
Type of layout, which is a modification of the kitchen with an island. Here, the central element adjoins the wall with its butt and forms a kind of ledge, which, as a rule, is used to separate the working area from the dining area.

The pros and cons of this type of layout largely repeat the "island". True, the peninsula is a little more economical in terms of space.

WE RECOMMEND:

Free (non-fixed)
Such a layout implies the presence in the kitchen of cutting tables, bedside tables and other elements equipped with wheels, which allows them to be freely moved from one place to another.

Pros: facilitating work in the kitchen, the ability to periodically modify the interior.

Cons: for maneuvers you need a lot of free space.

For small kitchens, a single-row placement of headset elements would be a good solution, in large rooms the space will perfectly unite and zone due to the “island” or “peninsula”, and the corner and U-shaped layouts are suitable for decorating almost any kitchen.

How to choose?

How to choose from the existing variety of layouts the one that is ideal for your kitchen? Experts in kitchen ergonomics recommend:

Draw up a detailed diagram of the room, on which to indicate all the details - its exact dimensions, door and window openings, the location of water and sewer pipes, ventilation openings, electrical outlets.
Make a plan for the future kitchen. Today, this can be done not only in the old-fashioned way (with a pencil on a sheet of paper), but also with the help of online planners and special programs that allow even a beginner to equip a virtual room: arrange furniture, choose flooring, wall color, etc.
Seek advice from professionals. Experienced design consultants and managers in kitchen showrooms will easily offer you not one, but several kitchen layout options at once, from which you will have to choose the one that matches your ideas about your dream kitchen. Most companies offer this service for free, but some of them may charge a small fee for calculating and developing a design project for a future set, which will be credited when buying a kitchen set from this company.

When installing kitchen furniture and other necessary equipment, special attention should be paid to the preferences and convenience of the hostess, who spends a sufficient amount of time here.

So, the classic layout is this option: in the center of the workspace there is a sink, on both sides of it there is a refrigerator and a stove - this is the so-called work triangle.

A countertop is usually installed between the refrigerator and the sink, while its width must be at least 40 cm.

It is very convenient if the countertops are also located on both sides of the stove. Their size should also not be less than 40 cm.

In addition, the kitchen must have a worktop at least 80 cm long, on which you can place small household appliances, dishes and cook.

In the event that the layout is straight, the best place for a long countertop will be the place between the sink and the stove.

For many, having a spacious room is a pipe dream, but you can also install a functional and beautiful furniture set on it.

Having decided on a redevelopment, you can do a dining room and get an open plan. In this case, planning the working area and the eating area becomes much easier.

So, architects and designers proposed to divide kitchens by type of layout, based on the area of \u200b\u200bthe room:

5-6 sq.m- open type

8-9 sq.m- closed

10-15 sq.m.- closed with dining table

over 18 sq.m- closed with an island

At the same time, a furniture set in an open-type kitchen can be installed in a row, in two rows, L-shaped, with an island or a peninsula.

For closed kitchens, the minimum possible width is 180 cm. In this case, you can choose a direct layout, leaving enough free space on the opposite wall for movement. The remaining free space can be occupied either by cabinets or by installing a small dining table.

You can install a headset in two rows only if the width of the room is at least 240 cm, while 120 cm remains for free movement.

The optimal width of the room for organizing a dining space for 4 people is at least 250-270 cm.

A kitchen with an island is an excellent layout option if several doors lead here or redevelopment has been carried out. In this case, the island perfectly and absolutely organically divides the space between the working and dining areas.

The layout of the kitchen with the island can be done in various ways.

In the first version, the island includes a stove and sink, thanks to which you can cook and at the same time communicate with family or guests.

In the second version, the island is a worktop and a place for serving ready meals; you can also use it as a bar counter. Of the minuses - during cooking, the hostess is with her back to the guests.
As you can see, planning is a very difficult and extremely responsible task, because the convenience and functionality of the future kitchen will directly depend on it.

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