To acquire spacious housing and realize their stylistic wishes in it is a cherished dream of millions of people. But until this problem is resolved, it remains to look for less costly and more realistic ways out of the situation, and therefore, equip a limited space as rationally as possible.
Basic Rules
Even the kitchen is 8 square meters. m really achieve very good results. You only need to know the main principles and "pitfalls" that people can expect. From the perspective of ergonomics, the most important point is the formation of a working triangle. This recommendation may seem somewhat boilerplate, but it really works.
It is only necessary to do everything so that nothing prevents the movement between the vertices of the conditional triangle.
One of the secrets of a successful design for a kitchen of 8 square meters is the choice of an L-shaped configuration. In any case, it will be more practical than the direct arrangement of furniture. It is necessary to remember the rational height of the furniture products themselves. They are positioned so that they do not have to get up on stools or bend strongly during everyday work.
The fundamental rule for arranging a medium-sized kitchen is the location of small household appliances in the common area.
The TV is positioned high enough to be conveniently watched directly during operation. Chasing overly bright lighting is not worth it. It is better to use a few relatively dim local fixtures than a very powerful chandelier. More important rules when arranging an area of 8 square meters. m are:
- the choice of those options that you like (even if they violate other basic principles);
- preference for deep sinks (so that even the largest dishes are placed there);
- the use of sinks with bottom valves, providing a shut-off drain;
- comfort of the dining area;
- free access to bins;
- security.
The last moment is expressed in an additional hole in the sinks (allowing to exclude water overflow), the removal of combustible and warming elements from the gas stove, the safe placement of electrical appliances, sockets.
But one security is not everything. A normal culinary process is possible only if you have all the necessary things. It is worth considering whether it will be easy to get to them, and also to clean up after use. Slamming, striking and making other sounds mechanisms and doors are categorically unacceptable. Because of them, cooking will not be very convenient.
Arrangement of furniture and appliances
But general rules cannot replace specific practical nuances. In the planning projects for kitchens of 8 square meters. m corner solutions are often used to save space. But with such an area, a semicircular pattern is sometimes appropriate. Preference should be given to built-in headsets and products with extendable parts.
First of all, they put a sink, and already all the other components of the kitchen are tied to it.
For zoning space, it is recommended to use bar counters. However, it should be borne in mind that this subject also has a certain functional purpose. Therefore, putting in view of design considerations alone is unreasonable. Some kitchens are 8 square meters. m even put upholstered furniture - usually these are medium-sized sofas. The composition may be as follows:
- single wall headset;
- sink to the right corner;
- sofa to another wall.
Special attention should be paid to the arrangement of furniture and appliances in the kitchen with access to the balcony. Most often this is a rectangular kitchen. Even the small size of the room does not mean that you must definitely refuse to purchase dishwashers or large refrigerators.
First you need to create a clear table showing the importance of the individual elements, and only then make a decision.
Having decided on the placement of jobs, it is necessary to form the rest of the composition so that the bulk of the wires and other communications are hidden from view. When this problem is solved, it is required to answer the question whether there will be a dining area in the kitchen itself. With an affirmative answer, you will have to determine the dimensions and configuration of the table and chairs. On the balcony you can take out just the dining area, which is very nice and even romantic. The most common layout in a kitchen with a balcony is two-row (when work and dining areas are placed at opposite walls).
In this embodiment, the window sill usually becomes a logical continuation of the countertop. Some kitchen cabinets and other storage systems are transferred to the balcony. They also include rarely used equipment and some products.
Important: it is worth using a sliding door on the aisle, which additionally saves space. Of course, all the main working and dining areas should be well lit, regardless of the time of year.
If it is impossible to move the dining area to the balcony, then you can try connecting the kitchen to the living room. Then visually try to continue the working area with the help of the bar. But a breakfast table (that is how this piece of furniture is officially called) can also be a substitute for a windowsill. Thanks to this technique, useful space is saved, and usually a meaningless place at the window acquires a clear function.
In the case of a narrow kitchen, it is recommended to put furniture to one or two opposite walls.
To make full use of the height then resort to hanging cabinets. Other storage systems that reach the ceiling will come in handy.But it is strictly unacceptable to ignore high-quality lighting. Whatever the layout of the kitchen, the window cannot be cluttered. The dining area in the narrow room can be equipped with a transforming table.
In the kitchen set to place such an area will have to include only really necessary things. After determining the optimal washing position, it is required to select places for stoves (hobs) and refrigerators. They are approximately 1 m or less away from the sink.
An original step in a kitchen with a window is the use of a window sill as a dining area. In this case, it will also be possible to save on electricity during the meal.
Along with the corner and direct arrangement of furniture, appliances in the kitchen of 8 square meters. m sometimes it is advisable to consider the option in the form of the letter P. This configuration implies occupation of three walls at once. However, it should be borne in mind that you will have to completely abandon the usual table. There is only one way left - replacing it with a bar counter. If this piece of furniture is not pleasant, it is better to consider other schemes.
With a U-shaped arrangement, it is necessary to check that the passages are not already 0.8 m. The optimal width of the aisles will be 1.2 m. For greater visual spaciousness, when combining different rooms, arches are used. Of course, all layouts and redevelopments can be used only when they meet the safety requirements.
It is necessary to remember the minuses of kitchen-living rooms:
- moving walls will require coordination and preparation of expensive documentation;
- the work itself will also be very difficult financially;
- in the guest room during cooking and for some time afterwards various smells will spread;
- dirt will spread more around the house.
The classic connection of space implies a lateral exit. The total area after connecting the kitchen and the guest area is usually 14-17 square meters. m. The division of space is most often produced by arches and screens. But can be used and expressive color separation, and demarcation with furniture. Of course, when merging rooms, you will have to ensure stylistic unity.
Finishing Features
When decorating a small kitchen with an area of 8 squares, it is worth using the general background of space to illustrate your plan. It is very important to emphasize light colors that visually expand the space. It is not necessary to divide it into several fragments. But the local use of several color accents is quite reasonable. There are no special problems with the decoration, because there are a lot of different materials that allow you to design any room at your discretion.
When repairing in a panel house, it is appropriate to use wallpaper for the main part of the kitchen. They are inexpensive, and in places where there is no direct effect of heat and steam, they will last a very long time. At the same time, there is no point in saving on the material of the apron.
Floor coverage is evaluated primarily by the degree of resistance to moisture. Budget repairs in the apartment can be done by putting linoleum on the kitchen floor. More expensive solutions are parquet and tile. It is necessary to avoid an abundance of textures, excessive piling of decorative objects. Because of them, a sense of chaos may appear.
If long-term operation of the floor is very important, it is worth taking a look at options such as porcelain stoneware and bulk coatings based on polymer resins. The kitchen floor must not slip.
For flooring, small parts are not recommended.
As for aprons, tile products and skins worked well. For walls other than washable wallpaper, you can use:
- plastic panels;
- paints and varnishes;
- fiberglass.
Separately, it is worth talking about how to deal with protruding ventilation. To begin with, such boxes are leveled using putty. Then they paint the surface to match the tone of the ceiling.But you can do it differently - since there is an unpleasant part in the room, it’s worth it to beat it visually and somehow apply it. Boxes become excellent stands for modern TVs.
You can hide the ventilation from prying eyes by placing it in a closed cabinet. If it remains outside, the box should be covered with shelves, where it is convenient to fold things.
The biggest difficulties are found when trying to mask the boxes located along the wall at the entrance to the kitchen. Then you should use:
- slate boards;
- mirrors;
- mosaic calculations;
- facing with decorative tiles.
Shade selection
The skillful use of colors allows you to expand the space. Any dark tones are categorically unacceptable, because they create a dull and unsightly atmosphere. Bright colors (green, pink and even yellow) can be used, but only in limited quantities. Much more preferable are dim light colors. Along with the popular white and beige colors, peach, cream and gray tones are also actively used, olive is also suitable.
Contrast solutions can not always be used. They can visually reduce space. But smooth monophonic surfaces will help increase the visible area. Gloss is also not so bad, because the reflection of light seems to push the space apart. You will have to use drawings with a fine texture, and abandon large ornaments and significant patterns altogether.
Ceilings must be painted in bright colors. Among them, white always remains an unchanged favorite. You can achieve the desired color by applying paint, wallpapering or using plastic panels. Stretch ceilings look more modern, but they are much more expensive.
Walls are advised to be finished in bright plain colors, using the most discreet drawings.
Style solutions
Deciding on the style and its main idea is no less important than choosing the right color or posting the latest new home appliances. For lovers of a conservative, austere look, there is nothing better than a flawless classic. Its distinguishing features are as follows:
- the use of natural materials;
- strict symmetry of space;
- the use of good, expensive wood;
- the use of stucco moldings and other decorative products.
But heavy pomp may be a bad idea in a small kitchen. Much easier and more elegant Provencal compositions. There is a place for warm light colors, and for textile decorations. However, you need to try to correctly implement the ideas of Provence so that the room looks stylish.
Much easier to implement modern design approaches that are characteristic of minimalism. This is a functional and concise trend in interior design. Its attractive feature will be the preservation of maximum free space. But we must take into account the fact that without auxiliary decoration the room may not be too beautiful. And the rejection of the abundance of objects forces us to carefully think through the functions of each remaining thing.
Beautiful examples
- In this case, it is shown how elegant a combination of a white headset and a light gray free part of the wall can be. Tiled floors and a modest dining group complete the composition.
- And here, the designers were clearly inspired by the ideas of Provence. The play of white, green and light brown tones is very useful in such an interior. An oval table and elegant lighting fixtures complete the composition.
- But you can take a chance and create a radical black interior. In this composition, about 50% of the surface is covered in bright colors - however, they do not attract attention. Skillfully organized lighting at the same time eliminates the feeling of darkness. A well-thought-out arrangement of decorative details significantly improves the interior. As you can see, even such a sharp departure from the canons can be justified.
Overview of design solutions for a kitchen with an area of 8 sq.m. waiting for you further.
