Features of American-style kitchens

The American style refers to flexible areas that can fit into the concept of restraint and conciseness, and can go beyond that, seeing the development vector in luxury and even pretentiousness. But what is commonly understood by the layman as American style can be reduced to interiors that rethought the design of the Old World.

These are very recognizable stylistic features. In a typical American kitchen, all appliances and furniture line up according to the perimeter of the room: either in the image of the letter P or G, or C-shaped. In the center of the kitchen is the island. If there is no island, then a dinner group takes its place. And this grouping of furniture can be called successful, since the space is unloaded as much as possible for free movement: You can combine the sink, stove and refrigerator according to the principle of a working triangle.

The massive island in the center is one of the main signs of American-style cuisine. If the space is large, then it can be several islands at once. An island is called a desktop with many functions, in which there are several shelves for storage, sections, it can contain a wine cabinet, it can also play the role of a bar counter.

The island has the following requirements:

• it repeats the shape of the kitchen or the shape of the workspace;
• you can’t put an island in a small kitchen, because the passages to it should be at least 90 cm;
• if you have a kitchen of 20 or less squares, choose an island more than 90 by 120 cm;
• the peninsula can be a compact replacement for the island, it differs in that part of it rests against the wall or is simply built into the kitchen set.

The interior with the island is this classic. And if your kitchen allows you to repeat this design, be sure to seize the opportunity. It is convenient and really practical. If the room is about 20 squares, you can put in the center of the kitchen an island on which it is very convenient to make various culinary manipulations. And since it is equipped with a capacious storage system inside, the headset itself can not be loaded with such functions, order a more compact and “slim” version.

It will take a lot of American-style cuisine. But there are those that can be called style-forming. For example, a sink by the window is a recognizable feature of direction. This is convenient, because it’s good to have natural light in the washing area, and it is also pleasant for those who wash the dishes to see a lively landscape, not a wall. But in a city apartment, alas, it is not always possible to transfer communication (although it’s worth a try).

The characteristic features of this style include the following.

• Wood in furniture and decoration. Wood can be considered the main material in American cuisine. Wooden furniture is in the premises of people with different incomes and aesthetic preferences. This is usually a kitchen set with wooden (usually veneered) facades, a wooden tabletop and a dining group made of the same material.

• Lots of storage space. If someone prefers “clean” walls in the kitchen, then it’s not people who live in classic American cuisine. Cabinets and shelves (especially open) are a real sign of style. In a separate cupboard, dishes can be stored, in a small cabinet - kitchen textiles, on the shelves - all kinds of storage containers. If you can arrange a small closet nearby, be sure to do so. You can store rolls or crops there.

• Open floor plan. And this is also characteristic of American cuisine - it usually combines with the dining room, but the kitchen-living room option is not rare either. This allows you to expand the space, and also increases the possibilities of communication within the family. But there are also disadvantages in the open plan - if the guests are already in the living room, and the hosts in the "background" are preparing something and doing the finishing touches, this is not always convenient.

• Neutral colors. The top-end option is a white kitchen. Beige and light gray are also common, but dark cuisine is a much rarer occurrence. The floor is almost always wooden, brown or dark brown.

• Using tiles "boar" or small mosaics. Ceramic tiles "boar" ("subway") can most often be found in American cuisine. This is a typical cladding of a work area. This is a white or gray tile, neutral, classic, comfortable.

• Lots of textile. Cotton or linen textiles are required in the kitchen. It makes it cozier, warmer, and without it, American cuisine looks “naked”.

Textiles presented:

• curtains and curtains on the windows - only natural fabrics, and often muted shades of natural colors;
• narrow cozy rugs in the working area, as well as a large carpet in the dining room;
• nice looking desktop textiles - tracks or napkins for plates;
• bar or dining chairs in fabric upholstery, which can overlap with curtains on the windows.

A good solution would be replaceable covers. These are chair covers that are sewn or ordered as part of several sets. One can decorate the premises in the summer, the other in the winter and New Year's Eve, another - solemn, designed to receive guests. In accordance with the covers, the curtains on the windows can change.

Uniform lighting can be achieved by organizing lamps that are located in different parts of the kitchen. The central chandelier in the room may not be at all. The working area is usually illuminated with furniture lights or wall sconces.

But over the island or bar, you can hang a chandelier (and even a few low ones with one light bulb). The dining area, especially if it is located in the dining room, is usually lit with one or two more elegant chandeliers, which are suspended directly above the table, about 70-80 cm from the countertop.

There is also a bar in the American kitchen, its function can be performed by a special cabinet in which alcohol, glasses and glasses are stored. In the kitchen there can be a special wine cabinet, in extreme cases - a cart with drinks. They do not necessarily take up a lot of space, but they look very pretty.

The large table is an unshakable attribute of American cuisine. A mini-table, a transformer, a glass table - all this will not be a compromise, but a departure from the style. Even if there are 3-4 people in a family, the table should be such that at least 8 people are placed at the same time at the same time.

This is a massive furniture that should not look like a thing from the palace interiors. The table in the American kitchen is cozy and warm, large and welcoming. It’s great if this is a thing with history, and it has been for many years.

Wooden or metal chairs complement the table; there may be more comfortable half-chairs in soft upholstery. The table itself is usually decorated with a track or flower arrangement. For example, in the center of the table is a beautiful rectangular tray in which there are candles, ceramic figures, a small vase and a candy box. On holidays, the table is beautifully served, it will have thematic decorations, candles in elegant candlesticks, exquisite dishes and, of course, elegant textiles.

Today, deliberately coarse worktops are in fashion, without painting and visible processing. Their texture may not be completely uniform, they look rustic, but this is their charm. They are quietly combined with a wooden kitchen made in any color.

This is not minimalism, because decor is really important here. Natural gifts always delight and look as natural as possible, therefore every second (according to the most conservative estimates) American cuisine always has flowers. And not some gorgeous bouquets, but something affordable, simple, but at the same time beautiful.

Dishes should also be pleasing to the eye. A carafe for water, a teapot, glasses and cups - everything should be such that the very appearance of the dishes lifts the mood and delights the hosts and guests. Cozy and beautiful things that you choose yourself will always be the main decor of the kitchen.

Confirms the said selection of vivid examples of American cuisines.

American cuisine is built on the principle of "how good it is to be at home." This is a cozy, quite spacious, very functional room, where there is everything you need, and where a large company can always gather at the dining table.

See an overview of American-style cuisine below.