Pros of a sofa in the kitchen
- The sofa in the kitchen creates a relaxation area. At home, a lot of energy is expended during cooking; usually the housewife spends a significant amount of her time there. At the same time, the need to just sit comfortably sometimes appears constantly.
A sofa is a good idea for the kitchen, because standing at the stove gets your legs tired Source Pinterest.com
- You can use it for the dining area. To do this, the sofa is usually located near the table. Its depth, proportions, and the rigidity of the seats should be different than that of a sofa on which they only rest.
The sofa is located opposite the work area and is part of the dining area Source Kuhniclub.ru
- Sometimes a sofa is used as an additional backup bed. It is convenient to use a folding one, which also needs to be matched to the rest of the furniture. He must understand everything completely, but not run into anything and not interfere with anything.
A spare bed in the kitchen will come in handy when guests have nowhere to stay overnight Source intererium.ru
- When combining types of premises, when creating a kitchen-dining room and a kitchen-living room, the sofa can perform the same role as it did in a regular dining room and living room. Moreover, such rooms are much more spacious than just a kitchen, and there are also more options for location and choice of sofa.
Spacious layout of a kitchen-living room in a loft style with a sofa Source Freelance.ru
- The sofa goes well with upholstered furniture such as banquettes and armchairs. It's best to purchase them as a set so that both the finish and style are the same. Or order reupholstery with one type of material from a master.
Furniture set: Armchairs and sofa in the same style Source Orimex.ru
There are many more arguments in favor of the fact that a sofa in the kitchen is useful. These are just a few.
Banquette
You can get a stylish and relaxed design by purchasing beautiful furniture. If you need a kitchen sofa for a small kitchen, then you should pay attention to the banquette. Its appearance may vary depending on the style of the room.
An elegant bench with a soft base is made from different materials. It fits well into the kitchen space and can replace several stools.
Banquettes are mobile, which is an important advantage of these products. The item can be easily moved to the desired location. It carries an aesthetic load, enhancing the interior composition.
Styles
You should choose a kitchen design with a sofa so that it does not disturb the overall style composition and also matches the color. Here are descriptions of some of the styles that are found in the modern interior of apartments and private houses, as well as upholstered furniture that suits this or that style.
Constructivism
The style, which originated in Russia, was further developed in the USSR. It was widely used until the mid-30s, echoing many similar fashion trends in Europe: Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavian countries. Its distinctive features are the absence of small insignificant details, correct geometric shapes, when starting from the fact that the content should be primary, and only then does it take shape.
Right angles, stripes, practicality are part of the constructivist style Source Remontbp.com
A sofa for such a kitchen should first of all be comfortable. You should not choose bulky furniture with large covered armrests; it will not fit into this style. It is much better to choose one that has solid wooden armrests and a rectangular back. Such furniture is perfect for a dining area, because in this case the sofa itself will be high enough, not too soft, and it will be comfortable to eat on it at the table.
Sofa in the constructivist style: no bends, nothing superfluous Source Roomester.ru
Futurism
This style, in contrast to the previous one, is replete with elaborate forms. However, small insignificant details in it are also not very welcome. The style is quite modern. As its name suggests, it tries to look into the future. From the point of view of futurists, it looks unusual, but very suitable for life. Another feature of this style is large, but quite complex geometric shapes.
Pretentious figures and complex geometry are part of the futuristic style Source Remontbp.com
The design of a kitchen with a sofa in the futurism style involves upholstered furniture that matches the rest of the furniture. Usually this is purchased to order complete with tables and stools. If you can’t find one, you can disguise it under large pillows - pillows also go well with this style.
The seat of the sofa is a continuation of the curvilinear bend in the interior of the kitchen in the futurism style Source Italstroy.ru
Scandinavian style
Constructivism is very similar to the style, but it presupposes the presence of a larger number of small details - open shelves on which seasonings are stored, comfortable door handles. Panel doors are often used in furniture facades. If desired, you can use varnished wooden surfaces instead of painted ones - wood must be present in the Scandinavian style.
Compactness and conciseness are the distinctive features of the Scandinavian style Source Domoholic.ru
The sofa for the Scandinavian style is chosen in a simple shape. Suitable for both soft and hard armrests. Furniture corners, where wooden backs, seats and sides are complemented with simple soft inserts, are perfect for this style. If there is a need for an additional spare sleeping place in the kitchen, you can use a sofa book. This type of furniture is also widely used in Scandinavian interiors.
The sofa in the kitchen in the Scandinavian style has legs, the space under them will allow you to better clean the floor and avoid the appearance of bacteria. Source Stroy-podskazka.ru
Italian style
A large amount of ceramic tiles and mosaics are necessarily used here - from floors and aprons to countertops. The countertops themselves, sinks and other parts are often made of artificial stone. Wooden cabinets should be simple; they are finished in a dark wood look. There should be jars of spices, shelves, and forged handles of complex shapes everywhere.
Stone countertops, colorful curtains, stylized dishes - features of an Italian interior Source Mebeus.com
A sofa for such a kitchen must have curved surfaces - an oval back, curved armrests, round soft armrests. Rectangular shapes should be avoided. A massive “office” sofa covered in dark leather would work well. It will also be the most practical - it is easy to remove any dirt and greasy stains from the skin.
A more modern version of the Italian style, the sofa is part of the interior Source Modernplace.ru
Provence
In many ways it has something in common with the Italian style. Characterized by a large number of floral motifs and floristry. Furniture facades are made in green, light blue or dark blue. They are characterized by paneled inserts and lattice filling made of wooden slats along the diagonal.
An interesting detail: furniture facades for the Italian style and the Provence style can be identical.
Unlike the Italian style, here there is more emphasis on wood in the design of the room - it is better to make both floors and countertops not from stone and tiles, but from wood or wood-look.
A sofa in the Provence style should be uncluttered; a large number of pillows with floral decorations, made in the same color scheme as the furniture facades, are used. For the sofa, you can use a bedspread with the same print, a lot of tassels, and ruffles. In the Provence style, decorated curtains of complex shapes are often used; it would be great if the bedspread was made in the same style and from a similar material.
This sofa is suitable for a Provence style kitchen: rounded shapes, but without frills Source Opora-stroy.ru
Japanese style
Among ethnic styles, this one is distinguished by the greatest minimalism. Kitchen tables must be compact. The sink has a small volume. The use of built-in household appliances is encouraged - refrigerator, washing machine, dishwasher, modern hobs. Artificial stone is often used. Traditional materials for this style are wood and paper. Color options: black wood frames and white inserts. Furniture facades and countertops are made in this style. Shapes - regular, angular, rectangular.
The Japanese style is characterized by minimalism, stylized as paper screens Source akmaya.ru
A sofa for Japanese cuisine should be simple and small in size. Surfaces that are too deep and soft, where you immediately drown when you sit down, are not suitable for this style. It is better to select upholstered furniture with a small thickness of padding. The presence of a large number of pillows, including small ones, goes well with this style. In general, the Japanese style does not involve a large amount of upholstered furniture, and it is better to avoid using a sofa here.
Glam
Glamor, sparkle and luxury - all this is about the glam style. Finishes similar to expensive types of wood with texture and varnish, a large amount of crystal, glass, shiny nickel-plated handles, and tiles of bright colors are used. There is always a lot of light in a glam kitchen. Usually it comes from a large crystal chandelier under the ceiling.
The glam style uses crystal, shiny surfaces, glass, and bent furniture Source ivd.ru
A sofa for such a kitchen should have an expensive, presentable appearance. A heavy “office” sofa, upholstered in brown high-quality leather, will do. Also a good choice would be those whose finishing is made to resemble expensive types of wood. You can use corners. But it’s better to avoid folding and pull-out sofas here - the glamorous style involves furniture that serves only one purpose. But you can additionally use a large number of banquettes. They get along well in this style.
Sofa for glam style with embossed upholstery and pillows Source Pinterest.com
Country
Classic American style. This style is characterized by massive wooden countertops, simple checkered curtains, a light style in the design of furniture facades, wood-look floors, and white square tiles for the apron. Both smooth and paneled furniture facades are allowed. The tables at which people dine are decorated with a large number of napkins and tablecloths. Checkered fabric print is used throughout. Lamps in a country style kitchen are chosen as ordinary ones, with large opaque lampshades.
The sofa for a country-style kitchen is chosen to be quite simple, without bends or complex shapes; the back and seats can be rectangular or with slightly rounded corners. A classic retractable book will work well. You can decorate the sofa with simple shaped pillows.
Patterned pillows on the sofa fit the country style Source Pinterest.com
Loft
It is best to design a kitchen-living room or kitchen-dining room in this style. The style itself is well suited for spacious rooms with high ceilings and large windows. It is characterized by ceiling beams, unfinished brick walls with light filled joints, and pastel colors of furniture. A distinctive feature of this style is that furniture is rarely moved close to the wall; usually it is evenly distributed throughout the room.
Spacious kitchen-dining room in loft style: beamed ceiling, brickwork Source Dizainvfoto.ru
You can use any sofa for a loft-style kitchen, the main thing is that it is not too dark. Since furniture is rarely placed against the wall, the angular shape here will not be very practical. It will be better to use a straight line. If desired, you can put a folding one like a book, but the concept of a large room itself does not imply the presence of some kind of folding furniture.
Sofa for loft style: light colors of furniture are used Source Prorabneva.ru
Materials and upholstery
The sofa consists of a frame, filling and upholstery. Modern models, including designer ones, are made from various materials to suit any needs and finances.
When choosing a sofa for the kitchen, it is better to give preference to products whose frame is made of natural materials. They are treated with a special impregnation that protects the structure from moisture and fungus. For example, wood is safe, environmentally friendly, and has a long service life. In addition, a kitchen with a sofa, the frame of which is made of solid wood, looks stylish and elegant. The best breeds are:
- pine;
- birch;
- oak;
- beech.
LDSP (laminated chipboard) is also a fairly popular material, which has a significant drawback - it absorbs moisture. At the same time, it is inexpensive.
On a wooden frame
On a metal frame
Modern raw materials are used for packing, which are durable and have a long service life. For example, polyurethane foam is a porous, synthetic substance. Has high density. There are two types:
- cast;
- blocky.
Features include environmental friendliness and the ability to restore shape after high loads. The material has antifungal, hypoallergenic and thermal insulation properties.
Holofiber is a new generation padding polyester. Consists of small fluffy spiral-shaped lumps. Its features are: the ability to quickly take on its original shape and copy contours. The material does not pill, is light in weight, has high breathability, and does not absorb foreign odors.
Sofas filled with foam rubber are rarely produced. The material is a low quality polyurethane layer. Due to its shortcomings - fragility, tendency to crumble, dry out, it is used to fill armrests and nothing more.
Polyurethane foam
Holofiber
Foam rubber
Various materials are used to upholster kitchen sofas:
- Genuine leather has a high cost. In a kitchen interior with a leather sofa, this piece of furniture will attract the main attention. The advantages include: durability, ease of cleaning from dirt, long service life.
- Leatherette. A material, one side of which has a porous coating based on polyester knitwear. Withstands loads and is easy to clean.
- Textile. Fabrics are used less frequently. They have a shorter service life. Textiles are more difficult to clean and also absorb odors. When choosing a fabric sofa, you should choose options with Teflon impregnation.
It is difficult to say which upholstery is better; it all depends on the individual preferences and financial capabilities of the consumer. If you do not need to save money, you should choose genuine leather.
Genuine Leather
Faux leather
Fabric upholstery
Small kitchen with sofa
Here you can put it in three ways:
- along the wall;
- in the corner;
- under the window.
The sofa along the wall is separated from the work area by a tall cabinet Source Roomester.com
Pull-out sofa in the corner, can be transformed into a double bed Source Blizko.ru
Sofa under the window when arranging a kitchen in a semi-basement Source Remontbp.com
The location along the wall suggests that the sofa is either between two pieces of other furniture, usually tall cabinets, or is located separately.
The sofa creates a niche for relaxation Source Vinterere.ru
The sofa accents the attention, without it the kitchen would seem empty Source Booking.com
In the second case, when choosing, you need to pay serious attention to the sidewalls - in this case they will be open and clearly visible. If it is located near the table and is used as a seat for dining, you need to choose one that has firm padding and a high seat height.
Leather upholstery and a narrow seat are suitable for a sofa on which to sit during lunch Source Mfc04.ru
Often in cramped kitchens, small couches or a sofa chair are used, which is short in length and can accommodate a maximum of two people.
Small but elegant sofa Source Joss-home.ru
A sofa is usually placed in the corner when it is necessary to equip a dining area. In this case, you can choose a soft corner and a table next to it. Typically these pieces of furniture are sold as a set.
Soft corner, complete with a sofa, two banquettes and a table Source narod-kuhni.ru
It is possible to use a corner sofa for relaxation. Then choose the softest one, with a comfortable back. You can also place a straight sofa in the corner.
A soft sofa with a high back is comfortable for relaxing; you can lie or sit with your legs stretched out. Source Hastamebel.ru
Kitchen design solutions with a sofa under the window create an ideal place for a relaxation area. It will be well lit and accessible.
The sofa under the window forms a relaxation area, which would be incomplete without a TV opposite Source Starer.ru
In this case, it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the owner. An open window is a source of drafts. Therefore, if the owners of the apartment often catch colds, it is better not to place a sofa under the window. It is also necessary to choose furniture whose back will be lower than the window sill. In this case, the light will pass deep into the room without interference.
The sofa just fit the size of the bay window, its back is almost flush with the window sill Source Irecommend.ru
Another limitation with this layout is the presence of a radiator. If it is located under the window, then you will have to abandon any furniture in front of it. A soft sofa will interfere with heating. Fortunately, it is almost always possible to move it a little to the side, or even install a heated floor in the kitchen if it is in a private house.
It should not be forgotten that the sofa in the kitchen is often used to watch programs from the wall screen. In this case, you should position it so that the screen itself is clearly visible. In this case, it is advisable to place the screen in a not too lit area so that the image is clearly visible.
Features of choosing a sofa for the dining area
In the production of kitchen corners, all the nuances are taken into account - size, shape, design and, of course, functionality. That is why they are found much more often in design projects than ordinary sofas. But there is nothing more pleasant than sitting down at breakfast on a cozy, hugging sofa. But to install it at the table, you need to approach its choice responsibly and carefully take into account all the nuances.
Form
The sofa can be straight, corner, island, U-shaped, bay window and so on. A lot of different shapes make it possible to choose the perfect one, which means:
- The sofa does not look too bulky in the room;
- Does not interfere with free movement around the kitchen;
- It's easy to get to the free space at the table.
In the dining area, straight sofas or a set of two or three sofas with a gap for passage between them are most often placed. You can also buy a transforming sofa in Moscow.
Dimensions
The dimensions of dining room sofas should also correspond to the parameters of the room and not be too large or small. In this case we are talking about the width and length of the product.
To calculate the height, it is necessary to take into account the following fact: the difference between the upper edge of the tabletop and the upper part of the seat of the soft sofa should be no more than 35 cm. Otherwise, sitting at the table will be very uncomfortable and your elbows will always tend to rise.
A simple example: the height of the table is 75 cm, which means the sofa must have a seat height of at least 40 cm. In this calculation, it is also important to take into account the degree of compressibility of the filler. It is better to measure it while sitting and add to the height.
Material
The material of the dining sofa is necessarily resistant to stains. It is better to opt for high-quality models made of natural or artificial leather. If a contaminant gets on the surface and is quickly removed, the stain will not even have time to appear. And if there is an old one, you should use special means, and the sofa will be like new again.
Textile upholstery (flock, chenille, microfiber) and others will not be able to create strong competition for leather, because it can take a lot of time to remove small stains on high-quality upholstery. And it’s very difficult to immediately check the quality level.
Choose a comfortable soft sofa for your favorite kitchen and enjoy every moment spent with your family over a cup of delicious tea.
Kitchen-dining room and kitchen-living room
In a large spacious room, the kitchen usually plays the role of an island or peninsula, sometimes it occupies half of the room and a separate kitchen area is designed. The sofa here can play the role of a divider when it is located perpendicular to the wall and visually separates the kitchen part from the rest.
Cozy kitchen-living room, the room is divided by a sofa into two almost equal zones Source Starer.ru
You can place a sofa in the kitchen area in the same way as in a small kitchen. At the same time, it will need to fit into this zone both in style and functionality. However, more often in this case it is located in another part of the room, a dining or living area, or a separate recreation area.
In this interior, simple straight sofas are used more often than others. Corners are used not so often and only in cases where it is necessary to equip a dining area somewhere in the corner. Spacious mixed-type rooms allow you to place upholstered furniture and armchairs so that they are in a well-lit area.
Upholstered furniture instead of chairs
If the kitchen does not require additional sleeping space, then a sofa is purchased to organize a dining area. It is placed opposite the kitchen unit to create a cozy corner. If the room dimensions are non-standard, then it is better to make an individual order.
Today it is easy to order a kitchen sofa for a kitchen of any size and design. In a small space, such furniture is also used to provide additional storage systems.
Most of the products offered by manufacturers have additional niches and drawers in which it is convenient to store dishes and other kitchen utensils. Modular variations make it possible to change the interior at any time at your discretion.
Disadvantages of a kitchen with a sofa
The main disadvantage is that the design of a kitchen with a sofa involves placing a rather bulky piece of furniture. It won't fit into every kitchen. In addition to the sofa, you will also need to place work tables, a hob or stove, a dining table, and a refrigerator. All these items should be placed first, as they will always be more useful than the sofa. However, for the happy owners of large kitchens this is not a problem.
There is simply no room for a sofa in a small kitchen Source Mirtesen.ru
The second drawback is the easily soiled surface of upholstered furniture. We have to refuse light-colored fabrics, on which all the stains are clearly visible. Splashes of grease, water and other sources of contamination will always be present in the kitchen. But you don’t always want to use a sofa with a leather surface that can be easily washed. And such a copy usually costs more.
Placing a sofa in a small or medium kitchen - interesting projects
For the interior in Brezhnevka, as well as for small and medium-sized kitchens, it is most difficult to create a design project. There is little room for creativity, but it is necessary to maintain all the functionality of the room. It is important to remember that even if the room is small, this is not a reason to refuse to use upholstered furniture. You can simply purchase a corner or sofa that will have additional functionality and will not take up much space.
Compact sofa benches or corner sofas without transformation are perfect for arranging such a room. It would be good if the furniture had built-in cabinets and drawers. This will make it possible to store infrequently used kitchen utensils and various small items.
How to choose a sofa
When choosing, you should consider the following things:
- size;
- purpose and functionality;
- color and style.
Size is a deciding factor, especially for a small kitchen. When choosing a kitchen design with a corner sofa, you need to carefully measure the area it will occupy and provide at least a centimeter gap from the walls and side pieces of furniture. For a straight sofa, the length is usually standard, especially if it is a book-shaped or pull-out sofa, and it is about two meters - depending on the design of the armrests.
If the sofa is folding, you need to know its dimensions both folded and unfolded. And also provide free space so that it can be easily disassembled and assembled. For example, for a sofa-book you should add about 40 cm of free space so that you can calmly stand next to it and assemble it. A little less space will be required for a small sofa chair that can be folded and unfolded from the side.
When choosing a sofa, you should pay great attention to how it will be used - as a relaxation area, as a seat during lunch, as a place for receiving guests. For relaxation, it is better to choose a soft sofa with a high back and a low seat, so that it is comfortable to stretch your legs, with a wide seat. For lunch, on the contrary, you need a harder, higher sofa so that you can sit comfortably at the table. The back doesn't play a big role here; a narrow seat can be used.
For guests, a sofa with durable upholstery is suitable, which, if you need an extra bed, can be unfolded. When choosing a dining area, you need to take into account the number of people who can fit at the table, taking into account additional banquettes or stools. Each person must have at least 60 cm of seat length.
The color and style must match the overall style of the kitchen. You should pay more attention to the side surfaces; as a rule, they will be clearly visible in the kitchen. It is necessary that these surfaces also correspond to the overall design of the room, and not just the front part.
The most popular sofas for the kitchen
- Straight - traditional models, located along the wall and designed for two or three people.
- Corner ones are practical, save a lot of space and, thanks to the presence of spacious niches, solve the problem of placing kitchen utensils.
- Sofa-couches - their design does not provide a frame, so they are mounted on the wall, which saves usable space.
- Semicircular ones are the best option for a spacious kitchen. These models make the room more comfortable and are ideal for accommodating a large company.
- Bay windows are creative solutions for the interior of a non-standard kitchen. Such furniture is more intended to create comfort rather than provide additional functionality to the room.
- Sofa beds - this type of kitchen furniture provides a sleeping place. The models are more expensive than traditional ones, but they can solve the problem of receiving overnight guests.
What to look for when choosing a corner sofa for the kitchen
Upholstery
The specificity of using a soft sofa is that there is a high probability of contamination of the upholstery with fats or difficult-to-remove dyes.
The resistance of the upholstery material to dirt and the ability to clean are a significant factor.
The most practical material is eco-leather or genuine leather, from which any dirt can be easily wiped off with a napkin. But not everyone loves leather - in hot weather, sitting on it in shorts is not particularly comfortable.
Fabric upholstery - jacquard, velor and others - is perfect for a kitchen sofa. Flock is a good durable material that does not absorb water and dirt well. The best option is if the fabric has a protective impregnation.
If you have a pet at home that can damage the fabric, it is better to choose more durable materials with anti-vandal properties - flock, microsuede, microfiber.
Filling
People usually sit on a kitchen sofa just like a chair, so hard materials are used for padding. Spring structures can only be found in models with a berth.
Most often, polyurethane foam is used for padding; in inexpensive models, even foam rubber. Foam rubber can be sold out in two years, then it will have to be replaced.
A good material for stuffing is holofiber. Outwardly, it looks like small padding polyester balls. Holofiber does not absorb moisture, mold does not grow in it, and retains its original shape for a long time.
Frame
The lifespan of a sofa depends largely on the strength and reliability of the frame. The metal frame is heavier than wood, so it is not often used in the kitchen. The wooden frame is durable and reliable.
You can opt for plywood, which will also last a long time. The most budget option is laminated chipboard. However, keep in mind that it can quickly get wet from below from spilled liquid.
Size
Most standard sizes look like this:
- a standard sofa has a length of 110-140 cm, a sleeping sofa should have a length of 180-200 cm;
- the seat height is usually 40-50 cm, and the depth is 50-70 cm. With these dimensions you can sit quite comfortably;
- The back height is usually 80-95 cm, but can reach 100 cm in standard models.
Of course, the most convenient for a specific kitchen will be a sofa made to individual sizes.
Color
The color of the sofa is selected in accordance with the general principles of furniture selection. First you need to decide: you want a single-color sofa or a patterned one. This usually depends on the style of the interior.
Sofas with patterns are suitable for classic kitchens, sofas with patterns for ethno, and monochrome models for minimalism and hi-tech.
As a rule, in the kitchen the sofa can act as a color accent. Bright colors - red, yellow, orange increase appetite.
- A monochrome sofa in a kitchen with bright walls can be matched to the same shade.
- If the walls are a neutral color, then the sofa can be chosen in a neutral, but different color.
- If the walls are bright, the sofa can be contrasting - this is a good solution for youth interiors.
- A neutral sofa set against bright walls will add balance to a dynamic interior.
Sofas with anti-claw coating
Technologies do not stop, and manufacturers are making a lot of efforts to make sofa upholstery more resistant to various stains. Anti-claw coating is one of such inventions. It repels fat, does not interact with moisture, and is also quite easy to clean. Such sofas are simply a godsend for small areas where cooking is expected.
Sofa design
In order for the sofa to be used for at least its entire warranty period, its frame, as the basis of everything, must be as strong as possible. It is made of wood, which must be solid. The mechanism must be made in such a way that the parts are resistant to moisture and rust. Only synthetic fiber should be used as a filler material, as it is less susceptible to odors and household pollution.
The ideal upholstery would be leather, but you can also opt for various substitutes that will last a little less, but also will not absorb odors. Polyester, which can also be cleaned with special means, is also allowed for the kitchen.
Important characteristics of a sofa for a small kitchen
A sofa in the kitchen can be either the main seat at the dining table or as an addition to other stools and chairs.
This model usually does not fold out, because you would have to move the table each time.
It is not recommended to install sofas in places where there are overweight people, otherwise the furniture will quickly fail. Also, the use of pads is also not appropriate, because they will immediately absorb external odors.
A small sofa for the kitchen can have a lid that folds back, following the example of a chest. For such models, the backrest is attached separately to the wall.
