Coziness and comfort in the home begins with the arrangement of the kitchen. The kitchen space is considered to be the center of the home, so it should maintain a warm atmosphere. Not only beautiful design, but also functional organization of space in the kitchen allows you to create the perfect interior.
For any housewife, it is important that each plate has its place. Every square is important, so the area must be used rationally. We’ll tell you in this article how to properly organize your kitchen and create a stylish interior.
Initial stage of arrangement
To properly organize your kitchen, you need to assess the scale of the work. To begin with, it’s worth comparing possible arrangement ideas and the area of the room. The kitchen should be spacious and cozy no matter how square it is.
Next, we define the main functionality and indicate priorities. What do you need more: a fully equipped hob or an oversized oven? Several hanging drawers for plates or a large rack for pots? Do you often have guests or are you a fan of privacy? To create a comfortable atmosphere, it is important to think through all aspects.
Then it is worth assessing the regularity of using various kitchen utensils. The more competently the kitchen space is organized, the more rational the use of items.
Consider storage locations:
- small household appliances such as a mixer, toaster, kettle, coffee maker, etc.;
- dish drainer, potholders and towels, jars of spices;
- trash can and household chemicals.
Important ! Pay attention to good lighting. The work surface should be light so that the cooking process does not cause inconvenience.
A well-designed kitchen space will not make you worry about further alterations.
Integrate an office into your kitchen during the planning stage
If you are thinking about creating an office in the kitchen at the planning stage, design it as a natural extension of the kitchen unit. When you want to move your mini-office to another room, you can use the place where you worked as a kitchen space. It will easily fit into the existing environment and become a full-fledged part of the room.
Novate.ru advises using exactly the same technique in the case of countertops. Just choose the same colors and materials for both the desktop and the kitchen unit so that nothing stands out from the overall composition.
Workspace ergonomics
All utensils should occupy certain places in the kitchen, so that during work the necessary item is always at hand. The competent and convenient arrangement of things is called ergonomics.
According to the principles of rationality, the organization of the kitchen at home should comply with the rule of the “work triangle”. The essence lies in a certain scheme of actions in the cooking process: storing food, washing it and preparing the dish. Therefore, the location of the refrigerator, sink and stove must follow the specified sequence.
Attention ! Nothing should make it difficult to move around the “work triangle” area. At the initial stage of organizing a kitchen space, it is important to think through the layout of the room and eliminate all obstacles to ensure comfortable moving conditions.
The shorter the length of the sides of the triangle, the shorter the route between its vertices - the refrigerator, sink and stove, and the more convenient the cooking process. An important point is the kitchen area, since the length of the sides depends on it and can range from 1 to 2.5 m.
When placing the main kitchen objects, follow these recommendations:
- Cupboard, refrigerator, freezer and oven doors should open easily and be easily accessible.
- All kitchen surfaces must be heat-resistant, moisture-resistant and easy to clean. It is best to make the tabletop from artificial stone, choose washable wallpaper or Venetian plaster for the walls, and glass panels or tiles for the apron.
- Consider the optimal height of the hood - a low position is dangerous.
- According to the triangle rule, the sink is placed in the center of the kitchen unit.
- Place your cooking area as close to the stove as possible. This will ensure the convenience of the process and eliminate unnecessary movements around the kitchen.
- Pots, pans and lids for them are placed in one place. The work area can be equipped with a common stand, hooks on the doors or side walls of cabinets.
- Drawers should be separated with special nets or limiters so that cutlery is stored in order. A good idea would be ladles suspended on a rail and placed above the sink.
- Products should be stored in perfect order to save time searching for the right ingredient.
- Place sockets near the work area.
- To create a stylish and harmonious interior, it is better to select furniture, curtains and dishes in a single color scheme.
It is also important to place large household appliances correctly. There are certain neighborhood rules that should not be forgotten. A safe distance must be maintained between devices , otherwise breakdowns or accidents cannot be avoided.
Place the refrigerator at least 15 cm from heating and gas appliances. It will quickly fail near the stove. A distance of 5-10 cm should be left between the wall and the unit.
Isolate the stove from other appliances and flammable objects. Designate a separate area for it near the wall or in the corner, close to the dining table. Never place a stove, especially a gas stove, next to a window: the curtains will catch fire from the slightest spark. Leave 70-80 cm between the hood and the hob.
It is common to install a TV in the kitchen. It will help pass an hour or two during the cooking process.
For safety reasons, it is placed away from the “wet” and “hot” zones.
Placement of kitchen utensils
When wondering how to organize space in the kitchen, it is important to know the techniques for compact placement of kitchen utensils. In small kitchens, the problem of lack of space often arises, and dishes begin to take up the shelves in the living room.
Multifunctional and compact appliances are a great way to save kitchen space. The work area is equipped with trays, baskets, hanging shelves, a smart corner and other devices.
Reference . When placing dishes and food in drawers, adhere to the principle of planning. Frequently used items are located closer, in the most accessible places, and infrequently used items are located on the upper or lower shelves of kitchen cabinets.
Horizontal zoning will significantly facilitate access to the necessary equipment.
The set is conventionally divided into three parts:
- the heaviest and most bulky items are located in the lower drawers;
- the middle level is filled with frequently used items and tableware;
- the upper tier contains reserves of cereals and spices. To store bulk products, you should purchase plastic containers.
A pull-out shelf will be a great place to store kitchen utensils. It is attached under the countertop and equipped with hooks that can easily hold pans. If necessary, the shelf pulls out, and getting the necessary frying pan is not difficult. In addition, this will save you from a mountain of heavy dishes.
An alternative would be a retractable organizer . Such a storage system will provide easy access to any pan and save searching time.
A drawer is an ideal way to store not only dishes, but also cutlery. It should be equipped with a deep container with compartments for spatulas and ladles, spoons and forks, knives and scrapers. This will allow you to keep small kitchen utensils in order.
It is convenient to store lids and various flat utensils on the inside of the cabinet doors, equipping them with special holders. You can also place hooks for potholders, towels or ladles on the side walls of cabinets.
They are also placed under wall cabinets. With their help, cups are stored in a visible place - this is a great way to decorate the work area with elegant dishes.
Jars of spices or nuts can be stored not only in cabinets, but also on the refrigerator. Special magnetic mini-shelves will perfectly place tiny containers, and the necessary seasonings will always be in sight. In addition, they will become an interesting decorative element.
Podium in the apartment
Using a podium, you can divide the small space of a one-room apartment into zones for different purposes. The podium combines perfectly with the alcove - in the latter you can build a platform with drawers, place a mattress on it, and the bed is ready! The podium is also suitable for installation outside niches - in any convenient corner where, with the help of curtains, you can arrange a bedroom and storage area. You shouldn’t make such a structure too high, because it visually takes away the height from the ceiling.
Creating a functional kitchen space
Organizing space in the kitchen involves the functional placement of appliances and utensils. To create a functional work area, stick to the basic principles.
The first principle is paired storage. Items used together should be stored together. This practical recommendation applies to:
- washing area: sponges, brushes and cleaning products;
- cutting surface : knives, boards, bowls, various seasonings and dressings;
- stove : oil for frying, spices, spatulas. It is ideal if the cabinet with frying pans is located nearby;
- baking : measuring cup, sifter, molds, baking paper, scale and mixer;
- tea accessories: coffee, tea, coffee grinder, Turk and sugar;
- food supplies : cereals, seasonings, canned food and pasta.
It is important to use the space under the sink wisely. Most often, this is where cleaning products, bags, sponges and rags are stored. Organizing the space under the kitchen sink begins with equipping the drawer with plastic hanging structures or containers, hooks, and rails.
Carefully ! The cabinet under the sink is an easily accessible place, so toxic or dangerous substances should not be stored there, especially if there are small children in the family.
Organized storage in drawers can be achieved using dividers. They will successfully divide the space into zones, and all items will be distributed into compartments. The work area will also be complemented by rails on the walls. Paper towels, spatulas, skimmers and ladles are placed on them.
For those who like to collect recipes or take notes, it is practical to have a place in the kitchen to write notes. There are many options for its design: a notepad on a magnet, a shelf for books, a slate board or a cork organizer. Such devices will allow you to store magazine clippings and cookbooks. In addition, they will become an excellent decorative element.
To save space in a small kitchen, use modules that adapt to different needs. For example, a mobile kitchen island that can easily be adapted to any need. By adding containers or drawers, you will increase the amount of storage space.
Built-in systems occupy a special place in the kitchen. They not only save space, but also create a functional interior. The following will help you organize your work area:
- built-in garbage containers - pull-out trays that merge with the kitchen unit;
- built-in bread bins - compartments in the countertop that save space on the cutting table and help you get rid of bulky containers for storing bread;
- retractable cutting boards - modules that are mounted inside the countertop and, if necessary, expand it;
- corner drawers or a smart corner are a way to use even the most inaccessible places in the headset;
- a retractable table is an island for snacking, which, if necessary, can be hidden in a set or shelving unit.
Folding furniture will help you use space rationally. It would be a good idea to replace the dining area in a small kitchen with a folding one. It is easy to unfold when guests arrive and easy to hide on the balcony to free up the room.
There is also the option of seats that slide tightly under the tabletop, creating the impression of a single kitchen island. This furniture looks stylish and unusual.
Design ideas
If you encounter difficulties organizing space in the kitchen, we recommend that you seek help from specialists.
Designers offer many original, stylish and ergonomic ways to design the kitchen area:
- Pantry . You don’t have to dedicate a whole room for this—one wall is enough. A spacious closet-pantry will help you store a lot of useful things. Its pull-out shelves and baskets can accommodate canned goods, cereals, jars and much more. The design is convenient because it is built into the wall, so it takes up virtually no space.
- A drawer in the wall above the tabletop. This recess is intended for storing small household appliances. The niche frees up the work surface, which makes the cooking process more comfortable. The box is equipped with a door that hides blenders, coffee grinders and toasters from view.
- Kitchen cabinet. It is a small recess in the wall with a folding desk and shelves. In such a corner you can retire and work without interrupting the cooking process.
- Window sill shelf . A standard window sill can easily be turned into a comfortable tabletop by making an overlay made of stone, plastic or wood. It is not difficult to improve the window opening by placing open shelves in it. Plants from the windowsill will smoothly move a little higher and the working surface will expand.
- Hanging cabinet for greenery . A multifunctional piece of furniture will allow you to place not only plants, but also jars of seasonings. The cabinet looks stylish, especially if it is wooden. You can plant healthy herbs in it: parsley, lettuce or mint.
- Multifunctional sink. To get the most out of the device, it was equipped with additional accessories: a cutting board, a dryer for vegetables and dishes. Sometimes the sink is complemented with a tall mixer with a sprayer. It will not only bring benefits in everyday life, but also add sophistication to the interior.
- Built-in technology. Such devices look stylish and save space. They add modernity to the interior, making the work area more advanced and ergonomic.
Table on the windowsill
To organize a home office, it is not always possible to buy a separate desk. In this case, you can build a workplace on the windowsill. The advantages of this solution will be:
- excellent illumination;
- comfortable level of heat thanks to the battery;
- saving space in the room.
Usually a wide window sill, which allows you to comfortably position your feet, itself serves as a table for a laptop and papers. A narrow window sill will have to be “built on” using wood, MDF, chipboard, or plastic. This design needs additional support, so legs should be attached to it. If desired, you can mount drawers and shelves below, which will allow you to organize additional storage space. It is better to decorate the radiator so that it is not too conspicuous.
Proper organization of space, thoughtful arrangement of furniture and well-chosen finishes are the components of success when carrying out renovations in a small apartment. Interesting design techniques will allow you to combine a bedroom, study and office in one room so that it looks organic and becomes as functional as possible!
