Anton
head of design studio
If the kitchen is the main gathering place for your family in your home, this article will be of interest to you. Today I will try to tell you how to make it comfortable and functional, especially if it is a kitchen of 14 square meters. And regardless of whether you have a two-room or three-room apartment in Moscow, or maybe a one-room apartment, what is the layout - the specialists of our studio will help you competently plan the renovation and design.
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Kitchen layout
Kitchen set shape
I want to say right away that a 14-square kitchen can embody many ideas, and professional advice from a designer will correct them in the right direction. And the first rule is this: the interior design should be planned taking into account the shape of the kitchen space.
Most often, the kitchen interior in Moscow apartments has an L- or U-shaped kitchen, less often - straight or with an island, especially in older housing stock. And each 14-meter kitchen, regardless of whether it is a one-room, two-room or three-room apartment, has its advantages, strengths, as well as disadvantages. And so that you understand all these subtleties, you can choose the best solution for your own kitchen, where you will create your masterpieces - take into account the following tips from my story. I hope they will help you make the right choice by organizing your kitchen according to your own vision.
Direct kitchen
If the kitchen is 14 square meters, then this shape is not entirely convenient for it, since the interior of the apartment provides for a long perimeter of the working triangle. What is this “work triangle”? This is a kind of visual triangle, the corners of which are a refrigerator, a sink and a stove. The designers of our design studio say that the longer these sides are, the more time the housewife spends on her feet in the kitchen.
If you don’t have a kitchen of 14 meters, but, for example, 8-10, the shape of the set itself is not particularly important. The kitchen design project in this case will include a minimal kitchen triangle. And the problem here is different - how to fit everything you need into such a design of an apartment or kitchen.
L-shaped (corner) and U-shaped kitchen
This type of kitchen is considered the most convenient for every housewife - here everything in the cooking process is at arm's length. Also, it is in such kitchen layouts that sets with many nooks and crannies are often installed - it is so convenient to hide all sorts of little things and visual noise - rags and detergents, boards and small kitchen appliances.
Kitchen with island
The most inconvenient of the forms of kitchen sets. But despite all this, it looks very impressive. But its disadvantage is that the working surface breaks, and the cooking process itself will also be divided. Some processes have to be transferred to the main work surface, while others need to be transferred to a small island. It often happens that the housewife carries out many processes precisely at the level of the unconscious, mostly working on the main work surface. But they forget about the small island, and it becomes an unnecessary element in the kitchen, and you don’t want to move anything onto it - it’s inconvenient and requires additional body movements.
The greater the distance in the kitchen between the sink and the stove, the better, since this is the main work surface for the cook. Ideally, it should be at least 90 cm and free from small household appliances.
Stylistic decisions
As a rule, the choice of interior design depends on the kitchen unit. This approach imposes restrictions, forcing you to choose between several options. If financial resources allow, then it is better to equip the room from scratch: choose finishing materials and furniture that will be combined with each other. It will take a lot more time, but as a result the cooking process will be simplified and family gatherings will become more comfortable. An area of 14 square meters allows you to choose any style.
Modern
Those who cannot imagine life without technology, value freedom and space, prefer modern designs. Calm finishing, laconic facades, discreet or hidden fittings. To dilute the cold interior, use a glass apron with prints, photo printing on furniture, and bright accents in the work area. The floor is finished with porcelain stoneware or tiles.
Loft
A style whose concept reveals the beauty of industrialism. The rough casualness of industrial romance is combined with new technologies, dark tones and bright colors. The absence of expensive finishing saves money. Plaster or brickwork on the wall is sufficient. With this design, it makes no sense to spend money on hiding communications; on the contrary, they try to use pipes in the interior.
Classic
True connoisseurs of traditional life choose the classic style. It does not depend on fashion, does not get boring, and is ideal for both family dinners and parties with friends. Vintage or artificially aged furniture with carved elements and gilded handles is the center of attention, which means that the rest of the decoration should be simple. It is best to use plain wallpaper or paint with a small print.
Arrangement of equipment in the kitchen
Fridge
This is the most popular and visited item in the open spaces of the kitchen and it is optimal to place it at one end of the set, as close as possible to the dining table, as well as to the exit to the kitchen. If it is a built-in model, it will fit better and more harmoniously into the design of the kitchen space, where the interior is modern or classic. If you are planning to decorate a room in a loft or Scandinavian style, it is optimal to use a free-standing refrigerator in the design.
Sink
As designers, including myself, advise, it is optimal to place the sink at a distance of 40-6 cm from the refrigerator. And all because during the cooking process, many housewives constantly take food out of it and put ready-made dishes on the shelves. If the food taken out of the refrigerator does not need to be washed, its place during the cooking process is on the countertop.
Dishwasher
If you have a small family, only 2-3 people, it is optimal to buy a machine with a width of no more than 45 cm. It can accommodate enough dishes - plates and pots, pans. If the family is larger, it is optimal to opt for a machine 60 cm wide, but the truth is that not every kitchen will have one.
Coffee machine
A freestanding coffee machine is best placed in the kitchen on the countertop area between the refrigerator and the sink. And all because in the process of using it you will need both water and coffee, which, according to the advice of many, is optimally stored in the refrigerator.
Oven
As statistics from our designers show, about 60% of our clients prefer to place the oven at a comfortable height for themselves, namely at chest level. In my opinion, it is optimal if it combines its functions with a microwave, if the latter is used frequently. But if you only use the oven, it is optimal to place it under the hob, and leave the appliances that you use most often at chest level.
Washing machine
If it does not fit in the bathroom or in the hallway, it is optimal to place it in the kitchen, and in the format of a built-in element in the set. And even if your machine stands alone, it is optimal to cover it with a certain facade, so the set looks more presentable.
Hood
A free-standing hood in the kitchen, clearly visible from all points, would be appropriate in a loft style, or, less commonly, in a country style or classic design. But in a modern style it is better to choose the built-in version. Plus, when a hood is built in, additional shelves and sections will appear in the kitchen where you can easily put spices and small equipment such as a coffee grinder.
Hob
When placing a hob in the kitchen, you should move at least 9 cm away from the sink, and set aside this space specifically for arranging the work surface. And this is where you will cut and sculpt, mix and season. If a white hob suits your design, take it. And this is because on a black surface all stains and dirt are more visible - this is certainly not a practical thing that equipment manufacturers could come up with.
Chopper
And this is exactly the thing that you will definitely appreciate if you haven’t used it until recently. All products, well, at least many, can be successfully ground in a couple of seconds and, as a result, the trash can has no smell, there is only packaging, and there is no blockage in the sewer.
Water filter
It is worth remembering that it is under the sink that you should leave free space specifically for installing a water filter system. For example, it could be a system with reverse osmosis, which is very voluminous. But today, many retail outlets sell faucets with 2 holes - one for the water tap, the second for the outlet of the tap for supplying purified water. And there is no need to drill the surface of the countertop in order to install an additional faucet for filtered water.
Arrangement of the dining area
The square design of such a kitchen provides a wide field for imagination in arranging the eating area. Depending on the layout and dimensions of the kitchen unit, the dining table can be wide (for example, for 6 people) or miniature, designed for an average family. With a compact arrangement, you can fit two options at once, as in the photo below.
A large dining table and a bar counter for a quick snack complement each other perfectly.
An alternative to the counter as an addition to the main dining area is a window-sill table.
Today, in many new buildings, kitchens have similar sizes. When buying a one-room apartment, you don’t have to worry about where to receive guests: the living room can be equipped right in the kitchen. The main thing is to choose the right furniture and room design. In the photo below you can see successful kitchen options with a sofa.
Narrow kitchen in black and white, diluted with gray and cream tones. The compact corner set here turned out to be much more successful and rational than the linear one.
A successful mixture of styles allows you to feel both the breath of antiquity and notes of the East in the decor. This setting sets a romantic mood and encourages conversations about art.
Those who are lucky enough to have not only a spacious kitchen, but also access to a rather large loggia, can use the additional space as a dining area.
Opening upper cabinets
Swing
These are affordable and inexpensive, which is why the most popular cabinets among users are those installed at the very top of kitchen units. And I like this option the most.
Folding
If you choose folding cabinets, it is optimal to choose models with high-quality, reliable fittings. After all, low-quality ones will quickly fail and you will have to spend money on constant repairs; they will not be able to keep the doors constantly open.
Folding
For me, this is the most presentable, but expensive option for opening the facade - here, with just a slight movement of the hand, you can open an entire cabinet. But this option is not always convenient for housewives of small size.
Furniture and decor in Provence style
The ideal option for such a kitchen would be furniture made of natural wood, with carved facades and open shelves in light shades. Among the decorative elements, preference should be given to earthenware, decorative sets with tiny cups, and cast iron products.
Convenient kitchen design
Heights, dimensions, ergonomics
Lower cabinets
According to standard standards, the height of the lower cabinets in a kitchen set does not exceed 90 cm, but each of the cabinets has adjustable legs. Accordingly, the height of the tabletop can vary between 86 – 91 cm, if the thickness of the tabletop is 4 cm. If you are tall and you already need a higher tabletop level, you can add height using a thicker tabletop. It is optimal to install a maximum of retractable mechanisms in the lowest bedside tables - they are ideal for convenient storage of all sorts of small household appliances and utensils.
Working surface
It is the main workspace in the kitchen - this is where the process of preparing food takes place. And the most convenient place is between the stove and the sink - according to its parameters, it is worth allocating at least 9 cm, ideally 120 - 150 cm.
Upper cabinets
Speaking about the standard parameters for the depth of such cabinets, it is 35 cm, but in terms of height, it can be very different. If this is a standard - here the numbers vary between 60, 72 or 90-120 cm, the modular option - the height can be of two types, namely 72 or 90 cm. But today you can find a set that goes to the ceiling, when the cabinets rest directly on it surface. But even though it’s cute, using them is not always practical or convenient. And often little useful, rarely used things and objects are stored there.
At what height is the hood?
Often our designers are faced with the following question: at what height should a hood be installed in the kitchen? Some advise installing it at a height of 80 cm from the tabletop, others - 60 cm. But here the answer is simpler than ever - it should be mounted at a height at which you definitely won’t hit your head on it. And ideally, it is mounted a few centimeters higher than the tallest member of the family.
Selection of furniture
Even in a spacious kitchen, you need to fit all the necessary furniture and appliances as compactly, functionally and conveniently as possible. The selected furniture must match the style of the kitchen, not clutter up the space, and it is also important that it is made of high-quality materials suitable for the kitchen.
If the kitchen has a bay window, it is reasonable to place a dining area with a sofa in it
Of course, there are many options for pieces of furniture that can be purchased for the kitchen. However, there are those that you definitely can’t do without.
- Kitchen set. To make the model as ergonomic and suitable as possible, it is better to take measurements of the room, consider the number and shape of storage cabinets, and order the model according to your parameters and needs. This option may cost more, but you have the opportunity to choose the design and sizes at your discretion. Study the materials from which kitchen sets are made. Each interior style has its own list of suitable materials.
- Dinner table. If in a small kitchen this piece of furniture is replaced with a bar counter or a retractable/folding structure, then in a spacious kitchen with an area of 14 square meters. you can put a table without fear of overloading the space.
- Chairs. Make sure that the material from which they are made matches the rest of the furniture in the room.
- Sofa. A compact sofa in the dining area of the living room will add coziness. The most successful option would be a corner model; you can also pay attention to options with additional storage systems inside the furniture.
A small sofa can serve as a comfortable replacement for chairs
A folding sofa model will come in handy if there are often guests in the house
When choosing furniture, consider the location of household appliances. For large items, you need to think through the compartments in advance, taking measurements first, especially if we are talking about built-in equipment. A certain place should also be allocated for small household appliances and other kitchen utensils.
Light glossy facades will help make the kitchen visually larger
Kitchen furniture has slightly different requirements than furniture for other rooms.
- Kitchen furniture must be moisture resistant, since this is the wet area of the apartment, plus evaporation processes constantly occur here.
- Resistance to high temperatures is also one of the most important requirements, especially for a kitchen countertop.
- Resistant to sunlight. This is important so that the furniture lasts as long as possible and does not lose its original appearance.
- Easy to clean. Kitchen furniture needs to be cleaned regularly. Materials must be resistant to cleaning agents, including those containing active chemicals.
The TV is usually placed on the wall opposite the sofa
Modern style
in the interior of a 14-square kitchen
I like it best when the kitchen is built into a niche.
It looks both beautiful and thorough, as if it was designed together with the house. When the kitchen, from the standpoint of ergonomics and functionality, has been worked out with the master, it is worth moving on to its appearance and design. And the first thing that catches your eye in this particular part of the house is the smooth facades. And at the moment, the most sought after and popular is painted MDF - the surface itself can be matte or glossy. The best option is plastic facades, which look like painted MDF, but their price is a little expensive.
Modern kitchens often come without handles; here, doors are opened by pressing a special element of push-up fittings. But most often the handles are replaced with a special recess in the facade.
Lots of modern kitchens!
Color palette
An area of 14 m allows you not to settle only on light, calm colors, since there is no need to visually enlarge the space. A combination of contrasting spectrums, bright accents - a spacious kitchen allows for various color schemes. The most popular options should be considered.
White
The milk palette is universal. But such a design requires careful balance, since if there is too much white, the kitchen becomes like a hospital ward. It is better to dilute the monochromatic finish with contrasting colors that suit the style concept. A black countertop, a bright apron, gray household appliances, and a curtain with patterns will easily turn the room into an interesting corner filled with light.
Grey
Elegant restraint contributes to a pleasant time with the family over a cup of tea. The absence of bright spots evokes a feeling of peace. But the room does not seem boring. Wood flooring, the glossy surface of the appliances, the shine of the fittings, and white tiles in the work area create a unique atmosphere in which you can relax and unwind from an eventful day. Living plants on the windowsill add variety.
Black
Despite the gloominess of a 14 square meter kitchen, this color allows you to create a sophisticated interior. Can be used as an accent or as a main tone. For example, a dark set with glossy facades and a hidden opening mechanism against a light wall looks unusual and at the same time stylish.
Neoclassical style
and kitchen design 14 meters
In terms of functionality, content, and placement of appliances, kitchens in this style are often similar to modern ones. But the difference between them lies precisely in the façade. The neoclassical style is dominated by facades trimmed with paneling, but they use the usual elements of the furniture - handles.
If you replace the facades with smooth ones, without panels, you will get a modern kitchen.
Neoclassical kitchen is here!
Ideas for a kitchen apron
Tile splashback
The most popular, and most importantly practical option for many kitchens. Many years will pass, and the tiles will continue to lie in the same place, and even today the choice is huge, so choosing one for any interior will not be difficult. Plus, there is something for the craftsmen to work with.
Tempered glass apron
This finish has wide possibilities in the design and decoration of the kitchen. You can adhere to the principle of minimalism, when the painted wall can be seen behind the transparent glass. Or you can easily put wallpaper under this glass - the optimal solution for a kitchen in the neoclassical style. If this is glass with photo printing, they threw it away, the option is interesting, but it is rare.
Wood effect apron
This option is suitable for those who want to diversify the simplicity of a modern kitchen style.
Previously, this apron could be finished using laminate - a practical and durable material that is easy to wash. But its downside is the seams, which often get water, and the material itself swells and cracks. Today it has been replaced with tiles, which actually imitate wood laminate. Lots of ideas for an apron!
Modern or classic?
The choice of style depends entirely on temperament and taste preference. For dynamic, active people, open to everything new, loft, industrial, and high-tech are ideal. For those who love simplicity and lightness in the interior, minimalism and Scandinavian style are suitable.
The Scandinavian style appeared not so long ago, but has already taken a leading place in the ranking of the most popular.
For those who love the atmosphere of a country house, nature and its notes in the interior, Provence and country are ideal.
Classic is a style that will always be in fashion. And with such an area you can realize the most sophisticated ideas. To create a beautiful classic interior, you don’t need to have the skills of a professional designer, you just need to have good taste.
Light-colored furniture looks especially elegant in the kitchen.
Lighting
in the kitchen interior
Lighting in the kitchen is installed in the same way as in the rooms - often it can be 3 types of lighting, namely general, local and, of course, decorative light. General light is necessary when cleaning and receiving guests in the kitchen; local light in the evening helps create a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere. And decorative lighting is needed to emphasize the texture of the wall or furniture. But it is important to allocate an outlet for illuminating the work surface using lighting, which, by the way, can also be used to illuminate internal cabinets.
Options for zoning a kitchen 14 meters
Design techniques will help to divide the room into 2 functional areas. There are the following methods:
- Using color. The working and dining areas should be decorated in two different shades that combine with each other. Additionally, accents of opposite colors are used in each area. For example, cushions in a soft corner of the same tone as the apron of the work surface. You can also make one of the walls contrasting.
- Lighting. It is enough to hang lamps on long cords above the table, and use adhesive tape with diodes in the work area; lighting the furniture gives the interior a sophisticated look.
To uniquely zone the room, use a bar counter, a soft corner with contrasting chairs. Select the desired shade of curtains or curtains. It is necessary to remember about harmony with the set and decoration. No flashy details are allowed.
Small kitchen design
in a standard apartment
Many apartments with a typical layout were designed quite a long time ago, before they began to use microwaves, dishwashers and other household appliances in the kitchen in large quantities. And they are small in size. For example, in Khrushchev-era apartment buildings they previously installed refrigerators no larger than a bedside table, and often in such apartments they are even located in the hallway. In modern houses, the kitchen area is at least 10 m2. - these are already buildings from the times of Khrushchev or Brezhnev.
A typical kitchen implies a typical arrangement of furniture. That is, in a typical kitchen it is very, very difficult to arrange the furniture in any other way than what was intended, as the architect wrote in his project when designing the house. To be precise, you can arrange the furniture differently, but you will have to sacrifice your own comfort.
Small typical kitchens!
Kitchen 12 sq. with access to the balcony. Unconventional approach to corners and bright details
Sometimes the layout can be extraordinary - for example, the kitchen may have as many as 5 corners! The corner design of the headset fits perfectly. Small cabinets and shelves helped to rationally use the space and free up the central part of the room for free movement.
There is never too much usable space. Transforming the window opening while combining the areas allowed more natural light to flow into the kitchen with soft blue walls. This is an example of bright monochrome solutions. Dynamic shades of gray in the splashback tiles, glossy white and black facades.
An example of a contrasting color scheme that transforms a balcony into a cozy nook in the kitchen. The abundance of white makes the room light, and red and newspaper princes place accents on the zones.
White kitchen
Design ideas
If you are interested in white kitchens, then most likely cleaning does not scare you. But they are cleaned no more often than kitchens of a different color. After each cooking, you just need to wipe the countertops, treat the facades once every couple of weeks, and that’s all. But here it is recommended to combine finishing materials in the kitchen set. For example, the lower bedside tables should be made from less easily soiled facades, similar to the same light wood, while the upper cabinets can be made light. But if you consider yourself one of the so-called supporters of cleanliness at the operating room level, it is optimal to make facades with a wood or stone texture. We brush aside everything else and don’t fool ourselves. /p>
Lots of white kitchens!
Color combination in the kitchen
Beautiful combination of color palette for the kitchen:
- blue, blue, white and a little light brown;
- lilac, beige, white and light brown tones;
- yellow tones, light eggplant and wood-look countertops.
Grey colour
in the design of a 14-meter kitchen
I want to tell a story with this color. Not so long ago, a couple of years ago, gray was the most depressing and dull color. But today it was he who took the position of leader. And I am very happy about this. It is he who gives the entire interior its special seriousness and severity, and when combined with bright colors, the interior will become royally noble.
There are gray kitchens here!
Beige kitchen
Interior Design
I have repeated and will repeat - it is the beige color and its shades that are the best options for the kitchen interior. This is a moderately calm color, warm and natural. That’s why in 9 out of 10 kitchen interiors, our design studio experts choose this color. But my favorite is the grayish beige. I can call it universal. And all because it combines perfectly and harmonizes with a very wide range of colors. There is already room to spread out in the spacious kitchen, embodying the most interesting ideas.
Beige kitchen ideas!
What finishing materials are best to use in kitchen design? Is it possible to use laminate or parquet boards in the kitchen? What is the best way to decorate an apron in the kitchen? I have prepared a wonderful article about finishing materials. Go to the “Tips” section, there is a lot of useful information there!
I hope you liked the article itself and you will be happy to put into practice the advice and ideas I gave. If you can’t handle it yourself, you don’t know how to translate this or that idea into reality - then contact our craftsmen and designers, they will definitely help you translate all your ideas and ideas, preferences for color and texture, facade and materials into a real project .
