The corner layout of the kitchen unit is an ideal solution for a small kitchen. Cabinets located in the shape of the letter “L” along adjacent walls allow you to increase the working surface area and make good use of the space in the corner.
Small corner kitchens allow you to compactly and rationally organize your workspace, fitting even in a small area not only all the necessary furniture, but also large equipment such as a refrigerator.
Design of a corner set for a small kitchen with a refrigerator
Depending on the shape of the room and its design features, a corner kitchen set for a small kitchen can be positioned in several ways.
- With a right angle.
This design is not always convenient to use if it is not equipped with a retractable or rotating section. But such a cabinet is more compact and takes up less space than, for example, a beveled one.
- With a beveled corner - trapezoid.
With a similar layout, you can install a sink or a narrow hob in the corner space.
At the same time, this is not the best solution if the kitchen area does not exceed 6 square meters: the beveled corner of the cabinet suggests that the dimensions of the module will be larger.
- With rounded corner.
This option has the same pros and cons as the previous one.
A rounded corner is usually part of a set with curved facades, which ideally should match the entire furniture ensemble of the kitchen in the same style.
- With a bar counter.
This is one of the options for organizing a compact dining area if the family consists of no more than 3 people.
The tabletop in this case can be located flush with the kitchen countertop or slightly higher.
- With a tabletop combined with a window sill.
There are two options here: make the tabletop-window sill a dining area like a bar counter or place the second part of the set along the window.
Modern mini-kitchen in Khrushchev with a window sill-bar counter
The second option requires a more responsible approach to the installation. It is necessary to provide a hole in the countertop or in the cabinets so that hot air from the heating radiator can freely escape into the room.
You can often find completed projects of L-shaped kitchens with a sink near the window. Such a convenient location for the sink is not always justified from a practical point of view: lengthening the communications increases the risk of blockages, breakthroughs and flooding.
By using a window sill in a small kitchen, you can significantly save space by rationally organizing all areas - working, dining and storage areas.
- With ventilation box.
The angular location of the ventilation duct is often found in small-sized kitchens of houses built last century. You can beat the ledge using an L-shaped arrangement of furniture on both sides of the box.
- No upper cabinets.
The top row can be abandoned completely or partially, freeing only one of the sides. In this case, you will have to sacrifice storage space in favor of visually freer space.
You can partially compensate for the loss of functionality by installing upper cabinets under the ceiling on one of the walls.
There are several ways to fill an empty wall surface: hanging a TV, a picture, wall organizers, original clocks, etc.
On the empty side you can install racks or simple shelves.
On the side without upper cabinets you can install a stove and a compact hood.
- With open upper cabinets.
Open shelves visually make the entire furniture ensemble lighter, which is important for a small kitchen. But at the same time, this design will require wet cleaning more often.
Only the corner module can be made open, for example, by placing beautiful wine glasses, bottles of elite alcohol or other decorative interior items on the shelves.
- Corner kitchen with cabinets of different depths.
A current idea for a small-sized kitchen, in which you can free up space with virtually no loss of functionality if one of the sides of the set is shallower.
- With a pencil case.
The pencil case can serve as a storage place and can also be equipped with a built-in oven or microwave.
If the area does not exceed 6-7 sq.m., then you should not place more than two pencil cases in the kitchen.
For more design ideas and examples of L-shaped headset layout, watch the video:
Dimensions
In order to choose a set, you first need to think about the size of the kitchen. Manufacturers offer a large number of sizes; there are special programs with which you can determine the required footage.
Depending on the total area, we estimate successful options.
For a kitchen 6 sq m:
For a kitchen 9 sq m:
Advantages and disadvantages
According to some experts, the corner kitchen layout stands out for its convenience, so it is very often used not only in small but also in large rooms.
But when the question of choice does not arise before the owners and they are forced to operate just such a kitchen, plus a rather modest size, it is worth considering in detail its main positive and negative features.
As a rule, such a room is a triangular work area with a set of furniture and household appliances. As an advantage of such a small room arrangement, it is worth highlighting the possibility of rational use of the corners, which allows you to expand the work space.
In addition, in such rooms the design is more thought out, thanks to which a functional triangle “stove-refrigerator-sink” is created.
Most often, compact mini-kitchens stand out from the crowd of design projects due to their ergonomics and individual design and design. This is due to the use of special rotating systems for storing kitchen utensils and even placing household appliances for small corner kitchen sets.
Such non-standard options for doors and cabinets make it possible to make a corner kitchen more spacious, and therefore more comfortable to use.
As a rule, manufacturers of modern furniture offer a lot of useful modules specifically for small corner kitchens, for example, popular carousel racks or hanging shelves.
Most often, the set occupies the maximum height of the walls in the room, which allows you to place all the necessary devices and fixtures in it.
Using the L-shaped furniture project, you can thoroughly approach the issue of zoning this functional room in your home.
Most often, the area of the room is divided into a corner dining area and a working area, which are placed on different sides of the kitchen. There is also a design option using a bar counter, which can combine two functions at once - serve as a dining table and a worktop.
The U-shaped option involves dividing the kitchen into three zones.
Corner ready-made or custom-made sets look many times more attractive than standard options, which allows you to turn even a small room in a small apartment into a decoration for the entire residential building or apartment.
Also, corner kitchen options are in demand for homes where, due to a lack of square meters, studio rooms are created.
But there are disadvantages in such projects, the main ones are discussed below.
Despite the large selection of design ideas for planning such rooms, some inconveniences may arise during the operation of the set in the area of the joints of table tops and furniture.
Very often in a corner kitchen the useful area under the sink is not taken into account if it is placed in the corner.
Corner sets cannot be placed in too narrow rooms. Problems can also arise in rooms with complex layouts, where there will be niches or protrusions. In this case, furnishing a kitchen is only possible with custom-made furniture, which may require more funds.
Also among the disadvantages of corner sets, it is worth highlighting the presence of a large number of joints in the furniture, into which moisture will inevitably get in during operation, which can cause fungus. Therefore, it is important to entrust the installation to professionals, and also be sure to use protective ties for the headset.
The interiors of corner small-sized kitchens mostly involve installing a sink in the corner.
But as practice shows, this option is very inconvenient during operation.
Photos and prices of corner kitchen units for a small kitchen from popular manufacturers
Many companies offer a large number of different corner sets. We will look at the most popular of them.
Ikea kitchens have affordable prices. The final cost of the headset consists of items, accessories, and selected facades. Modules of different models can be interconnected. Approximately, a small corner set will cost 50 thousand rubles.
Leroy Merlin. They produce inexpensive corner kitchens. They provide convenient assembly and delivery services. Below are examples of projects that can be ordered.
Cappuccino. Corner, left corner, 1.4x2.4 m, 46,860 rub.
Corner, left corner, 1.4×2.4 m. Price - 37,400 rub.
Fens mint. Corner, left corner, 1.4x2.4 m, price - 39,700 rub.
Right corner, 1.4x2.4 m, 40,300 rub.
The frame is dark. Corner, right corner, 1.4x2.4 m. Price - 35,614
The frame is dark. Corner, left corner, 1.4x2.4 m. Price - 37800
Photo examples of corner kitchens from less popular brands:
PM - Space. Agave U 170 x 140 cm. 23800 rub.
Corner kitchen set PM Kitchen Palermo 1.65x1.35 m Arabica. 29700 rub.
HOFF. Loft 1.6x1.0 m modular kitchen set. Price 32152 rub.
Types of kitchen units
Since not all modern housing and old buildings have spacious kitchens, domestic and foreign manufacturers offer many options for kitchen mini-sets, standard models or with the possibility of custom-designed ones.
4 types of layout
L-shaped kitchen
An L-shaped kitchen is ideal for medium and small spaces: the sink is in the corner of the unit, the stove and refrigerator are to the right and left of it.
With a peninsula
This arrangement of furniture is optimal in a studio apartment or a large rectangular kitchen.
With an island
The island layout will be appreciated by owners of a spacious kitchen in the house or a kitchen combined with a living room. In a small apartment, give preference to a peninsula or buy a mobile island table - they take up less space.
Corner kitchens with bar counter
A bar counter is an additional work surface, but more often it is a place where you can drink coffee and have a snack. In a small apartment it can completely replace the dining table.
- A cabinet with drawers, a minibar, and a wine refrigerator can be built into the base of the counter.
Right angle
Choose this option if there is little space in the kitchen or the renovation budget is strictly limited. A serious disadvantage is difficult access to the contents of the corner cabinet. You can install roll-out, pull-out or rotating shelves, which will make your life much easier, but they are not cheap.
And if there is a sink in the corner, you will no longer be able to use the fittings.
With beveled corner (trapezoid cabinet)
This design is good when you have a corner sink, no dishwasher and often have back pain. It’s easier to get something out of a slanted cabinet, you won’t have to reach for the sink, and you’ll spend less effort washing dishes.
The disadvantage is obvious: a cut corner is larger than a straight corner (standard sizes of pentagonal cabinets are 850 by 850 and 900 by 900 mm) and often looks bulky. Therefore, this solution is not suitable for owners of a tiny kitchen.
With a sink in the corner
A kitchen with a sink in the corner is the most common type of layout, especially in Khrushchev. A corner sink model is usually built into a trapezoid cabinet. In a kitchen with a right angle, the best choice is a miniature round sink or a compact rectangular sink with one or two bowls.
See the photos for examples:
With ventilation box/protrusion
In both old houses and new buildings, there may be an air duct in the corner, which spoils the design of the kitchen and complicates the arrangement of furniture.
When the ventilation duct is small, the obstacle is easy to get around: the furniture manufacturer will simply reduce the depth of the floor cabinets:
When the box protrudes forward, the most reasonable thing is to divide the set into two parts, as in the examples in the photo:
With work surface
You can place here a tabletop dish drainer, a jug or water filter, a coffee maker, a toaster, or a microwave.
With stove
A stove is rarely placed in a corner, but sometimes this layout option is the only possible one. It is more convenient to install the hob into a trapezoid-shaped cabinet. This is what it looks like in real interiors:
With drawers
A non-standard item that is made only to order.
With open shelves
Fridge
Where to place the refrigerator in a corner layout? This question often confuses, because in a small room it is quite difficult to find a place for large equipment.
There are several options to solve this problem:
- A small built-in refrigerator in a wall-mounted or floor-standing position. Of course, such equipment is not very spacious, but it is perfect for the smallest rooms.
- Corner refrigerator - you don’t often see it in practice, but from the point of view of functionality and style, such a built-in appliance will give odds to many other options, including in terms of style. The only negative is that such a refrigerator will most likely have to be ordered according to individual measurements, which can significantly increase its cost.
- The most common option is a standard refrigerator at one end of the kitchen unit: suitable in all cases, the main thing is that the space of the room allows it.
When placing a refrigerator, you should always take into account the triangle rule: the sink should be located between the refrigerator and the stove, and between each of the three elements there should be at least one countertop - this arrangement is the most convenient and functional.
Materials
An important issue when selecting kitchen sets is the type of material that is used to assemble the furniture. This nuance largely determines the service life of kitchen furniture.
As for corner sets, certain types of expensive and budget materials are used today as raw materials for their production.
Natural wood. Such models are distinguished by their environmental friendliness and high cost, however, due to regular contact with moisture, the headset quickly loses its visual appeal, so the material requires mandatory treatment with protective compounds.
MDF. This option is notable for its long service life, as well as good strength indicators. The above qualities determine the demand for raw materials for the manufacture of kitchen furniture.
The wear resistance of MDF is explained by the presence of several protective layers on the surface, which do not allow moisture and dirt to pass through, and also provide resistance to high temperatures.
Chipboard. This material has recently been very rarely used for the manufacture of kitchen furniture, since it is sensitive to moisture, upon contact with which it can be seriously deformed.
In addition, the raw materials are very fragile, but in light of their low cost, such models are still offered by manufacturers in a line of budget modules for corner and small-sized kitchen spaces, for example, for a summer house.
Glass. This variety acts as a raw material for the decorative design of sets. Most often, kitchen doors or shelves are made of glass; there are design projects in which countertops and kitchen tables are made of glass in kitchens.
The material is notable for its ease of care, but such a surface is very easy to damage when using kitchen appliances.
Metal alloys. Such raw materials are necessary for assembling kitchen modules, and various accessories are usually made from metal. The use of metal parts increases the service life of furniture; in addition, the raw materials do not require special care products, however, aggressive mechanical action or household chemicals can adversely affect the appearance and quality of the material in the future.
Polymer raw materials. Plastic comes in different types; in addition, it is notable for its wide range of colors, which allows the material to be used in individual kitchen interior design.
Modules made of plastic have high performance characteristics; in addition, sets made of polymers have a long service life, so they are used not only in residential premises.
Styles
According to many interior designers, corner kitchens are considered universal, so their layout and arrangement are possible in any style according to the wishes of the owners. The most popular options today are the following ideas.
Classic design
This direction involves the use of natural expensive materials for the arrangement - wood, marble and glass. In the classic version, the corner kitchen set will be made with clear lines in pastel colors with a glossy finish or wood carvings.
As a rule, kitchen equipment in such an interior will be hidden behind the doors of the modules, thanks to which the design stands out for its minimalism and laconicism.
High tech
A modern direction that is perfect for small corner-type living spaces. This layout will stand out for its simplicity with minimal or no decor. Most often, metal and polymer raw materials are used as materials for this interior solution.
The preferred color scheme is all shades of gray, red, black, orange.
Country
The direction with predominance in the arrangement of wooden structures. In addition to rather expensive wood, designers also widely use facades made of MDF and chipboard.
Country style welcomes the presence of open shelves with various decorative elements; the interior will also contain checkered textiles and items with floral prints.
Eclecticism
A popular solution for small corner kitchens, even 5-meter ones. Most often, furniture in this style direction is placed in an L-shaped version. The advantage of an interior in this style is the possibility of using kitchen sets made from various natural and synthetic materials, as well as combinations of them.
Kitchens with a sink in the corner
The water and sewerage supply in most layouts is in the corner of the kitchen and most often the sink is located there.
Let's go through the nuances.
Corner sink
Everyone goes through a stage when they want to make a corner sink and cut it along the lower and upper cabinets.
The practical meaning is doubtful.
All kitchen countertops, except for expensive options made of artificial and natural stone, have a visible joint at the corner.
If you use a corner sink with wings, then there will be 2 joints, and specifically in the area of contamination.
Find and see at least 1 such kitchen in person. If you still want it, ok. But usually the desire disappears.
The upper and especially the lower corner cabinets turn out to be prohibitively deep. Below is a drawing in standard sizes. The depth of the section with the sink is 104 centimeters - more than a meter. It's inconvenient to use.
In terms of design, such a kitchen with a corner also looks like a compromise. If you want a modern interior, I would refrain. It fits better into styles with classic elements.
Regular
Placing a regular sink in a corner is standard.
A couple of tips:
- If you want a dishwasher, position it so that you can open both it and the cabinet with the trash can at the same time. In corner kitchens, it is often impossible to open both doors at the same time, which causes a lot of inconvenience.
- Do not wash next to the stove. Usually, while the food is being prepared, cleaning is going on. And standing near hot things is uncomfortable. The ideal option is a free countertop (working area) between the sink and the hob.
- Choose a faucet with a built-in faucet for filtered water and a detergent dispenser built into the sink - this improves the appearance and makes cleaning easier.
It is clear that the smaller the kitchen, the more difficult it is to implement the first 2 points, but it is already useful to think about it.
How to choose the right color for a small corner kitchen
As you know, color plays an important role in the perception of the interior. Since small kitchens are most often part of a small room, when choosing a color scheme it is better to give preference to light colors.
The most popular colors are beige, gray and milky.
If you want bright colors, then they can be used when decorating such details as curtains, napkins, tablecloths, etc. – that is, correctly building the interaction of the main color and accents in the interior.
In kitchens with a corner layout, natural “wooden” colors will look good.
However, here it is also better to give preference to light shades that visually expand and lighten the room.
Do not forget that lighting is very important for the correct perception of color: here the best option would be not a large chandelier in the middle, but spotlights scattered throughout the room.
Advice! When planning lighting, pay attention to the possibility of integrating LED lamps into wall cabinets - this is a very convenient option for the work area.
Bar counter
Very often, part of a corner kitchen is a bar counter, and it can have different locations and functional purposes. The most popular option is to use a narrow bar counter as a continuation of the set, which turns from L-shaped to U-shaped.
Also, sometimes the bar is located in the middle, but this is only justified in the case of a fairly large room, otherwise the counter will only create inconvenience.
In addition, you can place a wide bar counter separately from the set - in this case, it completely replaces the usual dining area with a table and chairs.
This element of the interior is a sign of good taste and a sense of style, but do not forget that in a small kitchen the most important thing is functionality, so you need to think in advance how compactly the bar counter will fit into the design, and whether it will create inconvenience when using the room directly purpose.
Furniture
The choice of small-sized kitchen furniture today is very wide. It is worth keeping in mind that the dimensions of the furniture must correspond to the overall dimensions of the room: it is better to give preference to small or medium-sized rectangular modules, otherwise there is a risk of unnecessary cluttering of the space.
As for the doors, folding and folding options fit best into such a kitchen.
In addition, you can pay attention to open shelves, which are not inferior in convenience to closed ones, but add originality to the design.
- When choosing furniture, you should pay attention to a technique that can visually enlarge the ceilings and expand the space - this is the use of narrow cabinets.
- For the same purposes, drawers and cabinets with high legs are well suited, which are also convenient for cleaning the room.
- As for arranging the dining area, a round table and stools are best suited for a small kitchen, which will also contribute to the visual expansion of the kitchen.
- If the room is very small, you can pay attention to folding tables and chairs - fortunately, today there is a wide variety of such furniture, and even this option can look stylish and expensive.
What end should I make?
You can leave it open, make shelves and fill it with beautiful dishes and accessories.
Or choose a closed type and install doors that match the overall design of the kitchen.
Window sill as part of a kitchen unit
Sometimes the best home kitchen designers are women who find themselves in miniature spaces. Here, in a tiny area, you need to somehow arrange all the necessary furniture for cooking, arrange electrical appliances and allocate space for the dining table.
The idea of using a window sill sometimes becomes the most optimal option when, while working or eating, you can admire the surrounding street panorama, and good daylight is a double plus.
At first, the idea of a sink located in the bowels of a window sill may seem absurd, but looking at the photo, we are convinced that such a continuation of the corner set looks quite logical. Another convenient option is to install a window sill under the dining table, which will free up more space in the kitchen for installing other necessary furniture or appliances.
Kitchen for a bachelor
Single life has its positive sides in some ways. In particular, this applies to the purchase of furniture, when there is no need to purchase large items, and small compact sets become the most profitable solution.
One of the options in the photo clearly demonstrates a corner set, characterized by its compactness and, at the same time, amazing functionality.
There is no hob provided here, which will most likely be replaced by a bachelor’s set of a microwave and a multicooker, but the modules that make up a capacious storage system are harmoniously arranged.
The length of the set is 1x1.5 m with a depth of 60 cm, so even in a small kitchen it will leave enough free space for installing a refrigerator, stove and decorating a relaxation area with a dining table, where you can have fun with friends.
Those who strive for fashion trends and are used to surprising guests should pay attention to the following model of a corner kitchen with an unusual shape. An absolutely stunning design with smooth lines of furniture, an original shape of the sink and hob, will undoubtedly attract the eye.
At the same time, all areas of the working surface are located in a very convenient way, and the width of the tabletop allows it to serve as a bar counter. After all, it is very convenient when you can communicate with guests without interrupting the cooking process.
If you wish, you can even demonstrate a master class by preparing a delicious dish.
Corner kitchen: layout nuances
When planning a small-sized kitchen, you need to pay attention to the following important nuances:
- A corner kitchen can be of any style without losing its beauty and functionality. However, in practice, the simplest, most elegant and convenient option is the classic style.
- Savings should not be the main criterion when choosing a kitchen set - cheap materials under the influence of moisture and temperature changes will become unusable in a couple of years. If unnecessary worries and overpayments do not appeal to you, it is better to immediately take the issue of choosing furniture seriously, including from a financial point of view.
- In a small kitchen, ergonomic details become especially valuable: folding countertops, roll-out drawers and other “miracles” of modern furniture art will greatly simplify the life of the owners.
- An indispensable element of a small kitchen space is the railing. It is a pipe or rail that is attached to the wall and allows you to hang numerous kitchen utensils (for example, a ladle, a slotted spoon, etc.). The undoubted advantage of this device is that you can build it yourself.
In general, when planning a small corner kitchen, you need to pay special attention to the compatibility of individual elements and the ability to provide the room with useful details, but the main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise you can achieve the opposite effect.
To summarize, we can draw the following conclusion: even a small kitchen space can become a full-fledged functional workplace for the housewife, and at the same time not lose beauty and style, if you use small-sized corner furniture, the choice of which is practically unlimited today.
Small corner kitchen with unusual solutions
An excellent solution for a small-sized kitchen would be to purchase a set that contains retractable systems. This option allows you to most efficiently arrange the necessary storage systems, work or dining surfaces, which, if not needed, will not occupy the kitchen space, ensuring free movement.
For example, it is very convenient to have a retractable table panel, which is useful for both eating and cooking.
It could even be a whole retractable block, which, with the help of simple manipulations, turns a linear layout into a corner one. Here, in addition to the folding tabletop, there are additional shelves for storing kitchen utensils.
Another interesting option is the unusual configuration of the lower retractable corner cabinet, where the doors exactly follow the shape of the corner. This creates maximum access to the internal filling, which often causes problems in corner structures.
A small corner kitchen can be functional and cozy even with a minimal area.
10 photo ideas on how to use a corner beautifully and functionally
Flowers and a living corner will bring freshness to a small, faceless kitchen
Corner sink is an excellent solution for filling empty space in a corner set
Kitchen utensils that are always at hand
The railing system, hooks, and shelves will simplify the cooking process.
Microwave and other household appliances that are used daily.
