For many people, the kitchen is one of the main rooms of the house. Many people dream of a large kitchen with a kitchen island and dining table that the whole family can fit around, but this is not always the reality for a small kitchen. Luckily, you can customize your cooking space with a small kitchen unit to suit all your needs.
With our examples and recommendations, you will get a lot of inspiration to create a practical and modern design.
With the right kitchen unit design, you can make a small kitchen feel spacious. Choose light colors, shiny surfaces and transparent materials to give it the most “airy” appearance. Floating kitchen cabinets can also help with this. Does your small kitchen have a high ceiling? You can use the same trick by allowing cabinets and shelves to go up to the ceiling.
Furniture layout for a small kitchen
Agree, a kitchen set is a matter of not only comfort, but also practicality. What is included in this kitchen set? Cabinets for storing food or places for built-in appliances, hidden by facades in the general style.
The qualities practically do not depend on the size of the kitchen, because you can equip a huge room with a bulky old-fashioned set, or you can organize the space in a miniature kitchen so that everything is stylish and at hand.
To properly plan the work area, it is necessary to take into account the technical features of the room: the location of the pipeline, gas outlet, drain, or the presence of a heating boiler. Of course, you can change not only such nuances, but also the layout of the room as a whole, but why such difficulties if you can choose furniture that harmoniously emphasizes the advantageous moments and hides all the shortcomings.
Even the smallest kitchen can be made original if you think through the ergonomics and design to the smallest detail.
It is for this purpose that the location of household appliances and other dining furniture should be planned and the comfort of the hostess and her guests calculated.
First of all, clearly define your needs regarding kitchen furniture: how often do you cook and wash dishes, how many people are usually in the kitchen, how much food do you usually store.
When choosing a set, please note that for a small kitchen, a corner set may be not only a good option, but perhaps the best solution. You can place a sink in the corner or use this area for a microwave oven, toaster, or kettle. This way you will save space.
If the kitchen is used as a resting place or a work office, you will have to take this into account - where to install the computer desk, how to organize the lighting so that everyone is comfortable.
Light or dark small kitchen set - choose your style
Are you planning to buy new kitchen furniture for your small kitchen? Furniture, household appliances and interior decoration are expensive, and they will be with you for at least several years. Therefore, the choice of dark or light furniture for a small kitchen should not depend on seasonal fashion, but on your constant aesthetic preferences.
Do you want to have a cozy kitchen where you will feel the warmth of your home? Should your kitchen look straight out of a catalog and feel like it was created just for pleasure? If you set a goal, it will be easier for you to decide whether you prefer a light or dark kitchen set.
What else is worth considering when choosing a small kitchen set:
- room size,
- type of room (closed or open kitchen),
- presence of natural light,
- cooking frequency,
- whether there are small children and/or animals living in the house.
A white kitchen set will make the interior clean and tidy. On the other hand, dirt is a little more noticeable on light-colored furniture. However, in a room like the kitchen, they motivate you to regularly clean countertops and cabinets, which makes it easier to maintain the aesthetic condition of the room.
Light kitchen fronts look fashionable and extraordinary, but white cabinets are more versatile. Smooth ones will suit both minimalist and modern styles, while cabinets with a light frame will suit English, rustic, Provence and many other styles. You can change accessories as you wish, because light facades combine well with both dark and pastel or neon accents.
Of course, bright kitchen furniture is not without its drawbacks. You may see dirt, scratches, water drops and, in the case of glossy furniture, also fingerprints. However, if you take care of it, you will get a kitchen that will remain fashionable despite the passing of years and changing trends.
Smart solutions for upper cabinets
Upper cabinets can become the main helpers in a small kitchen. Household appliances are hidden in the lower drawers: a washing machine, a dishwasher, an oven or even a refrigerator? The upper space is necessary for storing food and utensils.
In addition to our wishes, there are other details that dictate the layout of the kitchen: gas pipes, water supply and sewerage, hoods, wall projections, ceiling heights.
Wall cabinets up to the ceiling are more practical. Thus, you will visually increase the height of your kitchen and save space. For visual enlargement, the facades should be glossy, and the doors should have vertical blinds or roller shutters. It's fashionable and practical. For the lower level, this solution is no less suitable.
To plan a kitchen, you need to carefully measure the room, taking into account all the nuances, determine the location of the “working triangle” - sink, stove and refrigerator - and only then look for a place for the furniture modules.
Consider the corner upper space, where you can place a cabinet with a “secret”: a compartment for bottles (cans) or a cabinet on a carousel mount for pots and bulk mixtures.
For very small kitchens - 4-6 square meters - it is very difficult to choose a convenient ready-made set; you will have to order furniture according to your sizes.
There is nothing to do in the kitchen without a clock: cooking and eating times must be checked by clock. Where to place a clock or timer in a small kitchen? In the front of the top drawer. Will the cost of the headset become higher due to the introduction of the “gadget”? It will, but the costs will justify expectations.
Sometimes arranging a small kitchen resembles playing Tetris on a difficult level, but it’s all the more pleasant to get a good result.
The best solutions for floor standing cabinets
Dishwashers and other appliances can be located behind the lower facades. But if in your small kitchen there is another place for technical innovations, then there should be cabinets for dishes and food below. Choose non-standard solutions for doors that slide or open in a non-standard way (depending on the layout of the space). Look for an option with a rotating mechanism so you can make the most of all the cabinet space.
Many furniture companies will be happy to make your wildest wishes come true and produce cabinets, shelves, and modules for built-in appliances of any non-standard sizes.
Saving space and work surface in a small kitchen can lead to streamlining of both processes and space. So, a cutting board located above the trash can and equipped with a hole for dumping garbage or an additional surface in the form of a pull-out table, hidden when there is no need for it, will help turn the cooking process into an enjoyable activity.
Even before choosing a set for a small kitchen, pay attention to simple techniques that allow you to carve out space and make the kitchen space more comfortable.
Which facades to choose for a small kitchen?
A small kitchen is not a death sentence! Approach wisely the organization of space (described above) and the design of the headset from the point of view of the design solution, the result will surprise you.
Facades should be as glossy as possible. The reflection of light will visually increase the space, so this option is optimal for any small room, not to mention the kitchen. The technique is relevant not only for facades. Choose glossy ceilings or work surface apron material.
Extend the window sill and turn it into a table, this is especially effective for a narrow kitchen.
From a design point of view, not every style can accept “gloss”, and not all materials accept this approach. For example, natural wood is prettier if it maintains its structure. You can varnish it, but this is not always pleasing with its style and appearance.
With an original layout, you can do kitchen chores while in the living room.
On the other hand, for a small kitchen, a set made of natural materials is unreasonably expensive and cumbersome: natural stone, wood or metal are a great option, but for a room it’s more to emphasize style and luxury.
If you are the happy owner of a loggia, consider combining it with a kitchen.
What color is best for a kitchen set in a small room? This is a matter of taste, not style. If the design of your room is hi-tech or loft, choose cool shades. It is possible to use black or white in its pure form, do not reject bright colors: light green, orange, purple.
Classic style, shabby chic, Provence imply pastel colors, warm shades: cocoa, beige, gray.
Instead of a large dining table, you can install a folding or folding table, or maybe a narrow bar counter.
Bright gloss will become an accent and make a small room bright, beautiful, and spacious at first glance, and a competent layout will make it convenient to use.
Color and design play a big role in the perception of a kitchen.
Manufacturing materials
There are several main materials from which kitchen cabinets are made:
- Laminated chipboard (LDSP) is the most cost-effective option for cabinet production. If the outer coating is damaged and moisture gets into unprotected areas, the material begins to swell and deform. Also, due to the low resistance to loads, the parts fastenings built into the chipboard can break out if overweight or sudden movements.
- Fine fraction (MDF) is a more expensive raw material from which kitchen sets are made. Due to the carbide resins they contain, MDF boards are more resistant to moisture and mechanical damage. The density of this material allows it to be used as a load-bearing base for sliding modules or doors more successfully, since it is more resistant to tearing out and loosening of holes than chipboard.
- Natural wood is the most expensive material for making cabinets. It has high strength and attractive appearance. This material requires careful care. It is recommended not to let the wood dry out or become too saturated with moisture, as this will deform its fibers and make it less durable.
- Plastic is rarely used to make pencil cases. This material is not susceptible to moisture and is easy to clean. Plastic is used to make decorative elements, as well as internal cabinet parts.
- Side panels for built-in kitchen appliances, handles, fasteners, load-bearing bases, external parts of the facade, and internal filling are made from metal.
Options for kitchens without upper cabinets, photos of possible designs
When making doors or shelves for a pencil case, glass or transparent plastic is used. Glass facades can be covered with a pattern or made with stained glass decor.
laminated chipboard
MDF
Natural wood
Plastic
Metal
Glass
Which handles are suitable for a small set?
Don't choose bulky options. If you choose a TIP-ON mechanism or similar systems, you can ditch the handles. A light touch of the hand opens any cabinet. Today, many companies offer a similar solution.
| Evaluation Aspect | TIP-ON | Standard handles |
| Practicality | Very convenient during cooking. One click and the cabinet is open | In any case, touch is necessary; if your hands are dirty, there is a danger of staining the fittings. |
| Aesthetic approach | A matter of taste. The decor can be chosen elsewhere, and the lack of handles is interesting | There are very beautiful design solutions, expensive fittings look simply great. The only thing that scares me is the cost. |
| Originality of the solution | Original, but not suitable for all opening options, i.e. if you have roller shutters, you cannot use a similar approach | If you don’t invent a bicycle and use handles, then this option is suitable for absolutely any mechanisms and opening methods |
It’s up to you to make a choice, guided by your preferences and views. And the necessary design will emphasize elegance and breadth of thought.
The most bulky thing in the kitchen is the refrigerator; it can be placed in the hallway, thereby gaining space for a spacious cupboard.
You can choose Chinese components at a low cost or more expensive ones that complement the style and design of the kitchen.
Didn't find it in the store? – can be made to order.
You can make kitchen furniture yourself. Making a sofa, armchair and other complex furniture is not easy. But the kitchen set is easy. The material is wood, the coating is varnish or senezh, the facades do not have to be the usual natural color, use colors, create an indescribable image of your, albeit small, kitchen.
A small kitchen does not have to be boring if you take a creative approach to its planning and arrangement.
Action plan
- Draw a plan for the headset.
- Measure the required dimensions.
- Order suitable materials.
- Assemble the elements together with self-tapping screws.
Modern storage systems greatly increase the functionality of the kitchen.
If the room is small, then the size of the set will not scare the craftsman. Assembling a corner set will take more time and effort, but the principle is the same.
This is one approach. The second one is simpler, but its cost will be higher. This is an offer for non-standard kitchens or for non-standard approaches. If you were unable to choose the right option, do not despair, because manufacturers should offer a customized solution to order.
Be sure to check out the latest slide-out, roll-out, rail and carousel designs, dividers and other gadgets that save space in your cabinets, make it easier to reach every corner of the kitchen and keep you perfectly organized.
You can often find a designer in studios. Such a person will offer a headset based on the sizes you mentioned. If the kitchen has a complex shape and there is a measurer before the final order.
Among the additional functions there is an assembler that assembles everything with your own hands. It will perfectly adjust the nuances of the furniture and your set will fit like a glove. This applies not only to kitchen furniture or the corner set itself.
Give preference to tall cabinets that reach to the ceiling.
You can choose the material, color and shape. The cost of such an offer is not always higher than those offered in the studio.
Varieties
There are several main types of cabinets. The classic narrow cabinet has a straight shape and compact dimensions. Attaching such a structure suspended is difficult and impractical. Such cabinets can be open or closed. There are models with hinged and sliding doors, like a wardrobe. The advantage of the classic design is its small width and the presence of a large number of shelves, drawers and space for built-in household appliances.
A corner cabinet is designed to take up unused space in a room. Its depth is greater than that of its linear counterpart. Most often this design is used in combination with other kitchen items.
The trapezoidal cabinet has a large volume. Pivoting doors or rotating shelves are well suited for this model. Due to its impressive dimensions, this model is not recommended for purchasing for a small room.
The docking case has four corners. Its facade consists of a blind part and 1 door. This model uses a coupe mechanism. The disadvantage of this design is that it is difficult to get objects from the blind part. The freestanding model has a cone-shaped design. It takes up less space than the docking and trapezoidal ones.
Recommendations for restoring kitchen furniture with your own hands
The retractable cabinet can be made in the form of a straight or corner structure. Its advantage is that opening the doors does not require space on the sides, since the design involves a mechanism on hinges or wheels. Most often, its shelves are built into the front part and move out with it. There is also a cargo model - a design that is made with sectional pull-out shelves. They consist of baskets that can be adjusted in height.
The cupboard is installed as a separate part or included in the set. It consists of shelves that are made in a retractable or static version. Such furniture is made with hollow and dish drawers consisting of metal or plastic mesh. The cells are mounted on guide rails with wheels and hinges. Their depth depends on the design of the cabinet itself.
Kitchens with a cabinet-case allow optimal use of room space, because household appliances can be built into the structure itself. There are also small models that can be hung on walls, as well as installed under mezzanines or washbasins. There are various modifications that are built into corner cabinets, a pencil case or an accompanying set. In addition, you can install a sink in the pencil case. Additional options include backlighting.
Classic narrow closed
Open
With swing doors
Sliding door
Angular
Trapezoidal
Docking
Retractable
Posudny
Corner set as the best approach for a small kitchen
A corner kitchen set is suitable not only for a small kitchen. A medium-sized kitchen or even a huge kitchen with a separate dining area will look perfect with a corner set. Moreover, the set may have not one angle, but two or even three.
A small kitchen requires saving space. Corner furniture will help you use all the possible functionality of any room. In another room you can experiment, add or remove interior elements. Speaking of the kitchen, we have to place dishes and bulk products, which is why there is a need to use corner sets.
In addition, open shelves reduce the functionality of the room - after all, they can only store beautiful designer items, and not simple everyday dishes.
Modern kitchen sets
The kitchen drawers themselves are often made of chipboard or even medium-density fiberboard (MDF). These wood options are often used to reduce the price of kitchen furniture. In a high-quality set you can find solid wood frames, as well as doors; however, this increases the cost significantly.
Regardless of the material used, the interior surfaces of high-quality kitchen units should feel smooth, not rough, to the touch.
Your small kitchen will be stylish and modern if it has stainless steel cabinet doors. The advantage of these steel cabinets is huge. Some of them are: environmentally friendly (using steel), easy to clean, extremely hygienic (which is why they were first used in commercial kitchens), and durable (aside from potential scratches).
Summing up
It is clear from the article that a set for a small kitchen does not have to be ugly or poorly functional. You can choose the desired color, optimal shape or desired material. The cost depends on the material and design, size and complexity of execution.
By the way, open shelves can be a reason to exchange your old dishes for beautiful new ones - why not?
Moreover, you can make a kitchen set yourself, add color and assemble it yourself. And having such experience behind you, assembling other furniture will not be difficult. Give your preference to bright colors and unusual designs, then any furniture will delight you.
A radical option for expanding a small kitchen is to combine the kitchen with the living room, leaving a partition that serves as a table or bar counter.
Dark small kitchen set – individuality
While white cabinets are a safe choice for everyone, a small kitchen with dark cabinetry demonstrates the owner's boldness and desire for individuality in the interior. Thanks to the dark small kitchen unit, the kitchen will become a representative and elegant place. Dark kitchen cabinets - especially matte and handleless - harmonize with simple industrial and minimalist interiors.
Following trends also has its negative sides - dust, fingerprints and water droplets are clearly visible on black furniture, especially glossy ones. Of course, dark furniture for the kitchen does not have to be black; you can also choose anthracite, wenge or even veneer that imitates rust - dirt will not be noticeable on such furniture.
Before you make your final decision, you also need to understand that dark kitchen cabinets require a suitable space. The kitchen should not be too small, but bright, with access to as much natural light as possible, otherwise the interior items will drown out the interior and furniture details will be difficult to see.
CURIOUS: Dark kitchen facades “absorb” light, so do not place such furniture in front of a window.
Placement restrictions must also be taken into account. First of all, think about the color of the walls in the kitchen. For a small kitchen set, it is worth using neutral shades that will add a gentle contrast - light gray, gray beige, cream.
In a modern interior, you can make the design more dynamic by placing dark kitchen furniture against a white wall . If you want bright wall colors in your kitchen, choose an intense red paint or a “delicious” mustard for dark cabinetry.
