Basic principles of working with interiors
Equipping a small kitchen of 5 sq. m., do not act spontaneously. It is important to adhere to the following requirements:
- Minimizing open storage systems. Visible shelves, rails, hooks with things on them will create the impression of clutter.
- Refusal of bright and dark colors. Excessive color intensity and abundance of shades quickly tire. Dark tones enhance the impression of gloom and visually reduce the area.
- Be careful when choosing textiles. The abundance of matter simultaneously creates comfort, but also clutters the space. It is better to exclude heavy thick curtains and long tablecloths.
- Limit the number of parts. For furnishings, it is better to use the simplest possible items. There is no need to try to decorate a small room with a lot of decorative elements.
The best way is to follow the principles of minimalism. The interior is made light and airy.
How to arrange a small kitchen: designer tips
Recommendations from professionals for organizing a cozy kitchen space of 5 square meters:
- In order to furnish a room, it is better to choose transformable furniture such as folding tables and folding chairs. Wall-mounted, corner structures or storage systems up to the ceiling will allow you to effectively use the space.
- It is appropriate to replace ordinary hinged doors with sliding systems or design the opening in the form of an arch to expand the space.
- The beneficial use of the window sill will help; it can be converted into a countertop or sink.
- A kitchen set with a dark facade and a large number of fittings will make the room even more cramped and cluttered. Therefore, you should give preference to furniture with a light shiny and glossy surface, which will give the environment a fresh and stylish look.
- When decorating a window, you need to use light, transparent or lace ensembles, as well as shortened Roman or roller blinds. Heavy fabrics with massive and bulky lambrequins are an impractical option that hides the free meters of the kitchen.
- Drawings and patterns present on textile parts or wallpaper should not be too large or contrasting. It is much more harmonious to complement the room with soft vertical stripes or horizontal lines, which will allow you to adjust the space.
Features of choosing a headset layout
There are 6 main models of furniture arrangement. The choice of method is based on the characteristics of the room. The area of the room plays an important role in this process.
Traditional Linear Arrangement
The model name is telling. Furniture is placed along a single line. This method is called ideal for small rooms. This violates the working triangle rule. This can be sacrificed while trying to achieve the most optimal result. Especially if the kitchen is 5 square meters. m. with a refrigerator is not expected.
A close alternative is called a 2-line arrangement. Objects are placed not along a single wall, but along two parallel ones. This increases the useful functional area. This option is suitable for small kitchens. The exception would be overly narrowed elongated rooms.
How to properly arrange furniture and interior items
In order for your furniture to be in its place, you need to consider the following factors:
- personal preferences;
- number of people using the kitchen;
- availability of kitchen utensils;
- use of functional parts;
- amount of time spent indoors.
When designers work with a small space, they are sure to take these factors into account. For some people, the kitchen serves only as a place for cooking; for others, it is also a room for entertaining guests. Therefore, the entire kitchen furniture arrangement system is built to suit individual personal preferences. But there are also general recommendations that help most people.
For example, a dining group should include exactly as many seats as there are people living in the family. And if the room is too small, you can use various transformable chairs. They will be able to easily move around the kitchen while cooking. These could be folding chairs or stools that can be stacked on top of each other, etc.
It is best to use a round table. Due to its shape, it optimizes space and helps accommodate a large number of people. It is best used with linear or L-shaped furniture arrangement. Then the room will be harmonious.
Important! For a kitchen measuring from 5 to 8 square meters. meters, use a round table with a diameter of 90 cm. This is the most proportional ratio of furniture and space.
When ordering a kitchen unit, consider making sure it has as much storage space as possible. The ideal solution would be cabinets up to the ceiling, this way the space below is optimized and the most necessary utensils can perfectly fit in it. Don't forget about the cooking surface. It should be comfortable, so use the idea of combining the window sill with the tabletop. Then there will be much more space for cutting food. Make the most of every inch.
Important! If the number of family members is more than 4 people, then move the dining group to another room. The living room is ideal for this. Remember, you should be comfortable at the table with all your family.
Functional details include decorative cutting boards and various jars for storing cereals and pasta. These items can serve as decoration and at the same time serve as storage. Choose beautiful dishes and kitchen utensils, thereby creating functional comfort.
L-shaped model
A good solution would be a corner kitchen of 5 square meters. m. The option of placing objects according to the principle of the letter “G” is called the most popular.
This is explained by the maximum functionality of the model. This method allows you to place everything you need, but be careful about filling the space. The problem may arise in the format of the room.
For a narrow, elongated kitchen, such a model is inappropriate. In a square or approximately rectangular room, this option is easiest to implement.
How to place everything you need?
Now let's look at the photo examples of how we will place vital items on an area of 5 square meters.
“Refrigerator + washing machine”
We build the washing machine into the set.
“Refrigerator+washing machine+gas stove”
We also place everything within the kitchen unit. Using different placement options.
“Refrigerator + geyser”
We close the column with a special cabinet; you can use furniture facades.
You can organize a discreet miniature cabinet.
Or install the gas water heater into the wall, decorating it with finishing materials.
"Refrigerator + dishwasher"
We build the dishwasher into the cabinet units. If you want to install a dishwasher, before planning the repair you need to think about the size that the equipment will occupy. And also think about draining the water in advance.
Island and peninsula
Models that are close in meaning, but so different in capabilities, require close attention. An island is strictly contraindicated for a small space. The thing is that items cannot be fully placed in a small area of any configuration.
Another thing is the peninsula. The model can be considered, but a careful assessment of the location possibilities is necessary.
Where to place the refrigerator in the Brezhnevka kitchen
No kitchen can do without a refrigerator, which is one of the main household appliances in it. If the room is very small, you can refuse a food processor, microwave oven, or multicooker, but a refrigerator in which perishable foods are stored must be on it.
Since this unit is very bulky and takes up quite a lot of space, you should think carefully about where it is best installed so that it does not disturb the harmony of the interior. There may be several options.
It is important to remember that manufacturers do not recommend installing the refrigerator next to the stove.
Corner - designers advise placing all massive objects against the wall, if possible, in a corner. This is the ideal place for a refrigerator. To save precious square meters, you should choose the tallest and narrowest refrigerator model.
Directly above it you can place several shelves for storing various kitchen utensils. Thus, the angle will be used as rationally as possible.
If the kitchen set is made to order, then you can easily design an additional cabinet above the refrigerator.
At the door - this place is also quite popular. Both options are great for installing a refrigerator. To ensure that there are no gaps between it and the set, it is recommended to order furniture for the Brezhnev kitchen, made according to individual parameters. Then all the items will fit perfectly into the interior, and even the smallest room will become convenient and comfortable.
This headset layout allows you to make maximum use of the available storage space.
Under the work surface - if the family is small and you don’t need a lot of food, then it is best to buy a small refrigerator that can easily fit under the bar counter, dining table or work table. As a rule, the height of such a unit is approximately 50 cm. Most likely, it will not have a freezer, or it will be too small.
The freezer can be placed separately in another room of the apartment.
Outside the kitchen - if there is no space for a refrigerator in the room itself, this problem should be solved radically. The unit can be installed in the corridor or on the balcony (if it is covered). The hallway and pantry are also suitable - the main thing is to choose a place where the refrigerator will definitely not disturb anyone.
On the balcony it is better to place the refrigerator in a place where there is less sunlight.
U-shaped location
Too many items are not suitable for small spaces. Many housewives think that in this way they will solve the problem of lack of storage systems. Often an overly busy environment is oppressive and negatively affects the aesthetics of the room.
This option is only possible with a lightweight “crossbar” design between parallel lines.
What to do with the refrigerator
Kitchens in Khrushchev-era apartments are quite compact, so it is difficult to place a refrigerator. Often, the design of a small kitchen with a refrigerator with a straight layout involves installing it next to the window. You can also place it along the opposite wall, near the dining area.
With a corner layout, it is recommended to install the refrigerator near the window. You can also move it to an adjacent wall, closer to the front door. Sometimes the refrigerator is mounted in a kitchen unit. This is the best option for modernist, Scandinavian and classic styles.
Avoid installing a refrigerator near the stove. Especially if you cook often. Equipment may fail when exposed to high temperatures. Try to choose compact refrigerator options for your kitchen in Khrushchev. However, remember to consider your needs. If your family is large and you cook a lot, it is better to buy a massive refrigerator.
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- 5 convenient options for the location of the sofa, appropriate in the kitchen-living room.
Color palette
It is better to decorate a small room in light colors. The optimal solution would be to use neutral paints for surface finishing. With the help of furniture and accessories it is allowed to add a little contrast.
Be sure to take care of the harmonious matching of the shades used. It will not be superfluous to pay attention to the practicality of the chosen range. First, decide on the base colors. Companions are selected for them. You don't have to do everything on the same spectrum.
In the selection of photos of the kitchen 5 sq. m. it is clear that even a small space can be decorated beautifully. It is enough to pay more attention to the preparatory work of the design. If you have any doubts when choosing a color scheme, you can use ready-made examples.
Ways to increase kitchen space
Brezhnevka is one of the types of apartments in 8-, 9-, 12- and 16-story buildings built in the 70s of the last century. Their significant advantages include isolated rooms and relatively high ceilings (2.5–2.7 m). As for the kitchen, it is small-sized but compact. Significantly increasing the space is quite problematic. This is due to the fact that the wall adjacent to the kitchen is load-bearing, and not all houses have a balcony. The only possible option is to create an arched opening between the kitchen and living room. To do this, you will need a construction permit obtained from higher authorities. This process is quite lengthy and expensive, but it will add the missing meters to the kitchen.
Remember that unauthorized redevelopment threatens with a large fine and, first of all, poses a threat to the lives of household members and neighbors.
If you decide to make an arched opening, the wall will have to be strengthened so that its load-bearing capacity does not decrease. At the same time, it is important not to overdo it and maintain a balance so that the load does not exceed the permissible limits on the lower structures. Such a studio kitchen will be an excellent place for cooking and entertaining guests. The room can also be increased by using storage rooms, combining the bathroom and toilet into one bathroom.
If the arch is wide enough, you can place a bar counter in it
Sometimes they want to improve the design by moving the sink. In the kitchen it is located in the far corner of the wall on the side where the front door is located. The apartment has one common riser for the bathroom and kitchen and a gravity system, so transferring communications becomes more complicated. When rearranging, it is not always possible to ensure the desired angle of inclination, and this leads to frequent blockages. A forced sewerage station will help to cope with the problem. This is a compact pump that is capable of pumping wastewater, thus making the system pressure rather than gravity. The equipment allows you to install a sink almost anywhere in the kitchen and takes up very little space, fitting into a cabinet under the sink.
Equipment for forced sewerage takes up very little space
Lighting organization
Lighting plays a huge role in the proper organization of a small interior. To illuminate the space, despite its modest area, it is better to use at least 3 devices. They try to divide the room into zones. Usually this:
- central chandelier;
- work area lighting;
- additional sources opposite the headset.
Designers advise using light of different temperatures and saturations. Cold springs are ideal for the food preparation area, and lamps with warm light will create a unique atmosphere of comfort in the dining space.
About choosing a finish
In a critically small area, even how the floors, walls and ceilings are designed matters. Do you want to visually expand the walls? Lay tiles or laminate/parquet tiles on the floor diagonally, in a herringbone pattern, or in a staggered pattern. In a narrow kitchen, laminate/parquet boards should be laid across, not along, the room.
Clever wall decoration, for example, with mirrors or photo wallpaper with a perspective image, will also help change the perception of a small kitchen. However, if you are not sure of your sense of proportion, you should choose the most win-win solution - painting in one tone (light).
Filling with objects
The kitchen has 5 sq. m. in Khrushchev it is important to create a comfortable environment. An abundance of objects will easily cancel out the correct result. It is better to choose the most important thing.
If possible, the additional storage area is placed outside the kitchen space. This could be a balcony, a storage room or part of a wardrobe in the hallway. For furniture, it is better to use compact models. It’s good if you can choose transformer options.
If the kitchen is combined with the living room, then the main functional space can be equipped as desired. Additional zones can always be located at the borders of rooms.
Design secrets
The design of a kitchen in Brezhnevka should be laconic, without pathos or pretentiousness. In the interior, carvings on the facades, stucco molding, and massive furniture will be inappropriate, making the space cramped and bulky.
In order to visually expand the room, make the kitchen spacious and elegant, adhere to the following rules.
- When choosing colors, give preference to pastel shades. It can also be beige, light green, sand, light brown, white. Avoid bright, colorful patterns and large prints.
- The best ways to decorate walls: washable wallpaper for painting, decorative plaster, panels. If there is one free wall, you can emphasize it with photo wallpaper.
- The height of the ceilings allows you to install a plasterboard suspended structure or a suspended ceiling. Another (more budget) option is PVC panels. As for the flooring, give preference to moisture-resistant laminate or floor tiles with small patterns or simply plain ones. It must be placed diagonally to visually enlarge the room.
- Pay attention to the kitchen lighting: the room should be bright at any time of the day. For a small-sized kitchen, wall sconces, spotlights around the perimeter of the unit and in the shelves, and built-in light bulbs in the apron area are suitable.
- In case of redevelopment in a Brezhnevka kitchen, the design should be combined with the style of the living room. Please note that the interior should not contain more than three different colors, otherwise the room will look tasteless. Combine classic style with modern, and Provence with rococo. If you wish, you can decorate the entire room in one of the styles and purchase furniture from one collection.
The best option for decorating a kitchen would be to keep the interior of the room in a single color scheme.
Everything is simple, concise and without pathos.
By decorating a kitchen in Brezhnevka (see photo on the website), you get the opportunity to show your creativity, independently arrange the room to your liking and taking into account the wishes of your household. By approaching the process with love and responsibility, you can get a result that will exceed all your expectations.
Presence of decor
It is better to avoid unnecessary elements in the design. Details that decorate the interior are needed, but there should not be many of them. It is better to be guided by the principles of minimalism. You can diversify the design using the necessary elements:
- curtains;
- lighting;
- dishes.
Small objects, even those involved in functional processes, are best hidden from view. Small decorations are not used for decoration. This is especially important to understand for those who have chosen country, Provence or other design trends that involve the presence of various accessories as their style.
A small kitchen can and should be decorated beautifully. The right approach to organizing space will not only provide the desired level of aesthetics, but will also ensure the convenience of the space.
Kitchens in Khrushchev-era buildings before and after
Now there will be a lot of real photos of kitchens in Khrushchev-era buildings. The area of all is 5.5-7.5 square meters. 7.5 meters are Khrushchev buildings of the latest series, where the door was removed and a small piece of the wall where this door stood was demolished. For contrast, here are a few kitchens before renovation:
Now a couple of photos before and after the renovation, and then a lot of after photos. Kitchens with the best design in our opinion are at the very end.
Phew, after so many real photographs of kitchens in Khrushchev-era buildings, you should already be sure that they can be cool and stylish. And yours will generally become the coolest, if you follow our 10 tips (or at least a few).
Photo of a kitchen 5 sq. m.
Category: Kitchen
Photos of living interiors
The best photographs of real interiors will allow you to choose your own design solution for the “Brezhnev” kitchen.
Video on the topic. Remodeling a kitchen in Brezhnevka.
