Houses made of natural wood always have a special “live” atmosphere. There are not many completely wooden buildings left now, and the owners of each of them want to preserve this energy and create an attractive exterior and interior. If we talk about the kitchen, its design should not only be beautiful, but also comfortable. Let's look at the secrets of creating such a space, backing it up with real photo examples.
Tip 1. Consider the characteristics of the tree
Structures made from logs or timber have features that must be taken into account:
- House shrinkage and wall mobility. Shrinkage can continue for several years. It can affect the height of openings or hanging elements. The final finishing is done after the shrinkage is completed, otherwise unpleasant cracks and other defects may occur. Houses made of laminated veneer lumber are an exception, since the material is already dried and shrinks during production - in such kitchens, renovations can begin immediately.
- Color. Pine is most often used for interior decoration of wooden houses. The material itself is quite light, but over time it darkens - this must be taken into account when choosing a kitchen set and other furniture. In addition, wood always requires more lighting than “standard” kitchens.
- Porosity. Wood is a material that absorbs both odors and water. To avoid this effect and prevent the spread of fungus, it is necessary to treat the walls with special impregnations.
- Heat losses. Timber does not know how to accumulate heat - with any movement of air it simply evaporates, which is especially noticeable in the cold season. It is worth thinking about thermal stabilizers.
Log house or timber?
The concept of a wooden house can hide two visually completely different interiors:
- log house;
- timber
A log house is a building for which whole rounded logs were used, that is, the walls do not have a flat surface. This leaves its mark - for example, in such an interior, modern facades will be completely out of place. Provence or country style would fit much more harmoniously into a log house.
The remaining logs can be interestingly used in the interior, for example, by making a bar counter or just decor out of them.
The beams create smooth walls, so working with them is much easier, because the finishing options are unlimited. The advantage of timber is that it can be painted any color.
How to plan the interior of a kitchen in a wooden house made of timber
The design of modern wooden houses depends on the material from which they are made - timber or logs.
A log house requires stylization to look natural: a design in Provence, country or “Russian hut” style is what you need. And many newfangled interior solutions will be inappropriate. Examples of suitable and unsuccessful choices can be found in photographs on the Internet.
Recommended reading:
- Service life of a wooden house
- Pros and cons of a house made of rounded logs
- Types of foundations for a private house
The walls in a house made of timber have smooth edges, so there are more opportunities to choose an interesting design option. Even elements of plastic profiles can look harmonious if you correctly find combinations with wooden parts. The timber can be painted in different colors, so choosing the right color scheme for such an interior is easier.
Advice: Make sure that there is no “overkill” with “wood” in the interior: it is better to alternate it with other finishing materials, for example, stone.
Tip 2. Focus on important things
It is important to draw up a kitchen plan and carefully consider the progress of repairs and arrangement of the room. Professionals remind you of the most important things:
- lighting - the more, the better, because cooking or even just washing dishes properly in the dark is extremely difficult;
- ventilation - you absolutely cannot skimp on this point, since high air humidity can harm the tree;
- work area - the work area and sink can be moved to the window to use natural light, but a refrigerator with cabinets in the corner will be quite convenient;
- communications - it is not advisable to hide them in the walls until the house has completely settled; it is best to run them along the walls, and so as not to spoil the picture, hide them in niches or cabinets;
- coating - in order for wood to last as long as possible, it must be treated with wax, varnish or other special compound.
You can now find many wood processing products on the market. Conventionally, they can be divided into antiseptic and fire retardant. Antiseptics are necessary to prevent the appearance of fungus and rotting of wood. They, in turn, are also divided into two classes:
- impregnating - necessary for primary processing, provide reliable protection;
- film-forming - creates a film on the surface, prevents rotting, necessary for finishing processing.
Fire retardants contain flame retardants, which prevent rapid fire.
Tip 3: Choose the right style
It is difficult to imagine a high-tech or loft-style kitchen in a house made of logs or timber. However, examples of cozy design in a wooden house can be found in different countries. The most successful are variations on the theme of rustic style in different countries.
French Provence
An exquisite design direction that combines rustic simplicity, Mediterranean romance and aristocracy. If you are afraid of going too far and making the interior inappropriate, then you don’t have to use typical Provençal decor:
- lavender bouquets;
- Gallic roosters;
- olive branches.
But we must not forget about the little things, without which Provence is not Provence:
- large French windows that overlook the veranda or garden;
- delicate curtains with all kinds of frills and bows;
- tablecloths with lace around the perimeter;
- washing by the window;
- light-colored fireplace;
- tiles with a floral print on the backsplash;
- small shelves and bedside tables with vases of flowers;
- instead of the usual cabinets there are open deep shelves;
- furniture made of wood and carved.
The color palette is as delicate as possible:
- white;
- lavender;
- beige;
- blue;
- pale green;
- powdery.
It is advisable to finish it with wood. The walls are painted white, as is the ceiling. But wooden beams are attached to the latter for contrast - to match the floors.
Minimalism
This style can be called a classic of the 21st century. It is characterized by the following features:
- abundance of light and free space;
- almost complete absence of furniture finishing;
- built-in technology that does not distract the eye from the design;
- minimum decor, but maximum comfort.
Scandinavian
It will look great in kitchens combined with a living room. If you want to combine simplicity, conciseness and high-quality materials, then you should pay attention to the Scandinavian style. He does not tolerate an abundance of furniture, but a large amount of natural light is welcome. It is advisable to arrange panoramic glazing.
To maintain a feeling of saturation with light, the walls and ceiling are covered with whitewash. The apron is made in natural shades - brown, green, blue.
The kitchen set is made of solid wood or veneer. In Scandinavian countries, it is not customary to heavily load walls, so wall cabinets are abandoned in favor of sideboards and chests of drawers. Built-in household appliances, simple fittings.
Minimalism is one of the principles of Scandinavian interiors. If the atmosphere outside the window allows, then it is better to refuse curtains or use simple examples of roller blinds or Roman blinds.
Chalet
Swiss execution of the usual country style. Now it is at the peak of popularity, and also fits perfectly into Russian wooden houses. The peculiarity of this interior is the combination of wood and stone.
Another recognizable design feature is the wooden beams in the ceiling. Instead of carpets, skins are used, and rugs are made from natural sheepskin. The chalet can be called an interweaving of different styles and trends:
- aristocratic features of the Victorian era;
- European rural accents;
- British conservatism;
- classical foundations.
A feature of the chalet that not everyone likes, but still sets a certain atmosphere, is the use of hunting paraphernalia:
- animal heads;
- horns;
- furs and similar trophies.
This style requires space, so it will not take root in a small kitchen, even in a wooden house.
American country
The ranch-style kitchen can also be considered a variation on the theme of country luxury. The most important thing in the kitchen is comfort: it should be provided with all possible benefits of civilization.
Americans may live with walls made of bare drywall or furniture board, but the Internet, electricity, satellite TV, and clean filtered water are required in this kitchen.
If we talk about the visual component, the color palette should be laconic so that the kitchen creates the impression of lightness and spaciousness. The walls can be of a natural shade, but most often they are painted in light colors, like the kitchen units. The finishing should be done in light colors, for example:
- white;
- light yellow;
- peachy pink;
- soft coffee and so on.
Don't forget about an integral part of American cuisine - the island. Here you can move the main household appliances - oven, hob, and sink. Another option for locating the sink is by the window.
You can add a few more features:
- open shelves - American storage systems are rarely accompanied by doors;
- It is better to look for household appliances that are functional, but in a retro style;
- you can practically not limit yourself in textiles - tablecloths, curtains, pillows with embroidered pillowcases;
- live plants;
- rectangular furniture.
Modern
It seems a little strange that modern style can be incorporated into a wooden building, but it is true. It’s just important to use “modernity” in doses, and not overdo it. You can add just a few stylish and modern accents:
- trendy wallpapers;
- fashionable tiles in the work area;
- glossy laminate or facades;
- a little chrome - for example, in small household appliances and faucets;
- instead of curtains on the windows there are blinds or Roman blinds.
Classical
Strict and traditional classics will look too pompous in a wooden house. It is better to dilute it with retro notes, then the atmosphere of the kitchen will be filled with special charm. Some points will help you do this:
- rounded corners of facades;
- oval instead of rectangular dining table;
- chairs with soft upholstery, high back;
- wallpaper only with a strict pattern;
- finishing the apron with porcelain stoneware or stone;
- on the floor - only solid wood, parquet or deck boards.
Russian
The latest trend is to decorate wooden houses in the style of a traditional Russian hut. To do this, you need to leave almost everything unchanged. For example, the walls are covered with colorless varnish, the furniture is selected from solid wood, and there is cork or shiplap on the floor.
The emphasis from furniture and decoration is transferred to textiles. Everything that can be decorated with textiles is decorated with it.
Moreover, this is not the first tablecloth that came across, but a specially selected one - with Old Russian patterns or embroidery. The same goes for towels, oven mitts, and so on. You can paint furniture with similar patterns. If you have no talent in drawing, then use the decoupage technique.
In a Russian traditional kitchen you cannot do without a stove - it is used not only for cooking, but also for heating the room. If there is no real stove-fireplace, then it is necessary to create at least an imitation.
Several other features can be highlighted:
- standard chairs are abandoned in favor of benches or massive stools;
- standard cabinets are abandoned in favor of closed cupboards or postcard shelves;
- the main lighting is located not on the ceiling, but on the walls of the kitchen;
- According to the rules of style, household appliances are removed from the kitchen to another room, but such a solution is extremely impractical.
Secrets of designers
Owners are not always able to decide on the style of their future home. In this case, designers recommend paying attention to where the house is located, how it is made and lined, and making a decision based on this data. You can use the following cheat sheet.
Characteristic | Matching Styles |
Classic cottages with stone or wood cladding | Classic styles: Empire, Chinoiserie, Art Deco, eclecticism, Provence |
Buildings made of timber or logs | Shabby chic, country, Provence, rustic, Russian hut |
Panoramic windows | More modern trends - Scandinavian style, hi-tech, minimalism, eco |
Siding cladding | More simplified versions of classics, industrial style, Scandinavian interiors and country |
By the pond | Provence, Mediterranean style |
Near a ski resort (or if the cottage is most visited in winter) | Chalet |
Tip 4. Taste the white color
White is the most popular and trendy color in the interior at the moment. And for good reason, because it is universal, visually expands the room, and goes well with other shades.
Moreover, white will never go out of style. But, despite all the advantages, this color must be treated with caution so as not to overdo it.
Here are some examples:
- You can use contrast in countertops or appliances by choosing black models. To smooth out such a strong contrast, gray tones are suitable.
- Light wooden facades + white trim + black metal lampshades - a bold combination that will amaze with its originality.
- If the kitchen is large, then red brickwork will dilute the white background. At the same time, this will emphasize the naturalness of the wood. To make the interior balanced, it is better to make the ceiling and walls also white.
- You can leave only the finishing white, and choose the facades themselves, for example, a deep gray color. In this case, it is better to choose an apron with some interesting and bright ornament.
- If you have already purchased a set of chic brown shades, but you are afraid of getting a room that is too dark, then you just need to paint the walls white. To reduce the level of contrast, it is better to use fresh colors in the apron - light blue, mint, turquoise.
Furniture
The main requirement for furniture is that it should have a simple shape and a slightly shabby appearance. Items made of plastic will have to be abandoned. The following requirements apply to furniture:
- The color is chosen depending on the size of the room and the rest of the design. A kitchen set with a dark bottom and a light top will fit into any environment.
Cozy set with wooden facades Source rehouz.info
- The material of the kitchen set is wood; in a budget option - MDF or chipboard covered with veneer. Decorations include glass inserts, carvings, stylish fittings, and paneled facades.
Corner kitchen set in vanilla color Source roomester.ru
Tip 5. Decide whether you need to cover the walls, floor, ceiling and with what
The most banal and best advice regarding finishing a kitchen in a wooden house is to use natural materials. With their help it is easy to get a stylish and ergonomic room.
But you shouldn’t forget about some features of the room, for example, high humidity in the kitchen - such a microclimate will simply spoil untreated wood.
Interior decoration should not be intrusive; its main principles are comfort and compliance with the idea of a country wooden house. Artificial materials are excluded, since they will neutralize this very idea.
Walls
The most popular methods of wall decoration:
- painting;
- drywall;
- Wall panels;
- stone or wood.
Let's consider each option.
Painting
A simple and inexpensive way to update your interior. The most important thing in painting is to properly prepare the surface for it:
- clear;
- polish almost to a shine;
- prime;
- Prescribe with a special composition - an antiseptic.
It is easier and better to work with a spray - this way the paint or varnish will apply more evenly.
Advice! To preserve the living energy of wood, it is better to give preference to transparent materials, such as varnish. If there are uneven stains on the surface of the wood, then a tinting varnish will help out.
If you want a more modern and stylish interior, then you can combine several tones of wood - but in this case it is better to contact a professional designer.
Drywall
If you want to quickly, easily and relatively inexpensively level surfaces, use drywall. The most important thing when working with it is a reliable profile or frame. Drywall has three more advantages:
- it can be finished with whatever and however you like - plastered, painted, covered with wallpaper, tiles, and so on;
- it can be used not only on walls, but also on the ceiling;
- under it you can hide communications, heat and sound insulation, wiring, and so on.
Wall panels
If you need to quickly hide the walls, but don’t want to deal with additional finishing, as is the case with drywall, then your choice is wall panels. They can be divided into two large classes:
- Wooden (lining) - if you don’t want to lose the “spirit” of a living home.
- Plastic ones are a cheaper option, but also more practical, since they do not absorb odors and water, are easy to wash, and can even be easily cut with a regular knife, which will be convenient when attaching.
Both types of wall panels are mounted on a frame.
Decor and stone
In spacious houses, where you don’t have to fight for every centimeter of space, you can afford more refined and impressive cladding - for example, from beams, boards or even stone. A popular type of decoration now is a block house. These are wooden boards that imitate the laying of logs.
Although the paneling is wooden and made a little “antique”, it is as easy as shelling pears to handle: thanks to the tongue-and-groove system, it is assembled like a construction set.
If you need to somehow delimit the space, you can highlight some zones, for example, near heating objects, with a stone. It is not necessary to use natural material - it is quite possible to get by with imitation.
In the kitchen apron area in a wooden house, painted tiles or mosaics will look interesting.
Floor
The floor is one of the most important parts of the decoration, since it is what can be said to represent the foundation. It must be durable, reliable and safe - not slip. In addition, it is important to take into account practicality - it is desirable that dirt is easily washed off.
Several materials fit these characteristics:
- Matte textured tiles - they definitely won’t slip even if liquid is spilled; they can be made of ceramics, porcelain stoneware or stone. It is advisable to install a “warm floor” system under such a covering, otherwise you may get sick during the cold season.
- Parquet, board, laminate - these options are used outside the fire hazardous area, as well as away from places of high humidity.
Ceiling
The ceiling can be decorated in almost any way:
- just paint;
- make suspended structures from plasterboard;
- stretch the fabric.
Each method has its pros and cons. For example, hinged and suspended structures can hide communications and wiring, but it is not advisable to attach beams to them. For this reason, it is best to preserve the natural ceiling, paint it in light colors, and tint the beams to match the color of the floor.
What color set to combine with a dark tabletop?
The most common and win-win option is a white kitchen with a black countertop. These two colors combine perfectly with each other and result in a laconic and stylish interior.
What are the advantages of this combination:
- A black countertop visually increases the space of a white kitchen and makes it more comfortable.
- Such a kitchen set will suit any style, and mistakes are practically eliminated when decorating the room.
- Light furniture surfaces reflect light, making the room feel light and spacious.
There are also a couple of disadvantages:
- Light surfaces attract dirt, so cleaning must be done quite often.
- The wrong shade of white can create a hospital-like feel.
What material to choose for the headset:
- Tree. The material has good performance characteristics, looks high quality and attractive.
- Chipboard. A budget material that has great strength due to treatment with special impregnations and compounds.
- MDF. A material close to natural, with a special structure. Thanks to this material, you can give it almost any shape.
What material can the tabletop be made from:
- Postforming. This is a chipboard covered with plastic. It is very durable and inexpensive, making it popular among buyers.
- Natural or artificial stone. Natural stone is very durable, beautiful, but quite heavy and expensive. Artificial stone has the same strength, allows you to get a surface without seams and is cheaper than natural stone.
- Glass. Tempered glass is particularly durable; it is not afraid of either mechanical or temperature influences. The only drawback is the slippery surface and the visibility of fingerprints.
Tip 6. Choose a wooden set
If the house is wooden, then it is better to choose a kitchen set to match, namely from solid wood. It will give the room an atmosphere of comfort and warmth, and also fill the interior with beauty and harmony. The only downside is that such cabinets are not cheap.
The concept of wooden cabinets usually means the following:
- body made of chipboard or MDF;
- facades made of wood panels, MDF or veneer.
There is quite a big difference between the facades:
- Panel doors are a flat and straight door made of a solid panel. Thanks to their shape, they are suitable for more modern kitchens - in the style of minimalism, Scandinavian, high-tech and others. They are easy to care for and have a beautiful pattern.
- Frame facades are a composite facade consisting of a wooden frame, inside of which there is a chipboard or MDF panel covered with veneer. This solution is suitable for more classic design trends - Provence, country, chalets and the like. The advantage of such facades is their huge variety with different decor, carvings, and patina.
Recently, panel facades are becoming less and less common, and the price tag on them is becoming more and more expensive. Meanwhile, they are quite unpredictable in their operation. It is much cheaper and more reliable to choose facades made of MDF and veneer.
Advantages and disadvantages
If we continue the conversation about solid wood headsets, then it’s worth listing all the pros and cons of this material. The advantages include:
- Environmentally friendly - there are no allergies to wood, and it is completely safe for the body.
- Durability - if you properly care for the array, it will last for a very long time.
- A huge selection of designs - wood lends itself to any decor and restoration, so a solid wood set can fit into any interior.
But there are also quite significant disadvantages that are also worth considering:
- High cost - compared to analogues, kitchens made from solid wood are much more expensive.
- Difficult care and careful use - natural materials are quite delicate, so they require complex and often expensive care, otherwise their presentable appearance will disappear after a year of use.
- Sensitivity to humidity - if the humidity level is not in the range from 60 to 75%, then there is a risk that the array will dry out and become covered with cracks. This problem can be prevented by good ventilation and exhaust hood.
Properties of wood as a decorative element
Wood sometimes does not need additional sanding. It is enough to properly process the beams to obtain a building and finishing material. It is also famous for its unique texture and variety of shades - from light pine to wenge.
Expensive species include burl birch, oak, and mahogany.
It will not be possible to build a whole house from them, but they can be used for decoration and interior decoration of the kitchen.
Natural high-density wood materials most suitable for construction and furniture making:
- solid oak;
- beech;
- alder;
- pine;
- cherry;
- birch;
- ash.
Each of the listed types has its own advantages or disadvantages, but all breeds are combined with many colors.
For construction, pine beams are often used - cheap and accessible wood. Their texture is painted in nut or chocolate shades, sometimes covered with transparent varnish, leaving the natural color of the material.
But wood also has negative properties:
- cladding made of timber or lining takes up a lot of usable space;
- interior wood trim needs careful sanding;
- due to humidity, mold or mildew may appear on the surface;
- Insects can live in the timber.
Expert opinion
Olga Kovalenko
Since 2010 I have been engaged in interior design and architectural design.
Wood is easy to restore, unlike laminated surfaces. Cracks, minor scratches, and abrasions can be sanded, tinted and repainted.
Tip 7. Think through functional areas as much as possible
Natural wood will never behave perfectly:
- it will produce resin - resin;
- dry out, become covered with cracks;
- sag and bend.
You shouldn’t worry about such little things and try to disguise them - they give the kitchen and the house as a whole uniqueness and coziness. It is better to think through the use of functional areas as much as possible.
- Hearth (stove, cast iron stove). It must be taken into account that the walls next to the stove heat up - it is important to prevent a fire. It is better to choose stone or tile for finishing. It is important to think through the issues of exhaust hood and thermal insulation. Particular attention should be paid to the laying of the stove - if it is done incorrectly, then all the smoke will go into the house, which will not add comfort to the room at all.
- Work zone. This is where food is most often cut, so it would be logical to place a cutting area between the stove and the sink. It is important to pay attention to the apron - its material should be easily washed from grease and dirt.
- Storage. Proper storage organization will make the cooking process faster and more enjoyable. All storage, namely the refrigerator, shelves with cereals and vegetables must be located in the work area.
- Washing. The splashes that fly from the sink are especially dangerous for wood, so you need to choose the bowl very meticulously so that the least amount of drops fly off from it. Wide, but not very deep models seem to be the most optimal. There must be a plane with a dryer nearby. You can take a double sink or with a wing.
- Dinner Zone. The table and chairs should also be located at a distance from water and the stove and fireplace.
Deliberate negligence
Rustic kitchen designs don't require fussiness. It is enough to paint the walls with paint in pastel shades - they should not be flashy. You can also use wallpaper with an old-fashioned pattern or make an imitation of brickwork.
When choosing a material for finishing the floor, give preference to natural wood or choose a laminate with a similar structure.
You can also use stone-like tiles with a non-uniform, rough surface. If the height of the ceilings allows, they can be decorated with wooden beams - this is a very effective decorative element.
And if you strive for maximum authenticity and are the happy owner of a private home, then rustic kitchens with stoves will definitely appeal to you.
But just don’t try to build a working stove yourself; it’s better to call a specialist, since the correct design and construction of such kitchen equipment requires many years of experience.
Tip 8: Choose the Ideal Layout
The corner arrangement of the headset is considered the most universal, because it will suit any room, even the smallest one.
There is one small life hack - place the refrigerator in line with the sink, and not the stove. This will create an ideal work triangle, and less and less time will be spent on cooking.
But there are other options for planning a kitchen in a wooden house:
- U-shaped - competes with the corner for the title of the most comfortable and successful layout. It is convenient because while cooking, the housewife literally does not have to take a step, but only turn her body. If you want to run the entire set along the walls, then the width of the room should be about 2.4 meters or a little more. You can place one of the “legs” of the letter P not against the wall, but as a bar counter, at the same time zoning the space.
- Island - this option is also considered one of the most convenient in large kitchens in private homes. To see this, you should turn on any American film. Actually, this is why an island is so often installed in American-style kitchens. Here it is also important to monitor the centimeters. There should be more than a meter from the island to any other surface (refrigerator, headset, wall, etc.).
- Linear is the simplest and most compact layout, when the entire set is placed along one wall. It’s compact, which is very convenient when cooking - you don’t have to go through extra steps. Often the best solution for a very small or rarely used kitchen, for example, in a summer cottage.
- Double-row - most often used in narrow kitchens with a width of no more than 3.2 m, and even better, no more than 2.5 m. The point is that the set is placed on two opposite walls. There is a lot of storage space, so the set is chosen without upper cabinets. But the downside is that there is no room for a dining table.
Tip 9. Remember the features of a small room
If a wooden house means a dacha where the family gathers only on weekends and holidays, then the kitchen can be quite small. Moreover, most people in our country like to cook outdoors - barbecue or barbecue, and the stove is not used so often.
However, thoughtful design can be a huge plus. It is important to follow one principle - to use the minimum necessary things for cooking.
Designers share some secrets on how to create the perfect interior in a small kitchen in a wooden house with your own hands:
- the decoration should not be massive, as it will put pressure on a person, and besides, it will take away precious centimeters - stone and block house are prohibited.
- minimalism in practice - you should limit yourself to only the most necessary list of things, for example, a sink, a couple of cabinets under a wide countertop and several open shelving;
- if you want to add coziness and uniqueness to the kitchen, then you can make the furniture yourself or at least decorate it with your own hands with painting, carving or decoupage technique - no special frills are required;
- transformers will make the kitchen more comfortable and functional - these can be shelving on wheels, a tabletop with a pull-out board, a folding cabinet, and so on;
- It is important to think about the number and size of household appliances. For example, in a country house you can most often refuse an oven, and choose a single-chamber refrigerator - it will be quite enough to store food supplies for a couple of days;
- you can abandon the standard stove in favor of a hob with two burners - this will significantly save space;
- If you don’t plan to cook often in the kitchenette, then you can get by with miniature versions of household appliances. For example, to create a comfortable working triangle, a narrow 40 cm sink, a hob with 1-2 burners and a single-chamber refrigerator are suitable. In addition, you can put a bar counter and use it as a work and dining area.
Even a small kitchen can be made stylish and comfortable at the same time. The main thing is to decide in advance what tasks will be performed on it.
Narrow work area in a large room
A sufficient number of sets with open, built-in and regular shelves can be placed against one long wall. This design is complemented by a bar counter and a narrow-format dining area. The countertops of these designs can be made of natural wood, chipboard, MDF. On the opposite side of the room, place a corner sofa opposite the fireplace. Here you can also create a small reading area headed by a coffee table.
Modern small kitchen with light furniture Source kitchenguide.su/ Beautiful corner kitchen Source remontik.org/
Tip 11. Don't forget about zoning
A large kitchen that can accommodate numerous storage cabinets, an impressive table, a sofa and an armchair is the dream of every second, if not first, housewife.
All this can easily be imagined in the kitchen-living room in a house where they simply “forgot” to build an interior wall. But in such a room it is important to delimit the space, otherwise it will not look harmonious and unified. Let's look at the most popular ways of zoning space.
Furniture
The easiest way to effectively divide space into zones. What can be used as a visual boundary between the work, dining and relaxation areas? Almost any furniture:
- cupboard;
- sofa;
- lunch group;
- open drawer with shelves and so on.
Bar counter
Another popular and functional way of zoning space. The advantage is that the bar counter will fit into almost any interior style, and besides, it can be used as a dining table or work area.
Different height
If the floor or ceiling is higher or lower than the rest of the house, then this zone will automatically appear. If you have a fear of playing with heights, then you can get by with simpler techniques, for example:
- lay a long-pile carpet in the recreation area;
- in the dining area, use beams on the ceiling.
Kitchen interior in a wooden house made of timber when combined with a living or dining area
What kind of kitchen can be called a housewife's dream? That's right, one that can easily accommodate a full set of cabinets, the necessary household appliances, a table with chairs, a soft sofa, and a TV would be nice. Of course, many people dream of a separate dining room, but it can only be afforded in a large mansion. And in a wooden house made of timber of a more modest size, you can solve the problem of comfort with the help of a kitchen-living room, “forgetting” to divide the space with an interior wall. Its delimiting role can be well served by modern design techniques that will help visually mark the boundaries of functional zones.
- Bar counter.
In a wooden house made of timber, the easiest way to fit into the interior of a combined kitchen-living room is a designer element with a bar counter. By the way, here, unlike in an apartment, instead of a narrow tabletop, you can make a voluminous “island” counter, directing the long part towards the living room. This will be a table, it can be surrounded by high chairs. A sink, stove, and work area for cooking will fit on the kitchen side, and it’s better to line up drawers on the sides; you can build a small open bar. It would be nice to get creative with the design; examples of decorating a bar counter with natural stone are in the photo.
- Furniture partitions.
Furniture instead of walls within the separation of zones is one of the popular features in the interior. A cupboard, an open drawer with shelves, a dining group, a tabletop, a soft corner - all this can be a visual indication of the boundary between the kitchen, dining and relaxation areas. There are many ideas on how to use this harmoniously.
- Height gradation.
If the rooms in a wooden house made of timber are large in height, you can experiment with the level of the ceiling or floor in functional areas. Various finishing materials will help to successfully divide the space. For example, make a podium and install a ceiling beam in the kitchen (as in the photo). Or adopt the so-called “tricks”: decorate the area for meeting guests or eating with a long-pile carpet (instead of a podium), create the illusion of a two-level ceiling by attaching beams made from the remains of timber or a semicircular cut of a log (slab) above the working wall. It’s easy to visually divide a room into parts using contrast in floor finishes.
On a note! Flat wood moldings can be used as a replacement for beams.
- Color and light.
When there is no desire to structure the kitchen-living room space with the help of special designs and furniture, you can limit yourself to finishing materials, using different colors in decorating the floors, ceilings, walls and not forgetting about light. For example, in the kitchen, in the work area, the space will be well marked by spotlights or spots with a directional light flux, a chandelier will “work” above the dining table, and you can choose a nice floor lamp or sconce for the sofa.
Important! In one room it is better to use colors of materials that complement each other - differences may be in the intensity of shades of the same color or tone that are nearby in the spectrum. You need to be careful with contrasts to make the interior harmonious. You can play on them by taking as a basis some unifying detail: partial use of stone or wood, ornament or molding.
- Use of textiles.
In the interior of a wooden house made of timber, variations of fabric partitions look advantageous in the kitchen-living room. The atmosphere can be made soft, cozy and even intimate by adding textile draperies. What styles and fabrics are suitable in a particular case will be determined by the overall design of the decor. There are many materials and models for implementing ideas - tulle, organza, drapes, roller blinds, curtains with ribbons, Japanese sliding panels, etc. If desired, the doors can also be replaced with curtains.
Recommendation: natural fabrics for the kitchen are not the most suitable option; it is better to opt for textiles made from mixed materials, with artificial additives. There will be fewer maintenance problems and longer service life.
Tip 12. Let there be light
Long gone are the days when lighting meant a single chandelier in the center of the room. Now the same chandelier must be combined with LED strips, spotlights and floor lamps.
Of course, natural light still plays a huge role, so windows should be as large as possible and curtains as thin as possible to let in light. But in winter and at night this light will not be enough, so it is necessary to think through a whole system of artificial lighting.
In a wooden kitchen, LED spotlights installed under the top unit will look great. The lamps themselves should not be visible, so the atmosphere of unity with nature will not be disturbed.
Light in the work area is very important because it reduces the risk of injury while cooking. In addition, good lighting always visually increases the space, which will come in handy in a small kitchen. If it is important, on the contrary, to make the room smaller, then you just need to darken it.
Important! There should be at least 60 centimeters between light sources and water.
You should also check the power:
- 100 W/sq. m - for the working area;
- 50 W/sq. m - for the rest of the room.
Design examples with photos
The selection of images presents the best ideas for decorating a wooden kitchen in the country.
To develop a project for a room made of natural wood, you should know the features and properties of the material. And the interior and design of the room should be decided last.
Tip 13. Take care of fresh air
Ventilation is an issue that should be raised during the planning and construction of the house itself, and not just arranging the kitchen. Everything is important:
- throughput;
- valve length;
- number of channels and much more.
Ventilation is conceived at the foundation stage, since it is necessary to leave vents in it - openings through which fresh air will enter the house. You can regulate the air supply using plugs or automatic systems.
A hood will help to cope with cooking odors, remove dampness and improve the atmosphere. It is simply necessary in a kitchen in a wooden house in order to maximize the service life of the natural material.
There are several ways to attach the hood:
- hanging - above the hob;
- built-in - mounted in wall cabinets, invisible but effective;
- dome - under the ceiling.
The channels are made of smooth materials, such as stainless steel or tin, which are then insulated. Corrugation is used for connection.
More light
Lighting in the kitchen should not be dim, but try to choose chandeliers and lamps that match the style.
You can find something suitable in modern stores, or visit an antique shop - there you will certainly find an interesting option.
And if your grandmother’s old lampshade or an ancient kerosene lamp is gathering dust in the attic, you can restore them and use them in the design of your kitchen. In any case, the effect will be amazing.
Tip 14. Look through interesting and successful examples of interiors
Train your powers of observation by looking through photo galleries of kitchens in timber and log houses - then creating your own stylish and comfortable home will be much easier. Here are some examples:
- Modern kitchen-dining room in a log house.
Pay attention to the walls - they are lightened, which visually makes a small kitchen seem spacious. Not only the area increases, but also the height of the room. There are tiles on the floor that fit perfectly into the overall design concept and do not attract undue attention. The black and white set is just a trend now, but in this interior it looks very organic.
- Cozy U-shaped kitchen in eco-style.
Decorating a room with a non-standard configuration is always a difficult task. To make it easier to solve it, you need to immediately divide the space into zones - eating, cooking, storage. The blue sideboard brings a breath of fresh air to the interior, and the successful U-shaped layout makes the kitchen very spacious, although the square footage is quite small.
- A classic example of Provence.
Pay attention to the ceiling - although it is completely whitewashed, the beams are preserved, which creates the atmosphere of a cozy wooden house. Delicate colors are used, floral textiles are duplicated several times - all according to the canon of the Provence style.
In addition to photo galleries of expensive mansions and economy buildings, you can follow the episodes of the “Dachny Answer” program. There are quite often original solutions on how to arrange a living room-kitchen, kitchen-studio and more standard options.
Apron material and color
The apron is usually made from one of the following materials:
- Tile.
- Mosaic.
- Stone.
- Glass.
The color scheme can be almost any. A black apron will visually increase the space, a gray apron will create a smooth transition from a dark work surface to the upper light cabinets, and a bright apron will attract attention and dilute the severity of a black and white kitchen. Many apartment owners choose photo printing to decorate their backsplash; a well-chosen image will add its own flavor to the room.
A few more designer secrets
Everyone wants to make their kitchen in a wooden house beautiful, stylish and comfortable - both the owners of luxurious mansions and the owners of more modest buildings. Wood gives enormous scope for imagination. If you are afraid of making mistakes, you can follow the advice of professionals:
- Natural wood is a material worth highlighting. The easiest way to do this is by choosing the right style of room - one where the tree will play the main role. This can be country music from different European countries or a design for a Russian traditional hut or mansion. In the latter case, it is better to add a Russian stove or at least an imitation of it.
- As surprising as it may sound, a bar counter will look great in a kitchen in a wooden house. Moreover, you can make it with your own hands from building materials that are left after repairs. These can be beams, boards, bars, even cuts, and so on. It will turn out gorgeous if you decorate a window sill or staircase with similar elements - this will create a special atmosphere in the room.
- If you are afraid of getting a room that is too dark, then you should choose light wood species, such as pine. But it also darkens over time, so you can use special compounds that lighten the wood and emphasize its texture. If, on the contrary, you want to get rich tones, then it is best to use stain. In addition, do not forget about sufficient and varied lighting.
- If you want to get a classic interior with smooth walls, then the easiest way to level the walls is with the help of drywall or wooden panels. You can do anything with them - paint, wallpaper, and so on.
- To better highlight wood, it is necessary to use it with other materials - for example, stone and metal. Stone can be on a backsplash, countertop or floor, while metal often shows up in the form of interestingly shaped copper or bronze light fixtures. It is better not to use gold and silver. The same goes for fittings.
- Don't experiment with the color of the wood. The best option is muted ones, which will emphasize the naturalness of the wood. Bright and saturated colors may not fit harmoniously into the interior.
How to choose a design for a kitchen in a wooden house?