Furniture is an integral part of any living space. Every little detail can create warmth and comfort in the interior. How to choose furniture for a small kitchen?
Insufficient free space requires a competent approach that will help solve this problem.
Our material provides detailed recommendations for choosing furniture accessories.
Types of kitchen corners
Each person selects furniture that suits his requirements, tastes and financial capabilities. For some, functionality is important, while for others, only appearance is important. With this in mind, you can find a huge number of different types of kitchen corners.
L-shaped furniture is the most common option for organizing a dining area
Small kitchen corners
Suitable for use in small kitchens, they can easily accommodate 3-4 people. Equipped with seats with drawers, which adds spaciousness.
A full-fledged set for a small family can be placed even on 1.5 square meters
With sleeping places
At first glance, the idea of adding extra sleeping space in the kitchen seems silly. But it should be noted that this is a practical choice if guests often stay overnight. This model has a higher price, so it is not suitable for everyone. They are also divided into 2 types:
- Dolphin system. It is popular for use in small kitchens and living rooms. From the outside it looks like a very typical corner, but if you make an effort and unfold it, it turns into a real sofa.
Dolphin system kitchen sofa with hanging pillows - French folding bed.
It costs much less, but is not convenient to use. The folded design does not take up much space. Three sections are located under the frame; as soon as you need to unfold it, you just pull the straps. Most often they are made straight. The French folding bed requires more space to lay out the bed
For bay window
In a typical kitchen, it is not necessary to install a corner sofa; a regular table and chairs will do. As a result, the room will not be as cozy, but the harmony will not be disturbed. If the house has a bay window, then it is worth using the entire area and adding a corner. In most cases, bay window sofas are made to order, because there are no universal sizes for this element. When using this type, the dining room will turn out to be very elegant. This is not only a rational use of space, but also a convenient way out of the situation.
In a semicircular bay window it is logical to place a round table and a sofa with seats arranged in an arc
If desired, a semicircle can be made in a rectangular bay window by ordering oval seats with a wide upper tier, which will serve as a window sill
With extendable table
Almost every modern corner comes complete with an extendable table. Few people need a large countertop every day. If necessary, the table area can be increased; most often, the folding mechanism operates on the principle of a book. If the table is not sliding, then you should look for another model with some benefits.
The folding model takes up very little space when folded
Kitchen corner with storage drawers
Today, various corners have a large number of different additions, drawers being the most common of them. You always need to store services, household chemicals and other necessary things somewhere. Boxes inside the corners are the ideal solution.
A drawer under the kitchen corner seats is an excellent solution for increasing the number of storage systems in a small room
With bar
Often, in the interior of kitchens it is simply impossible to find a place for a minibar; a kitchen corner will be an excellent solution, because there will always be a place to store drinks there. It is located on the side of the sofa, and it looks like a small add-on shelf, open or closed, which is divided into lower and upper sections. It can also be located in the side section, but in a narrow compartment that extends forward. Inside there is a wire structure that can hold several bottles in a row. This bar is found in modern models in the minimalist or high-tech style. If the set includes a table, then the bar may be located inside it.
Red leather sofa with bar in the armrest
With shelf
A shelf in the kitchen is never superfluous, and near a soft corner, it not only looks beautiful, but also takes on additional meaning. Such shelves are divided into several types:
- Located in the center of the sofa, namely in the narrow corner section.
- Running along the perimeter of the upper part, located close to the wall.
- The shelf is located slightly higher than the level of the back.
The shelf will serve as an additional decoration, allow you to place memorable accessories or figurines, put newspapers or magazines.
Soft corner with shelf in the corner section
Additional Information! A kitchen corner with sleeping places includes not only a sleeping place, but also such additions as a shelf or a minibar.
Advantages and disadvantages
Of course, sleeping in the kitchen is an extreme measure, because initially the room is not suitable for this.
Foreign odors can make it difficult to sleep. It could be the aroma of freshly baked goods with cinnamon, which beckons you for a snack, or the trash can that people forget to take out for two days.
Not all refrigerators can operate completely silently; on the contrary, most of them like to turn on in the middle of the night.
The main advantage is saving space.
Sometimes it is this factor that outweighs all the disadvantages. And a rich imagination, a sense of style and the absence of complexes will allow you to fit the sleeping place into the interior as organically as possible.
Interesting combination of sofa upholstery pattern in the kitchen-living room in Art Nouveau style
Advantages of kitchen corners
Not every person can boast of a spacious kitchen; this is what allows you to place a full-fledged sofa, table and chairs. Taking this into account, the owners have to choose one thing; in most cases, preference is not given to the corner. Which is in vain, because it has its advantages.
- Purchasing a corner is more profitable than buying chairs. Not including the plastic ones, which are popular with people who picnic outdoors.
- Unusual look. It looks stylish and much more interesting than ordinary chairs. There are a lot of upholstery options, this will allow the model to fit into the interior.
- Additional storage space.
- Convenience. Many will agree that sofas are much cozier and more comfortable than chairs. This factor greatly affects the atmosphere of the room.
- Space saving.
Kitchen corners are significantly superior to chairs, because they provide high comfort. No stress during lunch or dinner. Inside the seats there is elastic polyurethane foam, which helps achieve optimal rigidity. Practicality is also an important aspect, because high-quality upholstery, made of leatherette or textiles impregnated with Teflon, will not require frequent maintenance.
If you want to hide utilities under the window, why not arrange comfortable soft seats in this place
The modern furniture market offers a large selection of sofas, including multifunctional models. In addition to standard functions, they provide:
- formation of a sleeping place, therefore, comfortable sleep;
- compact storage of things thanks to drawers.
Important points of the organization:
- The upholstery of upholstered furniture should be chosen to be especially durable, easy to clean and wear-resistant. Possibly with removable covers that are easy to remove and freshen. Do not forget that the kitchen is a place for preparing food and, as a rule, eating it. Therefore, something is often spilled or splashed there, and the smells of food quickly eat into the textiles;
- It is necessary to maintain order in the apartment at all times. Especially in one where different zones are combined into one;
- When choosing a bed, you should consider how it fits into the overall interior and harmonizes with other furniture. Otherwise, the bed or sofa will look lonely and stand out from the overall style;
- when combining any other room with the kitchen, it is necessary to change the hood to a more powerful one, and it is recommended to replace household appliances with quiet or silent ones. But this is more of a wish. What is the obligatory moment;
- If little natural light penetrates into the kitchen, it is better to choose a light, pastel palette. Designers advise selecting three main shades for renovation and furnishings and building on them. Otherwise, variegated colors will attract all attention and overload the room.
Types of kitchen corners: size, material, upholstery and type of softness
Which corners are better, soft or hard? It is impossible to answer for sure, because it all depends on the taste of a particular person and the design of the room.
- Hard corners. Hard ones are distinguished by both lower price and durability. They are not so difficult to care for, because they are resistant to dirt, but the downside is that they do not look very cozy. For greater comfort, you can purchase additional pillows.
A hard corner will fit well in a kitchen in Provence or country style, and it is suitable for those who do not like to sit at the table - Soft corners.
A sofa upholstered in soft and pleasant material will add comfort and convenience. When purchasing this model, you should pay attention to the upholstery, because it is an important aspect when choosing a purchase. The wear resistance of the sofa and its appearance depend on the material. It is very convenient when the sofa has a rigid base, and the soft seats can be easily removed. These pillows are easy to clean and can be replaced if necessary.
Housing material
An important detail on which the final style depends is the body material.
- Wooden.
Real wood is what will bring an atmosphere of warmth and comfort to your home. This material will be appropriate when making parts for any style. Starting with classics and ending with Japanese minimalism. If desired, you can create an interesting contrast between the skin and the body. Wooden furniture will fit perfectly into the interior of a rustic kitchen - Chrome plated. A large number of people prefer modern style, in which wood is replaced by metal, and large sizes are replaced by the lightest structures. When designing in a high-tech style, you shouldn’t even think about the choice of material, because it is obvious. If the choice falls on chrome parts, then you won’t have to think about the combination, because the interior will look complete and harmonious.
When choosing a corner with a metal frame, you should pay attention to the quality of the product. Metal does not always mean reliability; sometimes the tubes used are very thin and fragile
Remember! Modern style = chrome corners.
To size
Typically, a large sofa ranges from 150 to 200 cm in length. Smaller ones, on average, are about 110 – 140 centimeters.
This dining area can comfortably seat four people, or even six if you add a couple of chairs to the table
Attention! The length of the folding sofa should not be less than 180 cm, if the height is less than 175.
The height of the seats should be 40-50 cm, the depth about 50-70, otherwise it will not be comfortable to sit at the table, and your legs will rest against the table. The total height of the corner, including the back, is somewhere around 80-95 cm. If the back is decorated with anything, the structure can exceed 100 centimeters.
The choice of corner size depends on the size of the kitchen, installation location and number of family members
Additional Information! 110-160 are standard numbers for accommodating three people. On such a sofa everyone will feel comfortable without touching each other when eating.
These are all approximate figures and it is not recommended to use them as a guide.
Upholstery
When choosing upholstery, it is worth considering many factors due to the upcoming use. We must not forget about the style of the kitchen. Upholstery comes in different materials:
- Eco leather. This is an analogue of real leather, the texture and appearance are very similar. High-quality eco-leather will not burst, will not stretch and will retain its beautiful appearance for many years. Cleaning from dirt is easy and quick.
- Jacquard. It looks like an expensive tapestry, but costs much less. The material is very dense and elastic. It usually uses large designs. This type of upholstery is not recommended if you have pets. Removal of dirt is carried out with a napkin or detergents.
- Matting. Suitable, like jacquard, if there are no pets in the house. Reminds me of burlap. The material is dense, does not wrinkle, and is also tear-resistant. The fabric, like jacquard, is well suited for upholstering sofas in the kitchen, provided there are no pets. The weave is reminiscent of burlap, but the texture is a little softer.
- Microvelour. This is an analogue of velor, superior in durability and ease of care. It feels and looks like suede. The fabric does not fade and can be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner.
When choosing textile upholstery, make sure that the material is impregnated with water-repellent impregnation.
When choosing artificial or natural leather, remember that such upholstery will get warm in hot weather
Combining kitchen and living room
Some housewives want to separate the work area from the bedroom, while the other part, on the contrary, wants to combine these areas. A trend move that is increasingly gaining popularity is to combine the kitchen with the bedroom or living room.
Often such a solution requires global repairs such as demolishing walls. This point must be coordinated with the authorities, since it is necessary to make sure that the walls are not load-bearing and such repairs will not cause harm to the building.
In the kitchen-living room you can often find a bar counter with high chairs. In addition to the obvious functions of the table, it also zones the space, separating the rest area from the work area.
The sleeping place can be placed in any of these zones, the main thing is that there is enough space.
If you don’t want to install a bar counter, then you can use one of the tips described above - place the sofa with its back facing the work area. In this case, it is the back that will serve as a division of the zones.
Another unusual solution for arranging a sleeping area in the kitchen would be a folding bed, which is hidden in a special niche. The device is quite simple - you just need to pull the free edge.
The large assortment in furniture stores also allows for more experiments.
Kitchen corner design
Many people are faced with the problem of choosing a design for a kitchen corner. This process should be approached responsibly, because appearance is very important. Everyone knows that interior design takes a lot of time and effort. Usually it all depends on the parameters of the site. A corner can stand out brightly from the rest of the furniture, or it can blend into the background and look simply terrible.
Soft cushions on a kitchen sofa are an excellent opportunity to connect different areas of the room into a harmonious interior.
Today the furniture market offers a large selection of corners, but most often they have folding seats, under which there are drawers for storing necessary items.
The note! There are special sites where you can create your own design. If in doubt, you can visit such a site and arrange everything as you see fit.
After analyzing the functionality and amenities, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the photos of kitchen corners. If you have a bay window, the task is simplified; you can put a corner there.
For a bay window of a typical apartment, you can easily select a ready-made model
If you are bored with the banality, you can look at everything from an original point of view, instead of a table, order a pair of cabinets that match the tone of the sofa. Not many people will like this option, but if there is no need for a dining room, then why not experiment.
A similar option is a corner sofa complete with poufs
If the daily movement of massive furniture creates discomfort, then you can purchase a light table that will not be difficult to rearrange.
A small table will be enough for 2-3 people
The kitchen is very small, but you really want to put a corner? French folding beds are a great way out of the situation. When folded, they look more like a chair, but when unfolded, they are a real bed.
Dining area “like in a cafe”
Another variation on the theme of arranging a dining group could be the arrangement of seating as in a cafe - on either side of the table for lunch and dinner. For some premises, this configuration is the most advantageous.
For a narrow and long kitchen, a café-style dining area was a wonderful option that not only provided the kitchen space with a place to eat, but also brought symmetry to the room. A table that has only one support and fastening to the wall saves space and is convenient for those sitting opposite each other, the soft removable seats are easy to clean, and in general the corner is comfortable and practical.
The interior design of the kitchen-dining room in French country style harmoniously adopted the original design of the kitchen corner. Provence, expressed in decoration, textiles and decorative items, was also reflected in the dining ensemble.
When the seats are located on both sides of the dining table, it is better to place storage systems at the end of the structure, otherwise they will be inconvenient to use due to the inability to move the table.
An interesting design solution would be to place a corner of a black board behind the soft seat, on which you can write recipes, shopping lists, notes, or just messages to each other.
Photos of fashionable kitchen corners
Exploitation
Recommendations for use and care of the soft corner:
- Avoid exposure to direct sunlight, as this may cause the furniture to fade. Close your curtains tightly in summer; the best protection is blinds.
- To clean the surface of the headset, use a stain remover, then rinse the area with warm water. Use only soft brushes and sponges.
- Clean velor, jacquard or flock fabrics using a classic or hand-held vacuum cleaner.
- To remove stains from leather, use baby soap.
- To regularly clean upholstered furniture from dust, once a month, do the following procedure: spray the sofa with water from a spray bottle, evenly distribute the washing powder over the entire surface and clean the furniture with a brush. Afterwards, wash the sofa thoroughly with warm water.
If the corner is made of synthetic fabrics, treat it with an antistatic agent. The product will rid the furniture of dust accumulation.
- Wipe laminated or wooden surfaces with a damp microfiber cloth once a week. Wipe the countertop after every meal.
- Treat fabric-based models made of microfiber and suede with special water-repellent compounds.
- You should test a new cleaner or detergent on an invisible area of the upholstery to see how the fabric reacts.
- Immediately after delivery of the headset, wipe the surface with a soft cloth. At sub-zero temperatures, condensation forms on the furniture, which must be removed.
- Equip a kitchen hood, this will allow you to maintain the correct temperature and optimal humidity in the room, and protect soft surfaces from steam.
- Make sure that sharp objects do not fall on the soft corner, as they can damage the coating.
Guarantee
The warranty card for upholstered furniture is given along with the passport and is valid during the warranty period (18 months) subject to proper transportation, operation and compliance with recommendations for caring for the furniture.
Warranty service covers repair or replacement of defective parts of the product.
Free repairs are not carried out in the following cases:
- in case of violation of the rules of transportation, delivery or storage of furniture;
- in case of non-compliance with technical maintenance rules;
- in the presence of traces of exposure to liquids, solvents, mechanical damage;
- if there are traces of repair without examination;
- when making changes to the product design.
The following are not considered furniture defects:
- slight difference in shades of fabric upholstery, paintwork or pattern, if this does not spoil the overall appearance,
- small hairline cracks,
- light folds on the finishing material.
