Modern straight kitchen sets are strict lines and versatility, which is inherent in completely different interior styles. The design of a direct kitchen provides quite a lot of options for placing a refrigerator, an additional bar counter, wall cabinets or various kinds of shelves. A linear kitchen with a pencil case will fit perfectly into a small room and create a lot of space for storing utensils. In general, direct kitchens can be implemented in any, even the smallest space.
Advice!
A straight kitchen looks most harmonious with a built-in refrigerator.
Features of the kitchen linear layout
A linear kitchen 3 meters straight, from the point of view of designers, is the most optimal for placement in any room. If kitchen units of 4 meters are installed, then it is recommended that the entire length exceeding the 3-meter limit be filled with niche cabinets to the floor - this will visually soften the excessive “elongation”.
Another feature is that you need to provide for the correct connection of communications, and plan the remaining parts of the headset according to their location.
Advantages and disadvantages of a “one row” headset
Kitchen sets of 4 meters or any linear kitchen have their advantages and disadvantages, which are determined by the size of the room and other interior features.
On a note!
Straight kitchens can also be realized in non-standard lengths - any size can be designed taking into account the size of the working wall and other features.
pros
Symmetry. The project of a direct kitchen set allows you to create perfectly correct shapes, suitable for classic designs and almost any modern one.
Compactness. Straight kitchens visually seem lighter and more elegant than U-shaped or corner ones, and do not clutter up the space.
Price. Kitchen sets 4 meters will be much cheaper than, for example, a corner version of the same length.
Project. A linear kitchen is relatively simple to design - here you can do without the services of a designer and think through all the subtleties and details yourself.
Important!
A straight kitchen of 3 meters allows you to install a countertop without seams.
Minuses
Ergonomics. It is not entirely convenient to place the stove and sink on the same line, especially if they are relatively far from each other.
Room size. Kitchen 2 meters straight is the minimum length that is suitable for a straight design. A tabletop that is too small will be inconvenient due to lack of space and almost complete absence of a working surface.
Little storage space. Obviously, the size of the entire kitchen will be inferior to its corner counterparts - if there are a lot of kitchen utensils, there will be nowhere to store them.
Choosing a layout
Even despite the presence of a gas heating boiler, in such an area it is possible to implement any planning solution and place all the desired equipment and storage system. And still I want to find the most convenient option.
Option one – linear
Four meters is enough to install everything you need along one wall. These are six standard modules plus one narrower, 40 cm.
Considering that the depth of the cabinets is 60 cm, there is more than three meters of free space left, and it will be necessary to develop a 3 by 4 kitchen design, without considering the need to accommodate the work area.
- This space is enough to organize a full-fledged dining room or a small dining area and a relaxation corner.
- The advantage of this option is the price : straight kitchens are cheaper than corner and U-shaped ones.
- But it has one serious drawback: the working area is too long . While preparing dinner, you can easily cover several kilometers, running along it from the refrigerator to the sink and stove.
Extended work area
Therefore, despite all the economic and technical advantages (all communications along one wall), I will probably refuse it. As with a two-row kitchen along opposite walls: what's the difference: running in a straight line or in a perpendicular direction for the same distance?
Although, if you place the sink and hob nearby, installing a module with kitchen utensils and appliances between them, and not far from the refrigerator, it will turn out quite convenient. Rarely used appliances and storage cabinets will remain in the other wing.
Scandinavian style linear kitchen design with storage system in the dining area
Option two - corner
The easiest way to organize a work triangle of stove-sink-refrigerator convenient for the housewife is an L-shaped kitchen.
- A sink is placed directly in the corner or closer to it , and on both sides of it, through one or two modules with a free countertop, a hob and a refrigerator. The entire cooking process takes place in a conveyor manner, with the gradual movement of products from the starting point to the final point.
With this layout, the hostess will only have to turn around and not dash
- There are options with a stove in the corner . In my opinion, this is not so convenient, since food taken out of the refrigerator must first be brought to the processing area, and only then to the cooking area. Lots of unnecessary movements, dirt and drops on the floor.
If in this photo the stove and sink are swapped, it will be much more convenient
The shape and size of the “corner” can be any, it all depends on the composition of the family and the housewife’s love for culinary achievements. For some, one and a half meters on both sides of the corner will be enough, while for others, they will take up the entire length of adjacent walls with cabinets and appliances. In any case, there will be plenty of free space for the dining table in the room.
I would give the end of one wing for a hobby corner. A table with a cabinet, a wall cabinet above it, a socket above the tabletop - and you have a place where you can sit with a laptop, solder something, burn something, or replant home flowers.
Work area in the kitchen
For me, there are two disadvantages to this layout:
- The first is aesthetic: I don’t like the joints on the countertop. They can be avoided by casting a countertop from artificial stone. But it's expensive.
- The second is financial: corner kitchens always cost more than linear kitchens of the same length. Mainly due to the filling of corner modules. To use the entire internal space of cabinets, rotating, retractable or withdrawable systems are installed in them.
Roll-out storage system
Option three - island
A huge advantage of a large kitchen is the ability to install an island, peninsula or bar counter. The peninsula has the same disadvantages as the corner layout. But a free-standing module onto which you can move a hob or sink, thereby creating a convenient work triangle is my dream.
Kitchen interior 4 by 4 with island
Advantages:
- This is simply convenient , since the perimeter of the working triangle is small, everything is nearby and at hand;
- This is practical : the dirt that inevitably arises during the cooking process remains in the working area, not visible from the “front” part of the kitchen;
- This allows for clear zoning , dividing the room into two parts - work and guest.
Unfortunately, setting up such a kitchen requires a lot of financial expenses, especially if you have to move existing communications. It’s easier to plan them during the construction stage, but this cannot be done with a finished house.
The greatest difficulties arise when installing an island with a gas hob. In order to reach it with a gas pipe and a ventilation duct for exhaust, the instructions require developing a project and obtaining a special permit, which also costs a lot of money.
It’s easier with a sink: all the pipes can be hidden under the floor or a specially built podium. In this case, it will also serve as an element of space zoning.
An island without appliances also looks great and can serve as both an additional work surface and a place for quick snacks.
It turns out that each option has its pros and cons. You will have to find a compromise between beauty, convenience and economy. For now I am more inclined towards a corner kitchen.
Who is a linear kitchen suitable for?
A straight kitchen of 4 meters or any other can fit perfectly into a suitable room. The most suitable options:
- the room is too elongated and narrow;
- the layout of the room is implemented with sharp corners;
- in a narrow room there is access to a loggia or balcony;
- the kitchen area is shaped like a trapezoid;
- There is a niche that is ideal for arranging a linear set.
On a note!
The optimal length for a headset without corners is considered to be 2-4 meters.
Tips for setting up a direct kitchen
Direct kitchen sets have a number of features, and some points should be taken into account when designing.
- A 2-meter straight kitchen should not be too dark - this is a small set, and here it is worth at least visually trying to make it more spacious.
- It is advisable to consider ergonomics as much as possible - due to the relatively small size, there may simply not be enough space for dishes or kitchen appliances.
- Since the emphasis is on length, it is necessary to carefully adjust the height. For example, the upper cabinets are made lighter than the lower ones.
Design options
In order to finally decide on the design of a linear set, you need to look at the photo, compare different options and decide whether the desired kitchen fits the characteristics of the room.
The most common types are:
- without upper cabinets;
- linear with a bar counter;
- up to the ceiling;
- with island;
- built-in
No upper cabinets. A linear layout can only be with the lower part, and the top is left empty or shelves are attached. This option is suitable if you have few kitchen utensils and do not have to cook too often.
Linear with a bar counter. Modern designers suggest making a small combined minibar. This will give the kitchen uniqueness and unusualness.
Up to the ceiling. Suitable for low ceilings. Such headsets look great with a pencil case and built-in appliances.
With an island. The kitchen island is installed parallel to the countertop - this creates a very comfortable work area. In addition, the island can act as room zoning.
Built-in. A kitchen set 2 meters long will look great in a built-in format. Such kitchens with a pencil case and a built-in refrigerator are especially good.
Kitchen-living room 4 by 4 meters: deciding on the design
When planning a room with a combined kitchen and living room, it is worth deciding which part will be assigned the main role, which means that the majority of the room will be given over. Or you can divide the room into equal parts of 4 by 2 meters using zoning, if the kitchen and living room play equally important roles.
The idea of combining part of a room with a kitchen appeared in modern post-industrial countries; later this design trend came to us
Thinking through the design of a kitchen combined with a living room is much more difficult - it is necessary to take into account many more points and nuances:
- In a square room for a kitchen-living room, the most advantageous option would be to locate the work area along one wall, while the opposite direction will be reserved for the dining area. In this case, there will be no need for upper wall cabinets, which will be an excellent option for rooms with a low ceiling.
- For a large kitchen, it will also be convenient to place the kitchen unit in the corner on adjacent sides of the room. At the same time, the dining area has an opposite corner at its disposal, in which a podium can be built to raise the level of the living room. This option will look very original and will create zoning of the room without additional actions.
- Another option for zoning a room can be a combination of different types of flooring. So, for the kitchen you can choose practical ceramic tiles, and for the living room area you can choose laminate or linoleum. This solution will help not only to separate rooms of different functionality, but also to visually increase the area of the kitchen and living room.
- A large dining table placed in the center of the room will help to visually separate the working and dining areas. In this case, ceiling lamps are placed above the table, and, if necessary, additionally in the working area of the room.
By combining the kitchen with the living room, you can expand the area for joint meetings with your relatives and friends
To more clearly separate the functional areas of the room, various screens, curtains, and retractable partitions are used. This option will help to hide the kitchen when receiving guests or get rid of the smell of food being prepared in the kitchen in the living room.
Color options
The kitchen is 3 meters straight - here the design includes multi-colored facades and countertops. In other sizes you can also experiment at your own discretion, but it is worth taking into account the peculiarities of color combinations and the remaining dimensions of the kitchen.
The principle of choosing a color palette is relatively standard, that is, the same as for corner varieties. For example:
- For a small room, light colors of facades are suitable.
- A glossy white kitchen will make a narrow space appear larger.
- Bright facades are ideal for large rooms with high ceilings.
Color solution
When choosing colors for the kitchen, you need to remember the compatibility of tones and their impact on a person’s psychological health and emotional microclimate. For example, for lethargic and apathetic people, shades of red and orange are a suitable option, and for those who often feel overexcited and are overly emotional, soothing tones are suitable: blue, indigo, green.
The choice of color shades when designing a 4 by 4 m kitchen largely depends on the overall stylistic direction. When trying to create a classic interior, it is important to follow the chosen color base. Classic prefers natural tones such as pistachio, sand, brown, white. Neon, poisonous tones are completely excluded. A classic-style kitchen can be decorated in both light and dark colors. If you want to give the room nobility and sophistication, you can use dark colors: chocolate, dark gray, rich blue. But the ideal option for the design of a classic kitchen is the natural color of wood - the following photos convince us of this.
Modern design trends prefer a monochrome interior with one bright accent tone. For example, a white kitchen with a contrasting rich wall looks fashionable, adds dynamics to the interior, and emphasizes the chosen style, but, for example, for the design of a room of 4 square meters, it is worth refraining from this so as not to overload the interior. The minimalist trend prefers white furniture, ceilings and floors, and one bright poster on the wall can serve as a contrast. High-tech high-tech tends to neon light, shiny surfaces, and white and black colors. If your choice falls on an attic loft, then the most preferable are brown, green, gray muted tones with a small number of bright elements.
Note! If you want to increase the size of the room, add light and lift your mood, use light pastel shades: milky, ivory, blue, pink. Gold-plated or silver-plated interior details would be appropriate here.
All necessary furniture structures and household appliances, with proper design, can be conveniently placed in a kitchen with an area of 4 by 4 m for any chosen stylistic orientation and layout. A good color scheme will give a good mood to every family member.
Choosing the Best Style for a Direct Kitchen
A straight 4-meter kitchen or a small 2-meter kitchen will look advantageous in the right style. Most often, linear kitchen sets are made in the following style:
- neoclassical or classic;
- loft;
- minimalism.
In this case, there are no special differences in the execution of straight or angular options. The kitchen is made in the desired design without the use of corner or U-shaped elements.
Which kitchen set is suitable?
We have already mentioned that a built-in kitchen of 4 square meters is more convenient. You will take into account all the features of a small kitchen, use every centimeter, arrange everything the way you need it. The only downside to the installation is the price. But a headset is a long-term investment, so it makes sense to spend money now to enjoy the results for many years to come.
The photo shows a compact kitchen set
As for the layout, a small-sized kitchen of 4 square meters can be located in one line or at an angle.
- Straight. Compact, there will be room for a dining table. The downsides are that there is little storage space and a very small work area. Suitable for those who do not like to cook and have a small amount of things to accommodate.
- Corner. More spacious, enough space for cooking. There is enough space below to install a washing machine and dishwasher. If you make one of the sides along the window, you can leave space below for chairs - thereby you will organize a cozy dining area at no cost.
The photo shows classic furniture design
Lighting Features
The arrangement of the kitchen set requires the correct location of light sources. That is, it is imperative to supplement the main source of lighting with spotlights. There are quite a lot of options - diode strips, additional spotlights and other varieties.
Lighting is necessary along the entire length - it is placed evenly, providing illumination of the room, the entire work area and the tabletop.
Furniture items for a kitchen room 4 – 5 sq.m. m.
The attributes must match certain parameters, such as appearance and materials. Choose only items that are compact, multifunctional, beautiful in appearance and made from natural materials.
- Convenient kitchen - the main mistakes that interfere with convenience and tips on how to avoid them
- How to arrange furniture in the kitchen, useful recommendations from experts
Original options for zoning the kitchen and living room
If your kitchen is small, avoid large parts on the furniture. After all, a lot depends on the fittings, so bulky handles on cabinets and drawers can be replaced with small elements in a minimalist style.
No matter what they tell you in any case, when arranging a kitchen, each person takes into account his own wishes.
Don’t forget that everything must be correctly selected and correctly arranged, only then will your kitchen attract the eye and delight every morning.
