Sleeping place in the kitchen: an island of comfort next to delicious food

The kitchen should always meet the requirements of comfort and coziness, since this is where the whole family gathers in the evening and discusses the past day. Sometimes this is not enough, and in this room, oddly enough, a sleeping place is required.

Sometimes this idea sounds incredible, since in most cases the kitchen does not always have enough space for a dining area. This layout must be carefully considered, choosing furniture that could save space. If everything is done correctly, the comfort will skyrocket, and the sleeping place will be often used by satisfied guests.

When necessary

Typically, the desire to arrange a sleeping area in the kitchen arises in the following situations:

• in a large family consisting of 3-4 people living in a small one-room or two-room apartment;
• in a small apartment, for example, a studio;
• with a large number of friends and relatives who like to visit;
• if you want to make the kitchen unique and non-standard.

But you can’t show off your originality in choosing a space for a sleeping place. All options are quite standard:

1. Near the window. In this case, the dining group is located in the corner of the kitchen opposite the work area. The downside is that with this layout there is very little space left for the headset. In addition, access to the window is difficult.
2. A place next to one of the kitchen walls where the work area is located. This, in turn, also threatens to reduce the size of the stove and fittings. In addition, the countertop is too far from the sink and stove.
3. On the wall opposite the set . For a comfortable stay both day and night, you will have to purchase a folding table or a high coffee table, which will have to be removed from the kitchen while you sleep.

Of course, the larger the kitchen area, the more space for imagination. If desired, the sofa can be placed in the center of the room.

The sleeping area in the kitchen in a classic style is arranged in a niche, which gives even more comfort

There are several tips that will help you choose the ideal furniture model based on the characteristics of the room:

• rectangular kitchen - a soft corner opposite the work area;
• small square kitchen - a corner sofa that combines work and relaxation areas;
• wide kitchen - sofa opposite the set;
• small kitchen - a small sofa by the window or in the corner.

Multifunctional models with a large number of drawers and shelves will help save space. To make a room visually more spacious, you should abandon the abundance of objects and be inspired by the ideas of minimalism. In such cases, household appliances are purchased built-in.

Popular types of sofas

When purchasing a soft sofa corner for the kitchen, it is important to consider its size, as well as its design and shape. In a small kitchen, a compact corner sofa with a table would look more appropriate. Such a corner will not take up much valuable space, and will also allow you to make the most practical use of all available space. If the space allows, you can choose small-sized sofas with a sleeping place, suitable for the decoration and style of a small kitchen.

Corner models

Small corner models are great for furnishing a compact kitchen. This will save space without sacrificing capacity; corner sofas are quite comfortable and are designed for a larger number of people, unlike more bulky straight designs. Drawers are often installed under the seats in which you can store things or bedding.

The compact model of a corner sofa can not only fit into any interior, but will also be an excellent place to store things.

If the kitchen is combined with the living room, a corner sofa equipped with a sleeping place is suitable, on which you can easily accommodate guests staying overnight. This is especially convenient for those who often host friendly or family gatherings. How to correctly fit corner sofa options into the kitchen interior can be clearly seen in the selection of photos.

The corner model of a large sofa with a sleeping place is a godsend for a spacious kitchen-living room

Folding couches

Such sofas are quite compact, and when folded out they take up no more space than a small bed. The sleeping place is often designed for one person or two. If there is a need for more spacious models, you should choose full-fledged folding sofas, but in a modest-sized kitchen it is better to install a single option. Double models are good for combined rooms.

Couches are very elegant and do not take up much space in the kitchen.

The design of the couches can be very simple or supplemented with a backrest and armrests. If we consider the type of mechanism, it is traditionally folding or roll-out. If you wish, you can purchase a couch with storage systems for useful little things. Various design solutions for placing a sofa-couch with a pull-out bed in the kitchen can be seen in the photo.

A folding couch can provide additional sleeping space

Semicircular design

Models of this type are usually used in spacious rooms, but for a small kitchen you can purchase a compact corner sofa with a rounded seat. Often this design does not imply the presence of a sleeping place; the sofa does not fold out. Such sofas can be equipped with drawers or side shelves.

If this model has difficulties with sleeping space, then there is enough space for additional shelves and drawers

Semicircular sofas are angular in design; for placement they will require a free corner. If the kitchen is combined with the living room, you can choose a folding model, turning it into a sleeping place at night. Such furniture will fit perfectly into modern kitchen design.

The semicircular design is practically no different from the angular one

Sofa with drawer

Models of this type do not fold out, but they are best suited for storing various things and even products that do not need to be kept in the refrigerator. Under the seats there are spacious drawers that can accommodate household appliances.

A wide single sofa in the kitchen can be equipped with stylish wicker drawers

Such kitchen sofas with a spacious drawer for things will be a real boon for a small kitchen. They are especially convenient if there is little space for cabinets and cabinets. Such models are made of light wood in neutral colors. This allows them to fit into any interior design from classic to modern styles. For decoration, you can use multi-colored bedspreads and soft pillows.

This design will allow only one person to rest, but can accommodate many things for storage.

Modular furniture

Modules allow you to diversify your interior and make the most of the available space. By choosing modular sofas that are suitable in size and style for a small kitchen, you can independently decide what configuration they will be. The modules can be placed in the corner or you can design a straight sofa by the window or in the center. The form can be changed depending on current needs.

A modular sofa can have each section in a different color

In addition to soft modules, the set may include a minibar, a compact shelf for books, small cabinets or a spacious storage system. If you plan to frequently rearrange your kitchen, you should make sure that the furniture frame is strong enough. In the example photo below you can see how to most advantageously place modular corner or straight kitchen sofas in a small kitchen.

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

Sleeping furniture options

Once you have decided on the place where you will sleep, you need to decide what type of furniture to use. There are many more options than meets the eye, so you need to study the pros and cons of each.

Chair-bed

A fairly compact type of furniture that can simply serve as a comfortable place to relax during the day, and as a sleeping area at night. This effect is achieved due to the fact that the chair can be extended almost into a real bed. But for maximum comfort, you should still put an orthopedic mattress on top.

There is some debate about which way to turn the chair.

If from the window, then when the guest wakes up in the morning, he will see a kitchen sink, stove and, possibly, unwashed dishes - not the best impression in the morning. If you turn the chair towards the window, then there is a risk of waking up ahead of time due to the first rays of the sun.

Sofa bed

The design of such furniture is very similar to a chair-bed, but the dimensions are still larger, so this option is suitable only for spacious kitchens. In rooms where the problem of lack of space is acute, for example, in Khrushchev, it is better to get by with a chair.

In any version (even a corner one), the sofa bed must be compact and must have a drawer for storing things.

You can put a blanket with a pillow or rarely used kitchen utensils there.

Criteria for choosing a sofa

Small sofas are one of the most popular solutions. Knowing a few nuances will help you choose the best option for difficult kitchen conditions.

Another factor to consider in advance is the availability of storage space. If the set is small, then rarely used utensils can be stored in the sofa.

The most space is in corner models. If you can’t find the perfect sofa in stores, you can always make custom-made furniture. But this option will cost more.

Folding method

The folding mechanism is selected depending on the size of the room and the location of the sofa. There are several options for the kitchen.

In any case, in the store you need to measure the sofa folded and unfolded and compare the measurements with the available space in the kitchen.

It is important to leave space for comfortable passage and cooking.

Kitchen Area

A standard option that is perfect for those who favor practicality. In addition to its high functionality, the kitchen corner is often the central part of the interior due to its attractive appearance. The corner shape always fits better into the kitchen design and looks much more comfortable.

The most compact corners are those that include a sofa itself, as well as a table and stools - each piece of furniture fits perfectly with the others not only in style, but also in size. The following advantages of kitchen corners can be highlighted:

• the landing is as comfortable as possible;
• compact, but accommodate more people;
• multifunctional (can act as a sleeping place, have drawers for storage).

Most often, it is the kitchen corner that becomes the best option for sleeping space, especially in a small kitchen.

Folding bed

If previously a folding bed was something from the world of fantasy, now such options are becoming more and more common in ordinary apartments. The only negative is that it takes up a lot of space along the wall. But in any case, this is less than what an armchair or sofa corner would take.

There are more creative ways to arrange a sleeping area in the kitchen. For example, large pillows, poufs, shelves and even kitchen benches.

Of course, such options are used only for temporary overnight accommodation, for example, for guests. For greater comfort, you can put a mattress or at least a soft blanket on top.

The sofa turns into a folding bed in the minimalist kitchen

Which upholstery to choose

The color of the furniture must certainly be in harmony with the chosen style of the kitchen interior, without going out of its way. It is also necessary that the chosen material is extremely practical - easy to clean, does not absorb odors, and does not deteriorate from moisture and temperature changes. You can see in the photo how the design of a small kitchen changes depending on the texture and shades of the sofa upholstery.

The right upholstery is the one that fits perfectly into the kitchen design

Tapestry or jacquard

This upholstery looks very elegant and beautiful, and the variety of patterns allows you to fit the sofa into almost any interior. However, in the kitchen, jacquard fabrics or tapestries are not the best option. Although they are very durable, it is not recommended to wash them - dry clean only. In addition, with frequent use, the fabric gradually wears out.

A variety of patterns and colors of fabrics will help you choose the perfect sofa for the kitchen

Important! If there are animals in the apartment, their claws will quickly make the jacquard or tapestry unsightly.

Flock fabric

This material adapts well to kitchen conditions. The fabric does not allow water to pass through, and due to Teflon impregnation, it is easily washed off from stains. Dirt and dust do not accumulate on the flock, and the upholstery can withstand high temperatures. Flock surfaces are even resistant to the claws of dogs and cats. Another distinctive feature of this upholstery is that it is hypoallergenic and the material is environmentally friendly.

Flock fabric is very soft to the touch and looks great as upholstery for a kitchen sofa.

Velor upholstery

Beautiful soft fabric that does not deform over time. However, a fleecy surface is more difficult to clean from stains, and the seats and armrests will wear out quickly. In addition, when choosing a sofa with velor upholstery for a small kitchen, you should inspect the quality of the seams in advance. If the stitching is bad, the fabric will quickly come apart at the seams.

Soft velor will give you a comfortable sleep on a cozy kitchen sofa

Leather

Synthetic suede, also known as microfiber, is well suited for the kitchen due to its qualities. This material is durable, resistant to moisture, does not deform over time, and is also easy to clean from stains and dust.

The corner design fits perfectly into the interior of a small kitchen space

Genuine leather is a practical option. This material will last a very long time, and leather upholstery is easy to care for and is not afraid of water and high temperatures. Despite the fact that the leather is not distinguished by a wealth of ornaments, the palette of shades is quite diverse. The disadvantage of leather sofas in the kitchen is their high price. However, leather is a material whose cost should not be saved - it is a guarantee of high quality.

Leather upholstery is ideal for classic, expensive kitchen interiors

Important! Leather furniture should not be placed next to the stove; in addition, cigarette marks remain on the upholstery.

What to pay attention to

There are a few more nuances that you need to pay attention to in order to choose the ideal sleeping place:

• size of the room - if a kitchen corner or sofa when folded takes up most of the room, then such furniture can be called comfortable, but it will not be a suitable solution;
• layout of the room - it will not be very pleasant to fall asleep to the squelching sounds of the refrigerator;
• a corner sleeping place is considered the best option, but you should only choose it if the layout and size of the room allows it;
• it is worth considering the number of people who will sleep in the place being prepared - this often saves space;
• Options where a sofa or corner bed interferes with cooking are unacceptable;
• it is best to place the furniture in such a way that the door is visible from it, and not the sink with dishes - this will be more pleasant from a psychological point of view;
• when choosing new furniture, you need to take into account the overall style of the room;
• materials must be hygienic, that is, they should be slow to get dirty and easy to clean.

The color range is practically unlimited. A sofa or corner can either merge with the wall or serve as the main contrast in the room.

A small couch as a sleeping place for rare guests in a country-style kitchen

What is important to consider when choosing

In order not to be mistaken with the dimensions of a kitchen sofa for a small kitchen, you need to correctly measure the area where it will be located:

• Consider the shape of the back, as well as the dimensions of the side parts;
• Instead of curved backrests, it is better to choose straight ones; they take up less space;
• Sofas without armrests are more compact;
• If the kitchen is small and there is a need for a folding sofa, you need to make sure that there is enough space;
• In a small area, calculations must be as accurate as possible down to the centimeter.

A roll-out sofa can be placed in a small space

It is much more practical to select models with additional functions, for example, with drawers under the seat or built-in shelves. Various types of small sofas for the kitchen are presented in the photo below.

This sofa has a narrow sleeping bed, but there is so much space for storing useful things.

Zoning

Finding a place and choosing furniture is half the battle. Now you need to fit it correctly into the overall interior of the kitchen, namely, think about the correct zoning to separate the recreation area from the work area, otherwise you may end up with an oversaturated design.

At least visually, the sofa should be separate from the work area. There are several ways to achieve this effect.

1. If the area of ​​the room allows, then a bar counter is installed next to the bed. If this is not possible, then it can be replaced by a small folding table, which will be removed at night. Zoning with furniture is the simplest and most effective option that will separate the rest and sleep area from the working area.
2. If there is not enough space for additional furniture, zoning can be done using different heights in the room. To do this, the bed is placed on a pedestal or steps. In fact, it will still be one room, but visually it will be divided into two zones that are completely different in functionality.

3. If a sofa with a high back is chosen as a sleeping place, then the easiest zoning option is to place the furniture with its back to the set and the work area . But this option is only suitable for large rooms, for example, in a studio or kitchen-living room.
4. Another option to visually separate different zones is use a regular curtain for this. Only for such cases you need to look for a mixed fabric, since it is these types of fabrics that are most practical: they do not absorb dirt, do not fade and are easy to wash.

5. Last but not least, the way to zone a space is to use light . According to the rules, each individual zone must have its own lighting source. In this case, the following zones are distinguished:

• working;
• lunch;
• bedroom

The dining room is considered the main one, so it is above it that the main source of lighting is hung - for example, a chandelier. The working and sleeping areas are highlighted with spotlights such as sconces, floor lamps or LED lamps.

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.

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Comments (3)

1. Autumn 02 Sep 2022 at 14:15

   Sofas, of course, in the kitchen are not a very interesting option, but if the kitchen is a living room, then it might turn out great. That's where the sofa fits. But I just like everything to be in the same style. Here at the Beaver factory we found just such a thing. It's called Gloria, a complete set for both the kitchen and the living room. Both beautiful and good.

   Answer

2. Alisa Yuryevna Sep 30, 2022 at 07:18 pm

   And my sofa is in the kitchen, but I have a one-room apartment, so my husband and I sleep in the kitchen, twins in the room. But we have a good kitchen, with a loggia. It was insulated and simply became part of the kitchen; a sofa was placed there, and it turned out to be a mini-living room adjacent to the kitchen. By the way, the Bobr factory helped us make this option - the on-site designer did a great job. And Osenka is right, models for kitchen-living rooms appeared there, so we ordered one for ourselves there, only Katrin and with a bar counter, we got a little zoning.

   Answer

3. Asya November 19, 2022 at 10:10

   And I’m generally against sleeping places in the kitchen. The kitchen should be a kitchen, especially a small one, otherwise the sofa eats up a lot of space. By the way, we have already mentioned the Bobr furniture factory above. We ordered a kitchen there in Japanese minimalism in Tokyo. The designer even suggested an interesting option for us with a dining table, since the kitchen is small, a low table and pillows do not take up much space =)

   Answer

Selection of furniture for different styles

It is important to choose furniture that fits perfectly into the interior. This applies not only to color or size, but also to kitchen design. The following tips will help you properly add a sleeping space to your interior.

How to decide on a color scheme

Shades, ornaments and shapes of furniture should visually expand the space, which is very important for small rooms. It’s better to think through all the options and colors before renovating. In a small kitchen, you should avoid finishing with large ornaments; against the background of light walls or a small pattern, the furniture does not look so bulky. A kitchen with a sofa in shades of green as in the next photo will look energetic.

If the walls are decorated in dark or contrasting shades, kitchen sofas should be in neutral colors: white, gray, beige, coffee or pastel colors. If the entire kitchen is made in dark colors, you should think carefully about the lighting. The darker the furniture is, the more light there should be in the room. Otherwise, a small kitchen risks becoming even smaller visually.

Important! Glossy surfaces and LED lighting will visually increase the space.

When arranging furniture in a small area, it is worth considering the presence of household appliances. It is better to purchase built-in equipment, this will allow you to use your workspace more efficiently. To decide on the choice of colors when thinking through the design of a kitchen with a sofa, you can look at the selection of photos.

Rules of care

Any sofa, couch or folding bed, regardless of the material, will have to be carefully looked after, since the kitchen is a place with difficult conditions. The appearance of furniture and even its service life depend on quality care. There are several rules:

• the sleeping place should not be located next to heating devices, for example, a stove or radiator - this is not only a concern for the appearance of the upholstery, but also a fire safety requirement;
• even if the upholstery fabric is moisture resistant, you should not specifically check this by spilling different liquids;

• each upholstery material requires a special product - it is better not to skimp on it, and also make sure that the composition does not contain bleach;
• it is necessary to periodically clean the sleeping area using a steam generator or at least a vacuum cleaner;
• when a stain occurs, apply the cleaning agent first to the sponge, then to the stain;
• It’s better not to experiment with removable covers, but to dry clean them immediately;
• You should avoid direct sunlight on the upholstery - there is a risk that it will fade;
• Natural leather requires periodic treatment with special oily products using a soft cloth, as well as maintaining the level of humidity.

If you follow all the rules, the appearance of the furniture will remain presentable for a long time, which is important in a kitchen.

Layout examples

Sometimes it is difficult to imagine arranging a sleeping area in a particular kitchen. The examples below will help spark your imagination.

Kitchen area 9 sq. meters

Example 1. In the center of the kitchen-living room, behind a partition from the work area, there is a roll-out chair that can be transformed into a single bed if necessary. During the daytime, the chair can be used as a relaxation area with a coffee table located nearby. The dining group is located separately. If desired, the table or chair can be moved towards each other.

Kitchen area 10 sq. m. with sleeping place for two people

Example 2. There is a corner sofa in the corner. Even when fully opened, it will not create strong obstacles to movement around the kitchen. The sofa is located near the window and the balcony door; on the other side of the balcony door there is a dining group for two people. In ] kitchens 10 sq. m.[/anchor] there is even room left for an island.

Example 3. Large kitchen 12 sq. m. is divided into two zones - work and rest. Zoning is done using a bar counter and an additional curtain. The sleeping place is represented by a separate chair-bed. If desired, it folds out and the coffee table moves away.

Example 4. In this case, a kitchen of 11 square meters is presented. m. The corner arrangement of the headset was completed. In the corner opposite from the sink there is a narrow double sofa-transformer (the diagram shows its unfolded state). The dining group has to be moved to the side if you want to use a sleeping place - this option is suitable for a rare overnight stay. It is worth noting that the sofa is not close to the wall, but next to the radiator - perhaps we should have thought about moving it a little closer to the headset.

Example 5. In this layout there is a very interesting solution that deserves attention - a folding bar counter: during the day you can work or eat here, and in the evening a sliding sofa will take its place. An excellent option for a small studio apartment, but not suitable for a family of three or more people.

Example 6. This layout proves that even in a kitchen of 7 square meters. m. you can arrange a sleeping place. The only note is that it is not advisable to place the stove next to the sink. But you can use a washing machine. It’s even better to move the washing machine into the bathroom, replacing it with a dishwasher. But not all housewives will like the fact that there is little space left for the work area and storage of kitchen utensils.

Example 7. This layout shows all the possibilities of folding furniture. During the day in the kitchen there is a large table that can accommodate the whole family, and in the evening the sofa can be folded out. The table, on the contrary, folds and removes. There is another controversial point in this layout - the location of the sink. Because of it, the working area in the corner is practically inaccessible. It makes sense to move the sink there, or cover the washing machine and dishwasher with a countertop.

Example 8. This layout resembles the previous one - even the sofa is the same. But this time, instead of the typical Soviet folding table, familiar to every resident of the CIS, you can find a folding version attached to the wall. This is a very modern solution that allows you to quickly and effortlessly change the layout of the room.