Design of a small kitchen 5 sq. m: choosing a style and design tips

Correct layout option

The main task of the designer is to fit in the working and dining areas in the kitchen, if possible. This is done in several ways.

The most popular are 2 of them:

• arrangement of furniture in the letter L;
• linear layout.

In the first case, the rule of the so-called working triangle is involved. Here one of the corners of the kitchen and 2 walls are used. Near them you can conveniently place a sink, stove and refrigerator. However, the kitchen set will have to be replaced with a bar counter or a small table designed for 2 people.

Linear (straight) layout helps save some usable space. However, it is not as comfortable as the L-shaped one. The hostess will have to constantly move along the line.

An undoubted advantage of placing furniture along one line is the ability to install a dining table (for 3-4 people) in the kitchen.

Sometimes it happens that the room is used exclusively for cooking, and the dining area is moved outside of it.

In such cases, the kitchen layout is U-shaped or double-row:

• If you arrange furniture in the shape of the letter U, then all the necessary items will be at hand. But this layout looks good in a square kitchen.

• Furniture in 2 rows is an ideal option for arranging a narrow room. On one side there is a stove, a sink, a table for cooking, and a dishwasher. The other is designed for the refrigerator, oven and microwave.

Expert opinion

Olga Kovalenko

Since 2010 I have been engaged in interior design and architectural design.

In both cases, the distance between pieces of furniture should be at least 90 cm.

Space layout

The kitchen is the family gathering place. In a small room, the owner’s needs must be taken into account, and every thing must be in its place. With this approach, even in a small apartment you can create a room with an excellent design that will be pleasant to be in.

For a room with an area of ​​only 3 square meters, it is better to buy modern furniture. For example, a correctly chosen set, even in a kitchen cabinet, will not take up much space, but will still allow you to place a sufficient number of different storage modules. In the photo above you can see an example of the ideal layout of a small room.

Before purchasing a headset or equipment, you should definitely take preliminary measurements of the length and width of the room and make at least a schematic drawing. It is worth thinking about which items are necessary in the design of the room and which are not. If space is limited, you have to choose between installing a dishwasher or an oven.

For owners of narrow and long kitchens, it makes sense to refuse to install a door, and instead leave only an arch. This technique will visually expand the space a little.

When planning a straight kitchen with a refrigerator, it is important to follow the principle of the “working triangle” in design. It would be nice if it was isosceles. With this aspect ratio, it is convenient for the housewife to cook and move between three key points in the kitchen.

Direct kitchen

For a straight kitchen measuring 3 square meters. m should choose an L-shaped layout. The design of the corner set is convenient because it is quite spacious and also increases the usable area of ​​the room. But it will cost more than the linear option.

The short side of the L-shaped layout can be turned into a work area, and the perpendicular wall can be used to install a refrigerator, stove, or sink.

A single-row layout is also suitable for a small room. It involves placing furniture and equipment along one wall. But a linear kitchen is quite impractical and leaves little space, so this type of layout is rarely used.

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Corner kitchen 3 meters long

A corner kitchen with an area of ​​3 meters has disadvantages:

• it is difficult to choose a suitable set; you often have to make it to order, which results in big expenses;
• The sink is often placed in the corner, which is not very convenient.

Kitchen finishing 5 sq. m

Walls, ceilings and floors are decorated in several ways. The main thing is that they combine harmoniously with each other.

A variety of materials can be used in the process:

• Vinyl wallpaper and decorative plaster. For kitchen renovation 5 sq. It’s better to choose light shades. This is a good idea for an interior in classic, art deco, Provence and country styles.

• Ceramic tile. Not suitable for finishing the entire kitchen, as it visually reduces the space. Typically used for work area equipment.

• Decorative concrete. Ideal for interiors in high-tech and minimalist style. The surface can be painted in any color you like (preferably light). Another option is to leave it without a decorative coating. The result will be industrial design.

• Water-based and acrylic paint. It is practical and comes in a variety of colors. Suitable for almost all interiors, regardless of the size of the kitchen.

With the help of finishing materials you can not only create a certain style, but also visually change the area of ​​the room.

A number of design techniques will help to increase it:

• Floor tiles laid diagonally will “pull apart” the walls. The same goes for laminate flooring. An alternative is herringbone styling.

• Wallpaper with a diamond pattern or vertical stripes will “raise” the ceiling in low kitchens. However, you should be careful here. A large number of such elements narrows the room. A good option is plain wallpaper without a print. A large and colorful pattern can be placed on only one wall.

• A perspective image, for example, a street going into the distance or a road in the forest, will visually make the kitchen larger.

An interesting design solution is to decorate the work area with brick or glass tiles. These materials make the room more airy and light.

Kitchen design 5 - 6 square meters. Comfort in a limited area

Miniature kitchens can be enjoyed not only by Soviet-era housing, but also by quite modern apartments or country houses. Sometimes studio-type cooking spaces are deliberately made smaller to make the dining and living room more spacious. This solution is appropriate when the housewife does not devote whole days to standing at the stove, and the family does not eat exclusively home-cooked dishes. If the design of a kitchen with a small area is rational and ergonomic, it will be no less comfortable than a room of 20 or more square meters.

Choosing a color palette

When choosing a shade, it is important to remember the color combination.

Design recommendations:

• Warm colors create a dynamic interior. It is better to use those that are in the same range.

• Cool tones are peace, serenity, calm and lightness.

• Neutral and bright colors are used to highlight individual parts of the kitchen: facade, floor, parts of walls or decorative elements.

It is noteworthy that each shade has exceptional properties and characteristics. It depends on them how comfortable your stay in the kitchen will be.

• Green. Helps cope with depression, calms, gives a feeling of security, and improves mood. This color has a good effect on the process of food digestion.

• Yellow. Ideal for creative people. According to designers, it is better to dilute it with orange, blue, white or wenge.

• Red. Increases appetite, increases activity and excites. However, it absorbs light, irritates and sometimes repels.

• Blue. More suitable for those kitchens whose windows face south. Not used alone, as it suppresses and depresses, lowers pulse and appetite. Pairs with orange, coral and yellow.

• Blue refreshes the interior and calms. It also helps to organize yourself and normalize your emotional state.

• Violet gives a feeling of mysticism, reduces performance and provokes the development of a feeling of fatigue. In order to avoid such an influence, it is diluted with gold, olive or yellow.

• Orange. It evokes only good emotions, gives a boost of energy, and improves appetite. However, it significantly narrows the space.

• Brown and its derivatives, for example, beige, are considered universal and are suitable for almost all styles and interiors.

• White also helps to calm and relax. However, such a kitchen requires bright accents.

Very often the color black is used in the interior. Caution must be exercised here as it is depressing, depressing and depressing. It is better to dilute it with other shades.

Horizontal stripes of orange, yellow or scarlet visually expand a narrow room. And vertical olive or pistachio shades raise the ceilings.

In the arrangement of a small kitchen of 5 sq. It is advisable to use natural tones. You can, of course, choose bright (even acidic) colors. However, you need to show a sense of proportion and not forget about their proper combination.

Color solutions and decorative elements

To make the space seem wider, white is ideal. But for the kitchen this is a dubious choice, since it will be very difficult to maintain cleanliness and order. And it will be more reminiscent of a ward in a surgical department than a place where the whole family gathers in the evenings. For this reason, it is better to opt for light pastel shades when decorating the walls and ceiling.

The color of the headset can be either neutral (light or dark), or bright and saturated.

If you still pluck up the courage and choose white as the main color, then you have a huge scope for imagination, because it can be combined with absolutely any shades.

Colors that are best combined with white in the interior of a small kitchen:

• Pearl grey;
• Baby blue;
• Spring green or light green;
• Yellow.

In such an interior, flowers in white pots placed on the windowsill will be excellent decorative elements. You can enhance the spring-summer theme by installing a kitchen apron with a delicate floral pattern or a bright print.

It's not as expensive as it might seem, but you will be sure that the design of your kitchen is 5 sq. m. m is unique, thanks to your imagination.

If cream, beige or light gray are chosen as the main shade, you can dilute them with bright accents: sofa cushions, colorful curtains or upholstery of a corner sofa.

Taking into account the size of the kitchen, it is better to choose decorative elements so that they are not only beautiful, but also useful. Each part must perform certain functions. Therefore, use as accessories:

• Dishes: original plates or cups can be placed on open shelves;
• Unusually decorated jars with winter preparations;
• Hang a spice rack in the work area;
• An interesting decorative element can be the ornament on the facades of the entire furnishings;
• Fresh flowers in neat pots;
• Potholders, towels and mittens.

The main rule: do not clutter the kitchen, which is already loaded with necessary items, with unnecessary little things.

They can be cute and evoke pleasant memories, but in a small room, instead of an atmosphere of comfort and warmth, they will create chaos and disorder.

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Tricks for visually increasing space

Designers have dozens of projects that help make a small kitchen seem larger. Some of them relate to color design. Others use furniture and decorative elements.

• A small kitchen can be combined with an adjacent room, for example, a living room or hallway. To do this, they are covered with the same wallpaper or painted in the same colors. The rooms remain separate. However, visually it seems that this is a single space.

• Many different drawings and images tire the eyes and create a cluttering effect. If you can’t do without them, then it’s better to let them be pale or in the same color scheme as the rest of the interior.

• When decorating, it is not recommended to use more than three shades. Simple design and a minimum of contrasting details make the room more spacious.

• It is also better to choose light furniture. Only in this case it will not seem bulky and too massive. The ideal option is a set in the same color as the walls.

• Don't try to install more furniture. Items must be spacious and functional. Small details create a cluttered effect and make the kitchen appear smaller than it is.

• Transparent furniture, such as a glass table or bar counter, as well as plastic chairs, will help increase the space. They look lighter than stools made of wood or metal.

• You can save usable space by installing a round or folding dining table.
• It's good if one of the items is higher than the rest. It accents the look and raises the ceiling.

• As for textiles, they must be used with caution. For example, curtains should frame the window and not completely cover it. Do not use printed images. It is better to replace them with a material with a textured or woven pattern.

• An alternative to curtains is blinds or Roman blinds in pastel colors. They will distract the eye from the size of the room, and also make the light soft and diffused.

• It is recommended to use fewer different materials and textures. Simplicity expands space.

• Doors are removed or replaced with glass (sliding options).

Expert opinion

Olga Kovalenko

Since 2010 I have been engaged in interior design and architectural design.

A corner table will help save space in a small kitchen. Under it there is often a place to store useful little things. To do this, cover it with a long tablecloth.

How to fit household appliances into the interior?

A hundred years ago, work on decorating a kitchen was simpler, since there was no need to install so many appliances that have become firmly established in the life of modern people. Numerous microwave ovens, multicookers, blenders and toasters make the routine duties of home residents easier, but also create additional troubles when working on a design project.

The issues of storing and placing all useful equipment are especially acute when the kitchen area is small.

There are several ways to solve this problem.

• Purchase of multifunctional equipment. If one device combines several useful functions, this undoubtedly creates additional free space in a small kitchen. The big disadvantage of such equipment is its fairly high cost, so not every family can afford such purchases.
• Built-in technology. The dimensions of a built-in dishwasher, oven or microwave are smaller than usual, but this does not prevent them from successfully performing their functions.
• Hob with two or three burners. A significant portion of families do not need more, especially since many use an electric kettle or coffee maker. This reduced panel frees up space for an additional work surface.

The working surface must be between the stove and the sink. Its width should be from 80 to 120 cm.

See alsoCeiling design in the kitchen: possibilities of facing materials

Successful transformation of a 5-meter kitchen

How comfortable a room will be depends on many factors. One of them is arranging the necessary items, for example, furniture and household appliances. These include a refrigerator, stove, oven, sink, microwave, cabinets, and table.

Many people also install a washing machine in the kitchen. With this set of elements, a maximum of 2 people can be in the room. Therefore, you should remove those things that you can do without. A refrigerator can be placed, for example, in the living room, and a washing machine in the bathroom.

It is important to pay attention to the dimensions of equipment and furniture. A good option is long, but narrow hanging cabinets and cabinets.

There are other ways to transform small rooms:

• replace the window sill with a countertop or even a sink;
• put indoor flowers on shelves;
• make a redevelopment, demolish some of the walls.

You can also install one or a couple of small windows in the next room. They are usually decorated with colored glass and decorative elements such as candlesticks and photo frames.

Photo of interior design of a small kitchen.

Refrigerator in a small kitchen

In the design of a small kitchen there are several options for placing a refrigerator. Most often this is the corner farthest from the entrance, formed by a wall with and without a window.

There are other examples:

• At the entrance near the door. If the layout is successful, there may also be a corner or niche there. If space allows, a microwave and cabinets are also placed here.

• Remodel by combining the kitchen with the living room. At the same time, part of the wall is left for the refrigerator.

• Under a countertop, window sill or in a closet. This option is suitable for products with a height of no more than 85 cm. They are either free-standing or built-in. If possible, install the freezer in the same way.

• Into an artificially created niche. Usually it is hollowed out between the kitchen and the next room. Drywall is used for decoration.

• A convenient option is to install a refrigerator in a pantry or hallway. In the second case, it is disguised as a closet.

• If the kitchen has access to a loggia or balcony, you can put household appliances there. It is important that these rooms are well insulated. Many designers combine all of the listed rooms into a single space. Then the refrigerator will always be in direct access.

It is worth remembering that such equipment does not tolerate proximity to heating devices. Therefore, it cannot be placed next to the oven and stove. Minimum distance 30 cm.

Kitchen interior in a Khrushchev building with a gas water heater

The kitchen area in typical Khrushchev-era apartments is about 5.75 square meters. m. Therefore, when arranging it, all the above recommendations will be suitable.

However, there is also a feature that is typical specifically for “Khrushchev” apartments - this is a gas water heater located in the kitchen, which can significantly spoil the impression of the interior as a whole.

Moving such equipment is not always possible, so the “lucky” owners try to somehow disguise it, for example, by hiding it in a wall cabinet.

But this is not the only way out. The column does not have to be hidden from prying eyes if the kitchen is decorated in a retro style. Household appliances from the past can become the “highlight” of the interior. And modern analogues of the legendary water heater - hot water boilers - will look great among white furniture in the Art Nouveau or loft style.

Attention: the transfer or replacement of gas equipment must be carried out only with the permission of specialists and under their supervision.

Kitchen design in Khrushchev 6 sq m with a gas water heater, photo:

Lighting for a small kitchen

Small lamps installed under wall cabinets and shelves or along the perimeter of the ceiling are suitable for the working kitchen area. It would be better if they were rotating. In this case, the housewife will be able to direct the light where she needs it.

Another convenient option is LED strips, also installed under the cabinets. However, it is worth remembering that this is additional lighting that has nothing to do with the main one.

Expert opinion

Olga Kovalenko

Since 2010 I have been engaged in interior design and architectural design.

For the dining area, a medium-sized chandelier located above the table is suitable. You can install several products of different lengths. This will create an unusual and at the same time cozy atmosphere.

To equip lighting in a small kitchen, several types of lamps are used:

• ordinary incandescent lamps;
• luminescent;
• LED light sources.

The last 2 products have a long service life and significantly save energy.

Modern trends in the design of small kitchens with photos

And in conclusion, interesting ideas for decorating small kitchens in different styles that are relevant in 2021. As can be seen from most examples, eclecticism with a minimalist slant is in fashion today.

Small kitchen design photos

Small kitchen design can be stylish and functional. This is not difficult to achieve. It is enough to pay due attention to the color design and arrangement of furniture and household appliances.

interior of the apartment, interior design.

Even a small kitchen with an area of ​​no more than 5 square meters. m can be convenient. Using a number of design techniques, it can be visually made airy and spacious.

A competent combination of shades, the use of the “right” textiles and finishing materials, oversized equipment - all this makes it possible to get a comfortable room in which the necessary things will be at hand.

Design tricks

Some useful tips that will help you create a truly successful and comfortable interior.

• Use mirror, glass and glossy surfaces as much as possible - a small kitchen will seem larger.
• Don't play with contrasting colors. Prefer smooth transitions from one shade to another.
• If there are niches, hang open shelves there.

Modern designs for small kitchens are very democratic; you can use any desired style from classic, Scandinavian, to country and hi-tech.

Laconic furniture, built-in appliances, a minimum of details and accessories, carefully selected lighting and proper use of every centimeter will turn a tiny kitchen into a room in which functional requirements are harmoniously combined with beauty and comfort.

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