The layout of the kitchen in the form of the letter “P” implies the arrangement of furniture on three sides. This layout is very ergonomic. If the kitchen is small, you should abandon the dining area and opt for a bar counter.
What is a U-shaped kitchen?
The U-shaped kitchen is located along three walls, in the shape of the letter “U”. Which walls to use for this (including those bordering the window) are chosen by the owner, to his taste.
However, there are some rules that should be followed.
Small area
The main disadvantage of the U-shaped layout in a small kitchen is that there is no space left for the dining area. In this case, you can do it in different ways:
- design one of the sides as a bar counter so that you can eat there;
- if there is a balcony, insulate it and replace the double-glazed window with a “peninsula”;
- if the wall is not load-bearing, demolish it and put a “peninsula” there;
- use the window sill;
- abandon the idea of a U-shaped layout.
If you really want, you can make such a layout in a small kitchen, for example, in a Khrushchev-era building. To do this, the depth of the headset should be reduced to 35–40 centimeters on at least one side.
Use trapezoidal cabinets at the entrance so as not to hit the corner when entering and exiting. The set should be tall; it is advisable to use more tall cabinets with built-in appliances, for example, a microwave.
Layout features
These modules have strengths and weaknesses.
- A U-shaped kitchen becomes a decoration of the home and allows you to realize the most daring design ideas.
- It is suitable for almost any style, from classic to modern.
- There is only one exception: the “country” style; in its setting with rural motifs, the kitchen set does not fit.
- Large rooms are ideal for the design and any color is suitable.
- The models have good capacity: all utensils are conveniently distributed among numerous drawers and cabinets.
- It's easy to plan so that the things you need are always at hand.
However, there are several limitations.
Such projects are intended for large kitchens, because they occupy a significant part of them. If the available area is less than 11 square meters. meters (or the space is narrow), it is recommended to look for other options.
- The exception to the rule is a studio apartment. Here the dining table is usually placed in the living room, and the kitchen is used only for cooking.
- Buying such a kit is an expensive pleasure. After all, it will require more materials than conventional headsets.
Another nuance is the so-called “dead” corners (places on turns). To use them, pull-out shelves, “carousels” and similar fittings are used. Their high cost is combined with insufficient reliability (they can break).
Kitchen combined with living room
This neighborhood is very convenient. Typically, with this layout, the kitchen is limited only to cooking and storing food, and the living room serves as a dining area.
Some housewives are not satisfied with this arrangement of rooms, since the combined rooms must be decorated in the same style or have some unifying interior elements.
Kitchen layout, professional advice:
- Do not place bulky objects close to the exit.
- Do not abuse the disconnection of the kitchen unit in parts.
- Pay attention to the placement of pipes, wires, etc. They should either be hidden or decorated in such a way that they become part of the interior.
Preparation
When planning a U-shaped kitchen, the following parameters are taken into account:
- Area and shape of the kitchen;
- Location of windows, doors;
- Places where communications pass;
- Placement of equipment.
The desktop is made with a width of 0.7 m. But for the drawers to open conveniently, another 30 cm is required. In total, the working area from each of the three walls will be 1 m.
There should be a distance of at least 0.9 m between the edges of the kitchen set (preferably 1.2 m). This will provide the necessary comfort and avoid accidental injuries.
There is a “triangle” rule, where space is divided into three areas:
- Initial food processing area (this includes the countertop and sink);
- Cooking space (stove, oven);
- Storage area for tools and products (cabinets, shelves, refrigerator).
This ensures convenience in cooking, free access to the necessary ingredients and equipment.
Kitchen work triangle
This is the name of the space used for the housewife’s work. The vertices of this triangle are the main components of the kitchen: sink, refrigerator and stove.
The convenience of being in the work triangle directly depends on the distance between these components: the smaller it is, the more comfortable it is.
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As experts have found, the ideal distance between the sink and the stove is from 120 to 180 centimeters, and between the sink and the refrigerator is up to 2.1 meters.
Design with window
A U-shaped kitchen with a window has a number of features. The homeowner should consider how necessary such a layout is.
If this project is implemented, two problems will arise:
- Window glass will be difficult to clean;
- It is difficult to insert mosquito nets.
In typical apartments, complications with the countertop are added:
- It turns out to be higher than the window sill;
- If a heating radiator passes under the window, the kitchen countertop will block the heat flow (the temperature in the room will drop).
In the first case, a sink is installed instead of a work surface (water pipes will need to be installed).
The second incompatibility can be solved by providing slots in the body of the table top, this will ensure the passage of warm air.
If there is a tight and inconvenient passage, use a narrower and sloping set
If one side of the set is located close to the doorway and makes it difficult to enter the room, it can and should be narrowed a little - up to 45 cm. This solution is not only relevant, but actually indispensable for small kitchens in which the distance between the sides does not reach 120 cm .
Photo: home-designing.com
Bar counter
This design is used instead of a separate table. Sitting at it, it is convenient to have a light snack; on average, it serves two people.
The recommended height of the product is up to 1.1 m. Placed either on the edge of the kitchen or opposite the window.
It is important to understand the practicality of the chosen option. A U-shaped kitchen with a bar counter is suitable under two conditions:
- A small family (two people) lives in the apartment;
- The living room has plenty of space for family events.
Who chooses?
U-shaped kitchens are equipped by owners of square or rectangular kitchens, whose width ranges from 2.4 to 3.2 meters. Also, this idea can be safely taken up by those whose height from the floor to the window sill is 85-90 cm.
And also, in the case of combining the kitchen and living room, this option for arranging furniture is undoubtedly advantageous.
In such a situation, the presented layout increases the comfort of all family members.
"Island"
This model is an additional table. Can be of any shape: square, rectangle, with rounded corners. You can either cook or dine on it. Placed only in large rooms (more than 20 sq. m).
Plays the role of a decorative element. They can fill visually empty space. Additionally, it is decorated with antique utensils (items are placed on the wall, above the table).
There are two-tier projects. Their lower level (height - 0.76 m) is convenient for kneading dough, the upper level (0.9 m) is for slicing.
IMPORTANT. When placing an island, it is important to maintain color harmony with the rest of the furniture. The item is made from materials corresponding to the set.
Small apartments
Miniature U-shaped kitchens are popular in studios.
- Feature: The role of the third wall is played by the space between the living room and kitchen.
- There are no upper cabinets and shelves in this option.
- All necessary things are placed in the lower compartments.
ON A NOTE. If the living room and kitchen are separated by a partition, then it will have to be demolished. It is necessary to take into account the position of the wall: very often there is a load-bearing slab above it.
Strive for symmetry and focus on the center of the headset
In order for the kitchen design to look neat and noble, it is necessary to ensure symmetry in the layout and beautifully emphasize its center. If you have the opportunity to use this method without sacrificing convenience, by all means do so. The center can be a hood over the stove or a sink with a beautiful chandelier.
Photo: cremafriends.com
Sofa
It is useful and convenient to add a corner sofa to the project. It is often combined with a dining table and placed at the end of the kitchen.
Another option is a transforming sofa. It will additionally provide a place for rest; it has storage shelves.
The dining table is often chosen to have a folding design. This saves space: The compact model is convenient to store, it unfolds easily and quickly if guests come.
Advantages and disadvantages
As in any matter, you need to sensibly evaluate all the advantages and disadvantages of the activity being carried out, especially with regard to the acquisition of such durable and significant objects as a kitchen set.
Due to the fact that it is difficult to carry out such an analysis on your own, and sales consultants can rarely be objective, the following analysis will be especially useful to you.
Recommendations
The design of a U-shaped kitchen can be improved in various ways. To visually enlarge the kitchen, the main part of the set is selected in white with a glossy surface. This color can be diluted with colored fabrics above the workplace.
When cabinets of flashy colors are chosen, the walls should smooth out the effect - calm, light colors are suitable for them.
U-shaped modules are demanding on lighting. Light sources can be enhanced with LED lamps, spotlights, sconces and other small devices.
The bulkiness of furniture is reduced in two ways:
- Large upper cabinets are replaced with compact pencil cases;
- The interior uses a variety of open shelves.
If all the above conditions are met, then the kitchen will turn from an ordinary place for preparing dishes into a real designer decoration that pleases the eye. It will be a pleasure not only to dine here, but also to socialize, spend time with your family or a group of friends. Photos of a U-shaped kitchen demonstrate a variety of solutions and possibilities.
What's the best way to arrange a small kitchen?
A U-shaped set in a small apartment is suitable for people who want to use the space to the maximum. This layout allows you to organize spacious storage, a spacious work area and supply all the necessary equipment. A table as part of a set (on a windowsill/as a bar counter) will save space if it is impossible to move it to another room.
To prevent upper cabinets from overloading a small room, make them narrow and elongated. And the tone in the color of the walls will “dissolve” them in space. Or completely replace them with open shelves; in a small kitchen they are even more practical due to the absence of doors.
You can visually enlarge a room using light shades, and bright or dark accents can help decorate it.
