The prolonged wait for the moment when there will be funds, time and opportunities to make a “dream kitchen” can become a bone of contention and a serious test of strength for the whole family. Fortunately, there are life hacks and small tricks of the kitchen design, which make it more comfortable and functional even without global alteration and large-scale costs. These tricks will change your kitchen beyond recognition.
How to equip a more modern and comfortable kitchen in an apartment or private house? Look for answers and ideas in our material and photo selection!
Rational use of space
In most cases, the footage of the kitchen is a sore subject. In addition to daily everyday troubles, the space cluttered and devoid of air makes an oppressive impression. Let's try to solve the problem by rethinking the space and its contents. You will have to start with the “revision”: rarely used dishes and utensils, bulky household appliances, which are turned on no more than once a year, or decor and trinkets that have not caused pleasant associations for a long time, but only annoyance when they are tucked into the most unsuccessful arm moment, must leave the kitchen space. The task is simple - to leave only the most necessary.
What will go into the trash and what will remain in the house is up to you, but a small parting word: you should not thoughtlessly shove what has not entered the kitchen, cabinets and sideboards, onto the balcony or taken to the country house. Thus, the problem of cluttering up will not be solved, but simply will change the place of deployment. The main principle here is less sentiment, more rationalism. Do you use a coffee machine every day? Then she must definitely make a corner! A bulky food processor with many attachments that you have never used, only takes up space? It is better to put it in the pantry, if it is, or give it “in good hands” to those who find it to be used.
The next step is to reconsider the usual arrangement of furniture and make the layout more rational. Benefits should bring every square meter of the kitchen. We use corners to install a kitchen sink, corner storage system or organize a small dining area with a corner seat. Under the corner sofa seat you can make a small storage system for rarely used utensils. In a narrow kitchen of a penny type, it is better to place all the technical elements on one wall, and take the other under the dining area, with a folding tabletop or a counter made of furniture board and metal profiles. This solution is organically complemented by several light chairs or stackable stools.
It is important to correctly calculate the load that will fall on the rack or countertop so that it is safe. In a similar way, you can make a folding window sill and use it as a work surface.
The question often arises: how to equip a niche in the kitchen wall, especially with a shortage of usable space. Usually they try to put a cabinet in a niche, but this is not the only and not the most rational solution. Shelves built into a niche or a retractable rack, which can be purchased separately from the kitchen set or made independently, will allow you to store more than different stock items on the same area. A mobile kitchen island with wheels will perfectly fit in the lower part of the niche. It is not difficult to buy such an island, make it to order or make it yourself. It will be used instead of the bottom closed section of kitchen cabinets, but, unlike ordinary floor sections, it has a huge plus - not one, but four sides can be used and it will also be an excellent mobile work surface.
Styles
Choosing a budget, but effective design for the kitchen, it is worth taking a closer look at such styles as: Scandinavian, minimalism and various variations of the modern style with the features of eco, loft or hi-tech. They are suitable for decoration, as a separate room, and a kitchenette in studio and semi-studio apartments. Eclecticism will also be a good stylistic solution for budget repairs in the kitchen. This design will allow you to leave some of the objects from the past interior, but with the right environment and combinations, they will not look out of place or old-fashioned. Unusual planning decisions, family service and modern household appliances get along best in an eclectic design. Eclecticism will help to logically combine vintage and modern details made by one's own hands and acquired pieces of furniture in one space. But it’s worth mentioning right away that this is an insidious style that requires knowledge and good design skills.
Budget and original furniture
In modern kitchens, designers are increasingly abandoning heavyweight kitchen sets with many closed cabinets.