Anton
head of design studio
If the interior design of a kitchen of 13 square meters is as important to you as the overall design of the entire house or apartment, then this article is for you. And it doesn’t matter so much whether your apartment is two-room, three-room, or one-room - the designer’s advice will help you competently carry out renovations and design a 13 sq. m kitchen according to the canons of design art.
This is especially important if you are starting a kitchen renovation for the first time and don’t have any knowledge. But I really want to make even the interior of a 13 sq. m kitchen the most ideal, so that the whole family can gather there. It’s about how to organize the space correctly, even if the kitchen layout is 13 square meters, and you have a one-room apartment, or maybe a two-room apartment, a three-room apartment. It doesn’t matter what size and layout you have, designers and our design studio, Moscow will help you with this. Therefore, sit back and listen, my dear listeners and readers.
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Kitchen layout
Kitchen set shape
If we talk about which kitchen project of 13 sq m to choose in your house or apartment, the shape of the set will be determined by the square footage of the given room, as well as the shape of the room itself. It can be L or U shaped, straight or with an island. So a design project in the kitchen itself with such a square footage can accommodate one or another set, but which one to choose? I will try to tell you all the features of each of them.
Direct kitchen
If the square footage of the room is more than 10 m2, in particular, like our kitchen is 13 meters, then the straight shape of the set is not so convenient to use. And all because the interior of the apartment and the kitchen in particular, with such arrangement of furniture, will form the largest working triangle. This is that space, the figure, the corners of which rest on the stove, refrigerator and sink - its sides are the largest and when preparing even a simple dish, the 13-meter kitchen will seem like a real testing ground to you.
But if the square footage of the room itself is small, if it is, for example, 8-10 m2, but not a kitchen with an area of 13 sq. m, the interior of the room will not allow you to realize all your ideas. I can tell you this as an expert. And here the shape of the set does not play any role - the important task is to place everything necessary for cooking and storing food in a given area. Therefore, resolving such a dilemma can be complex and difficult.
L-shaped (corner) and U-shaped kitchen
And it is this form of headset, in my opinion, that is the most convenient for the housewife. So, the design of a 13 square meter kitchen allows you to put all the necessary furniture, appliances, and everything at hand, and there is no need to think about where exactly to hide all the little things - washing and rags, spices and boards, small appliances. As they say, two in one – convenient and practical.
Kitchen with island
Even if you have a kitchen of 13 sq. m, I can call the design of an apartment with such a set the most unfortunate. And all due to the rupture of the working surface into the main one and the island. Here you can cook something in one area, something else in another. But since we do a lot of things in the kitchen automatically, especially in the early morning, the island remains outside the work area, so to speak, and even if we consciously do something, it is inconvenient due to the large number of unnecessary movements.
I can say that the greater the distance between the sink and the stove, the more convenient the cooking process itself will be. And all due to the main working surface, the length of which should be 90 cm, and it should be completely free of equipment.
With a balcony
The balcony connected to the kitchen allows you to increase the space of the room. You can remove the window frame, insulate the balcony and place a small dining area or bar counter on it.
Kitchen connected to a balcony Source links-stroy.ru
Kitchen design Source dizainexpert.ru
You can also place a small sofa on the additional area for relaxation.
You can extend the kitchen set onto the balcony or place it completely, freeing up space for a dining room or dining-living room.
This idea is suitable for small spaces and one-room apartments. Before starting repairs, you will have to remove all pipes to the balcony.
Placing part of the kitchen unit on the balcony Source nasosov.by
Kitchen design with a balcony Source vplate.ru
Arrangement of equipment in the kitchen
Fridge
The most popular item among households, and most importantly, a requested item in the kitchen, which is optimally placed at the end of the kitchen unit - closer to the table or entrance. If it is a built-in model, it will fit perfectly into a classic or modern style. For loft or Scandinavian style, from the standpoint of competent design, it is optimal to choose a free-standing refrigerator model.
Sink
I recommend placing it in your own kitchen, moving 40-60 cm away from the refrigerator, so that during the cooking process you can take out food and, if necessary, wash it, and if there is no need to wash it, put it directly on the worktop.
Dishwasher
For a small family with only 2-3 people, it is recommended to choose a machine with a width of 45 cm, because it can easily accommodate the entire supply of dishes, cutlery and pots. But when the number of households is larger than this number, then the choice falls on a typewriter 60 centimeters wide. True, I’ll make a clarification right away - it can’t fit into every kitchen room.
Coffee machine
If this is a freestanding coffee machine, then it is optimal to place it on a piece of table between the refrigerator and the sink. Why is this so? And all because you will take water from the water supply, and ground coffee from the refrigerator, where it must be stored according to the rules.
Oven
According to statistics, almost 60% of my clients prefer to place the oven at chest level - this is a comfortable height for the user. And, in my opinion, this is very important, especially if the cabinet itself has installed microwave functions and is often used. If it is strictly an oven, then you can place it under the hob, and in the free space you can put something that is more often used in the family in the kitchen.
Washing machine
If the washing machine does not fit in its dimensions either in the hallway or in the bathroom, it can be placed in a modern kitchen, giving preference to the built-in option. The washing machine stands separately - according to the design rules, it should be covered with a façade that matches the tone of the kitchen unit, making the interior more harmonious and complete.
Hood
The hood stands alone and can be viewed from any angle or location in your kitchen - it would be appropriate in a loft, country or strict classic style. But if this kitchen is made in a modern style, opt for the built-in type. Plus, this way you get additional space for storing all kinds of kitchen utensils and small household appliances.
Hob
When placing it, I advise you to step back from the sink at a distance of 0.9 m, and this is your culinary space where you will create. If a white hob fits harmoniously into your interior, choose it. And all because a dark, black stove is one of the impractical things that could only be invented in the kitchen kingdom.
Chopper
This is something that you will definitely appreciate if you have not used it in everyday life before. So all the remains of soup or porridge, tails from fish and peeling vegetables - the chopper will grind all this in 5-10 seconds, and your trash can will only contain the remains of packaging. As a result, you will not be aware of unpleasant odors from the trash can, as well as the absence of problems with sewer blockages.
Water filter
It is always worth remembering that under the sink itself you should leave enough space for installing a water filter, optimally if it is a reverse osmosis system. Regarding the volume of the system, it all depends on the composition of the family and the volume of water consumed. At the moment, there are faucets equipped with 2 holes - tap water and filtered.
Bay windows
As a rule, bay windows are used for the dining area. However, modern designers often include a work area in them. The last option makes sense when the bay window is deep and spacious enough.
The disadvantage of a bay window is that when working elements are located in it, it is almost impossible to use wall cabinets and railings.
For this reason, most often there is a coffee table and a soft corner in a niche.
Opening upper cabinets
Swing
The most affordable and popular way to open cabinet doors. And it is this solution for the upper cabinets that appeals to me most.
Folding
Folding fronts are installed - choose only high-quality fittings. And all because low-quality gas lifts break quickly, and they simply cannot hold the doors open.
Folding
The most affordable and visually beautiful option for opening a cabinet is like in a movie, with a slight movement of your hand you can open the entire cabinet. True, this option will be inconvenient for a short user.
Convenient kitchen design
Heights, dimensions, ergonomics
Lower cabinets
The height of the lower cabinets is standard 90 cm, but don’t discount the adjustable legs. And here the cabinet can be from 86 to 91 cm in height, with a tabletop height of 4 cm. Those with tall stature should remember that the table should be higher, and the height can be adjusted using a higher tabletop. I recommend storing as many pull-out elements and mechanisms as possible in the lower cabinets - it’s so convenient to store all sorts of kitchen items and accessories, and household appliances.
Working surface
An obligatory element that creates space - starting from the sink and stove. And as for me, it should be at least 90, ideally 120 - 150 cm.
Upper cabinets
If we talk about the depth in the set of upper cabinets - according to the standard it is 35 cm, the height varies - 60.72 or 90, as well as 120 cm. The modular wall has two heights, and these are 72 and 90 cm. They also install kitchens built under ceiling - this option looks really cool, but mezzanine-type cabinets are not very convenient in everyday use.
At what height is the hood?
In my own practice, I often come across a question from users: how many centimeters from the tabletop should I hang it? Some talk about a height of 60, others 80 cm from the tabletop. Although my answer is simple and ideal at the same time - it is worth hanging it 2-3 cm higher than the height of the tallest member of the family. And this is the only way you won’t hit your head on it.
Modern style
in the kitchen interior 13 sq m
For example, I am impressed by the kitchen when it seems to be built into a niche - it is grandiose, beautiful and at the same time solid, as if it was built along with the house.
So, we have considered the functional content, as well as the ergonomics - it’s worth moving on directly to its appearance. So in modern kitchens, the first thing people pay attention to is smooth facades - today this is a popular design option. It is not so important to choose, for example, painted MDF, matte or glossy. And, for example, I am impressed by plastic facades, which from a distance look like a painted MDF surface, but are much cheaper.
Thus, in modern kitchens, furniture often comes simply without handles, but the doors themselves are opened using push-up fittings. Models with special textured recesses instead of handles are more common.
Lots of modern kitchens!
A little about the color scheme
Here pay attention to the following points:
- warm colors can additionally stimulate the appetite, while cold colors, on the contrary, suppress the feeling of hunger;
- a pastel palette will not evoke strong emotions and influence behavior and general mood;
- light design will visually enlarge the space, while warm or dark colors will have the opposite effect;
- for decoration, no more than 4-5 colors can be used, combined with each other;
- It is worth remembering the rule of proportions in the ratio 60/30/10 (primary/additional/accent color).
Only proper organization and competent planning, taking into account acceptable materials and all necessary equipment, will help achieve maximum comfort and the desire to spend more time in such a kitchen.
Neoclassical style
and kitchen design 13 square meters
In terms of its functionality, namely the arrangement of household appliances, as well as the filling of the room itself, kitchens in the neoclassical style are similar to the modern style. The difference lies in the built-in type of facades, with special panels - and in this case, the facades involve the use of simple, ordinary handles.
If you simply replace the furniture fronts with smooth ones, without using panels, you will end up with a modern kitchen.
Neoclassical kitchen is here!
How to choose a refrigerator?
Manufacturers of household appliances offer many models of refrigerators of different capacities, with different functions and even the location of chambers. The most popular are ordinary floor-standing refrigerators from 1.5 to 2 meters, which can be installed separately or hidden behind the façade of a cabinet cabinet. As an alternative, consider separate built-in refrigerators and freezers that are installed under the countertop.
Ideas for a kitchen apron
Tile splashback
The most popular, and most importantly practical option for finishing an apron is this. Centuries pass, but the tiles will last a long time on the wall and will remain in place, in their original form. And at the same time, there are so many tiles on the modern market that it will not be difficult to realize your ideas and plans.
Tempered glass apron
This type of finishing is widely represented in the interior. Do you want minimalism, when a painted wall will be visible behind the glass, or, as an option, classic wallpaper - a wonderful embodiment of neoclassicism. Glass with photo printing was installed - a technique that is applicable in a modern interior, but rarely used by designers.
Wood effect apron
So, you can decorate the apron to match the wood itself in order to minimally diversify the asceticism of modern kitchens.
For example, previously this area was finished with laminate, a material that was practical and easy to care for and wash. But if water gets into the seams, it swells and deteriorates. Therefore, in modern kitchens you can easily use tiles that imitate wood instead of laminate boards. Lots of ideas for an apron!
Materials and design
Practicality is the main criterion for choosing finishing materials for the kitchen, because this is where you will regularly cook and do housekeeping. Regardless of the style, choose only those materials that can withstand moisture, temperature fluctuations and are easy to clean.
Floor finishing
The ideal kitchen floor is a moisture-resistant laminate or durable ceramic tiles. They are easy to care for, and even stains from wine, oil or juice do not eat into the smooth surface. Tiles are slightly better in practicality, but inferior to laminate in strength and resistance to mechanical damage.
Wall decoration
For wall decoration, choose an unpretentious, washable coating: tiles, non-woven wallpaper, moisture-resistant paint. Another good thing about paint is that you can renew it at any time in the future without having to wait for a major overhaul. And don’t forget to decorate a separate apron over the work area of the stove, sink and countertop.
Ceiling design
The easiest way to get a smooth and beautiful ceiling with minimal effort is with stretch fabrics. Moreover, they can be matte, glossy, satin, fabric or with photo printing. And if you prefer zoning, use multi-level structures or drywall.
Lighting
Modern multi-level lighting solves two problems at once: it fills the kitchen with light and advantageously zones the room. In addition to a ceiling chandelier or spotlights, do not rush to give up sconces and floor lamps. You can conveniently illuminate your work area using built-in LED or neon lighting.
Textile
Kitchen textiles are not a whim or a luxury, but an essential item. Choose towels, napkins and tablecloths so that they fit harmoniously into the interior - and the picture will be complete and neat. But it is better to abandon massive and voluminous curtains in favor of light tulle or compact roller shutters - this is more practical and safer.
Lighting
in the interior of a 13-meter kitchen
In the kitchen, the lighting itself is built on the same principle as in the rooms - 3 types of lighting should be provided. For example, the general light is usually turned on when receiving guests or cleaning. If this is local lighting, they can be beneficial to create a cozy atmosphere in the room, and with the help of decorative lighting, they can illuminate a brick wall. And the main thing is not to forget about providing power to illuminate the desktop, and it can also be used to illuminate the interior of the cabinets.
Sofa placement
Whatever version of the sofa you choose, you need to place it correctly. With the right approach to placement, it will not take up too much space and will not interfere, and will also fit perfectly into the interior, giving the kitchen an additional touch of coziness.
First of all, the sofa should be located at a sufficient distance from the front door. This way it won't block the passage.
At the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the sofa is located far enough from the working area of the kitchen - this is not only a matter of interior design, but, above all, safety, especially if the kitchen has a gas stove rather than an electric one.
The sofa should not be positioned with its back facing the window opening. After all, otherwise it will not only block daylight, but sitting on a sofa installed in this way will not be very comfortable.
It is advisable to choose corners and other places to install the sofa where it will not interfere with movement. A practical option is to install a sofa under wall cabinets, but this solution also has certain disadvantages. Firstly, structures hanging over your head do not contribute much to comfort. Secondly, access to the contents of the lockers in this case will be somewhat difficult.
Small kitchen design
in a standard apartment
Many standard apartments were designed and built back in the days when microwaves, dishwashers, and other kitchen appliances were not widely used. And that’s why the kitchens in such projects are small. For example, the famous Khrushchev buildings were built when the refrigerator was no more than the size of a bedside table. That’s why in many apartments the refrigerator was placed in the hallway. But already in modern projects of the P44-T class and series, kitchens have a square area of at least 10 m2. They are much more convenient than the same apartments built during the times of Brezhnev and Khrushchev.
A typical kitchen in a house includes in its design a typical arrangement of furniture - it will be difficult to arrange it in a slightly different way than what the architect envisaged in his design. True, from my own experience I will say that you can arrange it, but at the expense of comfort.
Small typical kitchens!
White kitchen
Design ideas
If you are interested in white kitchens, most likely cleaning as such does not scare you in any way. But she is not so easily soiled. Wipe the countertops after cooking, the kitchen facades once every 1-2 weeks, and that’s all.
But to make the kitchen as practical as possible, it is worth combining materials in the set. For example, the lower cabinets, which get dirty more often, should be made under light wood, the upper cabinets in the set are directly white.
And in this section, I would also like to make a certain reservation as a professional - when you classify yourself as a neat person, then you should make the facades in the kitchen set exactly like wood or stone. And simply put all other variations and options aside - as such they will not be interesting or useful to you in your area.
Lots of white kitchens!
Choosing a sofa. Straight or angular?
An area of thirteen square meters allows you to place a fairly large number of necessary furniture elements in the kitchen. A kitchen sofa is a very comfortable as well as stylish design element.
There are both straight kitchen sofas and corner sofas that are considered more traditional. Sofas of other, more complex shapes are much less common. In a standard kitchen, corner or small straight sofas look most appropriate. The choice of sofa shape depends on the amount of free space in the kitchen and the location of other furniture.
The corner option is considered more practical, because several people can comfortably fit on it. In addition, with the help of a corner sofa it is very easy to visually separate the dining area - just place a dining table of a suitable shape next to the sofa. At the same time, it is more difficult to place it so as not to block the passage and, at the same time, not create discomfort for those sitting on it.
A straight sofa takes up less space; it does not have to be placed in a corner - in this regard, it is more versatile than a corner sofa. However, choosing this type of sofa design requires the presence of additional chairs or stools near the dining table.
Grey colour
in kitchen design 13 sq m
So the following story happened with the gray color - a couple of years ago this particular gray color was associated with despondency and a depressive state. But today it has again been elevated to the rank of favorite color palette when decorating an interior, which makes me incredibly happy. It is he who brings seriousness and rigor to the interior itself, but if you mix it with bright colors, for example yellow, you get a noble olive green.
There are gray kitchens here!
Beige kitchen
Interior Design
I have repeatedly said that beige color is the best solution for interior design, as it is warm and natural. Yes, that’s right, because in nature there are a lot of beige materials. And that’s why almost all of my kitchens are presented in this shade. Of all the beiges, I am especially impressed by gray beige, which I always call universal, since it combines perfectly with many colors and shades. In principle, in my selection there are a lot of beige kitchens, so you are welcome to me - look and choose.
Beige kitchen ideas!
But what exactly are the finishing materials in my version, and most importantly, is it worth using certain shades when designing a kitchen, and is it possible to lay laminate or parquet boards on the floor? How and what material should you use to decorate the apron on the kitchen wall? This is exactly what I’ll talk about in my other article about finishing materials and the “Tips” section - look, read, there’s a lot of interesting stuff there. And most importantly, for every apartment owner there are a lot of useful kitchen design options that you can implement in real life.
