Which kitchens are considered small?
Massive developments during the time of Khrushchev made it possible for millions of people to acquire their own housing, and for their children and grandchildren to slander and sneer at the ridiculous usable area of the premises. In modern apartments, kitchens, as a rule, are made with some reserve and start from 8 square meters. meters (and modern design there provides more room for maneuver). In Khrushchev-era buildings and similar standard buildings, kitchens most often have the following area:
- 4m²;
- 5m²;
- 6m².
If you see something like this, then the examples discussed below are relevant for you and can be taken into service.
Common small kitchen design problems
The Khrushchev type of kitchens have one common feature - they are very small. On average, the area of this room is about 5-6 m2. How to place the necessary furniture, a table with chairs, and even a refrigerator on such a tiny space? A washing machine is also added here, because a bathroom in Khrushchev-era apartment buildings is a headache. And it is often simply impossible to install a washing machine in the bathroom.
To the small dimensions of the room we add 2 more problematic issues - the presence of door and window openings. As a result, the designer's ability to create a comfortable and ergonomic interior is reduced even further.
In addition, the standard sizes of Khrushchev-type apartments with their low ceilings (on average 2.2 m) take away the opportunity to gain extra vertical centimeters. Therefore, it is not always possible to install a tall and narrow refrigerator in a small kitchen. And even more so a modern, roomy model with several cameras and many useful functions.
Solving the kitchen problem with a washing machine is somewhat easier. Manufacturers produce narrow models that can be built into kitchen furniture. However, in this case, the owners of a small kitchen in an apartment building are faced with the problem of supplying communications. After all, in addition to the space for the water supply hose, you also need space for the drain pipe. All this narrows the possibilities for design maneuver and forces you to show ingenuity and imagination.
What options can you come up with for placing a refrigerator and washing machine in a small kitchen?
Refrigerator against the wall
Just put it against the wall. If your Khrushchev kitchen has an area of 5 square meters. meters, then it will be easiest to do this with a refrigerator.
Attention: it is optimal if it is located closer to the sink and work area than to the stove. Something like the photo below.
Why is this and not otherwise? Everything is simple and logical: when removing food from the unit, we most often unpack and wash it - and only then do we start cooking.
This is true for linear and corner kitchens. However, in the case of a two-row, a variety of options are possible.
Fridge in the corner
The main advantage of this placement is obvious - space saving. Even if you purchased a rather large refrigerator, it will not look too bulky in this situation. And it won’t bother anyone, which is important.
However, remember that it should not be adjacent to heating appliances or the stove. Maintain a minimum distance of at least 0.5 meters.
If you have a sunny side, then when choosing an angle, take into account the possible incidence of sunlight. It is not good if the refrigerator remains under them for a long time.
Refrigerator at the door/entrance
At first glance, such placement seems unusual and even inconvenient. But if you look at it, it’s just the opposite: immediately after returning home, you can easily unload all the packages and bags - and you don’t have to go through the entire kitchen to do it.
In addition, an additional zone is formed, which can be beneficial when modeling the interior.
If the layout allows, then you can even move it outside the kitchen. For example, place it in an adjacent corridor. But that's a completely different story.
Using a niche
It would seem, where does a niche in Khrushchev come from? It's simple: very often in apartments of this type, redevelopment is done with the arrangement of an entrance through the living room, as a result of which the old entrance to the kitchen is blocked. You can just use it for good and put a refrigerator there. To complete the camouflage, it can be painted to match the finishing material of the material used for the niche.
Such a design will look more holistic and even the most incorrigible perfectionist will be satisfied.
You can also use the space on the refrigerator itself. For example, put a microwave oven on it. Quite a viable solution.
Placing a refrigerator in a small kitchen
Where can you put it in your apartment?
- in the corner opposite from the battery;
- the refrigerator can be built into the corner set, in the center. Here you will have to create a false wall, otherwise garbage behind the refrigerator will be inevitable over time;
- some remove the wall between the kitchen and the room, making a niche; in this case, the corridor can be blocked off, and a refrigerator can easily fit into this niche;
- The most interesting and profitable option is to buy a mini refrigerator and freezer and install it instead of work tables. If desired, they can be disguised as a headset;
- some manage to place a mini refrigerator under the windowsill, which is very large in Khrushchev;
- Three-room Khrushchev apartments have a storage room next to the kitchen; many use it as a place for a refrigerator.
In any case, even in the hallway this item does not interfere at all if you decorate it stylishly. The refrigerator is quite a universal thing, and it looks normal. If you choose stylish stickers made of self-adhesive film for it, you can even change the design of the hallway.
Built-in refrigerators
A refrigerator built into a kitchen unit not only saves space, but also greatly simplifies the design as a whole, creating a unified stylistic picture.
To implement such an idea, you need to provide in advance for the creation of a special niche in your individual kitchen order. In this case, its depth should exceed the depth of the unit by at least 5-10 centimeters. This is done so that the refrigerator does not adhere strictly to the back wall.
A compromise option is to build freezers under the countertop. If the family is small and few products are used, then why not?
How to choose and prepare a place for a refrigerator?
In the usual view, the place of the refrigerator in the apartment is the kitchen. But often this room is so small, and the size of the unit is so significant, that you have to look for other installation options. For example, it could be a corridor, closet, living room, balcony or storage room in a Khrushchev-era building.
Is it possible to put a refrigerator in a pantry? It is possible, but there are a number of rules that need to be kept in mind when choosing a suitable place for the refrigerator in the apartment. In particular, installing refrigeration equipment near windows or external heat sources is prohibited for safety reasons. Prohibited items include any heaters, stoves, central heating radiators and other equipment.
It is important to check the location of electrical outlets. In case of remoteness, you need to buy a stabilizer and a conductor with the required length. If the outlet does not work or is defective, it must be replaced and repaired.
Experts recommend immediately changing the model to the European standard and taking into account the plug from the refrigerator. The evenness of the floor covering is checked. It is better to put anti-slip stickers on the floor to prevent the unit from accidentally moving. The floors should also not sag under the weight of the equipment, which can be prevented by installing a 2mm thick plywood sheet.
Kitchen
A refrigerator in the kitchen can be found in most apartments. This place is not the safest because it contains many heat sources - a window, stove, radiator increases the temperature and has a bad effect on refrigeration equipment. To avoid breakdowns and damage to the unit, it is recommended to place it half a meter away from the radiator or window and at least a third of a meter from the stove.
Niches
The location of refrigerators in niches requires advance calculation at the stage of renovating an apartment or drawing up a plan for its premises. In some cases, you have to do a redevelopment, in which it is not necessary to destroy the walls, but you can make high niches for large kitchen equipment.
These could be kitchen cabinets or household appliances. In this case, you can not only hide pieces of kitchen furniture, but also get useful square meters for housing that could be occupied by a refrigeration unit. In open sources and designer catalogs there are many photos with decor options for such niches.
Pantry
The pantry next to the kitchen can even be a large closet that can also accommodate a refrigerator. This unit is used often enough to walk across the entire apartment, so placing it near the kitchen would be quite logical.
In addition, from the point of view of aesthetic perception, the refrigerator does not look good in the living room or bedroom, and the noise from operation and the space occupied will cause discomfort to the owner. If the unit is very large, then it is installed separately, and small non-standard units, like freezers, can be built into cabinets.
Combining kitchen and loggia
Almost all apartments with small square footage have a loggia, and some owners prefer to combine it with a living room. As a rule, this is especially convenient if there is also a balcony. In this case, the kitchen can expand by several square meters.
When part of the wall in which there was a window and door opening is demolished, columns remain on both sides, which are prohibited from being destroyed. Behind such columns there is plenty of space to put a refrigerator - the unit is not visible in the kitchen, but it is not far away so that you can easily get food out of it. You can use photos from designer catalogs for inspiration to decorate your interior with a similar arrangement of equipment on the loggia.
Unheated room
The small apartment has a small kitchen adjacent to the balcony. If it is not glazed, then according to the manufacturer’s operating requirements, it is prohibited to place refrigeration equipment on it. This is due to high humidity, which can lead to a short circuit. The stabilizer and extension cord cannot be used under such conditions.
In winter and late autumn there are low temperatures at night, the oil in the compressor thickens, the pressure decreases and the operation of the cooling system is disrupted. A failure in heat exchange leads to breakdown of the unit.
If there are no other options, then the refrigerator can be placed on the balcony, but provide protection from strong humidity, as well as a temperature regime of at least five degrees Celsius. The stabilizer or extension cord also needs additional protection. During use, you must constantly monitor the correct operation of all equipment.
Where not to put a refrigerator
All that you saw above are examples of successful, in our opinion, design of a small-sized kitchen. In most of them, the device confidently takes its place in space, does not overload the interior and is convenient to use.
However, it is useful to consider the opposite cases. It is not advisable to install a refrigerator:
- in the location of the dining area - an overloaded space does not contribute to appetite at all;
- too far from the sink and countertop - the principle of the work triangle has not been canceled;
- in the immediate vicinity of a gas stove - this is not only dangerous, but also terribly impractical, since when you take out food, you can interfere with cooking.
If you don't like the refrigerator
The design of a kitchen in Khrushchev can be made many times more impressive and harmonious if you implement several interesting ideas with the refrigerator:
- cover it with a special decorative film - you can use an adhesive version with photo printing or magnetized vinyl;
- paint the door and facades - be sure to match the walls or furniture to disguise the unit, so it will look much more organic in the space;
- set up a magnetic board with notes - you can write down instructions for household members, today’s menu, and simply useful information that needs to be retained in memory.
The main thing is to maintain balance. If you are “lucky” to live in Khrushchev, then you need to be able to make the most of the existing situation - and, of course, not aggravate it with hasty decisions.
Kitchen in Khrushchev with refrigerator
However, with proper planning, even here you can create a cozy corner. Using modern appliances and furniture, you can visually expand the room and make the kitchen an ergonomic space for cooking, as well as a comfortable area for guests and all household members.
How to properly plan a kitchen space in a Khrushchev-era building?
A competent layout will allow you to conveniently place each piece of furniture and equipment. It is necessary to carefully consider the design and finishing when renovating a Khrushchev-era kitchen with a refrigerator, and also calculate an option that meets the needs of the owners and the size of the room. You can resort to certain tips to help solve the problem with a refrigerator in a small kitchen:
- Built-in refrigerator models can be an excellent option.
- You can purchase a refrigerator with a horizontal layout instead of the standard vertical one.
- It is necessary to use niches and recesses to place the refrigerator, if any.
- If possible, it is better to move the dining area to another room, for example, to the living room.
Ways to locate a refrigerator in a Khrushchev building
So, what might a kitchen in a Khrushchev-era building with a refrigerator look like? Where should the unit be located?
- Refrigerator in Khrushchev by the door. The standard solution is to install large equipment directly near the entrance. This kitchen layout saves working space, while appliances are positioned as ergonomically as possible.
- Refrigerator in Khrushchev by the window. Every kitchen has a window opening, and if the room is small, there is always a corner near it, from which the work surface begins. It is in this area that you can place the refrigerator.
- Refrigerator in Khrushchev under the work surface. The most controversial decision, from the point of view of designers, since a very small refrigerator compartment is not able to satisfy the needs of an entire family. Perhaps this option is suitable for a single person.
Built-in refrigerator in Khrushchev - the best option
Anyone who has ever encountered a built-in model will be able to understand how ideal this type of unit is for arranging a small kitchen. Its main advantages are:
- no cluttering of the work surface with large equipment;
- easy access to products;
- If you cover the appliances with a furniture façade, the refrigerator will blend in with the rest of the furniture and will not be conspicuous.
Where is the best place to build a niche for a refrigerator in a kitchen in a Khrushchev-era building?
Very often in such apartments, a built-in cabinet from the hallway or a pantry is attached to the wall in the kitchen. You can separate them by grabbing part of the doorway and breaking through the kitchen wall. The resulting S-shaped pantry makes it possible to conveniently place the refrigerator.
The design of a small kitchen with a refrigerator in a Khrushchev building should have the following goal - to create a beautifully designed and ergonomic space.
To prevent a feeling of chaos in a small kitchen in a Khrushchev-era building, try to choose the most spacious furniture, think through every centimeter of space.
If you still believe that a Khrushchev-era kitchen with a refrigerator cannot look aesthetically pleasing, if you want to enlist the help of an experienced specialist, invite a designer.
Alternatively, you can glean interesting and useful ideas from the design of European teen houses and mini-apartments. At the same time, kitchen design may not be limited to just one room. Try placing the appliances close to the kitchen, for example in the hallway. If you experiment with space correctly, you will achieve what you want, creating the kitchen of your dreams!
