Design features of a narrow kitchen

In small narrow rooms, excess space simply does not exist, so the design of a narrow small kitchen is aimed at saving every centimeter. Usually, the place below is occupied not only by the oven and cabinets, but also by the freezer, dishwasher and washing machine, taking away the already valuable meters. This article is intended to help you effectively plan the design of a narrow kitchen, beat the walls to the maximum and usefully equip the space of the room..

A narrow space imposes a number of design requirements that can only be satisfied by an integrated approach that takes into account every detail in the interior.

Layout of a narrow kitchen

It is necessary to effectively use the space under the ceiling, installing a hanging set at its very edge. High hanging furniture will allow you to place more kitchen utensils.

An additional plus is the absence of cracks above the cabinets in which dust accumulates

Instead of plugs – drawers on rails

Convenient carousel in the corner module

The width of the lower and upper cabinets must be the same, and the side borders of the upper one must strictly coincide with the borders of the lower cabinet. Furniture can be either the same color or not (for example, the upper tier is white, and the lower tier is with a wood texture). Cut corners on furniture look interesting, which becomes practical if the headset stands next to the door. So an acute angle will become harmless, and the passage into the room will help to make it visually wider.

One-sided (linear) kitchen

A linear layout implies the placement of cabinets, work surfaces, kitchen appliances, as well as a refrigerator, stove and sink in one row. Not the most convenient design option, but for a very narrow kitchen it may be the only solution. Often, the room does not allow equipment or furniture to be placed from the opposite wall, so that the wall remains bare (later on, you can work on it by adding bright colors and textures). The length of such a kitchen should not exceed 4.5-5 m, otherwise the cooking process will turn into winding kilometers.

Folding chairs are easy to remove when not needed

A special table does not take up much space in a compact position, and its retractable design allows you to double the tabletop if necessary

Advice. It is better to put the refrigerator either at the beginning or at the end of the kitchen, but not in the middle, so as not to disrupt the work space..

Optimal layout of a linear kitchen – a sink between the stove and the refrigerator

It is best to place the sink in the center, just between the refrigerator and the stove. These kitchen items should be placed next to each other, and not along the entire length of a narrow kitchen, especially if it is long enough. The compact arrangement of work areas will allow you not to waste in vain on the movements.

Double sided (parallel) kitchen

The layout of a two-sided narrow kitchen is great for long, not very narrow spaces. In this case, kitchen cabinets are located on both walls parallel to each other. Sometimes such a kitchen is called a galley: the name directly refers to the ship’s galley – a kitchen room on a ship, where the sets are located opposite each other as compactly as possible (to save limited space).

Instead of a window sill, you can install a full-fledged tabletop

This is a very convenient option for arranging a small room, which, unlike a linear narrow kitchen, allows you to use the wall opposite (by placing there not only furniture, but also a sink). The passage should not be less than 120 cm, otherwise you risk turning the kitchen into a corridor. This space is enough both for work and for the free passage of a person during the cooking process. But the presence of a second chef can negatively affect comfort. And if the room is a walk-through, then people darting back and forth endanger themselves and the cook in the midst of cooking. But compliance with safety rules will nullify all the negative aspects..

Parallel kitchen with a window on a narrow wall

There must be a passageway at least 90 cm wide between the rows of furniture.

A parallel kitchen can be walk-through and non-walk-through. In the latter version, in the absence of a window, it can be converted into a U-shaped one. If there is a window, this place is best equipped with a dining area. If the layout of the apartment allows, you can demolish part of the wall and expand the room by combining it with an adjacent room. This approach will help to modernize the interior and embody bold design solutions, which can be expressed in an unusual form with an accentuated use of juicy color..

Three-sided (U-shaped) kitchen

This layout is more suitable for square rooms. The installation of a U-shaped narrow kitchen is very similar to the previous version (galley). Usually the third wall has a window, and to save space, a tabletop, cabinets or a sink are installed instead of a window sill. It is extremely undesirable to install a stove under the window: even if it is prudent to replace the fire-hazardous curtains with blinds, there will remain a problem with the hood, which is not very convenient to attach in this place. The dining area will most likely not fit, so it is better to have an additional dining area.

For a kitchen with protrusions, it is better to make headsets according to individual drawings

Corner (L-shaped) kitchen

The most successful way to maintain the proportions of the kitchen, without making it even narrower, as in the previous examples. Corner layout is very popular, as it allows you to use two walls perpendicular to each other. The remaining space will allow you to place the dining table and chairs either near a window or near a free wall. It depends on where the corner of the L-shaped narrow kitchen will pass. If near the window, then instead of the window sill, an additional work surface is placed, under which shelves or drawers can be placed. Also, the corner can border on the wall at the entrance to the room..

The planning solution depends on the geometry of the room, the presence of windows and doors

There is one detail that not everyone pays attention to when planning. It lies in the space of the corner, which, instead of functioning as a working area, is not used for its intended purpose. Over time, a mountain of unnecessary things appears there, which in no way contribute to the neat appearance of the room. Placement of kitchen fittings (kitchen carousel, pull-out shelf), installation of a microwave oven, bread bin, etc. will help to make the most of the corner part..

Trapezoidal sink takes up less space and maximizes corner utilization

A cut or rounded corner shape in kitchen furniture looks interesting. Trapezoidal furniture is especially useful for placing the sink directly in the corner, which makes it more convenient and comfortable to use..

Division of a room into zones

Before considering the design of a narrow kitchen, you need to start with the basics of planning, namely, dividing the room into zones. In total, the kitchen should have at least two zones – a working and a dining area, and if square meters allow, a recreation area will not be superfluous. We will consider in detail about the arrangement of each further..

Narrow dining area in the form of a bar counter

Working area in the kitchen layout

When designing the working area, you must remember the so-called triangle rule. Its purpose is to integrate three important sections in the kitchen workspace. These include a food storage area (refrigerator), a cooking area (stove, microwave oven, cutting table) and a washing area (sink, dishwasher). Their correct placement is essential for maximum ergonomics, which will significantly save time and facilitate the cooking process..

Compact work area with dark top

Imagine a triangle drawn on the kitchen floor, with three main elements at the tops – a stove, a sink, and a refrigerator. It is necessary to choose the correct distance, which should not be too large or small. To feel comfortable, it is enough to place the zones at a distance of 1.2 m to 2.7 m from each other. The observance of the proportions of an equilateral triangle is also considered ideal, but in a narrow kitchen this is not always possible to do.

Layout options for a narrow kitchen

You can use the following layout options:

For a linear narrow kitchen, the work items are best placed in the order of the refrigerator-sink-stove, which intuitively prompts the order of actions (get food, wash and cook).
For a parallel narrow kitchen, the location of the sink and stove opposite to the refrigerator and work table is suitable..
For a corner and three-sided narrow kitchen, the top of the triangle should be occupied by the sink, and it is better to place the stove and refrigerator on opposite corners, father-in-law on both sides of the sink.

Guided by the above recommendations, do not forget that a competent layout is designed to provide comfort. First of all, think about safety: running around the kitchen with boiling water at a large distance from the stove from the sink or table can harm the family members who are at that moment. So plan the placement of work areas wisely: put the stove near the work table and sink, and the sink itself next to the refrigerator. Remember that the minimum distance between the refrigerator and the stove is 15-20 cm.To avoid wasting space, you can place a compact cabinet between them, for example, for household chemicals.

Convenient kitchen layout will make the cooking process less tedious

For added convenience, do not store food throughout the kitchen; set aside a separate area for this. Have cupboards and shelves for non-perishable provisions placed near the refrigerator. Alternatively, this will allow you to quickly arrange the purchased products in their places after going to the store..

Dining area in the kitchen layout

Placing a dining table in a narrow kitchenette is not always justified: it rarely happens to fit comfortably, while not interfering with anyone or blocking the passage. This problem is especially relevant for large families, for whom it is advisable to set the table in a separate room (ideally if there is a dining room). But for small snacks or for accommodating a couple of people, you can put the table on limited kitchen meters. And if the width of the kitchen and the layout allows, then even organize a full-fledged soft corner, together with which the dining area will turn into a cozy resting place.

Cozy dining area with a soft sofa

Transparent furniture contributes to the visual increase in space

Dining table by the window in a Scandinavian kitchen

The ideal option would be a bar counter, a hinged narrow tabletop or transforming furniture. Such a solution is convenient, since the table does not take up much space. In a linear and parallel layout, the best place for it is an unoccupied wall with a window, where the table top replaces the window sill. If you leave enough free space between the kitchen set and the perpendicular wall, you can successfully place a small sofa, equipping a seating area as well. Even in a single-row kitchen, you can use the free walls to the advantage by hanging a removable worktop. And there is no need to put bulky chairs: small stools are enough, which can always be hidden under the table.

Narrow kitchen design principles

This is where you can enjoy the design process to your heart’s content, choosing the style and decorating the interior. But for small rooms, there are special recommendations that will help visually expand the walls:

give preference to the “simple” style (minimalism, Scandinavian, hi-tech, loft, contemporary), because minimal detailing will expand the space;
choose light shades that visually enlarge the walls and the room as a whole (for example, walls and furniture in light beige);
do not neglect the decor of a bare wall in a linear layout, which will help to hide its length;
do not neglect the “temperature” of the color: warm shades will make the room warmer, and cold ones, on the contrary;
pay attention to the mirrors – the perfect way to visually expand the room.

Narrow minimalist kitchen

A large mirror on the wall is a standard way to expand a small space

Feel free to connect your imagination and place bright accents – this is the main path to the unique design of a narrow kitchen. But do not overdo it with detail, because an excessive amount of small things hides the already limited space..

The kitchen will seem more spacious if the usual cabinets are replaced with open shelves.

Correct room lighting

Separately, I would like to note that the correct placement of bulbs in the kitchen plays an important role. Do not use one chandelier – it will not cope with lighting a narrow long room, but do not overdo it with bulbs, because a long row along its entire length can visually stretch the room, turning it into a tunnel or passage. It is better to accentuate the kitchen areas by placing light bulbs above the workstations. And the use of wall lamps and warm-colored lamps near the dining area will emphasize it favorably and give coziness.