Furnishing a kitchen with household appliances is an important process that requires care and a serious approach. Correct placement of each device guarantees safety during operation of the equipment you need and ease of use. Let's consider the optimal installation locations for various devices in the kitchen.
Each appliance in the kitchen should have its ideal place. From the correct location household appliances depends on its convenient use and long term operation.
Conventionally, the kitchen space can be divided into two zones:
- water zone. It includes a dishwasher, washing machine, refrigerator and sink;
- hot zone. Includes hob, stove, oven and other items related to thermal use.
Place the equipment elements taking into account the above zones - it is this proximity that will ensure the ideal location of the devices.
Where to put the refrigerator?
The correct location of the refrigerator determines its long operating life, as well as the interior and appearance of your kitchen. For free movement around the kitchen, you can place the refrigerator in the corners of the room or at the entrance. Remember - the device is very sensitive to changes in the microclimate in the room. In accordance with the recommendations of experts The refrigerator cannot be installed:
- near heating radiators and heaters;
- next to gas and electric stoves;
- near dryers;
- under direct sunlight.
The higher the air temperature near the refrigerator, the longer the compressor wears out and consumes more electrical energy. It is not recommended to place the refrigerator next to the sink. Splashes of water may penetrate the insulation of the device, causing it to malfunction.
It is better not to place other household appliances on the refrigerator. It should also be located at a certain distance from the wall: approximately 10-15 cm. In addition, we recommend that you install a separate electrical outlet for the device, and do not use an extension cord.
Proper installation of a refrigerator in the kitchen is very important. If the location is incorrectly chosen, the household appliance may create obstacles for you to move around the kitchen or quickly break down.
Hood placement
Ventilation of the kitchen space is of great importance, so hoods are installed above the hob or stove. We would like to draw your attention to the following recommendations that will help you place the hood so that it works as best as possible and does not spoil the overall appearance of the kitchen.
The main purpose of a kitchen hood is to effectively draw in various odors. Important to remember: the distance between the hood and the hob or stove should not create a fire hazard, and also interfere with the work of the hostess.
Please pay Pay attention to the following standards for placing hoods at a distance from the stove or hob:
- a gas household appliance (direct hood) is installed at a height of approximately 75-85 cm;
- We recommend placing the lower part of the inclined gas hood at a height of 33 to 65 cm;
- direct electric hood must be fixed at a height of 65-55 cm;
- the lower part of the electric inclined hood should be at a height of 35-45 cm.
The distance range between the stove and the hood is not designated by chance - before choosing the height of the hood, you should focus on the following factors:
- power household appliance;
- kitchen configuration, its design;
- the height of a person, most often standing at the hob.
You can slightly increase the installation height of the hood at your discretion, but reducing it is not recommended.
Remember: before installing the hood, you need to pay attention to two very important issues, which directly influence the choice of location for this household appliance. Firstly, it is necessary to ensure that the gas is vented into the ventilation shaft. Secondly, decide where to connect the household appliance to the electrical network.
Usually the hood is placed higher over the gas hob than the electric one.. This is explained by the fact that on gas stove open fire burns. Soot settles on the hood filters, so it can ignite if the household appliance is installed at an insufficient height.
An electric hob is less fire hazardous, so the distance between it and the hood can be reduced if desired.
Before choosing a hood, you need to decide on its power and size. The device must completely cover the stove or hob for efficient and convenient work.
The location of the hood depends on its type:
- the corner device is mounted in the corner of the room;
- dome hood is attached to the wall;
- the fireplace hood is located similarly to the dome hood;
- the island unit is attached to the kitchen ceiling;
- the upper part of the flat hood is fixed in a hanging cabinet, and the back wall is attached to the kitchen wall;
- The built-in hood is completely mounted in a wall cabinet.
Proper installation of the hood will provide you with convenience, comfort and safety while cooking.
How to place the stove correctly
The location of the stove in the kitchen should be as convenient, correct and, most importantly, safe as possible. We have prepared row useful tips for the location of the stove or hob:
- Place a gas hob or free-standing stove at a distance of at least 50 cm from windows and doors. Remember - you cannot shorten the specified distance! A draft can extinguish the flame or, on the contrary, provoke a fire of flammable objects;
- the gas stove should be located near the gas distribution and ventilation compartment, with easy access to the gas shut-off valve;
- to install an electric stove, powerful electrical wiring is required;
- do not place the stove near the refrigerator - these are two incompatible household appliances;
- It is not recommended to place the hob and stove near the kitchen wall, as splashes will fall on it during cooking.
For convenience, place all kitchen items necessary for daily cooking near the stove or hob. We do not recommend placing drawers next to the stove if you have little helpers.. A child may get burned on the hot surface of the hob.
Let us separately dwell on the disadvantages of the proximity of the stove and sink:
- electric stove - possible short circuit;
- gas stove - explosion hazard;
- risk of burns when washing dishes from boiling water or hot oil on the stove.
The greater the distance between the hob, stove and sink, the more convenient the cooking process.
Oven - choosing a place in the kitchen
Today there is large number options for placing an oven in the kitchen. The installation is very popular oven above the table top. Designers highlight the following positive aspects of this installation:
- additional convenience during cooking;
- the oven is easy to wash and clean;
- safety for children.
You can place the oven under the countertop - this is the standard installation option. It is convenient for small kitchen spaces. We recommend placing the oven in a cabinet– thus, you will save additional space in the kitchen.
Experts identify the following main options for oven location:
- in the closet– this technique is successful for a spacious kitchen space;
- to the island. In a large kitchen with an island, the oven can be mounted directly into it;
- in the cabinet. The advantage of this arrangement of the oven is the presence of additional work space in the kitchen;
- in the corner kitchen set.
It is important to remember that the oven height should be as comfortable as possible.
Basic rules for placing an oven:
- do not place the oven close to the refrigerator - this may negatively affect the operation of both devices;
- leave a distance of at least 10 cm between the wall and the oven;
- do not install the gas oven far from pipes;
- during installation electric oven be sure to provide a powerful outlet;
- Remember that the oven must open freely.
Washing machine and dishwasher - the best location
If you decide to buy dishwasher, then we recommend installing it to the right of the sink. If you are left-handed, install the device on the left side accordingly.
The dishwasher should be very close to the sink– then it will be easier to connect it to the necessary communications. If the sink is equipped with a drying wing, we recommend placing the drying wing on the countertop above the dishwasher when installing it. It will be easier, faster and more convenient for you to move your cookware from the rack to the dishwasher and back.
Washing machines are often installed in modern kitchens.
Key Points You Need to Consider When Choosing an Installation Location washing machine:
- plumbing. In the kitchen there is only one option for connecting the washing machine to the water supply - the connection point for the mixer;
- sewerage. The washing machine drain can be connected directly to the sewer, or to a siphon, or directly to the sink sink, at worst;
- electricity. We recommend that you install a powerful electrical outlet near the installation of the washing machine;
- door opening space in the case of front-loading machines.
Microwave Oven Dislocation
The microwave, due to its small dimensions, can be placed in the kitchen according to the residual principle, i.e. - almost in any empty (and convenient!) place. Including fastening to the wall. And some craftsmen even create special niches in the walls for this device. If something doesn’t suit you, then reinstalling it will be very simple, because it only needs two factors:
- availability of power supply;
- sufficient clearance to the rear wall for hot air to escape.
Power supply anywhere in the kitchen can easily be achieved with a reliable extension cord.
The microwave is placed even on low refrigerators or on wide window sills. In the latter case, you will have to control the effect of hot exhaust on window glass (especially in winter) and indoor plants.
Conclusions
In conclusion, we would like to draw your attention to important aspects of placing household appliances in the kitchen. Each device should be in the most optimal and safe place indoors.
Correct installation of devices ensures:
- convenience while working in the kitchen;
- ergonomics of the kitchen space;
- safety in operation;
- long service life.
Remember: you cannot install incompatible equipment nearby. This is fraught with various consequences - from equipment breakdown to fire in the apartment.
Perhaps the refrigerator is the largest and most necessary unit, without which you cannot live in the house. You can skip the microwave, toaster, or juicer, but perishable foods need to be stored somewhere anyway. It’s great if the task of fitting a refrigerator into the kitchen does not turn into a large-scale problem that occupies all our thoughts and energies.
But what to do when the kitchen area is 6-8, or even 4-5 square meters?
Which is not uncommon, unfortunately. And it is very difficult to find space for a unit with an average size of 60 by 70 centimeters and a height of 180 centimeters. This can take up a quarter of the entire kitchen area, leaving no room for family members.
We have analyzed everything possible options placement of a refrigerator in the kitchen and share them with our readers.
Of course, all small kitchens are equally small, but they can still have different shapes– narrow and elongated, square, rectangular, angular. Obviously, atypical options need to be dealt with individually, but general principles placement of bulky items is the same for everyone.
Large living space is not available to everyone, this is especially true for urban residents who have been living in modest “Khrushchev” meters for more than one generation. The builders especially deprived the kitchen - without exaggeration, the most popular area of housing, because it is where the most time is spent when the owners are at home. Cooking and eating food are combined with family evenings or social gatherings, and it is not surprising that many are wondering how to place bulky household appliances here, and in particular a refrigerator, in order to maintain functionality, not take up extra space and not harm the design.
The refrigerator can be placed in a niche formed by furniture
Household appliances in the kitchen
The design of a small kitchen with a refrigerator is not minimalism at all, as is commonly believed. Modern household appliances and examples of finishing the interior space allow you to tastefully arrange everything, using every scarce square centimeter. It should also be remembered that even with a small budget, owners should always have at least a standard set of household appliances, because where would you be without them? Typically, this kit includes:
- Fridge.
- Plate.
- Microwave oven.
- Hood.
In addition, you will need to attach a TV somewhere, which today you simply cannot do without, and some also manage to squeeze a dishwasher and washing machine into this space. The older generation remembers that in Soviet times the problem with the arrangement of furniture concerned only living rooms, which is why furniture walls appeared, thus turning a defect into an effect. No one thought about kitchens then, and a refrigerator for a small kitchen was purchased such as it was possible to get, because there were simply no others.
Option for placing a refrigerator in a small kitchen
Planning the space
The real solution was the possibility of ordering furniture sets according to individual sizes. This made it possible to make the most practical use of the provided volume and make the furniture itself compatible with the dimensions of household appliances. , is the largest device in the room, it is from this point that you need to “dance”. More than once you can hear from housewives living in small apartments with small kitchens that, on the other hand, such an area is very convenient, since everything is within walking distance. And here this term should be taken literally, because as soon as you take a step, there’s a sink, a stove to the right, and a table to the left.
The refrigerator in a small kitchen should be positioned so as not to interfere and at the same time its door could open easily, and the refrigerator could be closed by simply releasing it. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to play with width, so what remains is height and depth. Do not try to look for shallower refrigerators, similar to washing machines. This device, due to technical features, cannot be small, especially since it always has thick walls and a radiator on the back wall. By the way, there must be a gap between it and the wall for air circulation, otherwise the device will not last long. It is best to place the refrigerator in a small kitchen somewhere at the end of the room, but not at the beginning, since its side wall will only enhance the negative impression of the enclosed space. Experts recommend choosing a classic white color or a metallic shade with most of the light spectrum, as it is known to visually expand the space.
Good location of the refrigerator in a small kitchen
You should also abandon the idea of purchasing a huge double-leaf unit with several compartments. For example, the most common solution is a small corner kitchen with a standard two-chamber refrigerator. We should not forget about such an option as a freezer located inside the refrigerator compartment. And don’t consider this a “scoop”; such refrigerators are no less popular in Europe and the USA, since they allow you to gain back a few centimeters by reducing the area of the freezer. If you plan to make large stocks of frozen vegetables, you can purchase a separate freezer by installing it in another room.
How to choose a place
You can fit everything in a small kitchen, just remember those places that are usually not paid attention to. By ordering a countertop, you can cover, albeit small, the opening between the washing machine and the cutting surface. Instead of washing machine, a small refrigerator would also work well underneath; by the way, the option of purchasing two small refrigeration units at once is also quite popular today. They can be installed either side by side or in different parts of the room. But still, where is it better to put a refrigerator in the kitchen? There are a few things to remember simple rules specified in the device passport:
Option for corner location of the refrigerator
- Do not place it near an open fire, that is, the wall of the unit should not be adjacent to a gas burner, hob or other sources that actively generate heat.
- It cannot be placed with the back or side facing a heating radiator, but the front side of the refrigerator can be adjacent to the end of the radiator if the back side is turned towards a wall adjacent to the street.
- Electrical, water and gas communications should not pass near the radiator grille of the refrigerator.
Based on these requirements, it becomes clear that there are not so many accommodation options, but there is a way out. All attention should be paid to built-in appliances, although they usually cost more, although the narrowest refrigerators are not always the way out. You can correct the situation yourself, or you can order a chipboard box from a company specializing in the production of cabinet furniture. The second option is preferable, since specialists will help you choose not only the color and accurately determine the dimensions, taking into account tolerances, but also correctly install the fittings. This is very important, because if you place the refrigerator in a small kitchen in a box made of panels, albeit high-quality made to look like wood, but without a front door, then it will look awkward. It is secured with fittings to the refrigerator, and when opening it, the second one is also opened.
Red refrigerator in a small kitchen as a design element
Closed in the resulting cabinet, the device will not be visible at all, and the strict and clear contours of the furniture will make its placement compact, and most importantly, it can even be placed sideways to the heating radiator. You can place household appliances in a small kitchen in the same way by arranging special cabinets right under the ceiling, because often, about half a meter in height between the top of the wall cabinets and the ceiling, they simply “walk”. They usually place something there that is very rarely used and it constantly collects dust and soot. By making niches the entire height of the wall, you can place little-used but sometimes necessary appliances there, for example, a juicer, a toaster, and other things that are needed from time to time.
There should be a sink nearby, connected to the cutting surface. In this way, a consistent cycle of processing products is maintained, because first we take them out, then wash them and only then proceed to processing. Often, you can see the proximity of the sink to the refrigeration unit. A small corner kitchen with a refrigerator by the window is very common, when they try to maximize the area of the window sill and install a sink immediately opposite the window. Work with products while simultaneously seeing everything through the window and daylight, just pure pleasure. In this case, the refrigerator can be placed again under the countertop, giving preference to a small size. If space allows, then a regular-sized unit is installed, and the light from the window is reflected from the white wall, which is why it is light in the work area even on very cloudy days. I must say that corner kitchens with a refrigerator by the window are the most popular because of this feature, although this arrangement has gained popularity relatively recently.
Not the best location: the refrigerator is next to the stove
Tip: a refrigerated wall adjacent to a sink or cutting table can be used by placing reminders, recipes and other necessary information on it.
Everyone knows that white color visually expands space, but recently there has been a tendency to use black, and it should not be confused with gray tones. small in size, this is not an innovation, but you will need to keep all the furniture in the same shade. This technique allows you to make the boundaries fuzzy and seem to extend into space. Along with dim lighting, you can even use a refrigerator cabinet under a window in the kitchen or in a corner, and concentrate the lighting only in the most necessary areas.
Refrigerator in pantry
Very often, a pantry adjoins the kitchen through a partition, through which you can expand the kitchen space. Kitchens with a built-in refrigerator installed instead of a pantry allow you to solve the problem in favor of a large unit and at the same time not give up the use of storage space. The partition is not completely removed, but a section approximately half the width of the refrigerator wall is left. Thus, all that remains is to push it inside the resulting niche and you can additionally make a cabinet above the refrigerator for cans of preserves or tools. The remaining part of the wall prevents the flow of heat to the radiator, so the preservation and integrity of the equipment are guaranteed.
The location of the refrigerator in a niche in place of the corridor
Down or up?
You can purchase a horizontal refrigerator if you need a large enough capacity. It must be said that such products are quite rarely found in stores, but they can be found on the Internet, however, you will probably have to forget about other large equipment. The horizontal one is designed exclusively as a built-in one and will cost more than the usual version, but in one go, you will solve the problem. Upper part The device is closed with a countertop on which you can place a hob, instead of a bulky oven, and at the same time free up space for other ideas.
Advice: you should remember that it is not visible, and therefore you should not overpay for a small refrigerator with a non-standard color. As a rule, the same model can have a dramatic difference in price.
However, the same applies to products with regular sizes; it is better to purchase a model white, anyway, a kitchen set with a refrigerator will protect you from stains and you won’t have to periodically scrub off grease and stains from the glossy surface.
Another solution may be to use the free surface of the walls, that is, a hanging refrigerator, but this is an option for a small family or it should be duplicated with another unit. The placement rules are the same, but you should not cover it with panels, since the air located above has a high temperature and an extra barrier will worsen heat transfer. There will also be an excessive load concentrated at one point.
WATCH THE VIDEO
In the kitchen so that the owners are always comfortable? There is no standard solution to this question; even in our standard apartments, an individual approach is required in each specific case. Unlike large rooms, it is necessary to correctly install a refrigerator in a kitchen with a small square footage without errors, since subsequent redevelopment will require significant funds. A refrigerator for a small kitchen should be small. or as an option built-in.
If you have a very small kitchen, you probably know firsthand how difficult it is to fit everything you need into a crowded space, and here it is beautiful and tasteful. But what beauty and style is there, you say, if most of the space is “eaten up” by the refrigerator?
However, not everything is as hopeless as it seems at first glance, and you can even place it on the refrigerator so that it looks stylish, modern, and there is still room for passage and other kitchen furniture and utensils. How? Find out from this article.
General principles for placing household appliances in a small kitchen
Someone will say: all small kitchens are equally small. However, they can have different shapes - narrow and elongated, rectangular and angular. Of course, to understand where to put a refrigerator in a small kitchen with a non-standard layout, you will have to think carefully, but some general principles for placing bulky furniture and household appliances here can be deduced:
- Replace the electric stove with built-in appliances, such as an oven. You ask, what about saving space? First of all, you can purchase a two-burner hob - this will increase your work surface. In addition, do not forget about the free space under the oven - you can install a drawer there where you can store various kitchen utensils.
- Skip the oven and invest in a convection microwave or multi-cooker for your small kitchen. At the same time, you will benefit both in free space and in price, because a multicooker or microwave oven costs much less than a bulky oven.
- But what about the refrigerator? Unfortunately, it is unlikely that anything can replace it. But it is still possible to solve the problem of where to put the refrigerator in a small kitchen.
Where to find space in a small kitchen for a refrigerator
If the room is small, you need to take into account a lot of factors that can affect the final result.
So, first of all, do not install a refrigerator in a small kitchen next to electric stove. Such a “neighborhood” can lead to damage to the device. It is also undesirable to place the refrigerator next to a heating radiator. The refrigerator must stand steadily - this will not cause such harm as the dangerous “neighborhood” of heating devices, but it can significantly reduce the service life of the device. And, of course, make sure that the device doors open and close freely.
Where to put a refrigerator in a small kitchen? There are several options here:
- Ditch the bulky refrigerator in favor of a free-standing freezer and refrigerator. This way you can place the refrigerator under the table, saving square meters, which are so in short supply. This option is especially suitable for you if you live alone or do not yet have children.
- Pay attention to built-in models. This refrigerator can be placed inside a cabinet or under a countertop.
- A fairly common solution to the problem of where to put the refrigerator in a small kitchen is to combine the loggia with the kitchen. True, this option is also not without its drawbacks, one of which is that now you will have to walk from the kitchen to the loggia to get groceries. But if this doesn’t bother you, feel free to move the refrigerator there, just don’t forget to first insulate the loggia, or better yet, install heating and electricity there.
- If your apartment has a pantry or built-in closet, you can “hide” the refrigerator there.
- If you still can't find a place to put the refrigerator in a small kitchen, why not move it outside? For example, in a corridor, hallway, adjacent room or corridor. Only in this case you will have to select a refrigerator to match the style of the room where it will be placed.
- Possible option with . So, for example, you can block the passage from the corridor with plasterboard and place the refrigerator against the resulting wall. The entrance to the kitchen can be made through the adjoining room.
- Experts recommend placing all large and bulky items in the corner. The distance from the window to the wall may vary, but here you will definitely not trip over the refrigerator. And if you pick compact model, there will be enough space for passage.
- Another popular place to place a refrigerator is near the door. This way you can make the most optimal use of square meters and avoid creating gaps between cabinets and kitchen appliances.
A great option for a small kitchen is a built-in refrigerator. It can be "hidden" in a built-in closet or kitchen set, For example. Look at the photo to see how it might look.
Placing the refrigerator in a corner by the window is another popular option for small kitchens. If the room is very narrow, you can use an extended window sill as a miniature table. Here you can brew and drink tea, and at the same time admire the magnificent view of the courtyard.
When planning the design of a small kitchen, it is better not to deviate from the “triangle” rule: first install the refrigerator, then the sink, and only then the stove.
You don't have enough ideas on how to post on small space kitchen everything you need? Pay attention to children's toy kitchens. Believe me: real designers and professionals worked on them. Have you noticed how compactly all the elements of the kitchen are placed? Take note! The interior of a small kitchen with a refrigerator built into the cabinet. Everything ingenious is simple, and everything convenient is built-in, right?
You can't do without a large refrigerator, but you don't have room for a dining table? It can be replaced with a bar counter - and there will be a place for eating, and space will be saved. Many owners of small apartments and Khrushchev houses do this: they buy two refrigerators. One for storing the most necessary products. It can be placed in the kitchen, hidden in a built-in closet or under the countertop. And place the second refrigerator on the balcony and store frozen vegetables, fruits, berries, and semi-finished products there. The refrigerator is by the doorway - not a single meter wasted!
And finally - useful video material, from which you will learn how to functionally, and most importantly, compactly place furniture in a small kitchen of 6 square meters.
If you are without a freezer, you should buy it as a separate element that can fit into the workspace under the countertop. Built-in equipment is the ideal way out of the situation - it doesn’t take up much space and is almost invisible. True, the option with a small refrigerator is good in an apartment where no more than two people live. The appearance of a third person will force you to change the refrigerator to a larger one.
A significant addition to the kitchen is often the living room, with which it has recently become increasingly combined. Stylish studio kitchen ideas can surprise and interest even those who recently did not take this decision seriously. For such interiors, you can sometimes purchase a small refrigerator, in which the bias is made towards the design component. This beautiful decorative refrigerator can become one of the interesting places in your kitchen and add charm to it.
We use niches
When open space in the kitchen is sorely lacking, additional space in the form of niches can come to the rescue. Of course, creating a niche will require more time, but it is not necessary to break down walls or move them - this is more difficult and must be coordinated with the relevant services. There is enough niche in which a cabinet for storing dishes or a refrigerator can fit. This solution is very original, and it can be designed to suit every taste.
Pantry for reserve
Another option is related to the same principle of dividing the refrigerator into two parts. Moreover, it is the freezer that needs to be transferred, since it is undesirable to take the refrigerator itself out of the kitchen (and we are talking about taking it outside the kitchen). In the kitchen, it should always be at your side, and you can’t lock it in a small hallway (and this is most likely what it is in a small kitchen) or a pantry. But a freezer is perfect for this purpose. In addition to the pantry, you can use a spacious closet, if there is one nearby in one of the rooms.
Loggia as an additional area
Another room that can be combined with the kitchen space is a loggia. This will be especially practical if you have another balcony, and there is no need for two such rooms at once. Combining the kitchen with the loggia significantly expands its territory. When demolishing that part of the wall where the window and door to the loggia were located, two columns remain that cannot be demolished. It is behind them that frees up space where you can hide the refrigerator. Thus, it is located in the kitchen and at the same time is in a secluded place.
Moving a piece of furniture and especially equipment into a room that is not usually intended for it does not carry anything useful.
You can often come across advice that the refrigerator can be shoved into a walk-through room or simply into a living room. This solution is, to put it mildly, questionable, but if you are interested in it, do not forget to think about a few things:
1. The refrigerator is almost always an audible appliance, so think about whether its noise will disturb you.
2. How much space will the refrigerator “eat” and will it interfere with the freedom of movement between the rooms.
3. Will the refrigerator fit into the interior of the room where it will be located?
4.How do you feel about the smells coming from the refrigerator? There is no doubt that they will be there.
5.Will you or other household members dial overweight, when the distance to the refrigerator is reduced, and you don’t have to stomp to the kitchen to get to it.
If these conditions do not bother you, then you can try this option for placing the refrigerator. Otherwise, any of the options listed above may work good service, depending on the decision you make.
3D layout of a refrigerator in a small kitchen 
Plan for placing a refrigerator in a small kitchen 
Top view of small kitchen layout with refrigerator