Making your kitchen convenient

Modern kitchens are a separate industry with its own technology, fashion, ideology. Kitchens are very similar to one another, and yet each has its own unique face. But the main task of the kitchen, which is set by all manufacturers without exception – functionality and convenience. The kitchen is almost the only place in the house whose task is to work. So when we create our own unique kitchen, we create a workplace in the first place.

Alexei Kuzmin, Consultant, Designer at the Bureau of Technical Aesthetics.

Thank you German Kitchen Salon

Eggersman

n, the kitchen showroom

Scavolini.

Concept car

Every self-respecting car company tries to create a concept car of the future for the next motor show. The same principle can be applied to create a kitchen. It’s a kind of constructor, which embodies its high technology. The conceptual formation of the kitchen environment can be a circular arrangement of elements with the location of the hostess inside such a circle. In this case everything is at arm’s length and there is no need to move around. Just as a concept car is a dream car, it’s almost impossible to put a kitchen like this in real life.

But when planning your kitchen, you should strive for this.

The key factor in the design of a kitchen is the space for it. On its size, functions depend on the filling of the equipment. Suppose there is a limited area, then you need to make the most useful use of every inch of space. But when moving around the kitchen, cabinets should not stand in the way. That’s why the kitchen “strives upwards” and makes maximum use of the wall space.

Another example: large room sizes allow you to think about aesthetics. Under these conditions, it’s important that the distances between the main points aren’t too great. Here it makes sense to create a so-called island. Floor units, possibly with equipment, are moved to the center of the room.

Another option: the kitchen as part of the studio. In this case the kitchen needs to be zoned, including the furniture. It’s important that the kitchen furniture blends in with the furniture of the other areas designers sometimes use kitchen cabinets for the rest of the furnishings . Kitchen cabinets have a rare versatility that allows them to be used in rooms where daily household chores are performed: utility rooms closet or laundry rooms.

The math of the kitchen

Let’s pretend we’re in the kitchen and we’re cooking a meal. The combination of our actions includes the following operations: taking food out of the fridge, washing it in the sink. For this simple action, it is desirable to spend a small number of steps. Next, washed products fall on the cutting table, from which after processing go to the frying surface. From these basic operations, it follows that the distance between the refrigerator and the sink should be small, the sink and stove are next to each other, but separated by a section of the countertop. It is important that everything you need for cooking: ladles, pots and pans, spices and oil, in short, are within easy reach of the stove.

Many kitchens do not have a dishwasher, and the sink serves not only to wash food but also dishes. In this case, next to the sink at a short distance is necessary drying dishes.

Some manufacturers have almost done away with the drying rack cabinets we’re accustomed to. Because plates and cups come out of the dishwasher completely dry and stored differently. So it should not be surprising that, for example, wooden drawers are used for cutlery.

Great perspectives in kitchen design open up with new possibilities for appliances. The independence of the frying surface from the oven allows you to place them in different places. Underneath the frying surface is a convenient place to put pots and pans. And the oven can be placed in the column at eye level, which facilitates the work and control of the cooking process.

Modern kitchens are also equipped with built-in refrigerators, including double-leaf, microwave ovens, coffee machines, washing machines.

The kitchen worktop is located at a height of 85-90 cm, in some sets the sink area is made a little higher. Working over such a sink, it is convenient to lean on it, so as not to waste unnecessary effort. Some manufacturers offer their customers cabinets showcases, they are installed directly on the countertop. It is advisable not to place such cabinets in the zone of intensive work, as they conceal a large area of the countertop. Thanks to their roll-up door, these cupboards can accommodate coffee makers, juicers and food processors. They incorporate lighting and a power supply. What’s more, when open, they extend the worktop, the door doesn’t get in the way, and when closed, they conceal unnecessary details from view.

The placement of wall cabinets should depend on the height of the kitchen owners. Use high inaccessible cabinets better in cramped kitchens, where you need to save space. The most commonly used principle for wall cabinets is that the width of the wall unit is the same as the width of the floor cabinet underneath.

Big details

Trends in modern kitchen design have led to the use of wide 90 cm to 120 cm deep dishwasher drawers. Visually, such a large division does not break up, but rather unites the kitchen. And the internal use of such cabinets is unusually diverse. In addition, simple hinged cabinets forced the hostess to bend over and look for the things she needed in the depths of the cabinets. When you open the drawers, all the contents of this shelf are right in front of you and at your fingertips. The impression of reliability is created by high-quality fittings – rails that can withstand many years of work without breakage and under heavy load, door closers, stoppers, locks. Drawers themselves are made of metal, making them lightweight and durable.

In support of the lower, wide cabinets use the same elongated hinged cabinets with an upward opening. Their fittings are also of great nomenclature.

However, when completing the kitchen should not weigh it down with an excessive number of such devices, since many act as a kind of toys and have little practical value. And some of them require a certain amount of attention. For example, drawer closers with a suction effect last only 5-7 years without repair. Can fail and pneumatic mechanisms with cushioning, so that the principle the simpler, the better in the kitchen will not be superfluous.

Pulling forward

The interior arrangement of modern kitchen drawers is a whole separate story. The manufacturer thinks out in detail how to use the space most conveniently. Pull-out drawers are reduced to the size of boxes. At the same time, many of them have individual inserts for storing certain items. Let’s look at examples.

The drawer is designed for storage of knives, spices and accessories. The manufacturer offers its customers not only the kitchen furniture itself, but the filling of cabinets depending on the preferences of the customer. Such a cabinet can serve for storing appliances, for a set of special items, for example, all for cooking pizza, for working with dough. Its special feature is that there is a special place for each item. It makes storing things a kind of art, and the best thing is that you can find what you need in seconds.

The drawer is made of metal, the inserts are made of wood. It is not convenient for those who do not use a dishwasher in the kitchen, you will have to dry items separately and then put them back in place, taking care of such a drawer will be difficult.

The drawer is filled with sections with hermetically sealed jars for storing bulk products, as well as a simulated space for food storage. The drawers are made of good plastic. Drawer insides don’t look as refined as the wooden ones, but they’re more practical.

The drawer is a kind of a set of electrical appliances in a special case. Attracts the possibility to arrange the shelves for each item, as they say, with German pedantry. But the main feature is that the drawer is equipped with two electrical outlets. This, combined with the louvered drawer, frees the wall panel from unnecessary parts. Compartments for appliance attachments are mobile, just like in the previous drawer.

Pull-out plate drawer. Plates are placed in special containers made of good wood. Here, the container serves not only to limit the space of the drawer, but also to make it possible to quickly reach a whole stack of plates at once. An interesting feature of this base is that the front is attached only to the bottom drawer. The top two drawers slide out on their own.

Storage drawer for pots and pans. Its advantage is that the bottom is made with perforated. This allows you, by rearranging the stops, to change the internal volume. Stoppers in such a situation are not a luxury, they keep pans from hitting when the drawer is suddenly pulled out. This drawer will find its place under or next to the frying surface.

Next to the frying surface, it is also desirable to have pull-out sections like the one shown in the picture. Commonly referred to as bottle racks. They are designed to hold oil, vinegar and other products that are used in cooking. Bottle drawer with 10-15 cm width allows you to put the bottles only in one row, it prevents them from falling when pulling out the cabinet.

Organization of space under the sink. A design feature of this kitchen base is the sink trough that protrudes down into the cabinet. Therefore, the upper drawer is made with a recess. The remaining space is adapted for detergents, cleaning products, sponges, brushes, gloves. An upper recess on the top drawer keeps the contents of the lower freezer drawer accessible.

The bottom drawer has a trash compartment consisting of several buckets, as it is customary in Europe to sort trash.

A more simple space arrangement under the sink where the bucket is suspended over the opening door. When you open it, the lid of the bucket is automatically lifted. In this case, the bottom of the cabinet is fitted with a tray of thick, rigid foil.

Corner kitchen cabinets have a lot of internal space, but it’s just inconvenient to use it fully without the appropriate devices. One of them is the so-called “wagon.”. The first echelon baskets are attached to the front. When you open the door, they pull the second echelon behind them. It turns out that the contents of the baskets are easily accessible.

The carousel system has been in use for a long time. This closed cabinet looks like a cylinder. A slight push on the door, it recedes and rotates around a central axis, allowing access to the shelves and their contents, while inside the light turns on. A similar system is used for floor corner cabinets.

Wall-mounted pivot panel – a novelty that is not used by all. In fact, it is almost like a cabinet. On one side, the rails are used to place the utensils. On the other side, semicircular baskets for storing dishes. This whole system rotates around its vertical axis. The disadvantage of this design is a large space that it will occupy, in addition, the panel will have to be attached to the wall and floor.

A column is sometimes used to visually support vertical kitchen elements, such as a refrigerator. Because it is retractable, access to its contents is improved. Baskets are attached directly to the front and slide forward when it is opened.

In kitchens with classic door opening for convenience uses the design of the pull-out shelves. This system is attached to a central rail at the bottom and top of the cupboard.

Most of the technical solutions for the interior furnishings of cabinets are similar from all manufacturers. They just borrow new finds from each other. Italian kitchen manufacturers use German fittings as the best in the world and are able to create completely “crazy” projects, which in a few years become trendsetters. And German manufacturers often borrow their design finds. At the same time, they have an absolutely unique design, which are found only in certain manufacturers.

These are the already shown electric drawers, boxes with containers for plates, as the Italians mostly use hanging dryers for storing plates. Another highlight is that German kitchen manufacturers have begun to use the plinth, which is usually simply closed with a plug. They hold drawers and pull-outs.

In general, the presence of such subtleties in solving the seemingly familiar volume of kitchen cabinets indicates a high class manufacturer. True, the cost of such kitchens is much higher at least one and a half to two times higher .

Comfortable materials

Reliability of the kitchen is characterized by the quality of the materials used for its manufacture. Cabinets are made of particleboard, covered with a laminate film. The most responsible place – the ends. American, Polish and other manufacturers of cheap kitchens embed edge veneer. In fact, it is a thin edge, glued almost with an iron. Over time, it can peel off, and in places of contact with the side surface there is a possibility of moisture, which will lead to swelling.

European manufacturers use PVC edge. Technology of such facing allows you to protect from mechanical damage and moisture, which is very important precisely for the kitchen furniture. You can distinguish them from each other by looking at the end face. The edge veneer has the thickness of thick paper, and its edges show that it is glued, in addition, sometimes there is a noticeable gap between the end and the side plane, in which the chipboard “shines through”. PVC is much thicker, tightly attached to the end thanks to the connection technology, which provides a better and more reliable joint.

The basic appearance of the kitchen create

facades

. To choose the most convenient for yourself, you have to understand what and how the cabinets of your future kitchen are made. To make them are used:

–

Wood

. Its naturalness is its advantage, but the disadvantage is that with changes in humidity and temperature wood can dry out. In addition, wood is a rather soft material and requires some maintenance. One of the most expensive materials

– MDF veneered

. Its advantages – the coating of natural wood veneer gives the material the same properties as wood facades, with the exception of desiccation. Cheaper than natural wood

–

MDF is laminated

й. A wide variety of colors and plastic solutions. That said, the wood laminate looks more like laminate than wood, so it’s better to just choose a colored finish. Durability of laminate is higher than that of wood. Price laminate is categorized as economy class

–

MDF painted

. A huge range of colors. Almost no restrictions on plastic. The disadvantage is that the material is soft, and taking care of it involves polishing, touch-up in case of major damage , like a car body. But this can be an advantage – unlike laminate or veneer, it can be repaired. The price is determined by the paint

–

MDF under plastic

. The toughest material. The once popular Soviet, East European GDR kitchens are still in use today because of the plastic covering on the fronts. Modern technologies allow to produce plastic of any colors, glossy, matte texture. Considered to be an affordable material

–

Facades, covered with stainless steel, aluminum

, Claims to be trendy. At a point of impact, such a facade can deform. Care includes constant cleaning of touch marks, drips and so on. Highly visible scratches. But it is distinguished by its durability. High price.

When choosing the fronts, you should also pay attention to the quality of the facing, except for wooden and painted leaves. The fronts are mostly edge-formed with PVC, but among the fashionable trends are aluminum profiles.

The kitchen countertop is often a direct participant in the manipulation of food preparation. That is why its quality is so important. Effort to care for it should be minimal, and the countertop should preserve its integrity for as long as possible.

Countertops

Available in four basic variants.

–

Plastic

. Durable, reliable, a wide range of colors.

–

Wood

. High-strength wood species are used. The bar structure allows to avoid deformation and cracking. The worktop is impregnated with oil which preserves the natural look of the wood. Subject to scratches, must be treated with care.

–

Metal

Countertops give the kitchen a modern, aggressive look. To avoid the main difficulties with the removal of water droplets, grease stains, cuts, make textured surfaces with a fine pattern.

–

Composite materials

– Different types of artificial stone. Made according to finished sizes of the kitchen. The tabletop can be of any shape: with different projections, with rounded edges, with various shapes and thicknesses. Can be made directly with a one-piece sink. Wide range of colors. As strong as stone, but not as porous. The price is by one order of magnitude higher than a laminate countertop.

–

Stone

– The most expensive material of the tabletop. At the same time, it requires special attention in operation. Avoid shock point loads, strict attention to cleanliness, otherwise dirt can lodge in the pores, which will be impossible to remove.

Another “fighting place” in the kitchen is the so-called apron. Its areas near the stove and the sink are the zone of active contamination and corresponding hostess care. Therefore, the material from which it is made must be easy to clean, not damaged by hot steam, drops of hot oil. The most common back wall material, ceramic tile, is ideal in this regard. But such an apron must be prepared in advance, at the stage of repair. As for other materials, it is almost the same set as the countertop, with all the pros and cons. Laminate and plastic allows you to pick up an interesting color scheme, to emphasize the color of countertops or fronts. Wood, stone and composite are usually selected the same as for the countertop, so that the kitchen looks coherent. As an option, you can think about a backdrop of unplastered brick with neatly embroidered joints. Beautiful, but not very washable.

Sinks are made mostly of stainless steel, there are also enameled, composite materials. One of the most comfortable sinks is made of stainless steel. They don’t show the marks of activity, but they’re more expensive than stainless steel. Composite materials, such as fragranite, siligranite – are durable and resistant, and corian – lightweight and non-porous structure. But these materials are expensive.

Light

Lighting in the kitchen is one of the most important elements. Because the hostess has to work there for a long time and often either in the morning or in the evening. So in addition to general lighting in the kitchen you need zone lighting.

For example, most of the hoods are equipped with lights that illuminate the cooking surface.

Often the workplace in the kitchen forces the cook to stand with his back to the light. That is why it would be a good idea to mount special lighting under wall cabinets. Halogen fixtures are often used for this purpose. They do not give a scattered – a beam – light, but from which the eyes fatigue faster. Fluorescent lighting can be positioned over the entire length of the cabinet and give even, diffused light.

To install such lights when installing the kitchen should provide a power outlet do not forget about the sockets above the work surface for kettle, mixer and so on .

It’s interesting that the fashion for mensa sinks with lights, which went out about five years ago, was totally non-functional. As in this case, the surface of the facades of hinged cabinets are lit, and the work area of the table remains in the shade.

Some manufacturers, for convenience, offer lighting the insides of cabinets. When you open the door, the light turns on, when you close it, it turns off. Cabinets with glass fronts are constantly lit to create a showcase effect. Additional lighting will also affect the kitchen price, so it’s better to stop at really necessary for work.

Time is money

The question of timing of the kitchen is negotiated in the process of ordering. Usually in the contract for the manufacture there is a clause about the terms. Pay attention to the responsibility of the supplier in case of a delay. More often than not, the standard contract assigns a penalty for each day of delay after the number specified in the contract. In the case of a real problem with deadlines, only your initiative will help speed up the solution.

Most contracts also provide such a point that if the customer refuses to take away the ordered kitchen, the deposit remains in the firm. Therefore, if the production of your kitchen is too much delayed, you can refuse the services of such a company, only after losing money, or after a scandal, when you agree to return them on certain conditions.

The manufacturing time of the kitchen depends on which program it refers to. The warehouse program provides for the delivery of furniture in three days or more. In the case of a defect, the part can be replaced fairly quickly.

Kitchens that are made abroad are usually made in 45 working days. The timing is affected by the Christmas vacations, when no one is working. Serious firms set this term with a reserve and try not to violate it. Kitchens made in America are delivered in 10-14 days and more.

If the order includes a worktop of composite materials, we must remember that it will begin to make only after the kitchen itself will be assembled and installed, to take very accurate dimensions of such a table top undercut it simply impossible . Term of manufacturing worktops – about two weeks.

So if you’re going to order a kitchen, you should do it in advance.

Price

This parameter does not belong to the category of convenience, but it is one of the important arguments when choosing a kitchen. The concept of the price per running meter, adopted in recent times, does not allow a judgement on the real cost of the future kitchen. Modern kitchen sets are made to order, as a result of which the price per linear meter in different sets is very different. In the price lists, as a rule, write the cost per meter of the cheapest without appliances kitchen, and any deviation from a given set can significantly change it.

The cost of cabinets, countertops and fronts, while seemingly similar at first glance, may vary significantly in different shops. On the price will affect the quality of invisible to the eye developments and technological methods used, materials, and the name, that is a brand name it also costs money . Therefore, a similar item can cost an order of magnitude more like drawers, from 50 to 1000 euros .

The kitchen – the application place of our creative efforts, it should be able to combine convenience and beauty, to ensure order and accessibility of any necessary things, facilitate the work.

When planning your kitchen, you must remember that most of the “tricks” that look so good and interesting in the showroom, are not so necessary in everyday life. In addition, the final price will surely be able to sober up any customer. So finding a compromise between tempting manufacturer’s offers and the desire for beauty and convenience is the work of creating the appearance of your own unique kitchen – comfortable and practical exclusively for you.