Direct kitchen design

Pros and cons

A direct kitchen is a variant of the layout of a kitchen set, in which all the constituent elements are located along a straight line. This option is not ideal, but it has a number of advantages.

• Saving space. It is logical that a straight kitchen set takes up much less space than a corner or U-shaped one.
• Saving money... The most expensive modules are corner modules: you will greatly reduce the cost of kitchen furniture by abandoning them.
• Versatility... The linear kitchen layout is suitable for large, small, simple rooms with complex layouts.
• Free space for the dining area... It is relevant for a small kitchen up to 6 square meters, where it will be possible to place a comfortable table with chairs or even a sofa, instead of embedding the dining room in the kitchen countertop or huddling behind the bar counter.

Read also: What other types of kitchen layouts are there?

Do not forget about disadvantages single row kitchen:

• Small working surface... Measure the length of the future countertop, subtract 100-120 cm from the resulting figure (on the stove and sink). The rest will be your free area for slicing, preparing food.
• Less storage space... Several cabinets at the bottom plus the same amount on top, even taking into account the third row, additional secret ways to increase the capacity, it will not work to place a huge amount of utensils.
• Limited amount of household appliances... Or its limited dimensions: for example, if the length of the kitchen is only 2-2.5 meters, a full-size dishwasher, the oven will have to be replaced with compact models.
• Low ergonomics... Convenient working triangle in a straight kitchen, you can forget, although the designers have come up with a solution. The easiest option is to remove the refrigerator from the line by placing it on the side.

Who is the linear layout for?

In fact, all the shortcomings of a direct kitchen are relative: for example, there are many people who simply do not need a large countertop or roomy cabinets. They adhere to minimalism, practically do not cook at home. In this case, the linear layout allows you to leave space in the apartment for a large dining table, a spacious comfortable sofa.

Also linear kitchens are a great option for small spaces. For example, in KhrushchevIn other small apartments, a wall-to-wall direct kitchen will allow you to keep enough free space for easy movement, arranging the necessary furniture.

In a large kitchen, a direct layout is no less in demand: if the length of the room is 4-5 meters, then this is quite enough to accommodate a standard kitchen set. The advantage of a direct kitchen in a modern appearance, compactness.

In the photo, a layout option with a refrigerator on the side

Headset installation recommendations

A linear kitchen starts with planning. The project determines how convenient it will be to use this direct kitchen in the future.

First of all, we choose on which wall the arrangement of the direct kitchen is planned:

1. Pay attention to the location of the communications.If you use this angle as a starting point, you will not have to move water pipes, sewers.
2. Estimate the aspect ratio. In rectangular rooms, for example, it is logical to move the functional area to a long wall - this way there will be more space for work and storage.
3. Mark the location of the window, doorway. It is better to move the cabinets away from the doors, but the use of the window in the direct kitchen is up to you. The first step is to be aware that there will definitely not be any hanging boxes or shelves in this area. If this does not scare you, then you can equip your headset under the windowsill.

Advice! It is best to install a sink opposite the opening - this will make the overall design of your direct kitchen more interesting.

In the photo there is a built-in three-story headset

You should start from the bottom tier. The diagram takes into account all the necessary built-in or large appliances (refrigerator and stove, oven, dishwasher, washing machine). The rest of the area is occupied by cabinets.

Advice! If the size of the niche allows you to reduce the size countertops, install 1-2 pencil cases in one corner. The columns solve the problem with the placement of the refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, and are incredibly spacious.

The top level is planned based on your needs:

• minimalists can abandon hanging cabinets altogether or replace them with shelves;
• lovers of proven solutions are recommended to place narrow hinged modules according to the standard principle;
• Maximalists will like the options for direct kitchens in 3 rows to the ceiling: while the middle tier is slightly recessed inward.

How to arrange furniture conveniently?

Cases, cabinets, and other elements of the kitchen should be located as ergonomically as possible.

Storage systems

In order to understand how much the future kitchen should contain, estimate the amount of things you need. If ordinary floor-standing, wall-mounted cabinets are definitely not enough, use secret ways:

• Tall pencil cases replace about 3 deep cabinets, containing much more than you might imagine.
• An additional top row allows for a 25-30% increase in capacity. Cabinets can be of different depths or one: the main thing is not to hit your head during work.
• Replacing the base with drawers, although not much, will expand the storage area.

If, on the contrary, you have few things - give up bulky hinged modules in favor of open shelves. By the way, their content will save on decor, acting as a functional decoration.

Direct kitchen with refrigerator there are two types: a refrigerator in a row or placed on one of the adjacent walls. In the second case, it will turn out to organize a working triangle with a sink and a stove, it will become more convenient to cook. The first is to save space, maintain a uniform style.

Advice! For a small space, choose a built-in model - this way you can hide the overall equipment so as not to distract attention.

Cooking area

A direct kitchen with a stove is also different:

• the classic gas freestanding model will stand out from the general picture;
• built-in looks neater, allows you to separate the hob from the oven.

Important! When drawing a plan for a future kitchen, do not forget about a gas water heater, a pipe, if any. And also consider the required presence hoods for apartments equipped with gas.

In the photo, cabinets are in a row with shelves

Direct kitchens with a separate hob and oven are easier to plan. You can choose a small stove (for 2-3 burners), this will save about 30 cm of usable space on the countertop. And the oven is often taken out into the pencil case, thereby freeing up space under the pan for dishes.

Advice! If you do not cook very often, you can refuse from the stove altogether by purchasing a portable induction model.It does not take up much space in the closet, and when needed, it is simply placed on the top of the tabletop.

In the photo, the arrangement of furniture in a narrow space

Washing area

Placing a sink in a straight kitchen is a topic for a separate conversation. The main thing to understand is that the integral apex of the triangle should always be between the refrigerator and the stove. The sink is located as close to the stove as possible, not the refrigerator.

Therefore, the classic location in the corner is impractical: using the kitchen will be simply inconvenient.

Important! There should be enough space between all the vertices to complete the tasks. For example, a distance of 30-40 cm near the refrigerator compartment for convenient folding of food. 60-100 cm near the stove, so that there is where to put the washed products, where to cut them.

Lunch group

Direct kitchens have one big advantage: no matter how large the room is, you will have room for the dining area.

In compact spaces, it is better to give preference to a folding table with chairs. The seats slide under the table, saving floor space. And if necessary, the table can be moved apart to seat a large number of guests.

Advice! Choose folding or at least stackable chair models that will not take up a lot of storage space.

In the photo, two-tone kitchen furniture

If the size of the kitchen allows, take a closer look at soft sofas, armchairs or kitchen corners. Choose models with removable covers or upholstery made from special fabrics for easy cleaning - they are not afraid of dirt, suitable for use in the kitchen.

Real interior design ideas

A cozy kitchen interior consists of many components: color, size of furniture, style of decoration, decor.

Shade facades depends primarily on the size of the kitchen: in tiny rooms it is better to give preference to white or light - the reception visually increases the space, in large rooms you can allow rich, deep, dark tones.

Advice! A two-tiered set along one wall can be multi-colored, while the top row is usually lighter than the bottom one.

The appearance of the furniture is determined by the style direction: milling on the doors for a classic design, a combination of black handles with white coating for scandi, lack of handles, the matt surface is modern in style.

In the photo, linear furniture in the scandi style

Furniture in one line is a stylish convenient option for the kitchen, but for convenient use in the future, it is necessary to carefully think over all the nuances at the design stage.