Pros and cons of a square shape
Advantages of square kitchens:
- Suitable for furniture sets of any shape.
- Allow you to create a harmonious layout.
- All appliances and kitchen accessories are at hand, and not “stretched” across an elongated space.
- They are highly ergonomic, compared to narrow and long rooms.
- They look more spacious and harmonious than any other layouts.
Disadvantages square kitchen are mainly found during planning:
- Difficulty with zoning. If it is not difficult to separate the dining area from the work area in a rectangular room, then in a square there are much fewer possibilities.
- Limited space. In tiny kitchens, it is more difficult to arrange furniture so that it does not look bulky and at the same time remains roomy.
- Lack of compensation. An elongated 3*5 room allows you to arrange furniture along the long wall, leveling out the narrow width. When decorating a square 3*3 room, you will have to be more inventive.
Which layout is better?
The choice of layout for a square kitchen, the location of the kitchen set and the dining area, depends on many factors. Ultimately, any option will do, the main thing is that it suits the apartment residents in all respects.
Linear
The best solution for a small square kitchen is a straight kitchen set. It does not take up much space, looks minimalistic, and covers the minimum needs for storage and cooking.
In a large area, a linear layout allows you to leave free space for a dining table with chairs or a sofa.
We cannot fail to mention the disadvantages: the location near one of the walls is characterized by small capacity (concerns built-in appliances and storage), a small work surface and low ergonomics. That is, it is possible to build a working triangle on it only by moving the refrigerator out of the line.
Advice! If the size of the countertop in a compact square kitchen is fine, but you need to increase the storage area, add two rows of wall cabinets, replace the plinth with drawers or install 1-2 tall cabinets.
The photo shows a linear layout in scandi style
Two-row
First of all, we answer the question of how big a square kitchen should be for parallel placement.
The ideal recommended width of the passage between rows is 120-150 cm. Add 120 cm to this for the width of both rows and you get a suitable area of 5.7-7.3 square meters.
If the width of the walls is less than 2.4 m, one of the sides will have to be made narrower, otherwise it will be inconvenient to use drawers and hinged doors. If the distance is more than 2.7-3 meters, you get too big a passage, because of which you will have to constantly run between the cabinets and countertops.
Corner
The most versatile set is the L-shaped one. It does not take up as much space as U-shaped furniture, but it is much more spacious than a straight one.
It is easy to organize a working triangle on a corner one: for this, the sink is installed between the stove and the refrigerator.
Important! Be sure to leave at least 60 cm between the sink and the stove and 40 cm between the sink and the refrigerator.
Another advantage of the corner solution is a lot of space for built-in appliances. On one side, you can install 2 tall cabinets, one of which will have a refrigerator, the other – an oven and a microwave. Place the dishwasher or washing machine close to the wet area so you don’t have to run utilities.
The photo shows a large corner set
U-shaped
If your kitchen is located in a studio and you are only going to cook in it, choose a U-shaped set. This layout is characterized by maximum capacity, a large countertop and high ergonomics.
Important! Based on the required distance between opposite rows, we can conclude that the width of the room should be 2.4-3 meters.
The photo shows U-shaped light furniture with glossy facades
Kitchen with an island
An island is a universal solution that can correct any flaws in the plan. For example, a straight kitchen will become more spacious, and the work area will also increase. In a wide (3 meters or more) room, when placing a parallel or U-shaped model, an island will improve ergonomics by reducing the distance between the lines.
In addition, an island is a full-fledged replacement for a dining table for small families. If more than 3 people live in the apartment or you like to invite guests, then you will have to equip the dining room outside the kitchen.
Important! The island takes up a lot of space, so it is suitable only for rooms larger than 10 sq. m.
Kitchen with a peninsula
A peninsula is a more compact alternative to an island and a functional replacement for a bar counter. It is part of the kitchen unit, is located at a standard countertop height, and is suitable for both cooking and snacking.
A peninsula is ideal for small kitchens where there is no room for a separate dining area. It will fit in the studio just as well, zoning the room with its presence.
Features of furniture arrangement
The arrangement of furniture in a square kitchen primarily depends on the layout: each has its own rules.
Dining area in a square kitchen
Even a small kitchen with a table and cabinets can be furnished, but To do this, you need to choose a straight or L-shaped layout. Then a table with chairs will fit in the free corner.
Tip! In small rooms, it is preferable to place an extendable table and folding or stackable seats.
If there is no room for a full-size table or it is simply not needed (there is a separate dining room or enough space in the living room), then a snack area is organized in the kitchen – an island, peninsula or a bar counter with a couple of chairs.
The photo shows a bright design of a small room
Cooking area
Based on the fact that all the walls are the same, many conclude that the workspace can be placed anywhere. But this statement is not entirely true.
First, look at the location of the utilities: water supply, sewerage, ventilation. And if it is not necessary to pull the box from the hood to the ventilation shaft in every project, then the pipes for supplying and draining water are needed by everyone. Accordingly, you should not plan to place it in the corner opposite to the communications.
Secondly, the location of the door and window opening plays an important role. It is permissible to use the window as part of the set, installing a countertop with a sink on the windowsill. It is better to keep the door away and in no case place the hob near the entrance.
The photo shows an island option in a square room
Storage systems
When planning the design of a square kitchen, try to install only pull-out drawers in the bottom row – they are much more convenient than hinged ones.
Hinged cabinets are installed on top in one or 2 rows.
Tip! If the kitchen is small, the best choice would be built-in rather than modular furniture. With its help, you can use all the free space from floor to ceiling.
Additional storage space is provided by tall cabinets. Tall columns are comparable in capacity to 2-3 cabinets, so a couple of tall cabinets can solve the problem of lack of space.
Recommendations for arranging a small kitchen
In a small square kitchen, the issue of the location of the dining area is acute: there may simply not be room for a full-size table. Therefore, in a situation of limited space, it is necessary to choose what is more important: a comfortable and spacious workspace or a cozy table for 4-5 people.
In the first case, there are 2 options: L-shaped furniture for a square kitchen with a small table pushed into the corner. Or a U-shaped design, part of the tabletop of which is reserved for a place for eating.
Advice! Separate the zones with lamps – instead of a chandelier in the center, spotlights in the work area and a lamp above the table.
Repair and finishing are also important. Standard advice: maximum of light shades. And to make the set unnoticeable, make it to match the color of the walls.
Interior design options
Square kitchens are rare, but there is still an opportunity to see successful examples of layouts.
