Small Kitchen with Refrigerator

 This problem is especially relevant for owners of small apartments. How to place a refrigerator on the kitchen so that it harmoniously fits into the interior and is convenient to use? Read below.

Main principles of refrigerator placement in the kitchen

First of all, it is necessary to understand where you should not place this household appliance. What does that mean? These are places near the heating radiator, stove (cooking surface) and sink. In the first two cases, the appliance is negatively affected by elevated temperature, in the third - humidity. It is also not recommended to place a refrigerator by the window (if it blocks the opening), especially if it faces south. Before installing household appliances, make sure there is an electrical outlet and do not forget about the minimum distance to the wall: it should be at least 3 cm - this will allow air to circulate freely, which guarantees a long service life of the household appliance. Where should you place the refrigerator unit?

Placement options

There are many options: all of them depend on the shape of the kitchen, ceiling height and the refrigerator itself, its dimensions, as well as the number and location of windows and the entrance door. The most popular places for placing this household appliance are considered below.

Design: Nadezhda Zотова At the entrance to the kitchen

The situation where an empty space forms near the entrance door is not rare. However, this area can be filled by placing a refrigerator there. As a result, the kitchen will look more spacious and lighter. The effect will be significantly enhanced if the cabinet and finishing materials of the walls, floor and ceiling are in light tones. It is also quite acceptable for the refrigerator to have a bright color - in this case, the appliance will play the role of an accent element in the interior. However, there are certain difficulties related to placing the unit near the entrance. In particular, it is recommended to abandon the door leading to the kitchen: not everyone is ready for such a solution.

In the corner of the kitchen cabinet and in the cabinet

If the refrigerator is large and tall, it is preferable for it to have the same tone as the kitchen cabinet. There is also another option: placing the household appliance in a cabinet that is part of the kitchen furniture set. In this case, the cabinet door merges with the refrigerator door. As a result, the appliance will be masked. Do not forget about air circulation: remove the back panel of the cabinet furniture. The only drawback of this placement method is the limited volume of the appliance: you will have to choose a small-sized unit that fits into the cabinet.

By the window

It is important to observe the main rule here: direct sunlight should not fall on the refrigerator, and it is undesirable for the unit to block the window. Constant overheating of the unit will significantly reduce its service life. The ideal option is to have a wall or partition next to the window. In this case, you only need to select a model that matches the size of this free space on the kitchen. However, if it faces the southern side, it is better to place this household appliance elsewhere.

Installing a refrigerator

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Wall-mounted refrigerator

A very interesting way to save space on the kitchen. This refers to compact models with a small depth (on average 16 cm) and a volume of about 20 liters. Usually, such a refrigerator serves as a bar for storing drinks. Wall-mounted units are sometimes integrated into the cabinet or simply hung next to the dining table. It should be noted that in such models, the door can open not only to the left or right but also upward. Among the popular models are wall-mounted refrigerators from brands like "Sarma" and "Liga". Also, products from the company Dainet (South Korea) are popular. However, wall-mounted refrigerators are rarely available for purchase and their acquisition often causes problems.

Design: "Studio 40"

Placing the refrigerator outside the kitchen

In the storage room

This placement option is most appropriate if the storage room is located next to the kitchen, through a partition wall. Remove only part of the wall between rooms, leaving just enough space for free passage and placing the refrigerator in the remaining part. This location of the appliance will protect it from the high temperature and humidity typical of the kitchen.

In the living room

This option is suitable for small apartments (e.g., "Khrushchyovka" where the kitchen area does not exceed 5 sq. m). This method of placing a refrigerator is particularly good for kitchens that are combined with the living room. In this case, it will be easy to quickly get the necessary products for cooking. It is better to place the unit near a wall corner, with windows on both sides - one in the kitchen zone, and another in the living room. In this way, the refrigerator can serve as a space divider (zone design).

On the balcony attached to the kitchen

This is also a very convenient option, acceptable if the balcony is properly insulated and effectively serves as an extension of the kitchen. One of the best places to position a refrigerator is the end of the balcony (the shortest wall), located at the minimum distance from the entrance. However, it is important to note that direct sunlight should not fall on the refrigerator. There is also another advantage: the sound accompanying the operation of the unit will be almost inaudible.

In the hallway leading to the kitchen

This layout, although rare, does occur. In this case, it makes sense to partially partition the small corridor leading to the kitchen with gypsum boards, and make the entrance from the room. As a result, you will get an alcove where it is easy to place a refrigerator unit. After the rearrangement, you will not have to go through the corridor before entering the kitchen, which is very convenient: all necessary items can be quickly placed on the dining table in the living room.

As seen from the above, proper refrigerator placement ensures not only convenience in using this type of household appliance but also maintains the integrity of the interior design, which is particularly important for small kitchens.

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Placement options for a refrigerator in a small kitchen