8 typical kitchens that don't seem cramped

Typical Russian kitchens rarely have a large area. However, even a small space can be transformed into a stylish and functional space, avoiding the feeling of tightness: designers' projects continue to prove this point.

1. Minimalist kitchen for a young woman

The owner of this kitchen is a student girl. Funds for apartment renovation were extremely limited, so the interior was designed on a budget. Reducing costs on the kitchen unit helped by eliminating upper cabinets: they were replaced with a pair of open shelves.

This same solution, combined with a light-colored cabinet and finishing material, made the kitchen visually much more spacious.

Design: JoinForces studio

2. Small kitchen in industrial style

For this neat kitchen, an industrial style was chosen. Decorative concrete-like coating and ceramic tiles resembling aged wood helped create the desired atmosphere, but complicated the task of visually expanding the space.

To solve this, the designer added several light sources and glossy surfaces, selected light-colored cabinet fronts.

Design: Diana Ponomareva

3. Kitchen with 4 square meters

Visual expansion of space in this kitchen was achieved through light (the project author focused on lightweight Roman curtains and good artificial lighting) and color (light glossy cabinet fronts, backsplash, and dining set).

Design: Pavel Zheleznov

Pay attention: even on such a small kitchen, there's room for all necessary appliances, including a dishwasher. This is not surprising: modern dishwasher manufacturers offer many narrow models, only 45 cm wide.

By the way, this appliance, among other things, also allows you to save space on the countertop surface. By installing a dishwasher, you can choose a small sink and avoid a bulky dish-drying rack.

4. Kitchen in a Stalin-era building

This kitchen is a clear example of how you can choose a spacious cabinet and still make the kitchen interior light and airy.

The secret lies not only in a unified light color palette of furniture, finishes, and even household appliances, but also in the choice of cabinet fronts with glass (they add volume to the kitchen interior).

Design: Olga Zaretskikh

5. Tiny kitchen in a Khrushchyovka

Pastel tones, white cabinet fronts, lots of light, and replacing wall-mounted cabinets with open shelves. As a result, the designer managed to organize a functional space on this tiny kitchen without any hint of tightness.

Design: Ekaterina Matveeva

6. Compact kitchen in a 'Stalin-era' flat

The secret behind why this small kitchen in a 'Stalin-era' flat looks visually quite spacious is glossy cabinet fronts and a uniform light gray color palette. High ceilings also played their role: they allowed vertical storage by placing upper wall-mounted cabinets in multiple rows.

Design: Yurov Interiors

7. Kitchen in a small '2-room' flat

This kitchen corner also doesn't have an impressive area, yet it does not look cramped or cluttered. This happens due to the absence of a wall between the kitchen and living room area, good lighting, choice of compact cabinet unit, and skillful combination of light-reflecting cabinet fronts.

Also, since the bar counter becomes an extension of the countertop, there is no shortage of work surface.

Design: UD Base

8. Kitchen in a small panel '2-room' flat

White cabinet fronts are undoubtedly popular for setting up small typical kitchens. However, alternative solutions also have the right to exist! See how warm wood tones and beige glossy cabinet doors blend harmoniously on this kitchen.

Natural textiles, soft upholstery of furniture, and unobtrusive decorative elements wrap the space in comfort, leaving no trace of tightness.

Design: Flatforfox studio