Repairing the Kitchen: 9 Useful Tips

How to make a new kitchen convenient and ergonomic, and what you need for that, we explain together with OBI experts.

Sketch the Layout Plan

Specialized programs available for IOS or Android help quickly visualize a plan with the planned placement of appliances, see how walls will look with a new color, and assess whether the chairs you like fit into the future setup.

Also, don't forget about the basics of kitchen ergonomics — placing the sink, stove, and refrigerator close to each other. The optimal working triangle area should be between 5–7 square meters, and the distance between the far corners should be 3–4 meters.

Design: Co:Interior

It's also important to consider layout taboos. For example, the refrigerator should not be placed right next to the stove: one side of the appliance will heat up, which can lead to damage. Also, don't place kitchen appliances directly next to the sink — keep in mind excessive humidity.

Design: Студия EEDS

Plan the Placement of Household Appliances

The dishwasher should be placed near the sink, and the electric kettle and microwave — away from narrow shelves and other appliances. Place the refrigerator away from heat sources, and avoid placing any appliances near a gas stove.

After you've mapped out the outlets for all electrical equipment that will be on your new kitchen, add two or three more. Who knows, maybe you'll want a cappuccinatore or bread maker?

Design: Юлия Чернова

Find Space for Non-Kitchen Appliances

The washing machine is best placed in a corner, away from the refrigerator but closer to the sink and water pipes. The TV should be placed away from hot and wet zones — so that it has a good view for people sitting at the dining table.

Design: Int2Architecture

Decide if You Need a Water Heater and Water Filtration System

Having a water heater is a great help during water outages, and it's important to consider its installation at the planning stage — just as with a water filtration system.

If the water isn't too dirty, a regular pitcher filter will do. When considering a multi-stage filtration system, pay attention to special kitchen mixers with two outlets for regular and filtered water.

Design: Анна Эрман

Smart Purchases

Electrolux EWH 30 Magnum Unifix Slim water heater, OBI, equipped with internal tank protection from corrosion called Protect Tank.

Three-stage Geyser MAX filter, OBI, effectively softens, reduces scale, and cleans hard water. Installed under the sink.

Reverse osmosis filter "Aquafor" DWM-31, OBI, looks like a three-liter pitcher, cartridges are hidden under the sink.

Choose the Right Finish

You can quickly level walls with moisture-resistant gypsum board, except in zones where suspended cabinets will be installed: gypsum board walls simply can't support their weight.

The best wallpaper choice for a kitchen is vinyl on paper or fleece base with increased moisture resistance. Read reviews: wallpapers with the same labeling may behave differently during wet cleaning.

Design: Totaste Studio

The most popular and hygienic floor finish option is tiles near the cooking zone, wood, laminate, or cork on the rest of the surface. However, there are other successful moisture-resistant options for kitchen flooring, such as dense office linoleum or PVC tiles.

Design: Наталья Краснобородько

Smart Purchases:

PVC modular coating Tarkett Lounge Husky, OBI, eco-friendly and resistant to moisture and mechanical impact, doesn't fade, easy to clean.

Dulux Ultra Resist paint for kitchen and bathroom, OBI.

Stain-resistant matte water-dispersible paint for walls and ceilings in high-humidity environments. Glossy ceramic wall tile Bela Vista Biselado, OBI, easily cleans from dirt and retains its original appearance for a long time.

Choose the Material for the Backsplash

If considering this from a hygiene perspective, the optimal choice is large-format ceramic tile — fewer seams that quickly get dirty on the kitchen. Another winning option is classic butcher block, timeless and trend-free.

Design: Алена Юдина

Smart Purchases:

Wall tile "Jade - Ceramic Loft", OBI, with glossy coating and stone texture imitation. Decor Kerama Marazzi "Gamma Spoon", OBI.

Classic butcher block tile with a design featuring tableware. Wall panel Alternative "Solino", OBI.

Decorative faux panel made of particle board, resistant to wear and fading, can accommodate railings and hanging equipment.

Don't Skimp on the Countertop

Choose a countertop made of durable and moisture-resistant material like artificial stone, granite, or concrete. Avoid quickly worn plastic, cheap particle board, and marble — it absorbs moisture and dirt quickly. A good alternative to the last is a quartz composite countertop with a pattern that mimics marble.

Design: Totaste Studio

Smart Purchases:

"Vardak DSP Country" countertop, OBI, can be used for the kitchen and windowsill, resistant to damage, scratches, wear, and other defects. Moisture-resistant countertop for the kitchen "SOYUZ", OBI, designed for kitchen furniture and can also be used for making bar, office, or information stands. Glossy countertop made of high-quality DSP and plastic NPL "Vardak Welsh Slate", OBI, resistant to scratches and mechanical damage.

Plan the Dining Area

You don't necessarily need to go for spacious family dining tables. Choose a model proportional to the kitchen or limit yourself to a bar counter if only one or two people live in the house.

Design: Сергей Клочков

Don't Neglect Lighting

Recessed ceiling lights, spotlights above the work surface, and a hanging light fixture for the dining area — these are the basics if you don't want to chop greens, roll out dough, or dine in darkness.

Design: Artpartner

Smart Purchases:

Rotating single-point spotlight Luminarte Spot, OBI, with transparent glass diffuser providing cool white light. Hanging lamp Luminarte Vida, OBI, with double shades — larger transparent ones and smaller copper-colored ones. Kitchen light fixture Kitchen, OBI, designed for local lighting of the kitchen backsplash or work zone.

On the cover: Julia Chernova's design project.