How to Make a Kitchen Comfortable: An Architect Named 6 Details

The kitchen is the unifying element in any apartment, so it should be comfortable and useful to be in. If you approach its arrangement carefully, even the most cramped space can be made compact.

We asked architect Ilya Nasonov to name several key criteria for creating a functional interior.

1. Hospitable Atmosphere

In Russia, the appearance of the kitchen determines the degree of hospitality of the homeowners. There should be no irritating or distracting factors here, so it's better to choose a neutral palette. As for acidic tones, you should avoid them as they won't let you focus on eating.

Design: Julia Vlasova

2. Everything in Its Place

All items should be arranged in their places on the kitchen to avoid searching for plates or tea bags in a hurry. The distance between the sink, stove, and refrigerator should be optimized.

For example, place a countertop up to 80 cm long next to the cooktop, hang shelves for spices above the work surface, and store dishes underneath. Don't forget to provide a trash bin on the right or left side, and place the refrigerator slightly away from it.

Design: Yuri Mironov

Storage systems with household appliances should be located near the refrigerator, as well as products that are not intended for immediate use (e.g., dried mushrooms or flour).

Plates with utensils should be placed closer to the table or inside drawers. A large table is not necessary on a small kitchen, so a bar counter is enough.

3. Choosing Practical Materials

The material of the kitchen cabinet is also critically important. The doors are usually made from solid wood, while the frame is veneered or laminated. If the frame is also made of wood, it may dry out and deteriorate over time, leading to problems with door opening.

Kitchens are divided into framed and flat-fronted. Framed cabinets have doors cut out using CNC, so they are considered economical. More expensive models feature a wavy surface between the frame and central part of the door. Painted framed kitchens are generally made from MDF, which can cause damage to the wood under paint. Flat-fronted variants in Russia are not yet polished with a glossy finish.

Design: BAS architects

Sometimes you can find kitchens made from stone slabs or polished aluminum on the market. Sockets, knives, and other appliances in such kitchens automatically extend with one button press. However, the cost of such equipment corresponds to its price.

4. Durable Countertop

Countertops are often made from natural and artificial stone, MDF, or less frequently from wood. However, no matter what surface—marble or granite—you can't escape knife marks or hot tea stains. In this case, it's better to choose a model with inlays or an active pattern that diverts attention from scratches.

Laminated MDF countertops are the most durable and vulnerable only to acetone. They are not sold longer than 3 meters, and the cabinet can be extended only by joining separate parts.

Design: ArchOsnova Studio

5. Progressive Equipment

The world does not stand still, and the market is constantly being replenished with more modern types of equipment. However, dishwashers have remained at the same level in terms of performance—except for more aggressive cleaning agents.

Modern coffee machines are miniatures of Italian models from the early 20th century, but pressure and temperature have not changed. A range hood is also indispensable on the kitchen if your room is combined with a living room, in which case you should choose equipment with strong suction.

Design: In2design Studio

6. Manufacturer

Owners of small kitchens often have a logical question: what products to buy—ours or foreign. If we're talking about network companies, the service is generally average everywhere. Smaller manufacturers, on the other hand, are usually more interested in the quality of details and ready to fix issues quickly. Carpentry work should be at a high level regardless of the country of origin.