Kitchen DIY: How an IT Specialist Created a Functional Space in an Apartment

Andrey, a digital product developer, lives with his wife and young son in a 72 square meter apartment on the southwest of Moscow. The family chose a new construction with spacious halls and unusual angular windows. Andrey himself designed the apartment's interior, creating a 'smart home' with many non-standard solutions.

Main points from the article:

• Apartment of 72 sq. m. in a new construction on the southwest of Moscow;
• A family of three: Andrey (IT specialist), his wife (musician), and a small son;
• Andrey designed and built the kitchen himself, saving a significant amount;
• The kitchen is connected to the living room, creating a spacious and functional space;
• Non-standard solutions were used: sliding apron, built-in extractor hood, smart lighting.

Video review of the kitchen:

How did the idea for a DIY project come about?

When Andrey decided to arrange the kitchen in his new apartment, he encountered a typical problem - high cost of ready-made solutions. 'When I made the kitchen project myself, I sent it to several kitchen companies for quotation, and they quoted a large sum - 500,000 rubles,' Andrey recalls. But instead of giving up on his idea, he decided to take the matter into his own hands.

How to make a kitchen by yourself?

Andrey decided to order MDF for cutting and fully assemble the kitchen himself. This not only saved money but also allowed him to realize unconventional ideas. For example, the kitchen has a depth of 80 cm, which is more than standard. This enabled a unique solution - a sliding apron.

Sliding Apron: Functionality and Aesthetics

'The sliding apron on the kitchen, which holds all sorts of colorful items like sponges and cups... while still allowing easy access when my wife is cooking,' explains Andrey. The back panel of the apron is made from anodized aluminum, creating an interesting visual effect and highlighting the composition of powders and nuts.

Smart Solutions for Storage and Functionality

The kitchen is equipped with pull-out drawers instead of regular cabinets, ensuring convenient access to the contents. The built-in extractor hood operates based on humidity sensors, automatically turning on when needed.

An interesting solution is a built-in outlet for clean drinking water with a filter inside. 'Very convenient,' Andrey notes.

Appliances and Lighting

A narrow dishwasher 45 cm, induction cooktop, and built-in microwave oven are installed in the kitchen. Special attention was paid to lighting: 'This is additional lighting, it turns on based on motion sensors. When it's dark and someone approaches the kitchen, it automatically switches on and off.'

Details Creating a Cozy Atmosphere

The window sills and corners are made from oak, adding warmth to the interior. Radiators were tucked into the wall, and the decorative grille was also made by Andrey himself.

The dining table, also made by Andrey, has an interesting feature: 'It was specially designed with rounded edges to prevent children from bumping into them.'

Andrey's experience shows that with the right skills and desire, one can create a unique and functional kitchen by oneself, significantly saving money on ready-made solutions. The key is a well-thought-out project and attention to detail.