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French provincial kitchens


28 Chic and Timeless French Country Style Kitchens

By

Kristin Hohenadel

Kristin Hohenadel

Kristin Hohenadel is an interior design expert who has covered architecture, interiors, and decor trends for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Lonny, and the American and international editions of Elle Decor. She resides in Paris, France, and has traveled to over 30 countries, giving her a global perspective on home design.

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Updated on 08/12/22

Becca Interiors

The decorating aesthetic known in the English-speaking world as French country style is an homage to the charms of the French countryside. While it may be hard to replicate the beauty of the surrounding landscape or the aged patina of a Provençal farmhouse, a rustic thatched cottage in Normandy, or a provincial chateau, architects, interior designers, and home decorators around the world have long sought to transport a bit of the charm and elegance of the French countryside to their own backyards.  

The resulting mashup known as French country decor emphasizes an easy take on rustic but refined aesthetics and natural materials, and an embrace of timeless everyday objects. Much of what we think of as traditional or farmhouse style interiors that are so ubiquitous today have roots in French country aesthetics, which can add character to a modern interior, easily translating to any room in the house from the living room to the bedroom or bathroom.

Adding some French country-inspired decor to your own kitchen can help you to add a sense of history, timelessness, and simple beauty to your home, no matter where you live. Check out these interiors that demonstrate how to borrow a bit of French style to make your own kitchen design into the warm, charming, effortlessly chic gathering space it was meant to be.

15 French Country Living Rooms

27 Chic French Country Kitchens

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Get that je ne sais quoi just right.

By Hadley Mendelsohn

Bjorn Wallander

Whether we're talking about fashion, food, or interior design, French style is simply iconic. French country kitchens, in particular, make us feel some kind of way. With colors taken straight out of the Provençal landscape, rustic accents, and that general je ne sais quoi, French country kitchens boast effortless elegance. Plus, if you emulate their style in your own home, every day will feel like a vacation in the South of France. Well, maybe not quite, but it's a close second. So take a mental vacation with these 27 French country–style kitchen tips.

Maura McEvoy

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Plenty of Blooms

Fill the room with flowers and opt for antique, classic vases for a French-country look. This geometric floor design personalizes the long, narrow galley kitchen.

Emily Followill

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Limewashed Cabinets

Custom limewashed poplar cabinetry and paneling, along with an imperial Danby marble backsplash, create an elegant atmosphere in the open kitchen cabinets in this eat-in kitchen designed by Jeffrey Dungan. The dining area brings in just enough contrast and looks contemporary while still channeling the French countryside.

Laura Resen

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Retro-Inspired Appliances

Consider an on-trend yet timeless color combination for a bold kitchen statement. Retro-inspired appliances are great way to balance out the more modern elements and give it a French-countryside feel.

House Beautiful

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Whimsical Embellishments

This barrel-vaulted ceiling provides the perfect softly curved backdrop for the whimsical lavender and pale peach mural by Michael Duté in this French country kitchen designed by Erin Martin. The hood is also spruced up with an original Duté painting. The laidback materials and topiaries keep the sweet, romantic elements of the space grounded and welcoming (and very much channel Provence!).

Savage Gibson

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Dainty Accents

Paint the floors a cheerful color, and then reflect it with accent pieces and linens throughout the space, like a skirted vanityty. We can smell the fresh croissants from here.

Simon Upton

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Island Substitute

Instead of an island, opt for a bonus surface space that can function as both a dining table and a prep counter. Wrought iron window frames (with matching pendants), metal grate cabinets, distressed paint, and wicker chairs all contribute to a French country feel.

Paul Raeside

7 of 27

Layers of Neutrals

In this kitchen by Michael Maher in a 1950s colonial revival, several neutral colors and materials are layered for subtle dimensions. Benjamin Moore's Jute is used on the walls while Farrow & Ball's Hardwick White is used on the cabinets and trims. The gilt-framed still life painting and chandelier bring a dressier sensibility.

PHOTO: Alexandra Ribar; DESIGN: Leanne Ford Interiors

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Eclectic Seating

Mix and match your seating for an eclectic farmhouse feel, and bring in pops of color with antique cabinetry and tableware. The woven pendant lamp adds a coastal flair, too. When it comes to choosing a backsplash, classic white subway tiles will never let you down.

Julie Soefer

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Rustic Accents

Everything in this gorgeous kitchen designed by Nina Magon revolves around the existing cobblestone accent wall. Magon knew she wanted to give the kitchen a French Chaeteu vibe, which she accomplished with a Calcutta marble island, modern gunmetal Gabriel Scott pendants, and velvet cornflower blue stools. These glamorous pieces juxtapose with the French limestone floor tiles, scraggly stone walls, and exposed wood beams.

FRANCESCO LAGNESE

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Market Bags

The kitchen is also a side entrance to this farmhouse, so designer Tom Scheerer secured hooks to the walls with plenty of reusable bags for fresh farmer's market produce. How French!

Mali Azima

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Dramatic Ceilings

Designer Melanie Turner painted the lower cabinets of the kitchen island Midnight Blue by Benjamin Moore to match the upholstered stools and bring a touch of color. A nailhead trim nods to the rivets on the hood, and pale gray natural stone complements the blue tones, which are warmed up by the gold accents.

FRANCESCO LAGNESE

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Colorful Tiles

Designer duo Thomas Jayne and William Cullem set out to give this kitchen a European country estate aesthetic. Dramatically high ceilings, whitewashed exposed beams, and custom mosaic tiles that gesture to the adjacent mint green room get the job done.

Bjorn Wallander

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Reclaimed and Found Objects

This kitchen is the perfect balance between formal and laidback, thanks to designer Annie Brahler's skillful layering of antiques. The gilt antique mirror, chandelier, and decorative accents on the vintage demilune cabinets add some frill and pomp, while the reclaimed, distressed wood columns ground the room with an air of history and resilience.

Bjorn Wallender

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A Regal Range

French country can be formal, too: It's all in the range. The floating kitchen island is a great place to work and also offers extra storage space.

Catherine Kwong Design

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High Ceilings

This French-country-inspired (hello, wrought-iron pendant) California kitchen feels like the perfect balance between classic, cozy, and refined. A light blue hue brings in color without overwhelming the senses.

Paige Rumore

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Slipcovered Seats

The plaster walled kitchen in Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akinses’ Nashville retreat is what designer April Tomlin calls the "hub of the home." Family members gather around the double islands and get cozy on slipcovered counter stools. Antique light fixtures give it a French country flair. And if you'd rather keep the ceiling space clear but still want in on the hanging cookware trend, take note of this approach and hang them lower in front of the windows instead.

PHOTO: Tessa Neustadt; DESIGN: Leanne Ford Interiors

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Rustic Bones

If you don't want to call the contractor to customize an island in the kitchen, bring in a long wood table that can double as a dining surface. Opt for open shelves for a casual look (and easy access to cookware) that really puts the spotlight on the rustic bones of your kitchen.

Annie Schlechter

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Grand Overtures

A long hanging pendant accentuates the high ceilings and plays on the fancy feel of this kitchen space, yet the farmhouse-style sink keeps it approachable.

William Abranowicz

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Exposed Beams

Just beyond the island is a grand dining area enhanced by exposed beams. The long pendants accentuate the high ceilings, giving it an air that's equal parts formal and approachable.

Douglas Friedman

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Display Cabinets

Designer and architect Garrow Kedigian gave this NYC apartment kitchen a French country spin with display cabinets stacked with classic china, hanging copper cookware galore, and a cobalt La Cornue stove. And, though you can't see them here, he also tucked two matching blue stools from the Paris Flea under the island.

PHOTO: Alexandra Ribar; DESIGN: Leanne Ford Interiors

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Large Pendants

Here's a more modern take on the French-country kitchen look. Though it's contemporary and updated, the accents, like the gilt antique frame and simple greenery, introduce quintessential French-country character.

Paul Raeside

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Antiques

It's all in the details. Crisp white paint pops against the exposed, aged brick wall. Even the cookware in this nook is perfectly French, as is that framed still life.

Jean Liu Design

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Candelabra Lighting

Balance modern living with classic French country style by installing new appliances and settling on an efficient and simple layout, but then add some rustic-meets-dainty details, like an antique candelabra chandelier. This kitchen by Jean Liu is the perfect case study.

Laure Joliet

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Exposed Beams

This kitchen by Reath Design leaves the bare bones (exposed beams, brick walls, and terracotta tiles) as-is but adds brassy accents, regal linens, and a gray marble sink with beautiful veining.

PHOTO: Tessa Neustadt; DESIGN: Leanne Ford Interiors

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Casual Undertones

Keep things casual in your French-country-inspired kitchen. Though there's plenty of order in this space, it looks super low-maintenance and comfortable. The eclectic chairs in this eat-in kitchen introduce a touch of modern style.

PHOTO: Alexandra Ribar; DESIGN: Leanne Ford Interiors

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Copper Pots And Pans

White painted bricks and stone tile floors are a great starting point for a French-country kitchen. Add wrought-iron hardware and hang copper pots and pans from it to finish things off.

Werner Straube

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Labeled Jars and Crates

Labeled jars and an approachable color scheme accented by polished materials give this contemporary kitchen by Corey Damen Jenkins just a touch of French country–style pizzazz. Use vintage containers or label your own found items, like crates, for a similar look and streamlined storage.

15 Outdoor Kitchen Ideas for an Al Fresco Oasis

Hadley Mendelsohn Senior Editor Hadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's senior design editor and the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House.

Provence style kitchen: the most complete guide

Provence style is inexpensive and refined. Let's figure out how to design a kitchen in this style - with French color combinations and rustic decor.

Let's figure out how to organize Provence in the kitchen, what materials and colors to use, and what decor can help you immerse yourself in this French interior style.

Contents:

Features of the Provence style

Provence interior style originated in the most beautiful southeastern French village of the same name. The main features of this region - flowering fields, southern warmth, elegant culinary traditions - he absorbed.

Many details of the furnishings in Provencal houses, even painted dishes, indicated how they love cooking and guests. And cozy kitchens have become the highlight of the region.

Modern kitchen interiors in the Provence style are associated with beautiful French life, hospitality, love of flowers and home typical for French women.

In order to decorate the kitchen in this way, you need to remember a few basic rules of the houses of provincial France.

Thanks to pastel shades, textiles, handmade elements, Provence-style kitchen interiors are considered bohemian.

Let's talk more about the choice of color ensembles and materials to create such an environment.

4 colors for kitchens in the Provence style

To create an interior in the style of the French province, use no more than 2-3 dominant pastel colors . More saturated shades may be present in accessories, embroidery, decor items.

Let's analyze what colors can be basic.

White and beige . The milky white hue itself is associated with the free interiors of Provence. It seems to remove the boundaries of the kitchen.

However, sterile white should not be too dominant. In order to keep the atmosphere of the sultry French summer in the kitchen, use a warming combination of beige, sand and light brown.

If there is a lot of sunshine in the room, you can choose as a basic cooling gray-white shade, and blue or lavender accents.

Blue , the color of the sea, is the second classic color of Provence.

The combination of blue and blue tones gives a feeling of sea coolness. It is easy to create the atmosphere of the French coast, if you harmoniously complement these colors with pure white, sandy, grassy accents.

Lavender color is associated with French fields like no other. He calms himself, can turn the kitchen into a relaxation zone.

Pastel lavender can be used as a base. Against its background, white furniture and bright floral decor will look elegant.

Olive . This color is carried over to French houses from olive grove paintings.

A combination of olive and beige is considered truly Provencal. Olive looks harmoniously on headsets and in textiles, and beige on the walls.

Using these colors as the base, you can harmoniously complement the interior with red and brown accents.

Materials and finishes for the French countryside kitchen

The interiors of real French Provence, like any European country interiors in general, are created on the basis of affordable natural materials.

In order to decorate the kitchen in the spirit of Provence in a country house, you can keep the plastered walls, beams on the ceiling, and paint the surfaces in the desired tone.

In general, to create an interior in this style, you need to use as basic materials with natural textures. Let's give examples.

Wall and ceiling materials
  1. Light textured plaster
  2. Boards
  3. Beam
  4. Plasterboard to create the illusion of ceiling beams
  5. Or plain embossed wallpaper

For flooring and working wall

The décor of the authentic kitchens of provincial France is not rich and refined: linen or any natural textile , especially with hand embroidery, baskets, flower vases and even beautiful products.

Provence style kitchen furniture

The most classic painted outdoor furniture to complement the French countryside interior. Especially if these are headsets with a carved pattern, forged elements and open shelves.

In general, Provence welcomes naturalness even in everything, including furniture. Ideally, it is better to choose furnishings from the following materials:

The second, almost obligatory style requirement for furniture is a small number of closed doors .

In Provençal cuisines, everything is in plain sight, and this feature of everyday life should be adopted from the provincial French. Firstly, thanks to this, the kitchen space looks free. Secondly, beautiful dishes, jars of food in themselves make the interior cozy and homely.

Let us dwell on the use of furniture and individual details of decoration in such interiors.

French provincial cuisine

The kitchen is the hallmark of a house in Provence. Therefore, usually the kitchen room is spacious, well-lit, with a cozy dining area.

To create such an environment, it is important to think over such moments

Provence style kitchen apron

The working area of ​​the wall can become the highlight of a Provence style kitchen.

To finish the area near the sink and stove, it is customary to use decorative tiled stone or ceramic tiles. At the same time, an interesting provincial style of decoration is selected:

  1. patchwork
  2. brick finish
  3. square tile mosaic pattern
  4. boar style

Provence-style kitchen wallpaper

In most cases, wall panels in the form of clapboards, boards or decorative plaster are used instead of wallpaper in French interiors.

However, in a city apartment, non-woven wallpaper for painting will allow you to create the effect of natural provincial wall decoration.

Modern Provence also allows wallpapers with floral patterns, which are combined in style and color with the basic materials and decor of the room.

Let's move on to the additional details and decor of the Provence style furnishings.

Window decoration and kitchen lighting according to the canons of Provence

Let's repeat - in the interiors of the Provencal region, there is usually an abundance of sunlight.

Ideally, a provincial French-style kitchen should have large windows and curtains that let in light. The second point is easy to do.

There are several elegant options for matching curtains.

In addition, in the evening, the Provencal interior should have soft and even lighting, close to natural.

Several lighting fixtures are usually used for this purpose, especially a chandelier with textile shades, wrought iron lamps - all to match the style of the room.

Fine French ideas for kitchen decor

Thanks to the French sense of taste, the kitchen spaces in the poor rural houses of Provence, filled with serving items, dishes, products look beautiful.

The chosen style corresponds to the simplest country decor elements, everything that is associated with a leisurely country life. Here are a few tips on how to spruce up your cozy French kitchen based on your chosen base color. Available items will help.

Even a bunch of garlic, bright garden seedlings, bright boxes of coffee and crispbread will harmoniously complement a real Provencal interior. Remember the main marker of Provence - the spirit of hospitality (!).

Small kitchen in Provence style: how to create France on 6 square meters. meters

The kitchens of French Provence usually have a lot of space and light. In particular, thanks to the light colors and the harmonious arrangement of furniture.

In a small kitchen area - up to 6 sq. meters - it is possible to create such a visual effect. Let's look at a few rules on how to do this.

  1. Choose base colors that expand the area - close to white and beige. Only these classic Provence tones will add some light and a sense of freedom to a small kitchen.
  2. Place only open shelves above the worktop. Save space in your work area.
  3. Plus, if there is not enough space, let the ceiling be laconic and light, without stylized beams and other decor.
  4. Table/compact bar counter can be placed near a window or free wall.

  1. Decor elements should be selected last. In a small kitchen area, these can be practical items that are used in everyday life.
    2. Provence style kitchen - photos and ideas Use ready-made finds and our examples to design your kitchen with French chic.

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    Provence-style apartment on Yugo-Zapadnaya - The embodiment of Provence style in an ordinary Moscow apartment for a family of three.

    From the USSR to Provence: remodeling a desk - Do you also have old Soviet furniture lying around in your dacha? Challenge accepted! See how we gave a hopeless table made of chipboard a new life in Provence style.

    Small kitchen - no problem! Expanding the boundaries - We show how to make a small kitchen area visually and functionally more spacious and beautiful.

    Kitchen remodeling: do's and don'ts? - We understand all the nuances of remodeling the kitchen space. Professional designer Marina Pennie will share the nuances of combining a kitchen and a room when redeveloping an apartment.

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    • Tags National dishes of French cuisine

      Contents

      1. Small French style kitchen. National dishes of French cuisine
      2. Small Provence style kitchen. Design of a small kitchen in the style of Provence: photo and small -sized interior, like Khrushchev
        • Design and interior in a small -sized room
        • color scheme
        • Patterns and prints
        • Wall
        • Paul
        • Ceiling . Beautiful small kitchens in Khrushchev: top 15 photos

      Small French style kitchen. National dishes of French cuisine


      Precisely This crispy pastry with a variety of fillings came to us from France. At French coffee with a croissant is a traditional breakfast.

      Frog legs. Not everyone decides to try this original French delicacy, and completely in vain. Frog legs are very tasty and resemble chicken.

      Snails in garlic sauce. Another unique French cuisine recipe that definitely worth tasting it.

      Chicken or rooster in red wine. One of the complex French recipes, all the subtleties of which only a professional chef can understand.

      Pate from goose liver. It is difficult to cook it, and the raw materials are taken difficult, using only the liver of specially bred geese fed on a special diet.

      Vegetable dish of stewed peppers, zucchini and eggplant. Ratatouille recipes can vary by region.

      Cheese or a chocolate dish prepared by melting in a special heat-resistant dishes kakelon on an open fire.

      Truffles. gourmet kind of mushrooms growing in the ground. A real dish of aristocrats.

      French-style interiors are characterized by elegance, grace of form and light decor. Light pastel colors, an abundance of mirrors and textiles in interior design give the room a unique chic and flavor. To make your French-style kitchen look spectacular, it is important to know how to choose the right decor style and harmoniously combine all the details of the kitchen interior design.

      0003

      Small kitchen in Provence style. Small kitchen design in Provence style: photo and small-sized interior, like Khrushchev

      Create a romantic atmosphere of serene and charming France in a small apartment, resorting to Provence style.

      Delicate hues, a slight scent of flowers, lots of sun and a total sense of calm.

      Cooking and eating food will no longer be a chore, it will become a joy. And a small space will gain functional suitability due to design tricks.

      From now on, yours will become a secret place where the bustle of life is relegated to the background.

      The freshness of a salty breeze, the pungency of the southern sun and the piquancy of Provence herbs. This is what permeates the modern design of provincial comfort. It is thanks to the lightness that it carries in itself that completely opposite compositions are so boldly and successfully combined. In the neighborhood, newfangled trends with vintage decor elements can easily get along. So simplicity and unobtrusiveness are complemented by the special practicality of modern technology. Only here things of warm and cold shades can look good, creating an inimitable ensemble of taste. Choosing white as the main one, you can focus on the details, choose massive furniture in a rich dark brown hue, complement everything with blue or blue textiles.

      Design and interior design in a small space

      "French" is a bold decision that should be thought through to the smallest detail. It is believed that this style is more suitable for country houses, cottages with large windows. But the master's hand can give even the most unprepossessing Khrushchev a southern chic, make ordinary things acquire a touch of archaism, wealth and elegance.

      White color is the best way to create the illusion of space, a light floor-to-ceiling kitchen set in this style will not seem bulky, it will only create a lot of space to store the necessary things. Paneled facades with glass doors will come in handy, they will add lightness and elegance.

      A rustic design that can be complemented with decorative elements. A small carpet, dotted arrangement of cute flower pots, glass jars of cereals.

      Color range

      Coziness and atmosphere can be created even in a small Provence style kitchen with a mix of olive color with pistachio, azure with sand. White, sky blue, blue and brown shades are also suitable. Dried clay, or the color of a sea wave, scorched greenery and sun-scorched surfaces.

      Don't be afraid to experiment with classic rules. Stick to a certain color palette in order to fully be able to withstand this style. When choosing muted shades for textiles and wall decoration, do not forget that the furniture should remain a bright spot that harmoniously stands out against the pastel color.

      Important! The main guideline in the selection of colors is the naturalness of shades.

      Patterns and prints

      Without a doubt, plant and natural patterns that will show off on tiles, prints displayed in textiles will fit best into this style.

      Thematic paintings and panels can also complete the look, filling the interior with unique authentic touches.

      Kitchen set, in turn, should not attract much attention.

      Painted in warm shades of beige and sand colors, it will create the necessary minimalism.

      Walls

      Deliberate rudeness, artificially created negligence will do here. It is preferable to use natural materials of interesting texture.

      The embossed pattern will come in handy. Wooden beams will also not become superfluous.

      Attention! The main thing is not to overdo it, because in a small kitchen it is important to fill the space wisely.

      Floor

      The floor can be made to match the overall color scheme, or differ strikingly from it. It is in the decoration that dark tones are acceptable. Everything will depend on the idea of ​​the designer. Natural wood, or tiles, also available with laminate or parquet imitating wood.

      Help! You can use any material, the main thing is to adhere to the general style.

      Ceiling

      All attention is drawn to the details, so the ceiling can be designed without frills. Ordinary paint will do, and whitewashing of white, blue or beige shades is best. Textured plaster, applied unevenly, with bulges and roughness, will be an excellent option.

      Important! Choose only high-quality finishing materials so that simplicity does not border on poverty.

      Beautiful small kitchens in Khrushchev: top 15 photos Often the kitchen area in such an apartment does not exceed 6 square meters. m. In such conditions, it is very difficult for housewives to cook and feed their families comfortably. Personally, the feeling of a small enclosed space still depresses me. Does this happen to you sometimes?

      Therefore, it is very important to think over the layout of a small kitchen, carefully select the design of the kitchen set and choose the right kitchen appliances. Next, I will reveal to you the main secrets of a competent kitchen layout and show you the main design solutions that save the situation.

      You may be categorically opposed to some techniques, but this could only happen if you have seen unsuccessful examples of kitchen interiors before. Perhaps a selection of kitchens made by me will change your mind.

      In this kitchen, the dining area is moved to another room, which made it possible to make the maximum number of work surfaces.

      White, beige, ivory and other light colors make the room visually larger.

      One option to accommodate more work surfaces is to make a window sill table.

      Qualitatively preserve the space of the kitchen narrow kitchen set to the ceiling. It will be convenient to store rarely used things from above. And continuous smooth facades will keep the correct geometry of space.

      A small Provence style kitchen is the perfect solution for a small family.

      Beautiful bright accents draw attention away from the size of the kitchen.

      Classical, minimalist, Scandinavian, modern and high-tech styles are well suited for a small kitchen.

      One of the main ways to improve the kitchen in Khrushchev is designing a studio kitchen. The kitchen-studio combines two rooms into one, while maintaining the functional qualities of both.

      Interior design in the kitchen-living room should be in the same style.

      Learn more