Kitchen layout ideas for long narrow
10 ways to maximize space and interest |
Middle kitchen: Industville/Classic Interiors
(Image credit: Future)
Not all homes come with vast open spaces. Our narrow kitchen ideas are perfect for those not blessed with a large and sociable space.
If you have a long, narrow kitchen, then you’ll be more than aware of the tricky task of making it a long kitchen look wider than it actually is, while desperately searching for interior designer tricks to make your space look beautiful as well as functional.
So much has changed in the way in which we design and use our kitchens over the last decade or so, but there is something reassuring in how narrow kitchen ideas and layouts have adapted – and thrived – in the modern home.
Narrow kitchen ideas – maximize space in a long kitchen layout
If your kitchen is on the narrow side, there is plenty to feel positive about. With some clever tricks of the trade, there are in fact multiple small kitchen ideas that wall help turn that awkward kitchen layout into something stylish and sophisticated, so don’t give up just yet.
1. Invest in bespoke cabinets if you have an awkward layout
(Image credit: Polly Eltes)
While the average kitchen consists of four straight-ish walls and a series of cubes, not all rooms are so accommodating. Narrow kitchen ideas might be more time consuming to plan but, with careful management and expert advice, seemingly negative constructional quirks can be turned to your advantage.
Bespoke kitchen cabinet ideas really come into its own here, making the best use of space, and working with unusual angles and curves while neatly stepping around trickier features. It's important not to see a difficult space, but rather the opportunity to create something unique.
'Built-in cabinets gives people precisely what they require, says Charlotte Crosland, founder, Charlotte Crosland Interiors . 'It works particularly well in those areas that are awkwardly shaped and fits different requirements such as more shelving or extra drawers for small kitchen appliances, fine china and extra cutlery.
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2. Use every inch of space in a galley kitchen
(Image credit: Haris Kenjar)
‘I love a classic galley kitchen idea,’ enthuses Seattle-based designer Heidi Caillier . ‘They just feel so intimate and special, and there is something very appealing about them practically. They force you to be thoughtful in how you lay out every inch, and I also like the mentality of using all of your kitchen versus just that one corner between the range and the sink.’
In the right colors, in this case Farrow & Ball’s French Gray, Heidi also believes that galley kitchens can feel really cozy, ‘like a warm, inviting cocoon’. A mix of kitchen cabinets and open kitchen shelving ideas will ensure it feels light and airy.
3. Use an island to separate an open plan space
(Image credit: Mark Bolton)
In recent years, a third galley scenario has evolved. 'Modern galley kitchens can be part of a much larger space featuring a wall-hugging galley run with a long island running parallel, separating a living or dining area beyond,' explains Paul O’Brien, director, Kitchens International .
Although following the double galley footprint, it feels different, as it is a lighter, more open and more sociable space.
4. Plan for cabinetry without handles
(Image credit: Future / James Merrell)
Create a feeling of spaciousness by opting for sleek, handleless units, pale-colored finishes and glossy, light-reflecting surfaces, with clutter kept to a minimum. Technological advances in push-open and close doors means that it has become possible to dispense with handles in both wall and base cabinets.
A handleless scheme, particularly one in a cool white kitchen , can appear clinical, so adding a few natural materials will give it a softer edge. Think about including colorful kitchen rug ideas or patterned kitchen backsplash ideas.
5. Use lighting to your advantage
(Image credit: Artemide)
When space to wow is limited, look upward for inspiration. In this narrow, galley kitchen in Copenhagen a pair of outsized designer suspension lights by Artemide take full advantage of the room’s epic height, while the arctic white ceiling cuts a crisp note against mossy green walls.
Natural wood in rich tones has a cosying effect; note how Dinesen’s plank flooring has been carried onto the backsplash to take the timber higher without reducing the room’s width. For extra character, the hand-welded sink area in darkened brass will age and patina with time and use.
6. Create a space for dining
(Image credit: OWO)
Galley kitchens are celebrated for their cooking efficiency but they’re usually found in enclosed rooms and therefore not the most sociable of arrangements. If you have sufficient length available, a banquette-style nook or breakfast bar is a great way to provide somewhere for people to chat, without interrupting culinary progress. The key is to choose a table that won’t impede access into the heart of the small kitchen.
Here, a built-in seat with storage above and below means the dining area doesn’t steal precious cupboard space, and the table and stools can easily be pushed in tight when not required.
7. Extend in glass
(Image credit: Future)
Natural light is everything when you’re cooking in narrow confines.
A lean-to glazed kitchen extension idea has added precious dining space to this narrow kitchen, while opening the views out to the garden all year round.
‘The eye is drawn to the light and the dining area, which is used by the whole family throughout the day and has become the focal point within this bright, open space,’ explains Lisa Morton, director, Vale Garden Houses . Bold chequered flooring, installed diagonally, has a widening effect, while helping to disguise an unavoidable step between the original and new living spaces.
8. Consider the layout – and remove obstacles
(Image credit: Future / Jonathan Gooch)
When trying to make the most of limited space, take time to consider the natural flow through rooms, recommends Victoria Wormsley of French-Brooks Interiors . ‘Think about how people are going to pass through the space and ask if you really need each and every door (but be aware that some will need to be retained for fire regulations, particularly when it comes to narrow kitchens).
Where possible, remove doors and architraves to improve the flow.’
9. Clear the clutter in a narrow kitchen
(Image credit: Future / Jan Baldwin)
One way to create the illusion of space in a narrow kitchen is to rid the countertop areas of clutter but be realistic before setting out. It’s never going to be entirely possible to live without various small useful things, which need storing away somewhere, believes Sandrine Zhang Ferron, founder of Vinterior . ‘So create small areas of small kitchen storage ideas that are both practical and add style to your home, from roomier pieces like kitchen cabinets down to biscuit tins to squeeze into a corner.’
10. Put color and lighting at the forefront
(Image credit: Future/James Merrell)
Well-chosen kitchen color ideas can work wonders in disguising awkward or narrow kitchen space. Judy Smith of Crown Paint , says the best approach is to paint the shell of the room white, which will open up the space, then to apply concentrated color to key focal points.
'Choose the most attractive features in the room then paint these in contrasting shades to make them stand out. This will also pull the emphasis away from less attractive elements.'
Another saviour is kitchen lighting, which can give a low ceiling a sense of height or put strange angles in the shadows. A lighting designer will be able to advise on everything from high-precision controls to the most suitable color for bulbs. 'In an awkwardly shaped kitchen, flexible lighting can be adjusted to control the direction and spread of light effectively.'
How can I make the most of my narrow kitchen?
With careful planning, narrow kitchens are ideal spaces for cooks. Efficient and compact, they need fewer steps to get around and make the most of a restricted space.
'Galleys can be really stylish. Long lines of countertops create strong horizontal planes that look incredibly sleek,' says Hugo Tugman, chairman and founder of Architect Your Home.
A one-wall galley is best suited to one person cooking, as it requires linear movement from one activity to the next.
For ease of use, separate the cooking and wet zones by a reasonable length of worktop but, if possible, avoid putting the sink and cooker at opposite ends of the room.
'You’ll gain wide work surfaces but may feel very cramped when cooking or washing up,' explains Graeme Smith, conceptual designer at Second Nature Kitchen s. A double galley allows the traditional work triangle, with a cooker and fridge on one side and the sink opposite, and gives more room for two cooks to work together.
In recent years, a further galley scenario has evolved. 'Modern galley kitchens can be part of a much larger space featuring a wall-hugging galley run with a long island running parallel, separating a living or dining area beyond,' says Paul O’Brien, director of Kitchens International. Although conforming to the double-galley footprint, it feels different, as it is a lighter, more open and more sociable space.
What is a narrow kitchen called?
A narrow kitchen is often referred to as a galley kitchen.
The galley kitchen layout is one of the classics in kitchen design and takes its name from a ship’s kitchen, which was traditionally squeezed into a long narrow space but needed to be super efficient. In today’s homes, the two options – single galley comprising one long run of units, or double galley with parallel runs – give rise to a particularly efficient cooking space.
Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.
15 Long Narrow Kitchen Ideas
Find a cure for the crowded, long and narrow kitchen in your home with even one of the 15 ideas to add space to your kitchen.
Read this article to find out what might work for you.
You’ve definitely found yourself reading this article because you’re struggling with a long and narrow kitchen at home, and maybe you’re just an inch from giving up. A word of advice? Don’t.
Don’t give up! There is a way to turn your narrow kitchen into something that you can enjoy and be proud of. Things like changing your cabinetry, countertops, appliances, or even your kitchen design – interior design is very important!
Galley kitchens are a common name for long and narrow kitchens, and if there’s a name for it there is certainly a way to make it a stylish room that meets your every need for a kitchen.
You have come to the right place to find answers and inspiration to fix your narrow kitchen to best fit your needs, and the information is just a few scrolls away!
Of course you can! All it really takes is a good dose of determination, and maybe a bit of careful planning. The best way to start is to identify the problems you have in your kitchen.
What is the biggest issue with narrow kitchens? Space! The goal of this article is to figure out how to take up as little room as possible and give the illusion, if not make it true, that you have a spacious kitchen. That means large appliances, tables and islands, cabinets, and counters.
How in the world can you pull this off? To make more room in such a limited space without completely tearing it up and removing walls, I have carefully selected 15 Long and Narrow Kitchen Ideas that will help you rid yourself of that frustratingly crammed room in your house.
Possibly the most important question: Can you do this yourself? There is no reason you can’t renovate your kitchen on your own. Almost all of these narrow kitchen cures are perfectly DIY friendly!
If you would feel more comfortable letting the professionals handle the work, that makes everything so much easier for you! Finding a contractor or interior designer to come up with an open plan space and decide what’s best for you and your kitchen is still a really great step to take.
Check out quotes.profind.com to find the top five contractors in your area and get a quote for your kitchen! All you have to do is answer a handful of questions about what you want and quotes are sent directly to you. Getting quotes from at least a few different contractors is the best way to go. It’s good to know your options!
Lighting
Lighting: half of the #1 fix for a small space!
First, we should talk about natural lighting. Natural light is the best way, in my opinion, to really lighten and open up a small, closed area in a house. You can add this type of lighting by keeping your curtains open, or changing the door that leads outside with one that is glass or full of windows. Having a window will also open the room up by looking out at the spacious world around you!
Now, we can talk about the rest of your kitchen lighting. Clearly, chandeliers aren’t the best option for a small space. Even pendant lights could take up too much space – and they should be avoided if your ceilings are 8 feet tall or less.
Heightened ceilings, such as ten feet tall, are an exception thanks to the additional hanging space.
The best choice for light in your kitchen is recessed lighting, and that goes for any ceiling height. You might be asking how, if the ceiling is too tall, would recessed light even reach the counters or floor. Well, I never said they were just for your ceiling.
This style of lighting can also be installed under your cabinets or shelves. It provides additional light that won’t take up the unnecessary, unavailable space bigger light fixtures would.
Colors
Color is the other half of the #1 way to transform your narrow kitchen into a room with enough space for day to day activity! It’s also the easiest and most practical choice that will work wonders for any small area in your house.
In an area with limited space, when choosing a color to paint walls or cabinets, your first choice should always be a light color. White walls are a good example, and the lighter shade of any other color on the color wheel.
Dark colors take light away from any area and it can feel like the space is closing in on itself, so in a room that is already small it’s important to avoid them.
Consider white walls or white cabinets when you’re painting. Even an off white or light gray work beautifully. Just be thoughtful about your color choices!
Lighter colors reflect any form of lighting and spread it throughout the space, brightening the space considerably. This can also be done with natural wood, especially oak and pine, or even tiling, which is our next topic! Creating this accent wall of natural wood has not only brightened up the kitchen but it has also become a focal point – a very stunning focal point.
This is something that can be done for countertops, shelves, and cabinets, too! The raw wood aesthetic is a gorgeous choice, and it breaks up colors that you’ve chosen to paint your walls and cabinets.
Tiling
When choosing tiles for your backsplash or flooring, I highly recommend you go with something that has a reflective quality.
A sleek, slate kitchen floor is exactly what I’m talking about. Even if you want a darker color to offset all of the bright choices you made, as long as your floor space shines from your kitchen lighting, the area will look bigger and brighter than it is.
As for your backsplash, there are so many options that shine. Whether it be the white tiles above, or something you like from the choices below, there really are so many different styles of bright and reflective tiles to use for your kitchen backsplash.
Appliances
Appliances are yet another way to create a spacious kitchen. How is that possible when all they do is take up space? More reflection. Mirrored surfaces on appliances have the same effect that tiles have: they give a bright and open appearance to any space, big or small. Stainless steel appliances are a lighter shade of gray but they have those mirrored surfaces and will reflect light all around the room. It’s seriously one of the easiest ways to go!
Another great option for appliances would be the stackable ones.
In the photo above you get a look at an oven and microwave stacked between cabinets to optimize floor space and storage space all at once. Of course, those mirrored surfaces are still a big help here.
Refrigerators are probably the most space-consuming appliance in your kitchen. They are big, tall, and cover quite a bit of wall space, therefore they tend to shrink the entire area. This can be remedied by either being able to push your fridge into a nook in the wall, or tucking it into your counter and cabinet space.
Counters & Islands
Counter space is coveted in smaller kitchens because you don’t tend to find very much of it. In a narrow kitchen, narrow counters are probably the first place your mind goes – and you would be right! Narrow counters save space in a narrow kitchen, but they aren’t always the best for storage like pots and other large dishes.
Recessed counters, like recessed lighting, give you the under cabinet storage that you want without taking up the space you need.
Understandably, not everyone has this option and have to stick with regular or narrow kitchen counters but, if you can manage it, this is the best option for space!
The kitchen island is a way to add to your counter space but it still takes up valuable space. The only sure way to remedy this is to get rid of your kitchen island or table altogether. Narrow kitchens really don’t have the space for such a large piece of furniture to be sat directly in the middle – and then the chairs!
However, I know many of you really love the idea of having a kitchen island or at least a table, so I’ve gathered a few kitchen island ideas to keep your love going strong.
Option #1 is to downsize. Try replacing your island with something smaller and thinner. A long kitchen island, if your kitchen has the space, might be a nice fit for you. The best place to put it would be along a wall to be sure that it stays out of the way. As for seating, wooden stools that are short enough to slide under the table don’t take up any extra space and they’re easy to pull out.
Option #2 is a fold-out table. Use it when you need to, put it up when you don’t! When you paint them as beautifully as this one, they’ll fit in anywhere you put them! When thinking about chairs, consider something that can be easily moved for storage, or a stool that can stay out without disturbing the flow of the room.
Option #3 is a kitchen island on rollers. This choice is my favorite for smaller kitchens because of the mobility. You can move it where you need it, use it as counter or table space, but also keep it out of the way when you aren’t using it. Find the right one and it could include an additional slide-out table with plenty of storage space!
Shelves vs Cabinets
Shelves or Cabinets – which is better? In my opinion, open shelving is the better option. I have struggled with small kitchens where cabinets just seem to take up too much space, and open shelving resolved the issue! Shelves aren’t as bulky as cabinets are, meaning they open up more wall space.
This is another place where those beautiful raw oak and pine wood do wonderfully.
If you really don’t want open shelving and cabinets are where your heart lies, then we have to make them work! There are a few ways to minimize the space they take up. The first is to only hang them above your counters! The second is to paint them a light color, such as white or a light gray, or leave them with the raw wood look.
Lastly, this option is displayed beautifully in the picture above. Glass cabinet doors! The great thing about these cabinet doors is that they’re too high for any children to mark up with their little fingers, and they’re far less likely to break!
Adding strips of soft light on the inside of those cabinets will brighten them up, giving visitors the impression that you’re putting your beautiful dishes on display.
Open Walls
What is undoubtedly the best and most certain way to give space to a long and narrow kitchen? Knocking out a wall or two.
It sounds extreme, I know, though it doesn’t have to be exactly what it sounds like.
Yes, knocking out any number of walls completely is sure to add space to your long kitchen but not everyone can or wants to do that. A more mild way to alter your kitchen design is to partially remove a wall, or even simply widen the doorway.
As shown in the photo, the outermost parts of the wall are still intact while the center has been removed. This gives a clear look into the dining area and also brightens the area up! The designer has taken full advantage of the new space, and installed a stovetop and an oven, as well as the stunning black countertops.
This is truly a wonderful way to open a narrow kitchen up! Although, I wouldn’t suggest that you take up such a taxing task all on your own. Dealing with walls can be incredibly complicated, thanks to walls required for the support of your house, wires, pipes, and insulation. These are all things that should be left to professional hands.
Look for a contractor now, at quotes.profind.com. Get quotes from the top 5 in your area and start planning the kitchen of your dreams!
Simplicity
My last tip for you? Strive for simplicity. Over decorating and crowding your countertops is a very commonly found dilemma that closes space off. Keeping everything simple, cleaning off your cooking area and prep space, as well as your countertops, kitchen island or table if you have one, is the easiest way to ensure you’re keeping your kitchen as open as possible.
This also extends to your floor. Having an abundance of items crowding is both practice and efficient. We don’t want you tripping over stray furniture, so tuck your stools under the table, okay?
60+ photo examples, solutions for the most complex layouts
Kitchens in typical houses often have a disproportionate configuration. Under these conditions, the owner of the apartment will have to try to plan a convenient and functional design of the kitchen space - so that the set fits in and there is a place to gather the family in the evening.
However, in narrow kitchens you can equip a comfortable environment.
Contents
Design features of a narrow kitchen
To prevent a long kitchen from looking too gloomy, it is worth giving preference to wallpaper in pastel colors. It will look good white in a milky shade, as well as peach and cream tones. nine0003 Cream kitchen is a wonderful choice for a small kitchen.
If the kitchen is very long, a bright picture can be placed on one wall as an accent, which will visually divide the room.
Furniture in a narrow kitchen will also look better with light fronts. However, this is not an axiom. The combined version will also look great, when the lower cabinets are made in deep bright light, and the facades of the upper ones are lighter.
Light facades and walls of the same color visually expand the kitchen. nine0002 An important role is given to the choice of flooring. The main task of finishing the kitchen is the visual expansion of the room.
If you decide to use floor tiles, you can lay them diagonally. If laminate is used, lay it perpendicular to the longest wall. The dark color of the floor will add a little depth and height to the room, and the light color will brighten the perception of the long kitchen tunnel.
The floor covering makes a big difference in the limited space. nine0002 For the ceiling, the best choice is stretch ceilings. The lower they are, the lighter the shade should be.For example, with low ceilings, glossy PVC stretch ceilings will look good and visually enlarge the room due to the reflective surface. High ceilings can be decorated with canvases with stained glass or linear patterns.
The light ceiling does not distract attention and gives the kitchen extra volume.Which layout to choose for a narrow kitchen
There are several layout solutions for narrow kitchens. nine0003
Linear layout
The saddest option is a very narrow kitchen. In such it is impossible even to combine the dining area with a suite stretched along one wall.
The refrigerator is placed in one row with the headset, usually near the entrance.
Such a kitchen is also inconvenient because the hostess has to wind extra meters while cooking, constantly moving between the refrigerator, sink, stove and work table.
Placing a headset along one wall is the most obvious solution, but not ergonomic. nine0002 Such kitchens are so narrow that in order to create a comfortable environment it is necessary to move the dining area into a nearby room. The only alternative is a narrow transformer table or a tabletop folding from the wall like a bar counter.Several tricks will help brighten up the tunnel syndrome:
- place a TV on the wall above the entrance;
- stick a photo wallpaper with a kitchen theme on the opposite wall from the set;
- Use wallpaper with vertical stripes or vertical patterns to shorten the room a bit. nine0042
Parallel layout
This can be called a kitchen in which a kitchen set will fit on both sides or there is a place to place a dining area opposite the furniture.
In such a room, it is already possible to more conveniently arrange the working area - move the stove with a refrigerator in front of the sink. The main thing is that the width of the passage should not be less than 90 cm.
You can visually expand the room by replacing the upper drawers with open shelves. You can, on the contrary, build up the kitchen up, solving the problem of storage at the same time. nine0003
Rarely used household appliances or crockery can be stored in an additional row of drawers under the ceiling. So that the boxes do not hang over your head, it is better to order a set with light wall cabinets.
Light furniture will not "crush" in an already very limited space.U-kitchen
You can arrange the furniture set with the letter U in kitchens that are closer to the square.
In this case, the window sill is removed and a working area with a sink is installed in its place.
However, planning problems can be solved by placing a dining area near the window and placing a corner sofa there. At the same time, work surfaces should end in front of the dining area.
The seat at the foot of the window is the perfect dining area in a small kitchen.D-kitchen
This is another planning option that is acceptable in cases where the door to the kitchen from the corridor is not installed in the center of the wall, but asymmetrically. nine0003
There are 2 options for furniture placement:
- The set forms a corner near the entrance, and a dining table is placed near the window.
- The set forms a corner near the window (the window sill is removed and a work area is put in its place). A narrow dining table is placed near the free wall.
In conclusion, some general tips for planning a narrow kitchen:
- Move the eating area to a separate dining area. In order not to interfere with the doors when serving dishes, replace them with sliding ones.
- A bar along the wall will help solve the problem of daily lunches and breakfasts. Guests will be received in the living room.
- Corner sofa and stools take up less space than a table with chairs.
- If cabinets cover part of the doorway, just narrow it by 25-30cm. This will solve the problem and there will be no need to puzzle over planning decisions. nine0042
- Buy narrower kitchen units - they will widen the aisle and leave room for a table.
- Provide additional lighting - it is unlikely that one ceiling lamp can provide the required level of illumination.
You can stretch 2 rows of spotlights along the ceiling or separately illuminate the work area with lamps located at the bottom of wall cabinets.
Narrow kitchen with window
The window in the narrow kitchen is the only source of natural light, so it needs to be groomed and cherished. Curtains should be short and translucent, blinds should be light. Since the window seat is functionally important, it does not need to be littered with curtains.
Roller blinds, Roman blinds and blinds save space near the window, especially in the working area.Near the window in the narrow kitchen, you can install a dining table with a kitchen sofa. You can zone the site with the help of lighting - put a couple of rows of spotlights along the ceiling along the working areas, and hang a long beautiful chandelier above the dining area. nine0003
If the dining area is taken out into the dining room or placed along the wall, you can use this place more functionally.
If you install a desktop near the window and combine the countertop and window sill under a common countertop-window sill made of artificial stone, such an area can look really luxurious.
A bold option is to move the sink to the window. Of course, it will be necessary to provide for the redevelopment of the water supply system. As for the radiator, you can make a cabinet for it with holes in the doors. The efficiency of the radiator, of course, will decrease in this case. nine0003
If the kitchen faces north or is located on a windy top floor, you can move the radiator to an open wall. So that the mixer does not interfere with opening the sash, install a bayonet model of the mixer, which is removed and laid on its side.
Tastefully selected set, lighting and accessories will make even the most inconvenient narrow kitchen cozy and chic.Narrow kitchen with a sofa
A narrow cozy sofa will increase the number of seats at a narrow table and take up little space.
This is a great alternative to a table with interfering chairs. nine0003
You can place the sofa along the window, creating a separate dining area. To fit into the style ensemble, the upholstery must match the color scheme of the table.
Light range - the most suitable for furniture in a narrow room.Narrow kitchen with a balcony
The balcony in the kitchen is a real planning find. In the kitchen with a balcony, a full-fledged place for the dining area appears. First, you will have to perform work on combining the balcony with the kitchen: remove the balcony door with a window, insulate and glaze the balcony, and conduct wiring there. nine0003
Panoramic glazing will allow you to admire the city landscapes while eating. The remaining wall can be used as a table for serving dishes and dirty dishes, or you can remove it by moving the radiator to a free wall. Then in the vacant place you can put a bar counter.
If there is a balcony next to the kitchen, then it can take on part of the load of furniture and appliances.
Balcony-dining room - the best option for using additional space that does not require additional refurbishment. If the balcony is narrow, in any case, it will help expand the space for the dining area. nine0003
If a spacious loggia is adjacent to the kitchen, then you can equip a full-fledged dining room there. In this case, 2 zones can be separated by an arch or transparent sliding doors.
Please note that any redevelopment work requires a permit. Especially it is necessary if you assume that someday you will sell an apartment.
Attaching a balcony and placing a dining group on it is the most logical solution for a narrow kitchen.Narrow kitchen-living room
If you are lucky enough to become owners of a narrow kitchen-living room, you will have to reconsider the principles of furniture placement. All furniture should not be placed parallel to a long wall, because in this way the room will stretch even more.
A long set and a longitudinal arrangement of the floor boards are the two main mistakes in the arrangement of a narrow kitchen.
It is advisable to zone the room with furniture. You can consider the option of a kitchen with an island. The island can be used as a work surface, or you can install a hob on it. nine0003
The essence of this arrangement is the installation of large objects across the room: sofas, an island. A narrow room will seem more proportional.
It is possible to divide the room into 2 zones: make a kitchen at a distance closer to the window, and arrange a living room closer to the entrance, or vice versa, dividing 2 zones with a bar counter.
Sofa by the window - a romantic variety in the interior of the kitchen.Small narrow kitchen
Small narrow kitchen is the most complex layout option.
First, you need to try a cardinal option:
- organize a dining room in the next room;
- demolish the partition with the next room and make a combined kitchen/dining room;
- move the partition deeper into the next room, expanding the kitchen and reducing the room;
- if there is a balcony, combine the room with a balcony;
- expand the kitchen with a corridor.
- buy a narrow kitchen set, and for eating, arrange a narrow reclining table from the wall. Folding chairs will also help save space;
- to increase the storage area, place the top tier of cabinets under the ceiling. Use the lower cabinets to install built-in household appliances - dishwasher,
- oven, refrigerator; nine0042
- efficient use of a window sill to create a table;
- replace the standard 4 burner stove with a narrower 2 burner stove.
A narrow kitchen does not tolerate clutter, perfect order must reign in it. It must necessarily contain decorative elements: bright utensils, flowers in pots, a picture or a panel on a free wall - all these accents will not only attract the eye, but also distract the attention of guests from the disproportion of the room.
nine0003 Roof rails and hanging shelves provide additional space for appliances and decorations.
Narrow kitchen real photos
Design of an elongated narrow long kitchen: 23 examples of narrow kitchen interiors from Russian projects
Long narrow kitchens are found both in new buildings and in the old fund. Sometimes they are frankly crowded, and sometimes there is enough space, but it is impossible to sit comfortably with a headset and a table. We looked at how designers solve this problem by designing kitchens in different styles. nine0003
Msk Interior
1. Light interior and glass facades
The design of a narrow and long room is always a matter of proper color balance. For the kitchen in the photo, Kristina Izotova from Msk Interior chose only light colors: the elongated room required air and clean lines. The combination of gray and beige can also be seen in porcelain tiles on the floor and on the walls.
Apron and countertop are made of the same artificial stone. The bare minimum of upper cabinets was left, and glass facades were chosen - they look lighter. nine0003
Plan of the apartment and complete shooting — in the profile of designer Kristina Izotova
Habitat
. In fact, black expands as well as white, if used correctly. The project of the kitchen in the photo was made by designer Innokenty Malyshev, and implemented by the studio "Habitat". The design of the elongated room is built on the contrast of black and white, gloss and matte surfaces. Dark wallpapers have not only a deep shade, but also a three-dimensional pattern. Built-in lighting makes them even more voluminous. nine0003
More photos of - in the Habitats profile
DE&DE Studio
3. Cupboards that blend in with the ceiling
Another example of the successful use of black in the design of a narrow room.
The architects at DE&DE Studio have not only added depth with dark accents, but also shifted the focus away from the walls and into the wooden ceiling that blends in with the upper cabinets.
Full view of Scandinavian chalet in Vladivostok — in the profile of DE&DE Studio
Natalya Anakhina
4. Dark ceiling and barrels instead of cabinets
Designer Natalya Anakhina chose dark colors for her kitchen: both walls and ceiling are painted black and gray.
Natalia Anakhina
The narrow oblong room also bears little resemblance to a traditional kitchen. The 40-centimeter countertop did not allow for a normal stove and sink. Therefore, the designer built them into two 200-liter barrels. Inside they have shelves for dishes. Additional shelves are installed in niches around the window. nine0003
The opening in the partition between the kitchen and the room can be closed with shutters - they are made of ordinary pine panels.
Spectacular kitchen from other angles — in the profile of designer Natalia Anakhina
Eva Priest
Due to zoning, the proportions of the kitchen itself will become more organic, you can arrange the furniture in two lines and get a free passage. The example in the photo is from a New York project (with Parisian notes) by Russian designer Inna Usubyan. This method is good wherever a narrow room design with a window at the end is required. Especially if the kitchen has access to a bay window or an attached loggia. nine0003
Complete photography of apartment — in designer profile Inna Usubyan
Alexander Glikman
. But in this project, the architect Alexander Glikman settled on black and white. A proven solution for a narrow room - a contrasting combination gives even surfaces a three-dimensional look.
Separately, we note the dynamic checkerboard on the floor. nine0003
More photos of — in the designer profile Alexander Glikman
Pirko Oksana PIRKO DESIGN
7. Deep color on one wall
Pure shades for an elongated room are contraindicated - they clearly delineate the boundaries. An example of how to expand a narrow room with the right color is a kitchen from a Voronezh project by designer Oksana Pirko. nine0003
Full coverage of — in the designer's profile Oksana Pirko
Jeanne Bundakova
8. All in white and without a top line
The layouts of historical buildings sometimes do not correspond to modern concepts of convenience. The narrow kitchen in the photo, leading from the entrance hall to the living area, is located in the very center of St. Petersburg - not far from Palace Square.
As in the previous example, designer Zhanna Bundakova broke up the linearity with a dining area by the window. But here, instead of a table, there is a bar counter. In order to maximize the space, the project abandoned the upper cabinets and opted for white furniture. The stone countertop seems to be hanging in the air. nine0003
More photos of this apartment in the center of St. Petersburg — in the designer's profile Zhanna Bundakova
Tatyana Levina
9. Mirror apron
In the kitchen in the photo, designer Tatyana Levina used several non-standard materials at once. So, ceramic granite here imitates concrete and stone. One of the walls is decorated with brass panels. But the main find is a mirrored apron, thanks to which the narrow room seems twice as large. nine0003
More photos of the project — in Tatiana Levina's profile
Kerimov Architects
In the project on st.
Mosfilmovskaya, which was designed by architect Shamsudin Kerimov from Kerimov+Partners Architects, the customers themselves suggested using the New York panorama for decoration. The photo was applied on the reverse side to the glass of the kitchen apron. Can be easily washed. nine0003
The house itself was built according to the author's design in the 1970s. During the redevelopment, the kitchen area was cut down - it turned out to be a flat, but somewhat elongated room. In order to ergonomically arrange the furniture, the tabletop was extended to the window sill - with a lower level. From the windowsill, the line continues with a dining table without legs.
Kerimov Architects
There are no hanging cabinets along the long walls. Storage systems and built-in appliances completely occupy the end wall. White glossy facades add air and light to the kitchen. nine0003
The design of the oblong room is done in white: the walls and doors are painted with moisture-resistant white paint, the tiles on the floor are chosen to look like bleached wood.
The accent color is Tiffany, a complex shade of emerald green. It can be seen on Corian countertops, window sills, curtains and other details.
You can see the photo of the snow-white apartment in the bureau profile Kerimov+Partners Architects
Valentina Saveskul
11. Colorful kitchen and table-top
“In a monochromatic version, a small kitchen would look like a narrow trailer. A multi-colored kitchen is needed to avoid this feeling, ”explains designer-decorator Valentina Saveskul. Hence the choice of furniture in three colors: blue, white and a shade of bleached oak. In addition to them, there is also a golden color in various details, and light gray: the tabletop is framed in concrete. The interior style of a narrow room is a modern classic with English and French notes.
To save space, part of the kitchen worktop was given over to the breakfast table. The upper cabinets were made under the ceiling to pull the room up.
And in order not to overload the narrow space, some of the cabinets were replaced with open shelves. A golden curtain covers them from the entrance side - there was no place for a door. nine0003
Complete survey of this apartment in Volokolamsky proezd - in the designer's profile Valentina Saveskul
expand the working area to the window. Then the elongated room will remain behind and the eye will not rest on the wall. This is exactly what they did in this kitchen in the Bibirev loft. The author of the project is TERVU. nine0003
More views of the kitchen — in the studio profile TERVU
Julia Solovieva | SJull Studio
13. Wardrobes of different depths and a window sill table
This project by Yulia Solovieva from SJull Design is a whole collection of ideas on how to place furniture in a narrow small room. Three walls were used in the kitchen.
The window sill was not only extended by making a table out of it, but also placed under the table top storage space.
Yulia Solovieva | Studio SJull
Part of the lower cabinets at the entrance has been made less deep. So a narrow room seems wider, and there is no need to reduce the doorway.
Let's also note the color solution: the main color in the whole apartment is white, and in different textures. Bright color accents were chosen for dynamics, and mirror and glossy surfaces for additional volume.
Complete survey of project – in studio profile SJull Design
Lavka-Design
14. Black apron and curtains in the same color as the facades
An interesting technique for furnishing a long room can be seen in this photo. Kitchen furniture stands at an angle, but the top line conditionally continues on free walls due to color.
The blue poster and Roman blinds for the narrow room turned out to be very useful: due to the color balance, the kitchen seems wider. Irina Lavrentyeva and Anastasia Kamenskikh from Lavka-Design studio alternate bright blue color with calm gray to give the eye a rest. Glossy black tiles on the backsplash add depth and light. In order not to make bulky columns, the refrigerator was built under the countertop. nine0003
More angles and a poster with a dog — in the studio profile Lavka-Design
Instilier design studio
"Instilier" - not elongated, but triangular. But in it you can peep a few tricks on how to furnish a long narrow room. So, due to the window sill, not only the tabletop was increased here, but also storage space was added, placing cabinets of small depth. Holes were made in the window sill along the window for the exit of warm air from the battery. nine0003
Perspective fresco decorates the wall in the dining area.
A niche was specially made for her. Initially, the customer wanted to stick photo wallpapers, but in the end they found a more elegant solution, how to make a narrow room visually wider.
invisible door from this project and other details expanding space, see the studio "Instiller"
"Studio 3.14"
16. Mobile partition
Longer Walker. easier and more pleasant if you get rid of one of the long walls. A combined kitchen-living room is a common solution in such cases. However, in a gasified apartment, the kitchen must be isolated by law. There are two ways out: you can call the gasmen and cut off the gas, or you can make a mobile partition. In the project in the photo, architect Alena Gorshkova from Studio 3.14 chose the second option. nine0003
Studio 3.14
A three-section sliding partition separates the kitchen from the living area. Moszhilinspektsiya agreed redevelopment.
The photo shows a view from the side of the living room with the doors closed.
Full profile survey of project — Studio 3.14
Natalya Preobrazhenskaya | Bureau "Uyutnaya Kvartira"
17. Rack instead of a wall
In place of the removed partition, you can put a bar counter - this is exactly what designer Natalya Preobrazhenskaya from the studio "Uyutnaya Kvartira" did. In this case, the design of a narrow room has a lot of options. You can place the headset along one wall, two or even three, as in the photo. And it still won't be crowded. nine0003
Look how a narrow room looks like from the side of the living room — in the profile of the studio "Cozy Apartment"
Yuliya Nesterova
18. Lattice partition
the interior is conceived in a classical manner. But what if the kitchen has no window? In this case, the design of a narrow and long room can be built on translucent structures.
The kitchen in the photo is separated from the living room with a glazed lattice partition. The light enters the room, but the light furniture from the living area is almost invisible. The author of the project is designer Yulia Nesterova. nine0003
Julia Nesterova
The photo View from the living room
more angle - in the profile of Yulia Nesterova designer
Krauzearchites
1 19 old houses sometimes complicate the unusual layout. In the project in the photo, for example, from the kitchen there is an entrance to the bathroom. The door divides the kitchen into two parts: working and dining areas.KRAUZEarchitects
A narrow, long room is separated from the living room by sliding partitions made of glass and dark metal. The kitchen cabinets are almost invisible to guests, as most of them are hidden in a niche.
By the way, the bedroom in this project is separated from the living room by the same partition, but with frosted glass. The bed is not visible, but the light enters the room. The authors of the project are Alexander and Anna Krause, KRAUZEarchitects.
Project plan and other photos - In the profile of the studio Krauzearchites
Fruktov Interiors
20. Unified kitchen design and living room Antona and Marine Fruit of the Herki Kuits partial matting. It was the wish of the hostess: if guests come, you can quickly hide the kitchen from prying eyes.
FRUKTOV INTERIORS
However, most of the time the partition is open. Therefore, the design of a small narrow room is made in the same style as the interior of the living room. nine0195
Thus, the tiles on the floor almost do not differ from the living room flooring.
The kitchen set was chosen in "Scandinavian" colors, on which the entire project is built. There are no extra shades here, even the apron is made of white-painted glass.
More photos of — in the studio profile "Design in a cube" The kitchen was moved to the former hallway. The narrow room was left without natural light, so a stained glass window with frosted glass was made between the kitchen and the office. nine0003
The interior of the long room, like the whole apartment, is made in the style of a country loft and imitates a country house. On the ceiling - aged wood with beams, on the walls - decorative plaster for whitewashing, on the floor - travertine. The authors of the project are the RiruGroup studio.
Ririgroup
Full shooting - In the profile of the studio Ririgroup
Lena Zufarova
22. Less color
Important issue: How to arrange a furniture on an elongated kitchen.
The layout of a narrow room usually involves a set in a line or angle. But you can also use a two-line scheme by turning the sink towards the window. There is no window - make it yourself. In this project by Lena Zufarova and Dina Maslennikova, an internal window with sashes connects the kitchen with the dining room. So that the kitchen set does not visually crush, the furniture was chosen to match the color of the walls - in a monochrome space, the boundaries are erased. nine0003
Lena Zufarova
The photo View from the dining room
More photos of this apartment - in the profile of designer Lena Zufarova
The kitchen in the photo is decorated in a Mediterranean style. This is immediately indicated by the color scheme: white walls, golden brown shades echo the color of the sea wave. Designer Vadim Matevosyants singled out the kitchen area with a wide arch - this is a characteristic technique for houses in Italy and Spain.
