The kitchen is one of the main rooms in the house. In a small apartment this is a place to relax with friends. The big family most often gathers in a large dining table. But this becomes possible only with the right selection of kitchen units. After all, furniture should facilitate the work of the cook, be roomy and, at the same time, leave enough space for the organization of the dining area.
Choosing a Kitchen Set - Preparation
To use the furniture was convenient, it must be matched to the growth of the owners. But a kitchen set is not only bedside tables and a work surface. Before his choice, he should focus on pipes for water supply and sewage, on which the location of the sink depends. A gas or power line is the key to installing an oven, hob and refrigerator. Also do not forget about the hood.
Measurements
To make the right choice when ordering headset modules, it is important to plan their placement in the kitchen to the nearest centimeter. To do this, first measure the size of the room (sometimes the actual figures differ from the values indicated in the data sheet of the house). It is advisable to measure the length and width of the room by the floor, under the ceiling and at shoulder level - this way it will be possible to identify distortions, if any.
The next step is to measure all the objects available in the kitchen:
- windows;
- doors;
- pipelines;
- heating appliances;
- hoods;
- sockets and switches.
The results of measurements are applied to a schematic drawing of the kitchen with an indication of their location (for example: the outlet is at a height of 50 cm from the floor and 85 cm from the near corner). This will be needed in further preparation for the purchase of a kitchen unit.
Layout
After the room is measured and the corresponding notes are put on its schematic image, you can proceed to the most responsible one - thinking over comfort.
Designers and experienced culinary experts recommend that a kitchen set should occupy no more than 20% of the kitchen volume. Free space can be reduced only if the “golden triangle” rule is observed, when the refrigerator, stove and sink are equally spaced at the vertices of an imaginary figure.
Decently cope with this task will help knowledge of the features of the layout. Distinguish kitchen sets:
- L-shaped - a good option for small square rooms;
- U-shaped - suitable for a large area of a rectangular shape (one of the variations is G-like furniture);
- linear circuit designed for narrow kitchens;
- two-row - good with an area of more than 9 m2 and a width of at least 2.5 m;
Island and peninsular options are considered only if the room area exceeds 20 m2
Project
Focusing on the layout of the kitchen unit modules and looking at the prepared floor plan with your own hands, you can begin to develop a project. It is important to consider such parameters as:
- the number of stored products (there will be many of them in a large family);
- places for household appliances and utensils;
- the presence of working surfaces near the refrigerator and stove;
- convenience of connecting communications (gas, electricity, water, sewage and exhaust);
- organization of the dining area.
After the indicative outline, it will be good to make a schematic sketch of the desired placement of the individual modules with an indication of their approximate sizes.
Headset selection
It would seem that after such a large-scale preparatory work was carried out, the matter remains small - go and buy. But here there are subtleties.
Design, style
Manufacturers focus on only two main design areas - classic and modern. The first is distinguished by imitation of wood or emphasizing the structure of natural wood canvas, rounded corners and placing accents on the furniture. Art Nouveau is characterized by rectangular laconic shapes and the absence of embellishments.
Material
The most widely used are headsets made of chipboard and MDF. These materials differ not only in structure and performance, but also in terms of safety.
Particleboard is made of wood chips with the addition of synthetic resins, which may include formaldehyde. Therefore, it is important to ask the seller to provide the accompanying documentation, which indicates the environmental marking:
- E-1 - safe material;
- E-2 is prohibited for use in the manufacture of children's furniture - the conclusions suggest themselves.
It is also worth paying attention to the moisture resistance of the material - the kitchen is not a place for a headset that is made of chipboard or MDF that is not able to withstand high humidity.
Functionality, ergonomics
The kitchen should provide the maximum convenience of the cook, working on creating an original dish. To do this, focus on work surfaces. The required minimum - one at a time near the refrigerator and stove.
The second most important moment is drawers and nets. This little trick facilitates the full use of the space under the countertop. But it is there that it is customary to store large-sized utensils, which are easier to get from a box adapted for it than from a shelf.
Manufacturers
In furniture stores, it is increasingly common to save furniture on domestic brands. It costs a little cheaper than European, but in quality it is rarely inferior to it. The secret of this phenomenon is simple: often a local manufacturer uses materials and systems supplied from abroad.
If the furniture is too cheap, you should definitely require the accompanying documentation and find out the origin of the materials. In pursuit of profit and the opportunity to beat competitors, the factory can produce furniture from chipboard low, not complying with European standards, chipboard.
Selection tips
The durability of a kitchen set depends on the quality of its assembly. Therefore, at the sight of ordinary screws, it is better to refuse the purchase. Euroscrews and minifixes, especially if used in pairs, are a sign of quality furniture.
The working surface is the most wearing element of the headset. It is better to choose options from wear-resistant materials - this will protect against premature loss of aesthetics.
The exterior finish of the furniture is selected in strict accordance with the overall interior style of the apartment. But too bright or multi-color headsets quickly become boring. But the soft tones of one or two shades are a sign of the kitchen, which will be pleasant to be in, regardless of the age of its filling.
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