What shapes of tables are there?
Kitchen tables can be either rectangular, round, corner, semicircular or square. Let's look at each form in order.
- The rectangular table is the most common table in every family. But you shouldn’t choose such a table if you don’t have a very large kitchen. Although a rectangular table works well against a wall, for smaller spaces, choose tables of a different shape.
- A square table is usually placed in a corner; it will not take up much space in the kitchen. To replace the first option, it is better to buy such a table, it will replace all other table options for you.
- A round table is best placed in the middle of the kitchen. Its advantage is the ability to expand the size of the room. Round tables are suitable for any kitchen interior and besides, it is impossible to catch your foot on it, because they have no corners.
- A semicircular table will take up minimal space in your kitchen and can be placed against the wall.
- A corner table is perfect for a family of three. For tight spaces this is the best option.
Which color to choose
Dark tables are not a good solution for small kitchens, because a dark color does not look very attractive than a light one.
Light furniture will increase the kitchen area; buy tables in white or beige colors.
Choosing a table design
Let's look at the most popular designs.
- Standard – table and several legs
- Wall-mounted table - this table is attached to the wall, it does not have legs, but this does not prevent it from being firmly fixed
- Folding table - attached to the wall and folded as needed
- Transformable table - it is possible to increase or decrease such tables
- Bar counter - has a long shape, which allows you to place it along any wall
Styles for fitted kitchens
- The modern style is easy to implement and is ideal for decorating a built-in kitchen. This style allows you to increase the space of the room, since its main components are light colors, a minimum of decor in the design, and straight lines.
- Minimalism. A built-in kitchen designed in this style looks like a monolithic structure made up of miniature components. To create this style, household appliances are hidden behind the facades.
- Provence. This romantic style is suitable for kitchen spaces of any size. Characterized by moderate decor and a predominance of pastel colors.
- Classic style. It is distinguished by an abundance of decorative elements and a variety of colors. This style perfectly combines traditional and modern design elements. This ensemble creates a new style called neoclassicism.
- Loft. A distinctive feature of this style is unplastered walls and the predominance of dark shades. This is a style that was originally created for spacious rooms.
- Scandinavian style is characterized by the predominance of white. Household appliances and pieces of furniture should merge into a single snow-white splendor. This photo shows a Scandinavian-style built-in kitchen.
Glass
Glass tables are an excellent solution for small kitchens. Such tables do not stand out, they are invisible, and they can also visually enlarge your kitchen. You will understand the difference from a regular table when you change it to a glass one - you will see that the kitchen seems to have grown larger.
It probably seems that glass tables are not at all durable, but the best glass table can withstand any load. The stores have a wide selection of glass tables not only made of clear glass, but also other types of glass.
Table transformer
These tables have the function of folding out; if desired, the owners can separate the two halves of the table and place a panel between them. This will allow you to change the table: a square table will change to a rectangular one, and a round table will change to an oval one.
Thanks to this feature, these tables are very convenient to use, which is why they are bought for small kitchens.
If you have guests visiting, you can expand the table and there will be enough space for everyone; on ordinary days, the table is not expanded and only two to three people can sit at it. Before you buy your favorite folding table for a small kitchen, look at how well it works and how well it folds out.
Features of a small kitchen
Typically, a small kitchen is considered to be options with an area of less than 9 m2. The main difficulty is arranging the main areas for optimal use of the premises. You will have to allocate space for a hob, a sanitary area, space for a dining table and work surface, and storage systems. At the same time, you must also take into account that some elements must be located near the communications input, and the stove and refrigerator must not be placed close to each other.
Optimally, if the room is square, you can wriggle around and put everything you need. But if the kitchen is elongated or has niches, then you will have to rack your brains, deciding how to arrange the furniture and required units.
Here are some examples for non-standard layouts.
- An L-shaped layout can be used to separate the work and dining areas.
- A square kitchen can be furnished in the shape of the letter “P”.
- An elongated room can be furnished in a linear way.
In many cases, a custom kitchen will require custom-made furniture so you can make the most of the space.
Folding table
A folding table is characterized by folding as follows: its edges or one edge, when necessary, are folded vertically. Also, if desired, you can choose another table that folds in a different way: the sides extend from the middle.
This folding option is convenient and simple at the same time. When folding the table, it will not at all interfere with your walking around the kitchen and cooking; it can accommodate up to three people.
If desired, it can be quickly folded without much effort; when folded, you can have breakfast and dinner for up to 5 people.
How to beat?
There are several ways to play up a niche, bringing it closer to the design and models of kitchen units. Choose a method of refining in accordance with the type of recess - in the wall or under the window sill.
In the wall
A niche in the wall is found in panel houses; it does not spoil the structure and can be useful to the owners of the apartment. You can play it in the following ways:
- Covering with plasterboard is a method that does not require much thought. They get a flat wall for which they design a kitchen set.
Using a recess in the wall for oils
- The niche is not always located behind the sink; it can also be seen near the window. When planning your kitchen set, place the refrigerator in a niche to save space in a small kitchen of 6 square meters. m . The sink can be moved further along the wall - installed near the window, and a refrigerator can be placed in the free space.
- People who keep money at home make a safe in a niche - they separate a small space with shelves, and cover part with plasterboard. It is enough to hang kitchen cabinets on top of the safe door. You can use the cache after removing obstacles in the form of dishes or food.
- Installing a cabinet - used when making kitchen cabinets narrower. Then dishes for constant use are stored in the cabinet above the sink - it is pre-made deeper, taking into account the wall recess.
- Installation of small household appliances - a microwave oven is placed on a shelf, a cabinet is made for other small appliances. Apartment owners hang a small TV in a niche on a moving bracket.
Convenient place to store souvenirs
These are simple and interesting ways to decorate a wall niche in the kitchen. When choosing a method, pay attention to preferences.
Folding table
Folding tables are usually placed against walls; their shape is usually a rectangle or semicircle. When the table is not in use, the tabletop is folded and placed against the wall.
When the table needs to be taken out, it is placed on its leg and a dining place for all family members will be ready. The table will not take up much space, allowing you to easily move throughout the kitchen.
What is a niche in the kitchen?
The construction of apartment buildings was carried out according to the Khrushchev plan, which consisted of the construction of cramped apartments, but with elements of maximum convenience. The owners of the living space noted two types of niches in the kitchen - behind the sanitary mixer at the sink location and under the window sill. Each had its own function, which today interferes with the interior.
Modern kitchen with niche
Niche behind the sink
This is a recess in the wall along its entire height, located behind the sink, which does not interfere with the integrity of the space. The niches have a depth of no more than 15 cm and are intended for special cabinets where dishes are stored. Due to the small area of the room, space is saved.
Mobile table
Thanks to this design, such a table can be simply and easily moved to the desired location. Usually a family buys a table with wheels; this is the most popular table model.
When the table is no longer needed, move it to the wall; if you have a large number of guests in the house, you can put this table in the middle of the kitchen and place several people at it.
Families also buy such a table - the fastening of such a table is fixed to the cabinet, 1 side of the table is thereby fixed and is able to move along a special guide, the 2nd side stands on legs with wheels. Tables of this configuration make it possible to move them to the corner you want.
Bar counter
The bar counter is universal, since in large kitchens it is placed in the middle, and in small kitchens along the wall. By placing the bar counter along the wall, this will not reduce the space of the kitchen, but, on the contrary, will provide the opportunity to move around spaciously. This type of table usually seats up to five people.
Choosing a bar counter will help you create a comfortable eating area; it will successfully replace a dining table for a small kitchen.
It doesn’t matter if your kitchen is not very large, there is always the option of buying a comfortable table for it. The table in the kitchen should accommodate the whole family and be designed for the arrival of guests.
Before buying a dining table, decide for yourself what specific task it should perform, only then will you determine which table design is right for you. Then look at the types of tables and its colors, not forgetting about the style. By following these steps, you will buy exactly the table you have always wanted.
Design ideas
A kitchen with a folding table is often not much different from the standard design of a given room. They only note the absence of a dining table. It is replaced by a structure hidden from prying eyes, mounted on any suitable section of the wall. The most common, original and implementable ideas:
- The standard option is a folding design with wall mounting.
- Installation of an additional section of tabletop at the end of a bar counter or dining table.
- A folding design that is a continuation of the window sill. An alternative solution is to install the countertop above the radiator, but without resting on it. In both cases, the working surface is located near the window.
- The folding book-shaped design is autonomous, as it does not require fastening to the wall.
- Hidden countertops. They are installed inside another piece of furniture, for example, in a closet.
- Folding table in the form of a shelf. There are 2 options: the design resembles a shelf, as it is characterized by a wide stationary part that is attached to the wall; The tabletop is connected to a multi-level shelf that is in active use.
- A folding piece of furniture of a non-standard shape. For example, if there is no space in the kitchen to install even a small table, but there is some free space left in one corner or between the furniture, you can build an even more compact structure. Moreover, it is often characterized by a non-standard shape (a folding tabletop in the form of a triangle or polygon).
