Kitchen design and renovation in Khrushchev – 13 super solutions

The kitchen in Khrushchev has two main drawbacks – a small area (from 5 to 7.5 sq. M) and low ceilings (2.5 – 2.7 m). And it is often gasified, that is, it has pipes and / or a gas water heater, which greatly spoil the interior. But we also have good news:

Firstly, the kitchens in most Khrushchev houses have non-load-bearing partitions, which means that they can be easily rebuilt..
Secondly, the problem of small kitchens is so widespread that furniture manufacturers have long adapted to it, and designers have developed a lot of ideas and effective solutions on how to make a mini-kitchen cozy and functional..

Today we will tell you about 13 ways to get the most out of a humble “Khrushchev” kitchen and present 90 photos of real interiors for your inspiration..

13 solutions for arranging a kitchen in Khrushchev

Solution 1. Combining the kitchen with the living room

It is not for nothing that this redevelopment option is so popular among the owners of Khrushchev houses, because it is simple, super-effective and almost always allowed for non-gasified kitchens. Of course, you will not carve out additional meters from nowhere, but at least you can take the dining table into the living room, thereby freeing up space for the working area, and visually, the kitchen will seem much more spacious. In addition, the combined space is good in that it creates excellent conditions for family communication. So, for example, all family members can be next to each other, while doing their own thing, and mothers get the opportunity to cook, keeping an eye on the children with one eye. Even home holidays and parties are more convenient and more fun to organize in the kitchen-living room..

An example of combining a kitchen and a hall in a one-room Khrushchev

However, there are also disadvantages – due to the lack of a partition, culinary smells will penetrate from the kitchen into the living room and soak all the textiles in the room. The same applies to “kitchen” noises, for example, from the released water, hood, blender, kettle, etc. It is unlikely that you will succeed in taking a nap while lying on the couch while someone is actively cooking in the kitchen, or making noise while getting ready to work while everyone is asleep. … If these disadvantages of the combined kitchen-living room are significant for you, think about Solution # 2 – moving the partition.

Design of a stylish kitchen-living room: methods of zoning and decoration.

Before breaking the walls, you will have to go to the BTI, order a redevelopment project and agree on it (even if you are sure that the wall is not load-bearing).

Solution 2. Expansion of the kitchen due to adjacent premises

If the combined kitchen-living room does not fit into your lifestyle in any way, or if your kitchen is gasified, then you can increase its area due to the adjoining premises – living room, pantry or corridor. Thus, the kitchen will become a little larger, but it will remain isolated, which, to be honest, is much more convenient for life. Here are some ideas:

Most often, the kitchen is enlarged at the expense of the living room by moving the partition. Below is an example of a plan for a two-room apartment in Khrushchev before and after renovation.

Further in the photo, you can see an example of the interior of a kitchen in a one-room Khrushchev, which was rebuilt in a similar way.

If the bathroom is combined with a toilet, the bath is replaced with a shower, and the partition is moved, it will turn out to expand the kitchen or create a niche for the refrigerator. Such a project is not often legalized, but those who live on the ground floor have quite good chances. The photo below shows an example of a kitchen in Khrushchev, enlarged by a bathroom, a bathroom and a living room.

And this is how the bathroom and the bathroom look like after the redevelopment

Solution 3. Sliding doors or open doorway

Hinged doors in the kitchenette take up a lot of usable space and generally clutter up the interior. You can, at a minimum, rearrange the hinges so that the door opens to the outside, and as a maximum, replace the swing door with a folding or sliding door, as in the interior of the kitchen in the photo below..

Thanks to the sliding doors, it turned out to lighten the cramped space, ensure the comfort of moving from kitchen to dining room, even with dishes and food on hand, and at the same time not violate the rules of SNiP
Thanks to the sliding doors, it turned out to lighten the cramped space, ensure the comfort of moving from kitchen to dining room, even with dishes and food on hand, and at the same time not violate the rules of SNiP

If the kitchen is not gasified, you can completely remove the door, leaving the opening open and, possibly, transform it into a beautiful arch, as shown in the following photo.

And one more piece of advice. When making repairs to the kitchen in Khrushchev, do not miss the opportunity to move the opening and / or narrow it a little (up to 80-70 cm). Even a couple of tens of free centimeters of the wall often play a big role..

Solution 4. Alteration of the window sill into a countertop

The window sill is that hidden reserve, using which you can save space and make the kitchen more functional. But for this, it needs to be slightly altered, namely built into a kitchen set or turned into a bar / table.

By integrating the window sill into the U-shaped and corner kitchen set, you can use it as a cutting table, while hiding the radiator and creating additional storage space. True, for this, during the repair process, you will have to slightly raise the window in order to bring the window sill to the level of the floor pedestals.

Converting a window sill into a bar or dining table most often does not require raising the window, you just need to replace the window sill with a larger countertop and install one or two supports under it (if you are making a full-fledged table).

When remodeling a window sill, make sure that warm air from the radiator reaches the window. To do this, ventilation holes must be made in the new countertop and decorated with a decorative grill. If this is neglected, most likely, the window will begin to fog up, which threatens damage to the finish and the appearance of mold and mildew..

See the material on the topic: Windowsill and its variations – countertop, bar counter, table.

Solution 5. Bet on modern minimalism or simplified classics

The choice of interior style is a matter of taste, but still small rooms are more advantageous and easier to decorate in a modern way. For example, in the Scandinavian or Japanese style, as well as in the style of minimalism, high-tech or eco.

Below in the photo you can see an example of a kitchen design in a Khrushchev, decorated in a Scandinavian style.

However, lovers of classics and ethnics should not give up their preferences. It is only necessary to simplify the chosen style a little, for example, by applying a minimum of decor, relying on light shades and reflective materials.

Classic kitchen interior
Classic kitchen interior

And here is an example of a kitchen design in Khrushchev, decorated in a light version of the ethnic style.

Solution 6. Light walls and furniture

In the perception of space, much depends on the color of the walls and overall furniture. A surefire way to enlarge the Khrushchev mini-kitchen is to decorate most of the interior in white tones.

If your kitchen lacks natural light or is chock-full of furniture, opt for monochrome: paint the walls white, choose a white set, a dining table, and even curtains on the windows. So all the boundaries of space will be erased, and the kitchen will seem airy, even if it is very crowded. Do not worry about the complexity of maintenance, because in fact, light surfaces are even more practical than dark ones (with the exception of textiles) and visually make the situation more neat. And in order to avoid the feeling of hospital sterility, you just need to combine different shades of white with each other and combine spectacular textures and materials.

White kitchen in Khrushchev-studio

By the way, when there is no way to hide pipes and a water heater, white facades and walls, including an apron, help out great. Indeed, against such a background, engineering elements will simply not be noticeable..

If you want to fill the interior with color, combine white with one or two complementary shades. Use too bright or dark colors only in accents, otherwise the small kitchen will only decrease.

Design of a 6-meter kitchen in Khrushchev with a gas water heater
Design of a 6-meter kitchen in Khrushchev with a gas water heater
Design of a 6-meter kitchen in Khrushchev with a gas water heater
Design of a 6-meter kitchen in Khrushchev with a gas water heater

By the way, dark colors can also visually enlarge the kitchen. To do this, you need to decorate vertical surfaces with them, for example, an apron, headset facades, a door or part of a wall, and decorate everything else with a light shade. As a result, the dark area will go deeper, making the space more voluminous..
If desired, white can be replaced with light gray, beige, gray-blue, pale green, pale yellow or cream.

Solution 7. Decorating with an optical illusion

To visually push the walls apart, the floor should be laid diagonally or, if the kitchen is narrow, across it. The most advantageous pattern for laying a wooden floor is in a herringbone or in a runaway pattern. It is important that the floorboards are not too wide and long, as they tend to compress the space. The color of the floor can be light or medium saturation – such coatings are easier to maintain and increase the area. Similar principles work with wall decoration:

The problem of low ceilings (2.5-2.6 m high), typical for Khrushchevs, can be solved by gluing wallpaper on one or two walls in a thin vertical strip or in a diamond.

Ideal wallpaper for the kitchen in Khrushchev with low ceilings – in a thin vertical strip or in a diamond

If the kitchen is narrow, but has ceilings of at least 2.7 m, do exactly the opposite and paint one of the “end” walls in a horizontal strip to visually expand the room.
Photo wallpaper with perspective convincingly deceive the eyes and deprive the kitchen of the feeling of being cramped. The main thing is to decorate most of the interior in a minimalist and neutral color scheme..

Often designers use trick with mirror, lining them with an apron, part of the wall in the dining area or one of the walls completely. This technique works especially well if the window reflects in the mirror, increasing the light in the kitchen. Of course, mirrors require frequent cleaning, so if you cook often, skip the mirrored apron idea and place the mirror away from the stove and sink..

The larger the mirror surface, the larger and brighter the kitchen appears.

With wallpaper with a large and bright pattern, it is worth decorating only one wall or a small section of the wall..

Solution 8. Corner or single row headsets to the ceiling

In a small kitchen in Khrushchev, a corner set or a single-row set is optimal.

A corner set is less compact than a single-row set, but it uses two walls and a corner, allows you to organize more storage spaces and work surfaces. In addition, it is more convenient to cook with this layout, because three working points (sink, refrigerator and stove) are arranged in a triangular pattern. At the same time, there is enough space in the kitchen for the dining room..

The single-row set is the most compact, therefore it is shown if the kitchen is very small (4-6 sq. M) or when the spaciousness of the dining room is in priority, not the working area.

However, if you take the dining room into the attached living room, there will be enough space for a U-shaped or two-row headset. The main thing in these layouts is a free passage between furniture with a width of at least 90 cm, and preferably 100-120 cm.

The U-shaped headset fits well into square rooms. And although it is rather bulky, the kitchen turns out to be very convenient, because everything a chef needs is literally at hand. In a small kitchen in Khrushchev, a U-shaped set can be built using the windowsill. In the next photo slider, you can see the interior of a kitchen with a similar layout and a dining area in the living room..

A two-row set is more suitable for narrow and elongated kitchens, it can also be very convenient (subject to a passage of 100-120 cm) and combined with a window sill.

Regardless of how you arrange your headset, we recommend that you provide several non-standard improvements in it:

It is better to make the curbstone at the aisle narrower and beveled, then it will become much more convenient to move around the kitchen.

To use the potential of a small kitchen to 100%, the headset should be built up to the ceiling by hiding an air duct in an additional tier and arranging cabinets for things that you use only from time to time.
You can build a couple of drawers into the base and put all kinds of rolling pins, baking tins, baking sheets and other kitchen stuff in them.

Another reason in favor of purchasing a custom-made kitchen is the ability to hide the gas water heater behind the facade. Such a “cabinet” should not have either a bottom or a top, and a distance of at least 3 cm must be maintained from the column body to the cabinet walls..

Before you build the gas water heater into the kitchen cabinet, be sure to consult with the gas service
Before you build the gas water heater into the kitchen cabinet, be sure to consult with the gas service

See also the material: Design and renovation of a kitchen with a gas water heater.

Solution 9. Laconic facades

Do you want to achieve maximum lightness and airiness of the interior? Then choose solid facades without any decor, panels, prints and maybe even without handles. However, gloss or glass inserts will not be superfluous, because they reflect light and visually lighten bulky furniture..

Solution 10. Mini-technique

In the fight for precious centimeters, a mini-format technique will help out, and perhaps even without sacrificing functionality.

Dishwasher 45 cm wide – fully meets the needs of a family of 3-4 people. If 1-2 people live in the apartment, then the model is even smaller – 35-40 cm wide.

The 55 cm wide refrigerator is quite roomy, as it compensates for the narrowness of the chamber with a high height.
The oven can also be narrow (45 cm).
The three-burner stove will suit the needs of a standard family, while the two-burner stove is suitable for a couple or one person. By the way, according to the old rules of SNiP, in the kitchen in the Khrushchev, the stove should be exactly the mini format – with no more than three burners.

In addition to mini-appliances, it is worth equipping your mini-kitchen with multifunctional appliances. For example, when choosing a combine, give preference to a model that squeezes out juice and chops meat, and an oven should be chosen with a microwave function..

All appliances – from the microwave to the refrigerator – should preferably be built in. This will make the small kitchen look orderly and uncluttered..

Solution 11. Compact and functional dining group

Only compact and functional furniture can be used to create a dining group for a small kitchen, otherwise it simply will not fit.

For 1-2 people it will not be a problem to choose a small extendable / folding table, which is easily increased in case of receiving guests.

For those who lead a mobile lifestyle, a bar counter or a folding wall table is suitable..

For a family of 3-5 people, it is worth choosing a rectangular or square table, preferably with rounded corners and, of course, a folding / sliding type. At the same time, a bench installed against one of the walls will help to increase the seats. Unlike chairs, benches do not require backrest space and often have storage boxes under the seat..

The assembled table in the kitchen is 7 sq. m in Khrushchev
The assembled table in the kitchen is 7 sq. m in Khrushchev

Table with folding wings that double the seating capacity

In the combined kitchen-living room, you can put the same bar counter, which will not only become a place for meals, but also divide the space into zones.

A more traditional option is round or oval table, which fits into the living room better than a rectangular or square table.

You can also put a transforming coffee table in the living room, which in an instant turns into a roomy table for 4-6 persons.
Chairs should be small and lightweight. It’s good if they are foldable or at least stackable on top of each other..

And we strongly recommend that you take a closer look at the polycarbonate invisible chairs. They are inexpensive, fit into any interiors, are very practical, and most importantly, they do not clutter up tight spaces..

Solution 12. Several small lamps instead of one chandelier

Even the most cramped and crowded kitchen will seem more spacious and comfortable if you create the right lighting in it. Conversely, no matter how well the design of the kitchen in Khrushchev is planned, bad light will greatly spoil its perception..

So, for example, the usual central lighting with one chandelier will create shadows we do not need and will even more “squeeze” a small kitchen.

What to do? First, make sure that nothing interferes with the penetration of natural light during the day – not the things on the windowsill, not the tulle, not the curtains, not the furniture. Secondly, instead of or in addition to one chandelier, install several spotlights around the perimeter of the ceiling or wall sconces in several places in the kitchen. Third, highlight the dining area by hanging the chandelier directly above the table or by placing the sconce on the wall next to the table. Thanks to this technique, kitchen gatherings will become more pleasant, and the interior will become more modern. And of course, do not forget about lighting the working area with furniture lighting..

An example of the correct lighting of a very small kitchen in Khrushchev

Solution 13. Short curtains

If the kitchen faces north and is sorely lacking in daylight, it is highly advisable to leave the window without curtains..

In all other cases, the windows of a small kitchen should be decorated with light and short curtains with minimal assembly. For example, it can be Roman or roller blinds, cafe curtains, vertical or horizontal blinds, or ordinary curtains that slightly cover the window sill..

Roman blinds in the kitchen in Khrushchev