The kitchen in a private house can be large or small, detached or combined.  Often, it has an irregular shape and features like ceiling beams, a dormer, a boiler and access to a terrace. There are a lot of conditions to be taken into account in the design of a private house kitchen. In this piece, we have collected 12 general tips that will help you plan the interior from scratch or transform the existing situation, while also presenting a selection of 60 inspirational photos.

12 tips for equipping the kitchen in a country house

Tip 1. Choose the style of the kitchen interior in accordance with the style of the facade of the house and the characteristics of the terrain

Typically, the style of the interior of the kitchen of a country house (and other rooms) is formed based on the tastes of its inhabitants, and also taking into account the style of the facade of the house itself. Sometimes the choice is influenced by the peculiarities of the place where the house stands, let’s say its history or its proximity to the river / sea. It’s so cool when the interior, exterior and surroundings of the house are a natural extension of each other. Here are a few tips to help you decide:

  • Classic mansions and cottages, lined with brick or stone, are appropriate for classical interiors in the style of Empire, Eclectic, Chinoiser, Art Deco, French or English style , as well as a more democratic American style.

  • For wooden houses made of logs, the most organic kitchen will look like one in styles: country, provence , shebi chic , rustic , eco, in Gustaviansky (Swedish Empire) and, of course, in the style of Russian dachas , huts (for houses from log cabins) or Noble manor (see photo below).

  • In modern cottages with panoramic windows, most kitchens are decorated in Scandinavian style, minimalist style, hi-tech or eco.

In houses with exterior siding, the most appropriate kitchen interiors are Scandinavian and “rural” interiors, as well as a simplified classical style (American) and industrial.

  • If the house is located by the sea / river / lake, then you can choose Mediterranean style, Provence style, sea ​​or beach style .

  • If your house is located near a ski resort or you are in the countryside, mainly in the winter, then take consider the style of the chalet.

Tip 2. To make the kitchen comfortable, when planning, follow the rule of the “working triangle”

According to this rule, three strategically important areas – washing, stove and refrigerator – should be located side by side, forming a triangle.

  • The distance from the cooker to the sink should be at least 60 cm and not more than 180 cm. In this gap, it is best to accommodate the preparation area of ​​the products.The distance from the sink to the fridge can be from 45 cm to 2 m. In this gap there is a “loading and unloading zone”, as well as auxiliary kitchen appliances, for example, coffee machine , electric kettle, toaster, etc.

Tip 3. The most convenient layout of the kitchen – U-shaped, most versatile – L-shaped

From the point of view of the “working triangle”, the most successful plans are:

  • U-shaped– when the furniture and work points are arranged in a U-shape. With this arrangement, it is possible to cook standing almost in one place, making only corners. True, for such a layout, the width of the room should not be more than 3.2 m, and for an even better outcome – no more than 2.4 m. Otherwise, the distance between the side parts of the headset will become too large.

  • Island– no matter how you arrange the furniture in the work area, the island will make the kitchen as comfortable as possible , especially if equipped with a stove and / or a sink. However, even for the smallest island, space is required around, because there must be at least 1 meter passages around it. We will tell you more about the arrangement of the island in tip 4 (see below).

The most universal layouts are:

  • L-shaped– a little less convenient, but the most universal scheme for arranging furniture. It is particularly compatible with small kitchens of rectangular shape. When choosing such a layout, it is desirable to place the refrigerator in one line with a sink, not a stove.

  • Linear– a universal, but the most uncomfortable variant of the layout of the kitchen. Due to the fact that the working areas are arranged in the same row, during cooking, the cook has to repeatedly go back and forth the extra meters, and therefore waste time and effort. However, for small kitchens this option is often the only possible solution.

For a narrow and elongated kitchen, a two-row (parallel) layout is suitable:

  • Double row– suitable for kitchens with a width of not more than 3.2 m, and ideally, no more than 2.4-2.5 m. At the same time, the cooker and sink are placed side by side in one line, and the refrigerator along with the oven and microwave on the opposite side. Sometimes between two rows of furniture you can have a dining table, as shown in the photo below.

Tip 4.If your kitchen has an area of ​​more than 18 square meters, install the island desktop

The island is a super-functional table that can play the role of a place for preparing food, storage space for utensils and groceries, a breakfast bar and snacks. Also in it you can build a stove, sink, wine cabinet, dishwasher or a small refrigerator. This comes in particularly handy for:

  • Kitchens with an uncomfortable linear layout;
  • When the kitchen is combined with the living/ dining room (see photo) / hallway.

Keep in mind that kitchens of up to 20 square meters are best suited with a small island size of 120 × 100 cm. This table can also be mobile. The shape of an island should correspond to the shape of the room.

  • The kitchen area is less than 18 square meters. Instead of the island you can install a peninsula, which is more compact due to the end resting against a wall or a set.

Tip 5. If the kitchen is through, the working points should be placed so that the passage always remains free

If the kitchen is a passageway, for example, combined with the hallway , has access to the terrace or backyard, then the working area (the same “triangle” of the plate, sink and refrigerator) must be planned so that it does not intersect with the passage. As a result, the dashes of household members to and fro will not interfere with the person engaged in cooking or cleaning.

  • Remember that the width of the passage must be at least 1 m minimum ideally 1.2 m or more.

By the way, it’s great to use a bar counter, an island or a peninsula as a spacer in the kitchen.

Tip 6. If possible, install a sink at the window

If you have the opportunity to install / move the sink to the window, then be sure to do so. This way, you can admire the nature, the backyard lawn or at least a kind of sky over the cottage community while working in the kitchen. However, the resulting significant lengthening of communications is not always desirable.

 

Tip 7. If your kitchen is in the attic

Abandon hanging cabinets completely or partially, replacing them with open shelves, if the roof slopes are hanging too low. This way, you do not block up the interior and use the walls under the ramps with advantage. In this case, the lower pedestals should be equipped with mainly drawers, which are much more convenient and roomier than cabinets. In the next selection of photos are examples of how to equip the kitchen in the attic.

Tip 8. If the kitchen is combined with a living room or dining room, zonate space

Zoning of space brings to the interior a sense of order and coziness. Here are a few tricks that are especially relevant for a kitchen in a country house:

  • Finishing the floor in the kitchen and the floor in the living / dining room with different materials. So, for example, if in all rooms the floor is wooden, then in the kitchen it can be lined with more practical tiles, granite or stone.

  • Partial insulation of the kitchen. So the mess in the kitchen or dining room does not spoil the view of the living room, you can install sliding doors, curtains, panel curtains, screens and low or narrow partitions.

Creating an arch or partitions with a wide opening, a glass sliding partition or columns

  • Zoning by illumination.In the kitchen, it is enough to install a bright overhead light and furniture lighting, and the lamps themselves should be laconic. In the living room, though, the light should be multilevel and softer when the main ceiling light is supplemented with floor lamps, wall sconces and table lamps. The lamps themselves can be elegant at the same time. It is desirable to designate the dining area with hanging lighting fixtures or a chandelier installed directly above the table as shown in the following photos.

  • Arrangement of furniture on the borders of zones.As delimiters you can use: a bar, dining table, an island-table or a peninsula, sofa, armchairs, consoles and shelves.
In this photo is a kitchen-living room in a country house in Spain.
  • Use of carpets.A large carpet on the floor in the living / dining room and space around it will separate the space and create coziness. You can also lay a carpet-track between the zones. For example, between the working and dining areas.

Tip 9. A powerful hood is required for a combined space

To protect curtains, furniture upholstery, cushions and carpets in the living room from culinary odors, you should install a dome-style hood with a capacity of at least 1000 m / h.

Tip 10. Floors, table top, apron and furniture facades in black and dark brown shades are impractical

On dark surfaces, even the smallest crumbs, drops of water and dust are noticeable. Therefore, the most polluted areas in the kitchen – the apron, the table top and especially the floor – are more appropriately decorated in light shades.

Tip 11. In the design of the country house kitchen, try something that did not dare in the city apartment

It can be a different style of interior, bold color scale, unusual layout, decor techniques or things that you like, but do not fit into the interior of your “urban” kitchen.

Tip 12. Use mostly natural materials in decoration and decoration

By subordinating the idea of ​​closeness to nature, the interior of the house, you can fully experience the charm of life outside the city.

  • In finishing the kitchen of a private house, try to avoid using vinyl wallpapers, plastic panels, double-glazed windows, laminate and unnatural linoleum.
  • Ideal furniture for the country house kitchen – wooden (including plywood and veneer), forged and wicker.
  • Textiles are also better to choose natural or mixed.

However, in some cases, the use of artificial materials is justified. For example, the countertop made of artificial agglomerate is much more practical and durable than tabletops made of natural stone (see material: stone countertops in the kitchen – practicality and natural charm ), and the nylon carpet is almost as good as woolen and does not cause allergies.