Repair of the kitchen in "Khrushchev"

"Khrushchevs" are called houses made of panels or concrete blocks, built during the reign of Nikita Sergeevich Khrushchev. These houses are usually 5-storey and the rooms are very small. A feature of the kitchen in such an apartment is a cabinet built under the windowsill, where food was usually stored in the absence of a refrigerator, since it had a very thin wall from the side of the street - only half a brick wide.

In our article we will figure out how to renovate the kitchen in "Khrushchev" and use the available space as efficiently, beautifully and inexpensively as possible.

And you need to start, in fact, with the development of a design project. "Khrushchev" is a very specific apartment, and the layout is appropriate. Kitchen - no more than 5-6 squares. As a rule, there is a gas cylinder. Therefore, the first stage of the renovation will be budget planning and project preparation, taking into account all the nuances.

Next, you need to understand the fact that whether you are doing repairs on 5 squares or in a 3-storey cottage, the procedure for carrying out repair and finishing work will always be the same and should be as follows:

• first we finish the ceiling;
• then we move on to the walls;
• we finish finishing the floor.

Now familiarize yourself with the procedure for carrying out work in the kitchen.

• To begin with, we free the room from everything: furniture, curtains, household appliances.
• We dismantle the ceiling (if you have it suspended or suspended, that is, there is something to dismantle), free the walls from the coating. Finally, remove the floor covering.
• We take out all the trash.
• We install new electrical wiring, install electrical outlets, switches.
• We bring out the wires for the installation of lighting devices.
• We install plumbing.
• We are repairing the ceiling.
• We align and decorate the walls.
• At the end, we lay the selected covering on the floor.

If you are a happy owner of a newly acquired home and have conceived a renovation, then you are already clearly in love with some kind of interior style. It is on this basis that you select the materials with which repair work will be carried out in your kitchen.

"Khrushchevs" have not only narrow small rooms - the ceiling there is also low: 2.5 meters. And very often even this height is reduced, since in the "Khrushchevs" on the floor there is very often a wooden flooring, which "steals" at least 10 centimeters. Therefore, when you see this, decide whether you want to leave it or you will clean it up.

Here's what you can do with the roof of your apartment:

• whitewash;
• paint;
• finish with plasterboard;
• paste over with wallpaper;
• mount a ceiling made of plastic panels;
• choose a more modern option: installation of a stretch or rack ceiling.

Let's consider the positive and negative aspects of each of the proposed options.

• The whitewashed ceiling is a classic of the genre. It is cheap, there is no disturbance in air circulation due to the porosity of the lime, it is easy to do the work yourself. But it also has disadvantages: in a kitchen with its high level of humidity, it can become covered with mildew spots. Due to the presence of a gas stove, the ceiling may become smoked, but it will not be possible to wash it, since the water dissolves the lime.And, finally, lime is not a very resistant coating; over time, cracks, chips, bald spots appear on it, so the whitewashing will have to be repeated several times.

• Painted ceiling. Painting is an alternative to whitewashing, it can also be easily done by hand. Of the advantages of this method, we can note the possibility of washing, since the coating will not suffer from this. But there are more disadvantages: after a while, the ceiling will be covered with cracks and the paint will begin to flake off, and with high humidity in the room, the ceiling may soon crumble altogether. Also, if a part of the coating is damaged, it will be impossible to simply "cover up" the stain, as is the case with lime - you will have to remove the old paint from the entire ceiling, level it, and only then it will be possible to paint again.

• Drywall. This material opens up opportunities for creativity, because it will be possible to make a figured, two-level suspended ceiling and decorate it with stucco or spotlights. The advantages of drywall are as follows: you can hide ugly irregularities on the "native" ceiling, remove wires and pipes out of sight; it is durable and resistant to environmental influences, easy to install, can be painted in any color, it is cheap. But if suddenly the neighbors from above flood you, the entire structure will become unusable, and with strong temperature fluctuations, joining seams may appear on the drywall.

• Wallpaper. Of course, for pasting the ceiling, you can choose only those wallpapers that can be washed. Pay attention to interlining and vinyl. They are cheap, you can do all the work yourself, if any area is damaged, you can limit yourself to repairing it. Cons: vinyl, like non-woven, is dense and, of course, heavy. Glueing them to the ceiling, so that they dry out and not come off, will be a daunting task. Further, deformation due to steam and the appearance of bumps are possible. And, finally, if you are flooded, the ceiling will need to be changed completely.

• Plastic panels. They are considered one of the most practical options. This is easily explained by their advantages: they are inexpensive, do not deteriorate from water, if one segment is damaged, it will be possible to limit itself only to replacing it. Of the minuses, the following are worth mentioning: if you choose economy-class panels, know that they are not environmentally friendly. And one more thing: the coating can turn yellow from UV rays.

• Rack ceiling. Not a bad solution. Such a structure is assembled from slats-lamellas according to the type of a constructor. Its installation is simple, its design is beautiful. The only requirement for such a ceiling is not to leave the joint joints open in order to avoid the accumulation of condensation.

• Stretch ceiling. An expensive modern option. There are many pluses: there is the possibility of choosing any design you like, and a perfectly even coating, and moisture resistance, and much more. The disadvantages are as follows: high price, installation can only be performed by a master, for its installation it will be necessary to "take away" a little height from the room.

When choosing finishing materials for walls, remember that a kitchen is a special room, with its own microclimate: a high level of humidity and constant temperature changes. Therefore, be sure to consult with a consultant in the store, make sure that the selected materials are suitable for the kitchen.

So here's what you have to choose from.

• Wallpaper. There are paper, vinyl, non-woven, liquid, fiberglass and photo wallpapers on the market. In order not to bore you with listing the advantages and disadvantages of each type, we will only say that they are all suitable for the kitchen. But non-woven canvases are considered the best: it can be washed, it is environmentally friendly, "breathes" and looks expensive and beautiful.

• Dye. Not so long ago, the walls in the kitchens were only painted - there were no other types of finishes. If you wish, you can paint your kitchen as well: the paint is water resistant and the walls can be washed. You can choose any color. The only drawback of such a finish is laboriousness.

• Decorative plaster. Has the same pros and cons as paint.True, it is not recommended to wash the plastered walls, but you can still wipe it down.

• Wall panels. Not the best option for "Khrushchev". The kitchen is already only 5 or 6 sq. m, and the panels also "take" precious centimeters from her. Although, of course, this material is good for walls: it is easy to wash it, you can hide unsightly communications, a large selection of colors and textures.

• "Wild Stone". Also not very good for small spaces. But if you decide to decorate a part of the wall with it as a decorative insert, it will be beautiful.

• Ceramic tiles. Due to its high cost, it is often found only on kitchen "aprons", rarely does anyone trim the entire kitchen with it. But in general, this is a wonderful material for walls: it is not afraid of water and aggressive detergents, has a large selection of colors and textures, is strong and durable.

Let's finish the conversation about floor finishing materials.

• Linoleum. It is easy to install, it is easy to wash it, the coating is uniform and even, it has a lot of colors. However, when choosing linoleum, pay attention to its name: household, semi-commercial, commercial. Household is the thinnest, it can be pierced with a heel or scratched with a fallen knife. So choose from the other two options.

• Cork. Cork floor slabs are a balm for the soul for lovers of natural materials. It is comfortable to walk on such a floor barefoot: it “springs back” pleasantly, and is warm. If you cover the cork floor with a special varnish, it will become moisture resistant.

• Wood. This material is quite expensive, but it looks "one hundred percent". Wooden floors keep warmth and are environmentally friendly. But they do not like temperature fluctuations, they deteriorate from high humidity. Lacquered floors are more suitable for kitchens.

• Laminate. It has the pros and cons of cork and wood, although it is inferior to them in terms of ecology. But its price is much more democratic, and the color range is more extensive.

• Porcelain stoneware, floor tiles. Materials similar in properties and appearance. However, porcelain stoneware is much more durable: if you drop something on the floor, it will not crack, unlike tiles. For the kitchen floor, it is best to choose matte varieties - they are less traumatic than glossy ones.

• "Liquid linoleum" (self-leveling floor). It is a polymer "screed" without seams. The coating turns out to be very even, monolithic. Resistant to mechanical stress. Can be supplemented with decorative inserts and made in any shade.

The interior of any kitchen is based on two "whales" - this is maximum functionality with a minimum of clutter. It is necessary to furnish the kitchen in "Khrushchev" with the most useful things, while maintaining room for maneuver.

• Dinner table. If possible, choose a foldable model that can be stowed away while cooking. Alternatively, "extend" the window sill and re-equip it under the countertop. Make the edges rounded so as not to "cling" to them when walking.
• Chairs, stools. Take 2 pieces. Slide them under the table so they don't get in the way. More chairs will create a clutter effect.
• Furniture. The optimal solution would be to manufacture wardrobes, cupboards, bedside tables, "pencil cases" specifically for your layout. Because this is the only way you can make the most of the available space.
• Do not forget that there is a built-in wardrobe under the window in the Khrushchev kitchen. You can store cereals, salt, sugar, flour, canned food, sunflower oil there.

As for household appliances, dimensions are also very important here. Fortunately, in the modern world there is a choice between "giants" and "babies" - many firms produce appliances of smaller size and power, just suitable for small apartments.

• A two-burner hob can be an excellent solution. It can be installed on a worktop, while there is still room to work with food.If you are a fan of baking something from time to time, get a microwave or multicooker.
• Dish washing machine. There are narrow varieties of these useful machines available on the home kitchen appliance market. You can install it under the sink - so it will fulfill its functions and will not interfere.
• Small refrigerator. There are 2 options: either the refrigerator will be tall and narrow, or "60s-style" - small but wide. And in fact, and in another case, it will fit into a small kitchen.
• Hood. In a small kitchen space, this is a luxury. However, you can choose a small model, and hang a cabinet above it, in which you can store what is rarely used.

We have come to a very important part - the development of a kitchen project in Khrushchev. Let's start by getting to know the existing kitchen layouts.

• Linear arrangement of furniture. It is considered successful in a narrow kitchen. With this arrangement, all the elements of the headset, as well as equipment, are lined up along one wall, and the dining table and chairs are placed opposite.
• L-shaped arrangement. If the room is in the form of a square, then such a layout will be optimal. The furniture is arranged in the shape of the letter "L", grabbing the wall with the window and moving to the adjacent one.
• U-shaped arrangement. Not the best for Khrushchev. Since all the walls will be involved, the impression will be created that the kitchen is "crammed" with furniture. And only a small "patch" in the center of the room will remain for maneuvers.
• Island arrangement of furniture (with the presence of an "island" of working surfaces in the middle) in the kitchen "Khrushchev" is impossible.

The small area of ​​the premises dictates its own rules when choosing textures and colors. Do not forget that too dark colors and massive furniture will make such a kitchen cramped, gloomy, uncomfortable.

For this option, one of several styles is suitable.

• Provence. Nice light interior in the spirit of a French village is perfect for a small kitchen. It is best to choose a set in beige tones. Household appliances should be pure white. Hang light-colored curtains with a printed floral print over the window. Place clay pots of spices on the shelves as a decoration if you have open shelves. You can hang a picture with a rural landscape, with a bouquet of flowers. Place a bunch of ears of lavender in a narrow vase on the dining table.

• Shabby chic. It looks like Provence, but it is dominated by white. In addition, shabby more prevails on stucco moldings, curls; porcelain figurines of angels, carved white picture frames are very appropriate in it

• Classic. Not a very good option in "Khrushchev". The fact is that classic-style headsets and dining areas are usually dark and massive, and this is impossible for a baby kitchen.

• High tech. Cutting edge cool style. As a rule, it is performed in monochrome with rare color accents. Oddly enough, but for a small kitchen, it is suitable. Just use less black, focusing on white, gray and metallic. And so hi-tech with its clear lines and modern furniture and appliances is what you need in a small room.

• Loft. This attic style is a great solution for the kitchen in "Khrushchev". All those pipes, the gas cylinder, all the unsightly communications that you usually want to hide are "chips" in the loft style. Paint the balloon red, put a Flammable sign on it or any other; select the water pipes, screw large valves to them. The table top is on the windowsill, the legs of the chairs are like fittings, and the loft-style interior is ready!

• Country. Rustic style, but rougher than Provence. Furniture here is preferable from solid dark oak. If your window faces the south side and it is always light in it, take note of this style.A couple of bright color spots, for example, curtains in a red check, sunflowers on the "apron" or a basket of apples in the picture, "revive" your interior.

• Minimalism. A minimum of furniture with a maximum of functionality is the motto of this style direction. Therefore, it is ideal for "Khrushchev".

If there is not so much money, but you want to make your kitchen beautiful and stylish, you can use such life hacks.

• Order furniture from MDF. This material is much cheaper than solid wood, but it looks no worse. Moreover, it is more environmentally friendly than chipboard, and it will last much longer.
• Decorate the room in those colors that are pleasing to your eye: so you can not make repairs for at least 5 years.
• Most practical materials (in terms of price-quality ratio) for the design of the kitchen are as follows: plasterboard - for the ceiling, vinyl / non-woven - for the walls, linoleum - for the floor.
• Choosing a technique, think about what the first time you can refuse. It will also save your initial budget.

The photo gallery presents several interior solutions for the kitchen in "Khrushchev". When you develop a project yourself, you can take these ideas into service.

For the renovation of a 5.5 meter kitchen, see the video below.