Corner kitchen
The corner kitchen is the most frequently placed kitchen model in the Netherlands and other European countries. This is because this type of kitchen can be arranged in an enormously versatile way. In addition, it guarantees efficient use of space while cooking - at least if you arrange the kitchen cleverly. In this article we will look at different models for the arrangement of corner kitchens. You will see that they create many different possibilities in all kinds of different spaces.
A corner kitchen fits perfectly into a modern design
For several decades now, more and more people have been discarding the separation between the living room and the kitchen. This creates a cozy living kitchen in which all kinds of different activities can take place at the same time. This modern design comes out best when the integration of the kitchen and the living room is well thought out. Because a corner kitchen occupies only one corner of the room, it gives an immense amount of walking space. In it you can place connecting elements such as a bar, dining table or kitchen island.
Corner kitchen with island
In a spacious kitchen, a cooking, sink or work island can form the perfect transition between the kitchen and the living area. For example, if you have the cooktop placed there, you can keep an eye on everything going on in the living room while cooking - or have a conversation with someone sitting on a stool on the other side of the island. The island gives you extra work space, allowing several cooks to work at once. In addition, the space can be used as a dining table during or after cooking using conveniently placed stools.
A corner kitchen with an island often does not fit into small kitchens
There are two major drawbacks to a cooking and/or sink island. First, it is not as easy to install in an already finished home. This is because water, electricity and possibly gas lines must be laid in the floor. This cannot be done everywhere without causing enormous damage (to the floor heating, for example). This problem does not apply to a simple work island. The second disadvantage to any kind of kitchen island is the amount of space it takes up. This is because you have to leave enough walking space on all sides - at least 100 centimeters between the island and the kitchen layout and 140 centimeters in the places where seating is done.
Ideas for a small corner kitchen
In a small kitchen, a corner or L kitchen is often the best solution. It leaves plenty of walking space and can usually be placed in either a separated kitchen area or a small studio. If you like an island-like arrangement that can serve as both a dining table as well as a workspace, consider a peninsula or bar. This shares a corner with the rest of the kitchen, making it easy to run piping through. A peninsula or bar offers the same benefits as a freestanding island, but takes up much less space.
A well-designed corner kitchen makes your space seem less small
A corner kitchen has two major advantages. First, it gives enormous storage space. You can fill the entire bottom with cabinets and drawers. A carousel is often placed in the corner so you can make the most of that space as well. If you have a lot of stuff, you can also place cabinets above the countertops, but that does come at the expense of the spacious feeling in the kitchen. Therefore, many people today choose to use the walls above the worktop to hang things, place a handy drying rack above the sink and perhaps install some open shelves. This keeps the walls visible and makes the kitchen look a lot bigger.
The best arrangement for an inexpensive corner kitchen in a small kitchen
The second major advantage of a corner kitchen is its ergonomic work triangle. To work most efficiently in a kitchen, you want to have the core components refrigerator, sink and cooktop as close together as possible-without sacrificing splash and work space around the latter two. In a corner kitchen, you can place the refrigerator at one end -- with possibly a tall wall cabinet next to it for extra storage space. The cooktop will then be on the inside of the refrigerator and the sink on the inside of the other side of the corner. That way you never have to walk far. You can raise the worktop a little - which is good for the backs of average-sized Dutchmen - and install easy sliding drawers underneath where you store everything.
A black corner kitchen is better placed in a large room
Of course, you can choose from all sorts of different colors and materials when picking out a corner kitchen. In doing so, however, it is wise to take into account the space you have available. A black kitchen absorbs a lot of light. That may give a cozy atmosphere but it is not so convenient when cooking. In addition, the reflection of light in a white kitchen makes the space seem much more spacious. Therefore, many people with limited available space choose white or another light color.
A corner kitchen can be quite black under certain conditions
If you are looking for a corner kitchen for a large living kitchen, black can actually work very well to integrate the two spaces. With this color, you avoid looking from a cozy living space onto a sterile white kitchen. If you don't have much space available, but still want to go for black, you can of course play with different techniques. By placing black cabinets against a light wall and also using a clear top, you can actually create a sense of space. You then have to make sure that enough of the walls are visible above the worktop.
A corner kitchen with a window is much more pleasant
Natural light makes cooking easier. You can better see what is happening with the ingredients and don't have to strain to see what you are doing. It is always advisable to put a window in your kitchen if possible. Of course then you have to come up with something nice and convenient for the space under the window. It is best to fill it with sinks or a worktop. That way you can keep an eye on your children while washing dishes or cutting while playing outside.
A corner kitchen can be very inexpensive
Hundreds of different corner kitchens are made. Strictly speaking, a corner kitchen has two equal long sides and an L-kitchen has one long and one short side. However, these two terms are used interchangeably. As a result, you can always find a corner kitchen that has exactly the dimensions you need. Because of the many suppliers, a corner kitchen can be very inexpensive, especially if you choose a simple version. Kitchens without upper cabinets are cheaper and give you the opportunity to place handy, beautiful and attractive things on the walls yourself. This way, your space looks as big as possible and you save on costs.
