What is the size of the kitchen in Khrushchev in meters?

Owners of Khrushchev apartments are asking the eternal question: what kind of kitchen to build in such a small space?

The owner of an apartment in Khrushchev more than once had to think about remodeling the kitchen space. Indeed, due to the lack of free space (standard 5.5-6 m2), a problem arises related to the arrangement of furniture or the selection of the design of this room. But, despite the shortage of square footage, with the right approach you can successfully transform the room, bringing into it a touch of coziness and comfort.

What are Khrushchevkas and how did they appear?

A similar name was popularly given to Soviet standard multi-story panel, brick or mixed buildings. They were erected en masse throughout the entire Union from the late 50s until 1985. Despite a lot of shortcomings that have to be sorted out to this day, it was thanks to them that most of the country was provided with its own housing.

The father of the Soviet Khrushchevka (so named because of the appearance of N. Khrushchev during his time in power) is Vitaly Pavlovich Lagutenko. Yes, yes, it didn’t seem right to you, he is not a namesake, but the grandfather of singer Ilya Lagutenko. It is thanks to him that we have exactly this size of kitchen in Khrushchev. Brick, panel or mixed construction - there is no difference; all these types of buildings were built on the basis of Lagutenko's design. Although in later times other builders, engineers and architects modified its original design.

Today, residents of Khrushchev often criticize their creator. However, at the time of their appearance, they were a real industrial miracle and were pleasantly different from Stalinist buildings (houses designed and built during the times of guess who). The new prefabricated houses were not equipped with elevators or garbage chutes and also had low ceilings, narrow corridors, long carriage-like rooms, and small baths and kitchens. Despite this, in Stalin buildings (we are talking about housing for workers, and not about luxury apartments) there could often be no bathroom at all, as well as water and gas pipelines. In addition, to save money, the ceilings were made of wood.

The size of the kitchen in Khrushchev was only a meter different from Stalin, if we were not talking about 4-7-room apartments.

It is worth knowing that Lagutenko took many of the ideas for his project from French and German colleagues, who had previously come up with the idea of building houses from separate reinforced concrete parts instead of bricks. One of these borrowings was the size of the kitchen. Indeed, even in difficult post-war times, many German and French workers (and it was for them that these houses were built) preferred to eat in cafes. It was cheaper and easier than spending money on buying food and time preparing it, as residents of rural areas did. So they had no need for large kitchens. Therefore, such rooms were made with the expectation that a stove and a table could be placed there.

For Soviet citizens, the luxury of constantly eating in cafes was available only on holidays or at the movies. As for the catering system, this topic has already been covered from all sides by comedians from different eras.

What is the size of the kitchen in Khrushchev?

How many square meters did the housewife need to be happy, according to Soviet and European architects? As a rule, the size of a kitchen in a Khrushchev-era building in meters (plan below) ranged from 5.1 square meters. m up to 6.8 sq. m. While in working Stalinist buildings it started from 7 square meters. m.

For example, all rooms of this kind in the five-story series 1-464 (1960-1967) were equal to 5.8 square meters. m.

The same size was in 1-434 (1958-1964) for houses built in 1958, 1959 and 1961. While in 1960 the same series had slightly larger premises - 6.2 square meters. m. And in 1964 - again 5.7 m.

According to the plan, the size of the kitchen in Khrushchev is 6 square meters. m (more precisely 6.2) were in all apartments of the 1-335 series, which arose in 1963-1967.

In 1-434C (1958-1964), leapfrog began again and the footage could reach from 5.2 square meters. m to 6.1 sq. m.

Thus, there was very little difference in size between years. It varied up to 1 square. m. And the location of the apartment did not particularly affect this. Thus, the dimensions of the corner kitchen in the Khrushchev-era building were equal to the footage of similar rooms located in the middle of the building.

Some modern apartments, traditionally called Khrushchev apartments, are equipped with kitchens of 7 or more square meters. However, this size is not typical for classic dwellings of this kind.

Methods for transforming a small kitchen in Khrushchev

After renovation work on remodeling the kitchen with a size of 5.5 sq. m, you need to take care of choosing a method for transforming this room.

There are several methods to increase space:

With the correct layout of the kitchen in Khrushchev, you can create more space for storing necessary accessories

The method is functional . The size of the kitchen can be expanded with the help of the correct and rational arrangement of the main pieces of furniture. It is worth choosing furniture that is small in size and ensuring that the distance between all interior elements is reduced.
Planning method . This method implies that the redevelopment is carried out by removing the wall connecting the kitchen with the living space. Thanks to the use of this method, it is possible to increase the area by 1.5 or 2 meters.
Aesthetic method . This approach allows the use of unusual designs. Experienced craftsmen, through various experiments, choose the optimal solution for increasing space. The result of applying the aesthetic method will be an interesting design and a significant expansion of the kitchen space.

Even small kitchens can be transformed and enlarged. To do this, you need to use absolutely all the space in the room. You should not ignore a niche or even a corner; perhaps they are the ones who can add those necessary centimeters.

Features of the kitchen layout

Although there are several options for the layout of apartments in such houses, the kitchens in them were built according to the same principle in all years. To prove this, it is enough to consider any kitchen plan in Khrushchev. Size (in meters) does not matter in this case. In both five- and six-meter rooms, depending on the location of the entire house, the stove was placed either to the right or to the left of the window. This was done to ensure fire safety. Through the window, the fire can be seen faster from the street and is easier to extinguish.

There was a gas water heater next to the stove. Before its appearance, this place was occupied by various ovens, etc. There is a sink in the corner. This placement was due to its proximity to the bathroom.

The table was supposed to be placed against another wall, so the batteries were located near it. It was both a place to eat and a work surface.

Also in such a kitchen it was supposed to place a cupboard where dishes and some food would be stored. Nothing more was provided here.

It is precisely this layout that is responsible for the impractical size of the kitchen in the Khrushchev-era panel, brick or combined. It is worth noting that for its time it was an incredible breakthrough. After all, residents of communal apartments with shared bathrooms and kitchens, as well as people from villages, moved into such apartments. For both, the amenities in the house, running water, central heating and electricity were new.

Kitchen set for Khrushchev

First of all, you need to plan the location and shape of the kitchen unit. This is the most important and voluminous piece of furniture.

See alsoKitchen design 2021: fashionable interior design solutions

Suitable forms

The ideal option is an L-shaped set. It is optimal for compact and functional placement of the sink, stove and work surface. You can also choose the classic option - a single-row set, but it will be less functional due to the fact that it will simply “eat up” the corner. Other popular options - U-shaped and double-row - cannot fit in a small kitchen.

L-shaped set

See alsoFashion trends in kitchen design

Number of pieces of furniture and placement options

The furniture arrangement diagram must be drawn in advance, since space is limited. The main principles are the rejection of unnecessary elements and the use of folding structures.

Preference should be given to items that combine functions. For example, a kitchen cabinet can also be used as a work surface.

Linear arrangement of furniture in the kitchen in Khrushchev

Furniture arrangement schemes:

linear - along one wall.
corner - furniture is placed near two walls, a sink is placed in the corner.

The base is a stove, sink and refrigerator. You need two tables - with a work surface and a dining table. In a small kitchen, these functions can be performed on one plane. The set of necessary furniture is completed with shelves, cabinets and cabinets for storing food and utensils.

See alsoFeatures of caring for countertops made of artificial stone: useful tips and recommendations.

Integral details of the kitchen in Khrushchev

The size of this room is not its only integral attribute. Although Lagutenko’s design has changed slightly over the years, almost all kitchens in Khrushchev-era buildings have a number of distinctive features:

Refrigerator cabinet under the window. Depending on the year of construction, its depth also varies. The minimum wall thickness in this place is half a brick. In some cases, the refrigerator was supplemented with a through hole-vent.
The window to the bathroom is under the ceiling. Despite its small size (40 cm), its location (exactly opposite the street window) made it possible to illuminate the bathroom a little, even without turning on the light there. In addition to this purpose, it served to ventilate the room. Because of this, it was made to open.
Wardrobe-mezzanine above the door. Stocks of cereals, salt and matches were usually stored here for a rainy day or preserved for the winter. In fact, the mezzanine was a very stripped-down version of the pantry.
Geyser. Unlike the bedside table and the window, this attribute was characteristic of later periods. Dispensers were installed only in those houses that were gasified or did not have hot water supply. Despite many inconveniences, such devices today remain cheaper and more practical than electric water heaters. Therefore, they are in no hurry to part with them.

Expanding space in a radical way

Kitchens in Khrushchev can be remodeled using a more drastic method - demolishing the partitions. Despite the change in the project and the hassle of such an event, it allows you to achieve serious results. Carrying out repairs and finishing of such a plan requires permission from the BTI, after which reconstruction work begins. As a result, the size of the room will increase significantly. Changing the project by demolishing the partitions will add brightness to the room in the case when the room acquires another window.

The small dimensions of the kitchen in the Khrushchev-era building are not its only drawback. Often such rooms have very thin walls bordering the bathrooms, inconvenient water outlets, hoods, geysers with ugly pipes. These nuances do not allow you to properly arrange the room and bring in the required amount of furniture and equipment, so modifying the project here is the best solution.

Remodeling a kitchen for a Khrushchev apartment helps create a room - a studio. In the new, fairly spacious room, they organize parties, celebrate important events, or simply spend time with friends. Such a change in the project will enliven the room and fill it with energy.

Important! Any actions regarding the redevelopment of a small kitchen in a Khrushchev building must be supported by consent from the legal authorities.

Problematic devices

Even the proud owners of a kitchen in Khrushchev with dimensions of 6 square meters. m, like less fortunate colleagues with 5 sq. m. m, everyone still complains about the impossibility of placing large household appliances like a refrigerator there. Theoretically, it can be installed, but in practice it becomes a dilemma: either keep a refrigerator in the kitchen, or eat it here. And if you put both a table and a refrigerator, there is very little room left even for just one person to stand, not to mention the whole family.

The trouble is that when the unforgettable Lagutenko designed his panel houses, honestly “borrowed” from his European colleagues, no one imagined that such a device would be placed in such apartments. Instead, refrigerator cabinets were developed under the windows, where builders of later periods gladly stuffed radiators.

Another problematic appliance that is often installed in kitchens today is a washing machine. The fact is that the size of Khrushchev’s bathrooms does not allow placing this equipment there. But not everyone wants to knock out the wall between the toilet and the bathroom in order to gain a few meters and in this way “settle” a “washing machine” here. And the kitchen remains an option.

In recent years, another large appliance has appeared, the placement of which in the kitchen requires special ingenuity - a dishwasher. Although there are similar devices of small size, it is also not easy to fit them into the above-mentioned quadrature.

Practical or beautiful?

Despite the tiny footage, if you approach it wisely, a Khrushchev kitchen can be made comfortable and beautiful. However, it is often difficult to fit both requirements into one project. After all, a tiny footage allows you to either make the kitchen functional or stylish. Why is that? Question for fashion. Now everyone is striving for stylish minimalism, characteristic of Japanese homes.

Trying to be in trend, they forget that the kitchen is first and foremost a work space. This means that its functionality should come first. Therefore, throwing out most of the cabinets, leaving a beautiful table, stove, microwave and tiny refrigerator, may be fashionable, but not very practical. And you have to be convinced of this after the first time you come from the store or try to cook something. Suddenly it turns out that what you bought/prepared does not fit into such a stylish, but small-sized refrigerator, or there simply aren’t enough work surfaces.

On the other hand, if you put only functionality at the forefront, it often turns out that although it is convenient to cook and store food in the kitchen in a Khrushchev, you don’t want to eat there at all.

Is it possible to somehow combine both practicality and beauty? Definitely yes, although you will have to try hard for this.

Below are the most popular options for how to place everything you want in a Khrushchev-era kitchen and maintain comfort.

Decorating a small kitchen space

A nice design for a small kitchen in a Khrushchev-era building can be created by carefully considering the design of the floors, ceilings and walls. All surfaces must be in harmony with each other in color and coating structures. A kitchen decorated in the same style looks solid.

Nice small kitchen design in Khrushchev

When developing a design, you should consider the style in which the entire apartment is decorated. Some design solutions can be applied in the kitchen. It’s good to make the same ceilings as in the living room, or baseboards as in the bedroom. The floor covering does not have to be exactly the same as in the corridor, but it can overlap with it, having a similar structure and shade from the same palette.

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Floor and ceiling

The floor in the kitchen must be durable, resistant to moisture, low and high temperatures. Carpeting is not suitable here, as it gets dirty quickly and is difficult to clean.

A popular type of coating is ceramic tiles in a small kitchen

A popular type of coating is ceramic tiles. This floor is durable and easy to clean. The only negative is that it can break if you drop something heavy on it. Linoleum is not inferior in popularity to ceramic tiles. This is a universal and relatively inexpensive coating.

The ceiling must be covered with durable material that is resistant to steam and high temperatures. Therefore, it is often made suspended, slatted or vinyl, as well as from plasterboard.

See also Kitchen design 6 sq. meters: choice of style, furniture, lighting.

Color

Light shades visually expand the space and make it more spacious. Dark colors make the kitchen smaller and make the space heavier. All surfaces must be made in the same color, but with different shades. There is a universal rule for interior design that allows you to make it harmonious.

Light color in the kitchen in Khrushchev

The base tone should occupy approximately 60% of all surfaces. 30% of the area needs to be made a little darker, a couple of points in the palette. For bright and rich colors, 10% remains. They can be used to highlight an apron near the sink or curtains.

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Light

Don't hang thick curtains. It is optimal to limit yourself to light fabric: tulle, organza, veil or thin linen. At night, you can close the window using blinds or roller blinds.

LED lighting of modules in the kitchen in Khrushchev

It's better to create several lighting scenarios:

place light bulbs on the ceiling around the perimeter;
use wall sconces or hanging structures to illuminate the dining area;
Guide lights are needed above the work area.

The LED illumination of the modules looks good.

See alsoSmall kitchen design - interesting design ideas

Wall decoration

For the design of a small kitchen in Khrushchev, it is better to choose plain wallpaper or with a barely noticeable pattern. Embossed vinyl or simple smooth ones are perfect.

Embossed vinyl or simple smooth wallpaper in the kitchen

Modern glossy facades visually enlarge the kitchen. In a plasterboard box behind them you can hide the hood and communications, relieving the space of technical elements.

See alsoDesign features of a narrow kitchen

Kitchen studio

In the last decade, this design solution has become increasingly popular. Its essence is that the door to the corridor is walled up and the passage becomes a niche for the refrigerator. At the same time, the wall or part of it between the kitchen and the room is removed. So the living room begins to serve as a kitchen.

Pros:

Fits a refrigerator, washing machine, dishwasher.
There is no need to put a table in the kitchen, because it is moved to the living room.
It’s convenient to combine communication with family and cooking.
There is no need for a separate TV in the kitchen; with the right layout, the one in the living room will be visible from this room.

Minuses:

To combine both rooms, you will have to tear down the wall and figure out how to rearrange what was leaning on it.
Without a door, the living room and the furniture in it can stink of kitchen aromas.
Because of this proximity, more garbage will appear in the room.

Functional and fashionable work area

You can place the tabletop not perpendicular to the wall, but at an angle of 45-60 degrees, giving it an oval shape. A corner table will take up little space and will not interfere with the passage. It is recommended to place rails (metal tubes with holders) in the work area so that all the necessary items are at hand.

It is better to choose a sink combined with a sleeve for drying dishes

It is better to choose a sink combined with a sleeve for drying dishes. On the one hand, such a sink will take up more space. On the other hand, it will ensure efficient use of the work surface and eliminate the need to place wet dishes or lay out vegetables on it.

See also: Italian style kitchen interior

Combination with a balcony

This advice will be a real lifesaver. However, it is not suitable for residents of the first floors, since in most Khrushchev buildings they do not have balconies. Also, its implementation is problematic for those buildings that have access to the loggia not from the kitchen, but from another room.

In other cases, combining a kitchen with a balcony will solve many problems. Moreover, there are two design options: remove the doors and window between the kitchen and the balcony, or leave it as is, moving part of the furniture there.

There are options in which the stove and crane are moved to the balcony. However, one must be extremely careful with such experiments.

Pros:

More footage, you can place everything you need.
The balcony can be turned into a dining room.
Better room lighting and ventilation.

Minuses:

This method is not available to everyone.
If the balcony is not insulated enough, it will be cold in winter. So you will have to take care of installing an additional battery.
Laundry drying on the balcony may smell like the kitchen.

Window sill table

Unlike the previous ones, this method will not add extra meters, but will allow you to use the existing ones more efficiently. Its essence is that the window sill is extended and it turns into a counter-table and an additional work surface.

Pros:

There is no need to allocate space for the dining table.
An additional work surface with good natural light appears.

Minuses:

This window sill table requires additional support.
You cannot use curtains - only fabric roller blinds, blinds or short tulle.

Zoning

This method is the most affordable for any kitchen in Khrushchev. In addition, zoning goes well with all of the above options.

Its essence is to divide the kitchen into a working part and a place to relax. As a rule, the first zone occupies 3 walls (including the one with the window). For compactness, cabinets and household appliances are distributed as much as possible over the entire surface of the walls, from the floor to the ceiling, often even occupying the space above the window where curtains are traditionally placed.

The free wall (opposite the corridor) is equipped with a small table. Sometimes a shelf with a TV.

Pros:

Everything fits.
There is no need to make drastic changes in repairs (hollowing walls, changing plumbing, sockets, digesting batteries).

Minuses:

Functionality comes first, beauty comes first.
There is very little space left. It is convenient for only one person to be in the kitchen.

Smart organization of a small kitchen

A bar counter conveniently serves as a table in a small kitchen. Alternatively, you can attach a folding table to a wall or tabletop. It cleans up quickly after use. It makes more sense to buy folding chairs.

See also: TV in the kitchen: how to choose, placement options, tips.

Window sill table

A window sill that turns into a table is an idea that significantly saves space. The model can be square, round or oval. The table is made of wood, artificial stone or PVC.

Table-window sill in the kitchen in Khrushchev

Extendable table

A retractable tabletop is a godsend for a modern kitchen. This is a full-fledged dining surface that can be quickly pushed back after use, freeing up space. The table size can be more than half a meter in width.

Extendable table

Arch, roof rails

An opening with a full door takes up a lot of space. An open door inside a small kitchen looks very cumbersome. It is advisable to replace it with a sliding structure. A popular entry design option is an arch. If desired, you can hang it with light curtains.

Another element that saves space is the roof rails. These are metal straight rods attached to the wall.

Railings in the kitchen

There are several types of roof rails:

horizontal - located along the wall;
corner - above the sink;
vertical ones are attached to the ceiling;
hanging - above the work surface or bar counter.

You can place kitchen utensils on them.

Functional cabinets, shelves

Wall cabinets up to the ceiling gain space for things and products, and also permanently eliminate the problem of dust on the upper surface. The integrity of the structure visually lengthens the room. This solution is reminiscent of the loft style.

Small hanging shelves under cabinets in the kitchen

Small hanging shelves under the cabinets are convenient for storing seasonings, cups and other utensils that are used every day.

Bad advice that you should not follow when drawing up a design project

To conclude our discussion of the topic of the size of a kitchen in a Khrushchev-era building, as well as how to arrange it, it is worth paying attention to some design solutions that will do more harm than good.

Even at the design stage of these most notorious houses, many ideas, and even the construction of buildings from ready-made parts, were borrowed from colleagues from near and far abroad (USA, France, Germany). As often happens, borrowings were made without taking into account the specifics of Soviet realities. For example, the climate in Germany and France is noticeably warmer than in most republics of the USSR. Therefore, the inhabitants of their “Khrushchev” buildings with bare panel walls did not freeze as much in winter as their Soviet colleagues.

Even the very appearance of a tiny kitchen in a Khrushchev building (the size of which is still considered quite acceptable by many Europeans) is the result of such blind copying. Therefore, when creating your own project for arranging a given room, you should try to avoid following trends.

Which of these tips for arranging a kitchen in a Khrushchev building measuring 5-6 square meters? should it be classified as harmful?

Placing the washbasin by the window. At first glance, this layout seems successful. Its adherents claim that while washing the dishes, the hostess will admire the view from the window (apparently of the neighboring Khrushchev buildings). In practice, to move the sink to the window, you need to rebuild the entire plumbing system in the kitchen. Because of this, it will pass under the window. And there the wall is thinner because of the “Khrushchev refrigerator”. So in cold winter there is a high probability of water freezing in the pipes or simply wearing them out quickly.
Masking the speaker with a cabinet. Despite the fact that modern Chinese industry produces a wide variety of designs for such accessories, not all housewives like to put them on public display. Therefore, they are often hidden in wall cabinets, not taking into account that in this way the air circulation in the heating element of the device is disrupted. As a result, the column ignites poorly and goes out quickly.
Battery clutter. This design solution leads to a reduction in the amount of heat given off by them. At the same time, gas/electricity consumption will be at the same level.
Long curtains/tulle in the kitchen are beautiful. But it’s not just impractical, it’s a fire hazard. After all, the stoves are located to the right or left of the window, which means a potential fire. It would be more prudent to limit yourself to short curtains, blinds or fabric roller blinds.
No doors in the kitchen. This is only practical when it is used to just boil a kettle or heat up food. If you cook soups, borscht, fry potatoes, fish or, God forbid, drown lard, the whole environment stinks of these aromas. So, if you want to pamper yourself with arches, you should either equip them with sliding doors, or install a very, very powerful hood.