According to the latest PNAD Census (from 2021), there are more than
10 million apartments in Brazil spread across the country – which corresponds to more than
14% of all housing units. In addition to the challenge of finding the perfect apartment to live in, there is also the difficult task of decorating the space according to the taste and personality of the resident. And architects and interior designers know this well: the challenge is doubled, after all, the reduced footage makes the creative space more restricted and restricted to the essentials.
Kitchens are the hardest task. In addition to
storage space for all the essential cooking items, the space needs to contain large appliances and often even a dining table. So, below, we have
compiled a list of tips for those who live in or intend to move to an apartment and want to have the kitchen of their dreams!
1. Custom carpentry
Studio Cubo, por Jorge Delmas. Ambiente da CASACOR Rio de Janeiro 2022. (André Nazareth/CASACOR)
Investing in
custom-made furniture is essential to save space in an apartment. So, in the design, think about adding
cabinets and space for drawers, which will be practical in everyday life for storing pots, dish towels, among other things.
The most important thing is to have cabinets that can accommodate all the
essential kitchen items . If not, it's worth investing in a
sideboard in the dining room to complement or even get rid of items that no longer make sense to you. Accumulating clutter on the countertop of a small kitchen can be a big obstacle to your routine.
2. Integrated spaces
Projeto de João Panaggio (Denilson Machado, do MCA Estúdio/CASACOR)
Integrating spaces is the best way to
improve circulation and gain extra space that the kitchen often doesn't have. Whether it's integration with the dining room, balcony or a completely open-plan design, the improvement in ventilation and the
feeling of spaciousness is significant.
3. Make the most of your wall space
Wesley Lemos - Copa - Cozinha Gengibre e Romã. Projeto da CASACOR Bahia 2022. (Gabriela Daltro/CASACOR)
Going vertical is a good option for those who have little space.
Shelves and niches for storing spices, food or even decorative items are a great solution to save space and visually enhance your décor.
4. Have an island for support
Apartamento Lodz assinado por Estúdio Sala, do elenco CASACOR. (Luiza Ananias/CASACOR)
Having an island can be a good solution to create an "
extension of the kitchen counter " and, in more restricted spaces, it can replace or complement the dining table.
5. Linear layout
Igor Zanon - Casa Nó. Projeto da CASACOR Minas Gerais 2022. (Estúdio NY18/CASACOR)
Also known as
one-wall kitchens , the linear
layout for small kitchens works very well and brings practicality to residents' routines.
