Old five-story buildings, designed more than 60 years ago, still occupy at least ten percent of the country's total housing stock. They were designed to satisfy minimal household needs, so they were not particularly comfortable.

Years passed, the welfare of the people increased, and the inhabitants of these “Khrushchev” buildings began redevelopment, since some design ideas had become obsolete, in particular, a thin external wall under the window in the kitchen, which served as a cold pantry. And now every home has refrigerators, so there is no need to have a built-in cabinet with this function. And the apartment owners began to transform and transform this corner of the kitchen.

There are many options and ideas for rational use of even such a small space. After all, the kitchens in the apartments of those projects have a very small area - from five to seven square meters. But no matter how tiny it is, you need to try to make it more comfortable and functional, because this is where they spend most time, all family members.

The main task when decorating a kitchen is to organize a comfortable work area for preparing food and at least a small dining area.

Today we will look at some interesting and useful tips, which will help you decide how to more rationally use the niche in the kitchen.

1. Use a niche for storing vegetables and canning

To avoid loading the refrigerator with vegetables winter time, you can use this niche as a cold storage room. If necessary, insulate the wall a little so that during severe frosts the vegetables do not freeze. Replace shelves and front doors with more modern and practical ones. You can even use glass ones, the only condition is that there must be order so as not to spoil the aesthetic appearance of the interior.

2. Store things and objects in a niche

Depending on how you organize the space around this niche, you can store both very popular things and objects there, and vice versa. If there is free access to it, then place those items that you use constantly. If access is limited, it is very convenient to put there everything that you use rarely or seasonally. But in any case, such an additional cabinet will free up a table for you or hanging shelves. In this case, it is advisable to insulate the wall in order to cold air did not enter the apartment. Such a niche can be made with both open and closed shelves.

3. Install the battery in the niche

This niche can be used as a place for a radiator, having previously insulated the wall thermal insulation materials. If you place it in the depths of the free space, you can not only solve the problem of heating the apartment, but also significantly save space.

4. Replace the window sill with a work area with a sink

If you can move the communications, then instead of the window sill, install a countertop with a sink. Such a solution will be rational and convenient, not only will more space immediately appear, but the work area itself under the window will be well lit, and the interior will be transformed - it will become more fashionable and stylish.

If you decide on this kind of redevelopment, you need to take into account some nuances. For example, the width of the slopes, so as not to place the sink too close to the window, in order to avoid increased humidity and the appearance of mold. In no case should such innovation interfere with the opening and closing of the window.

5. Replace the window sill with a work area countertop

There are more rational option when instead of a window sill they install only work area with spacious shelves or drawers. In this case, it becomes possible to free up a lot of space, since the cabinet of such a table will be in a recess, which will allow you to hide more kitchen utensils.

6. Create a comfortable eating area

It is good to use this area as a dining area. You can remove shelves and niche partitions; this will help free up space for legs under the table, as well as for chairs or stools.

There are many original options for transforming the dining table-window sill. Will it be classic rectangular table, round or curly, or maybe a spectacular bar counter - it’s up to you. The main thing is that it fits harmoniously into the interior of your kitchen and takes up a minimum of space.

Depending on the available space, you can choose which surface design to use - stationary, tilting, folding or retractable. The last three are more suitable for those who have a very small kitchen area.

View a selection of original design solutions when decorating a niche under the window and the area around it.

Saving space in the kitchen has always been a priority. This is influenced by the size of standard cooking rooms and the growing need for household appliances. Sometimes a niche for a refrigerator is included in the design, and sometimes engineers provide only the conditions for using this area of ​​the kitchen. The wider the window sill, the greater the chance that communications were designed for a non-standard location of the main components. Water pipes are laid there and gas pipes, but remove the batteries - so we can talk about additional amenities in terms of design. Before placing a refrigerator under the window, owners will have to take into account the disadvantages of such moves. In the same way as before turning free space into something else, less complex in execution. Some make refrigerators under the windows, others make storage sections. Either way, this is an option for flexible solutions.

Peculiarities

The window sill refrigerator is closed niche, which, on the one hand, is exposed to kitchen temperatures, and on the other, to outdoor temperatures. Special equipment allows you to use the space as a refrigeration chamber, and simple version It is possible to arrange a cabinet with a lower temperature. The idea of ​​a refrigerator under the window organically appeared in the compact kitchens of Khrushchev-era apartments. There was no way for them to place objects in long lines. For this reason, the designers came up with the idea of ​​​​a built-in niche. In some Khrushchev-era houses the solution was used, but in others it was not, but even there it will not be superfluous. In general, a refrigerator under the window will be relevant wherever there is little space for a separate household appliances and there is a wide space below the window sill. Ready-made kits kitchen furniture also have variations on this matter.

Advantages and disadvantages

The refrigerator compartment under the window is converted into almost an additional cubic meter of space. At least if you remove the refrigerator and do not replace it with small option with freezer. The device inside the wall does not require careful maintenance. At the same time, cleaning the insides will be difficult. Ergonomics will also be a questionable point. Not everyone likes to bend over and over again for groceries.

Before choosing a built-in refrigerator, you should ask yourself the question of air microcirculation. The battery will have to be removed, so the problem of cold wind in winter should be somehow solved. Inner part It is better to treat the refrigerator to protect against mold caused by condensation. The difference in temperature indoors and outdoors affects. It wouldn't hurt to trim the interior walls with ceramic tiles.

Organizing a refrigerator under the window with your own hands

The process includes several main emphases:

• Site preparation;
• Treatment of the internal surface;
• Providing opportunities for ventilation;
• Choice of doors;
• Internal filling.

Choosing the exact installation location requires careful calculation of the available space, the volume of the refrigeration structure and the dimensions of its frame in particular, as well as technical gaps. The inner covering should be treated and lined with a smooth material. In the future, they will arrange ventilation and heating. Proper air circulation will protect refrigerator parts and materials from overheating. Heating is done either against freezing of refrigerator elements, or to protect warm storage facilities in the winter. Installation under the window involves the use of ready-made units, completely self-assembly or attaching the doors to the drawer. The canvases are selected mainly from metal-plastic and wooden options. Working with wood yourself will be easier. Internal organization and storage options should be thought out as carefully as possible, otherwise the window-sill refrigerator will not be able to perform the required functions.

Preparatory work

According to standards, the thickness of brick walls should be from 0.5 to 0.65 m. Taking into account the mandatory reserve in the additional protruding volume, the owners have approximately 30 cm of available space. In Khrushchev-era buildings, one row of bricks is usually removed. At the same time, actions nearby concrete floors always require more attention. Concrete slabs are also used in brick houses. Thickness outer wall at home they sometimes bring it up to 25 cm and leave vent with damper. This is how the temperature inside the niche is regulated. The resulting thinner wall is plastered sand-cement mortar. Then putty is used. It will not be possible to do without plaster, because the putty on the brickwork will crack, let in moisture and cold, and sometimes peel off. The facing layer is made of ceramic tiles.

To avoid fines, all work should be coordinated with housing and communal services structures!

Niche interior decoration

The main criterion for finishing material- smooth surface. Ideally use ceramic products. The tiles are selected that are compatible with plaster and putty. The initial finishing is done either with plaster only, or 2 types of material are used. A tile with frost-resistant tile adhesive is placed on top of the base layer.

The tile itself is chosen to be inexpensive, because the main thing in it is a smooth surface structure. It is not necessary to even purchase a new product. You can buy tiles that do not meet the standards or make do with leftover material that has already been used. You don't want to put together something like a jigsaw puzzle with wide gaps. Correct styling provides for a dense arrangement of elements. As for finishing the seams, it is better to choose a moisture-resistant grout. In this sense, it is better not to save money, but to purchase a multi-component water-repellent mixture.

Electric heating and ventilation of the refrigerator

Electric heating is used in 2 cases. Firstly, in warm storage systems to protect products from the effects of low temperatures. Secondly, heating elements prevent the formation of condensation when warm air enters when opening the refrigerator. They evaporate the moisture collected in a special container. In addition, ensuring that the refrigerator compartment receives sufficient heat gain prevents the temperature in the freezer section from rising. Another function of heating is to defrost and, accordingly, remove ice from the evaporator. As a heating device, you can use a regular 60-75 W incandescent lamp, placing it in a mesh shade below the ventilation hole.

From the rear walls of the refrigerator and freezer compartments moves warm air. Hide the finished system forced ventilation in the depths of a niche it is impossible. At the same time, such a move will become available if:

• Place ventilation grilles opposite the refrigerator ventilation system and above the refrigerator, respectively.
• Leave at least 2-3 cm of headroom above the top of the refrigerator.

Selection and installation of doors

The optimal options are those made of PVC, as well as aluminum with a hinged or sliding type of construction. Correct installation on your own is possible provided right angles are observed. For installation of door facades, a ready-made wooden frame. The doors are installed as tightly as possible. The operation of an improvised refrigerator depends on its tightness. That is why sliding panels and plastic doors with rubber sealants will be better.

The design of the doors is selected based on size and economy. A small blind section and a large opening one would not hurt in this regard. Capacious storage areas are covered with 2 moving panels. Buyers can also find systems with ready-made interior finishing. Those who do not want to spend additional money make the grooves themselves and install hinges there for attaching the doors.

Restoration of old doors

This need usually arises in 3 cases:

• the refrigerator is humming;
• the device does not maintain a constant temperature;
• ice forms.

Restoration usually begins with repair or replacement of the seal. In addition to the above reasons, a defect will be indicated by sagging and too easy opening. In the first case, you also have to adjust the shutters. As for the seal, the first thing they look for is the most deformed part. It is heated with a regular hairdryer and given the required form. Foam rubber or a piece of rubber is placed under the heated part. All these actions are performed on the floor, that is, the seal will have to be carefully torn off from the sash. At the same time, the mounting option is being studied. The sealing element is mounted on special clamps, glue, bolts or in slots. Immediately after installing the repaired seal, check the position of the door/doors. Before the appropriate actions, they are freed from products. Check the door fastenings: identify hinges that creak when the door moves. A small amount of machine oil is dripped directly there.

Metal-plastic doors

For the so-called “Khrushchev” refrigerator, 2 thermal insulation options are used: incomplete and complete. The first method involves maintaining the function of the refrigerator using freezers. After complete thermal insulation, the refrigerator is more suitable for the role of a warm cabinet. If you need to hide the contents of a mini-refrigerator, choose doors with sandwich panels. In other cases, frosted or smooth glass is used, with laminating films for color variety. It makes sense to achieve maximum space savings and use a sliding mechanism. Metal-plastic structures They come with or without an impost, which is convenient for planning the space inside the refrigerator. The products have standard fittings for plastic doors/windows, including seals for increased tightness. The level of light penetration can be adjusted, again in terms of the choice between glass and panels.

Doors made of chipboard and MDF

For self-installation Doors are suitable for MDF and chipboard. In the process, we will install the refrigerator in a pencil case and then hang the doors. Wood materials Before starting work, we send it for cutting and edging. Next, you will need to select ball guides for the width of each facade, metal corners, hardware, a level and a ruler. So, back wall and connect the shelf with confirmations. We also attach the back part with corners to the frame posts. We place the frame structure where it should be, and, if necessary, connect it to adjacent pedestals, if there are any. We attach the racks to the wall with corners to increase rigidity. We install hinges on the walls under the facades. We make a hole in one of the racks for connection.

Preparing the second set of devices:

• laminated chipboard or MDF 16 mm thick;
• furniture handles;
• minifixes;
• confirmations;
• self-tapping screws

After this, we build in the almost finished structure and begin installing the doors. Mark the location for mounting the guide. We install the doors using fasteners.

Sliding doors

The leaves of sliding (sliding) door systems move parallel to the frame. With the “refrigeration” version of sliding doors, a sliding sash lock is used so that arranging products is not accompanied by difficulties. They also install a self-closing mechanism with a counterweight-based operating principle. The usefulness of the system will manifest itself the moment the owners forget to close the refrigerator. A heating mechanism is installed around the perimeter to prevent the doors from sticking to the frame. Heat loss is reduced thanks to doors with glass profiles and air in the middle. Bases are chosen with a thickness of 4 or 6 mm. For a kitchen, a configuration with 2-3 doors with movement in both directions is best suited. Large rubber handles are used as control elements for the canvases.

Internal filling – making shelves

Glass shelves will be the best option. They have high strength with a small thickness, which also saves space. The appearance of the “filling” will also be better. Plastic shelves, in principle, also look “nice”, but their reliability is only a temporary quality, taking into account the loads inside the refrigerator.

So, we choose glass from 5 mm thick, ideally tempered, whose strength is up to 6 times higher. When purchasing, please cut the pieces immediately the right size. You should also order grinding of the ends there. If something happens, you can polish the edges yourself using a medium-grain emery block to an almost perfect state. Then we put the glass on smooth surface and leave one edge above the floor, for a length of approximately 15-25 cm, and immerse the sanding block in water. Next, we sand the edges with careful straight-line movements. Periodically rinse the bar in water. We determine the readiness of the shelves visually.

Kitchen interior design ideas

A reminder of the growing technology in modern times will be transparent doors, along with rich lighting inside the chamber. Convenience and practicality are guaranteed with this option. Under the very wide window sill there is room for a full-fledged refrigerator with a horizontal configuration of the freezer and refrigerator compartments. Drawers with lower air temperatures will become an ergonomically attractive option and a solution for lazy people who do not like to make an effort in searching necessary items. It wouldn’t hurt to design a refrigerator with just one door as an imitation hatch. The built-in refrigerators behind the dividing kitchen counter look interesting. In turn, a more designer approach is taken to sliding refrigerator models using attractive panel cladding.

One of the scenarios involves using a ready-made niche. In this sense, you only need to provide openings for communications, ventilation and heating of the door/doors.

The second method means partial dismantling. We remove the old box, clean the surfaces and prime them before facing. We take measurements for subsequent installation new design and a refrigerator inside it. We insert the new box into the niche, and there is a refrigerator compartment.

In the third case, we dismantle the window sill. We clean everything. We replace damaged bricks with new ones. We use plaster and deep primer for high adhesion and strengthening existing finishes. Then we make plasterboard sheathing.

If the window faces the courtyard and there is no load-bearing structure underneath reinforced concrete beam, then you will be able to obtain permission to install a window unit. In the case of the south side, nothing will work, because the exposure to the sun in the summer, combined with the heat generated by the refrigerator outside, will make this part of the kitchen too hot.

Conclusion

A small space under the window, provided or created artificially, can take some of the load off classic kitchen cabinets and an overflowing refrigerator. In some cases, the refrigerator is completely discarded. For products with warm or cool storage conditions, simple cabinets are provided, sometimes with insulation, electrical heating or ventilation. An enhanced ventilation option with access to outside air is needed for improvised refrigeration chambers. The freezer can be installed if power is provided for it, and heating elements such as radiators and fireplaces are eliminated. Preparing a niche yourself may involve expanding the available space. In any case, you will need a protective and sanitary finish with plaster and a smooth finish. The door materials most often chosen are metal-plastic, MDF and laminated chipboard. They usually don’t refuse a small cabinet, and the large space under the wide window sill is always used to the fullest.

Reading time: 7 minutes.

Such a phenomenon as the Khrushchev refrigerator is now not known to everyone, however, half a century ago it original solution helped out most of the Soviet citizens. The recess under the kitchen window in Khrushchev-type apartments was used in winter for storing perishable foods. We’ll look at how to make a refrigerator under a window or modernize an old structure later in this article.

Interior decoration

Window-sill refrigerators in most apartments need to be repaired or dismantled, as they allow cold air to pass through in winter and collect condensation on the surface of the walls, contributing to the appearance of mold. Therefore, the purpose of reconstruction is the following:

• Reduce the amount of condensation and minimize the consequences of its occurrence;
• Ensure a sufficient degree of cooling inside, preventing freezing in winter;
• Lead appearance refrigerator to match the kitchen interior.

The masonry in Khrushchev houses was made with 2 bricks, which made it possible to form a wall 50-60 cm thick. In the kitchen under the window, the brick is laid in half its size - this is approximately 12 cm. We add 2 cm to the plaster and the result is a 14-centimeter wall, in which also has ventilation holes. In winter, which can be very harsh in domestic latitudes, the wall periodically freezes, and the refrigerator becomes unsuitable for storing frost-sensitive products.

To make the temperature controllable and reduce the amount of condensation First you will have to insulate the thin part of the wall and prepare the perimeter of the window sill for finishing. Sequencing:

• We remove the old window sill, the remains of the previous structure, plaster and destroyed brick;
  
  
• As necessary, we restore the masonry, leveling the surface as much as possible;
• To strengthen the opening and enhance adhesion, we treat upper layer deep-penetrating primer, after which we plaster;
• We insulate the opening from all sides (including from below);
  
• We install plasterboard (preferably moisture-resistant) on top of the thermal insulation without lathing;
  
• Drywall is either primed and painted with a washable acrylic paint, or trim tiles(place on glue, pre-treated with primer).
  

If the loss of a small part of the refrigerator’s volume is not critical, it is better to install tiles - they are more environmentally friendly and easier to maintain.

After the measures described above, the refrigerating properties of the window sill will partially deteriorate. A ventilation hole will help compensate for the lack of coolness, which you will either have to make yourself or use an existing one (provided for by the Khrushchev project). Naturally, you shouldn’t leave a through hole on the street. The best option– mount supply valve; more budget-friendly - cover the hole with a small amount mineral wool and install a ventilation grille.

Read also: How to attach a balcony on the first floor

Video instructions for interior finishing with sandwich panels and installing a refrigerator under the window:

Electric heating of the refrigerator

Despite the insulation, the possibility of freezing in winter still remains. First of all, this will be facilitated by ventilation, without which it will not be possible to build full refrigerator– a wall half a brick thick will complement the picture. You can ensure an acceptable microclimate inside the refrigerator using electric heating.

To maintain the temperature within 0°, it is enough to place an incandescent lamp with a power of 70-100 W in the lower part of the window sill.

The lamp must be protected from mechanical damage and moisture ingress. A sealed street-type lamp with an external metal grille will cope with this task.

Door trim

Appearance refrigerator directly depends on the doors that will be used. If you decide to leave everything as is, it will be enough to refine and insulate the old doors a little. In other cases, you will have to order the design most suitable for the kitchen interior or try to do something yourself.

Insulation and decoration of old doors

It’s worth clarifying right away that when using old doors, a significant energy-saving effect is unlikely to be achieved. To ensure the preservation of coolness inside the cabinet, it is necessary to seal the doors as tightly as possible, and this is only possible with perfectly smooth surfaces and the presence of a seal.

White self-adhesive seal: D - profile

You can glue a rubber seal, but it will most likely not be possible to straighten crooked wooden doors. Of course, the seal partially compensates for unevenness, but doors of this design do not have fittings that would ensure tight pressure. Therefore, you will have to make something locally, depending on specific technical conditions.

Inexpensive and affordable option– insulate the doors on the side of the refrigerator with foil insulation and glue the sealing gum where the doors join the frame. As an external decor, you can use self-adhesive film of a suitable color.

Metal-plastic construction

Installation of a metal-plastic block is simple and effective method seal the refrigerator cabinet and keep the kitchen warm. This is especially convenient if your home is undergoing a planned replacement of windows, since most manufacturers provide a discount on their products for large orders. However, the surveyor should be called only after the final completion of the opening.

When ordering, you should not choose an expensive multi-chamber profile, since the window will not be subject to temperature changes and other atmospheric influences. A sandwich panel installed instead of a double-glazed window will help you save a little and hide the contents of the refrigerator.

Thanks to the variety of colors and textures of PVC profiles, choosing a design that best suits the kitchen interior is not difficult.

Installation of furniture doors (chipboard, MDF)

To ensure that the external design of the refrigerator cabinet does not stand out against the background of the kitchen unit, the optimal solution would be to make them with exactly the same finish. Perfect option– order doors together with kitchen set.

Moving to new apartment has always been a joyful event for people.

And when in the 60s our compatriots began to actively move from their dilapidated wooden houses or densely populated “communal apartments” to separate apartments with central heating, their feeling was as if people were moving into palaces.

And none of them even thought of wanting to criticize their precious square meters and call them the offensive word “Khrushchev”.

Moreover, each of these apartments had a lot of good things. For example, a niche under the window in the kitchen is a seasonal kitchen refrigerator.

Refrigerator under the window

We must pay tribute to the designers: the walls in brick houses of that period were built very massive.

Accordingly, the window sills were also vast, which residents, unfamiliar with the word “design,” tried to decorate by placing pots of flowers on them.

It was especially convenient wide window sill in the kitchen, which, given its small size, allowed housewives to use the window sill as an additional work surface.

Almost until the 70s of the last century, a refrigerator was considered a rarity and was not found in every kitchen.

Considering this circumstance, the architects used a niche under the kitchen window to create a kind of refrigerator.

True, such a refrigerator was suitable for storing perishable food only in winter, but, for lack of anything better, the residents of the Khrushchev were quite happy with it.

Full wardrobe

Times have changed. Today, the presence of modern household appliances in the kitchen, including a real refrigerator, no longer surprises anyone.

Therefore, the need to put food in a niche under the window disappeared by itself.

But every housewife wants to make the most of the entire area of ​​a small kitchen in a Khrushchev-era apartment building, using the niche of a seasonal “refrigerator” as an additional cabinet for storing a wide variety of kitchen utensils.

A refrigerator niche is quite suitable for storing a small supply of vegetables and pickles. To do this, you will need to insulate it, that is, seal the through hole in the wall.

Popular drywall is not suitable for these purposes, since between the sheathing and external wall Condensation will definitely begin to accumulate. In the future, this will lead to the appearance of mold and destruction of the casing.

To seal a hole, it is best to use brickwork.

It will not be superfluous interior design such a refrigerator: plastering, painting, neat design of shelves, which you can do yourself or order from a specialist.

Another option: if you are replacing old windows with plastic ones, order the finishing of the winter refrigerator from the window specialists.

Territory of heat

One of the options for using a niche under a window in a Khrushchev apartment is installation of a heating radiator in it.

Moreover, among apartment owners there are many who prefer higher air temperatures in their homes.

And although the alteration cannot be called minor, the refrigerator niche in the Khrushchev kitchen is perfect for installing a battery in it, and such a repair will justify itself.

First, you will have to seal the through hole in the wall using brickwork, then proceed to the direct installation of the radiator.

To avoid negative consequences, it is better to entrust this work to specialists who are familiar with the process technology.

After the plumbers install the radiator battery, you can proceed to designing the niche.

Advice. The design and decoration of the niche must fully comply with the overall style of the kitchen.

Old to new

It must be admitted that during the period of mass construction of the 60-70s, design was not a favorite of architects and designers.

Because interior decoration and the decoration in the Khrushchev apartment was not particularly beautiful and diverse. The doors that closed the “refrigerator” under the window also looked boring.

Made of poorly sanded plywood, covered with blue or gloomy green paint, complemented by a primitive handle and a rough latch, the doors of the “Khrushchev” refrigerator did not even try to look aesthetically pleasing.

Modern residents, of course, are not satisfied with this design.

And today there are many possibilities for stylish and varied design. The doors can be made of plastic and ordered from the same company where the windows are made. Today their designs are very diverse.

Doors can be regular or sliding, performed in any color scheme, which will fit into the overall color of the kitchen.

Can be picked up doors for a refrigerator niche in the style of external panels of a kitchen unit, repeating not only the desired color and surface texture, but also the same handles.

Advice. Wooden or laminated facades can be purchased from specialized companies or stores that sell furniture. In this case, you should pay attention to the quality of the fastening hardware - it must be smoothly polished and free of cracks, nicks and burrs.

Non-standard solution

In addition to the usual ones, there are many interesting ways turn the “Khrushchev refrigerator” into a stylish piece of kitchen interior.

One of them is to arrange a car wash. At the same time, the internal space of the niche is perfect for placing water pipes.

Such sinks have many fans - it’s nice to wash dishes in front of a window where trees grow and you can see the blue sky.

However, before reconstruction you should think carefully and weigh the pros and cons, After all, in this case, splashes and drips of soapy water will have to be constantly removed from the window glass.

Another non-standard solution - device in the kitchen niche of a home safe. The depth of the niche will allow you to place a fairly large safe box in it, and massive brick walls– high-quality sealing of the external façade.

More light!

Another one began to gain popularity interesting option, when all the brickwork is made of n the ishi is removed and a double-glazed window is installed in its place.

This option is relevant for apartments whose kitchens face north and require an additional light source.

In this case, the double-glazed window can be small, repeating the dimensions of the niche, or have the shape of a circle (semicircle).

Beauty kitchen interior will add a large double-glazed window, If kitchen window“extend” all the way to the floor by removing the brickwork.

This kind of work cannot be done with your own hands and you will have to invite professionals for repairs - finishing craftsmen and window installation specialists.

Double-glazed window, as for balcony door, some housewives will find it inconvenient, because it will deprive them of the window sill area. However, the problem is easily solved by installing the same countertop as the kitchen unit.

In conclusion, we can say that a small kitchen in a Khrushchev building is not a death sentence.

It is enough to change your outlook to a more positive one, think through and rationally use every centimeter, and a creative solution will definitely appear.

We invite you to watch a video about repairing a winter refrigerator.

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Refrigerator by the window: 3 modern options alterations

Greetings, comrades! If you purchased an apartment in 5 storey building Built in the 50-60s (Khrushchev), you probably noticed the strange cabinet under the window in the kitchen. In fact, this is not a closet, but refrigerator under the window - Soviet invention simple way food storage. In this article I will tell you about its shortcomings and tell you how to properly convert or restore it.

So, let's go.

Background

In the post-war years, the issue of providing the population with housing was acute, and Nikita Khrushchev, who took the helm of the USSR, under the motto “every family has something small, but its own,” launched the mass construction of small-sized high-rise housing:

1. The first 2- and 5-story houses were built of brick (from 1955 to 1963);
2. In order to save money, they switched to panel housing construction in 1963;

1. The dimensions of the rooms were the same:

• Height up to 2.5 m;
• Room area 8-16 sq.m;
• Kitchens - less than 6 sq.m.;
• Toilet 1 sq.m., bathroom – 2.2 sq.m.;

1. At first the bathrooms were separate, later they were combined;
2. The houses did not have an elevator or garbage chute.

The most important thing is that housing was distributed free of charge! Citizens purchased everything else for life themselves.

Captain Obvious informs: in order to fully live in an isolated apartment, a family needs to have a place to store food supplies. And since the industry in those years could not mass-produce refrigerators, it was decided to equip a “cold” niche in the kitchen under the window, which served as a refrigerator. True, only 5-6 months a year.

Technical side

A niche under the window was found everywhere in brick houses. It was subsequently abandoned in the panel rooms. Structurally, the niche was an opening separated from the street by a half-brick wall, and was often equipped through hole for air circulation.

A window sill was installed on top, and a wood block with and hinged doors.

The dimensions of the niche are 78x100x20 cm (h*w*d), and a massive wooden frame takes up the area useful for storing food. And, nevertheless, entire generations of Soviet citizens used such a storage place, and, in most cases, without changing anything in their design.

Methods of restoration and redevelopment

Often, the refrigeration niche becomes unusable, and the owners simply abandon it. Moreover, today there is no such shortage of refrigeration units, and 99% of citizens have a household refrigerator of one brand or another.

In my opinion, this should not be done. It is enough to show a little imagination and refine the niche in a modern way. Among such solutions I would include:

1. Construction of a sealed (from the room side) structure for storing food;
2. Conversion into a cabinet;
3. Complete dismantling and installation of French windows.

Option 1: recovery

As you know, nothing lasts forever, and the technical condition of the Khrushchev refrigerator is no exception. Some owners are disappointed with the appearance, others are unhappy with the fact that cold air blows from it, wooden structure creaks, etc. Still others are not satisfied that the appearance of the refrigerators simply does not fit into the updated kitchen interior, forcing it to be modified.

The most popular solution for restoring a refrigerator is to install a modern plastic window with glass or a blind transom. And often This project is best implemented when replacing an old window unit, which will simplify and reduce the cost of work:

• Firstly, when ordering window unit, you can simultaneously order a PVC frame for the refrigerator;
• Secondly, the dismantling of the old structure and installation of the new one will be carried out by professional installers.

Captain Obvious informs: today you can choose a window installer based on the average price list for your locality. But when it comes to non-standard openings and structures, the cost of installation services can increase significantly.

In my opinion, it is best to dismantle the refrigerator yourself, put it in order, and only then call a measurer and discuss all the nuances.

Well, if the decision to restore the purpose of the niche under the window came after replacing the old window frames with new ones made of PVC, then it’s time to do it yourself.

So let's get started:

1. We dismantle the old window sill;
2. We clean the brickwork from old plaster;
3. If necessary, we replace bricks that have become unusable;
4. We use a deep penetration primer to strengthen the masonry and increase adhesion;
5. We plaster the opening;

The photo shows the finishing of a winter refrigerator under the window using plaster.

1. We cover it from the inside with sheets of plasterboard;
2. We fill the cracks with foam;
3. It is also advisable to insulate the floor so that cold air does not penetrate under flooring kitchens.

Many people are interested in how to insulate a refrigerator under a window. If you want to continue to use it for its intended purpose, then there is no need for this - the window unit will protect the room from the cold.

That's it, our opening is ready for installing the window block. All that remains is to call a measurer, decide on the fittings and color of the PVC profile, and wait for installation.

Option 2: arrangement of the closet

Consider a situation where you do not need a refrigerator under the window.

Probably because you have a wonderful refrigerator in which you can store food all year round. And most interesting solution There will be arranging a closet in an empty niche. You can do this yourself, since there is nothing complicated in this procedure.

Instructions for the construction of the cabinet will be as follows:

1. Remove the old wooden box;
2. We clean the walls from dust and dirt;
3. We prime;
4. We take measurements, leaving a gap for the insulation;
5. We purchase/order a cabinet design from MDF or chipboard panels;
6. We insulate the opening (foam plastic + polyurethane foam);
7. We insert the box into the niche.

Captain Obviousness suggests: for such a remodel, you can easily select a cabinet from ready-made models. To do this you need to visit several furniture stores, where you will probably find a module acceptable for embedding, and the purchase price will not exceed 2-3 thousand rubles.

Option 3: installing a window unit

Perhaps this is the most controversial and technically difficult option for converting a niche under a window.

At first glance, since the wall under the window sill is not load-bearing, then it is quite possible to dismantle it down to the floor slab and replace it standard window in French - all the way to the floor.

But This is not possible in all cases. And there are reasons for this:

1. You need to make sure that there is no load-bearing reinforced concrete beam under the old window. If it exists, it is strictly forbidden to dismantle it;
2. If the kitchen window does not face the courtyard, but the main street, then you simply will not be given permission for such a redevelopment (and expanding the window opening is a redevelopment). You shouldn’t be self-willed; you may well be forced through court to restore your original appearance;
3. Installing a French window is justified if the room is oriented to the north. In all other cases, you risk turning the kitchen into a hot frying pan.

In addition to the window itself, you need to take care of safety when opening windows. The best decision– order a grille that imitates balcony railings and install it on the facade of the building.

Let's summarize:

1. Restoring a refrigerator under a window is justified only in cases where the household unit is not enough to store supplies;
2. Arrangement of storage space (cabinet or shelves) is the cheapest and practical option, because the cost of materials and work is the lowest among the options presented. And, in addition, it is also the fastest, unlike window structures that still need to be ordered and manufactured;
3. A French window is the most daring and not always feasible option. His choice is due to a number of important factors, and the considerable price completely elevates this method to the category of exotic.

Completion

I hope that this material will help you select the optimal solution for a kitchen equipped with a refrigerated niche. As always, you can watch the video in this article for more information. I look forward to your comments and additions. Good luck, comrades!

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