Ensure That the Design for Your Kitchen Suits Your Needs
Posted on: 20 May 2016
If you are putting in a new kitchen, or revamping your old one, you will find that there are two aspects to designing the kitchen that you should bear in mind:
- The aesthetic appeal of the kitchen.
- The practicality of the kitchen design.
It is important to have an attractively presented kitchen that fits in with the look and feel of your home, but it is even more important that the kitchen is designed in a way that makes it easy to use.
Think practically when you design your kitchen
If you think practically about actually using the kitchen, the design will result in a kitchen that is suited to your lifestyle.
Here are a few tips for thinking practically:
- Before you decide where you will put the sink, look at the design of the whole kitchen. Don't just put your sink where the plumbing is if that is not the best place for it. The sink needs to be accessed easily from the stove and the fridge. If you have to move the plumbing, it will be a better investment in the kitchen than to simply go with what you have for the sake of it.
- Think carefully about how much work surface you will need for what you enjoy doing in the kitchen. Build this into the design. If your kitchen is big enough, consider including an island, to give you extra counter space.
- Think about the time you spend in the kitchen and the type of work you do, including close-up work like chopping herbs finely, icing cupcakes and crushing garlic. Plan the amount and type of lighting you will need to ensure that you can see what you are doing clearly. You may be satisfied with overhead lighting, but may also want to opt for lights mounted under the cupboards to light up the work surfaces.
- A kitchen is not only the place for food. Review all of the kitchen appliances, utensils and other equipment you keep in your kitchen. Will you need to keep glasses and crockery in the room? Plan the type and amount of space that is necessary to accommodate everything. A useful feature in a kitchen is built-in cupboards right up to the ceiling.
- Your kitchen may have special features to accommodate your needs. This may include a wine refrigerator, or a coffee bar, or a breakfast nook. Before adding these extras, make sure that, at the very least, the design for your kitchen includes:
- Drawers for cutlery and other utensils.
- An on-counter knife block, or other separate storage space for knives.
- Dedicated vegetable cupboard.
- Pot drawers.
By thinking ahead and planning the way your kitchen will be used, you will ensure that you end up with the design that truly suits your needs and your lifestyle.
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