Are you planning to furnish a new kitchen or renovate an existing one?
Let us advise you on what to look for when decorating, which concept will best suit your needs, and which design to choose to make your time in the kitchen as enjoyable as possible!
Ask yourself the following questions before you start thinking about your future kitchen:
– Who will spend the most time in the kitchen?
– How often do you cook?
– Do you like to entertain?
– Which appliances do you use the most?
At the same time, think about what purposes (other than food preparation) the kitchen will be used for. Will it be a purely functional kitchen that is only used for cooking, a kitchen connected to the dining room for entertaining, or even an open-plan kitchen connected to the living room? All three will have to be thought about in different ways.
The work surface is customized
Tailor the size of your kitchen to whoever spends the most time in the kitchen preparing food. Did you know that the kitchen unit should be at a height that suits the needs of the main ‘cook’ or ‘chef’? Trust us, it’s worth thinking about. How do you determine the optimum height of the counter? Just stand close to the counter and place your forearms on it. It should be at a 45° angle to the line.
As well as the height of the kitchen unit, consider its depth and width. All measurements should correspond not only to the space of the room but also to the storage space needs. If you’re into cooking and baking, you’ll use a lot of kitchen utensils and appliances that need to find their own space. Also, a multi-person family has to take into account that their utensils will take up more space than in a kitchen designed for a single person or a couple.
Kitchen design and execution
The look of the kitchen should first and foremost correspond with the colour and material of the flooring and other furniture in the room. A very common colour for kitchen cabinets is neutral white, which can be combined with virtually anything. When planning your kitchen, you will also have to choose the finish of the cabinets: matte materials that resist fingerprints are good for easy maintenance.
Also, think about where you will put your appliances. Do you want them to be built-in or stand-alone? Everyone has a kettle, but you could also install a boiling water tap – the ultimate luxury, and space saver! Do you often use a microwave? Consider getting a combi oven. ‘Extra’ appliances like food processors or coffee machines should always fit in with your chosen aesthetic, but never sacrifice practicality over style – and remember to think about where they will go in the space before buying.
Another consideration when planning your kitchen is the functionality of your kitchen units. Some people are more comfortable with pull-out drawers, others with cupboards and shelves. For smaller spaces, hinged systems, sliding doors, or roller shutters are best. In short, there are many options, so don’t hesitate to combine them to make your kitchen the perfect space!
If you’re not sure about the design of your kitchen or simply can’t imagine how it would fit into the overall interior of your home, don’t hesitate to invest in a consultation with an interior designer. Not only will they offer you invaluable professional advice on the overall design of your kitchen, but if you want, they can provide you with a 3D mock-up that will make it easy to visualise the final look.