Kitchen Design - 10 Top Tips When Designing A Kitchen
Well executed kitchen design is about knowing what you want, what you don't want and what you'll need, to make it all happen.
A lot of decisions will have to be made - some of them you'll decide on your own, while at other times, your best off seeking guidance from professionals in the know.
With the kitchen being the central hub of the home, any new kitchen design should take into account a range of factors - beyond just the obvious.
Your budget and the materials required to make it happen are important. But equally so, are how much of 'a place' your kitchen will have in your home and the 'living space' it will encompass to suit your lifestyle.
Below you'll find 10 Top Kitchen Design Tips to help you get the most out of your new kitchen renovation.
Kitchen Design Tip 1:
Kick off your kitchen design by knowing what you have, want and need.
Before you begin the layout of your kitchen design, formulate a wish list. This is so you can incorporate the things you love about your existing kitchen and rid the things that don't work in the space. It's also important to analyse the needs and habits of the people living in the home, as well as the available space you have to work with.
Kitchen Design Tip 2:
Create a kitchen with character.
There are so many finishes out there in the market place - so it's hard to know where to start. Narrow it down by looking at how your kitchen design will flow with the rest of your home. As the kitchen is usually situated in the centre of the house, it needs to complement not only the home but also your lifestyle. Instead of looking at every finish you could have, look at what you're not interested in - this cuts through time and gives you a clearer direction on what you need to be focusing on.
Kitchen Design Tip 3:
Think 'outside the triangle' with your kitchen design.
Base your kitchen design on a working triangle. There is a workflow between preparing and cooking food. It is important to decide where to place main functions and to have correct working heights in order to design an efficient kitchen.
Kitchen Design Tip 4:
Budget for your kitchen design.
Plan your kitchen budget in advance and know what you are willing to spend on your kitchen. Break your budget into 4 categories:
- Kitchen cabinetry
- Kitchen benchtops / finishes
- Kitchen appliances
- Kitchen installation
This will give you an overview of your budget and help you make smart, cost effective choices.
Kitchen Design Tip 5:
Purchase appliances for your new kitchen.
Choosing your kitchen appliances is almost as hard as choosing your kitchen finishes! Now you have your budget overview and understand how much you wish to spend, contact a specialist appliance consultant. They will not only give you all the information you need but can advise on where to spend smartly.
Kitchen Design Tip 6:
Plan your kitchen design for today ...and tomorrow.
The kitchen is much more than somewhere to prepare your evening dinner. We eat here. We entertain here. We surf the net here. We do our homework here. There are so many more possibilities in kitchens of today. You need to think about things like storage needs... how many seats you will need... and so on. How much bench space do you need? How many children will there be and what are their growing needs for the future?
Kitchen Design Tip 7:
Find yourself a good kitchen designer.
Meeting with a kitchen designer makes it easier to create the layout for your kitchen design. Don't be afraid to discuss your likes and dislikes - being candid will help the designer create your dream kitchen. Aim for a 1-2 hour initial meeting and in the second meeting you should be reviewing the preliminary kitchen designs.
Kitchen Design Tip 8:
Don't forget kitchen lighting!
Lighting in the kitchen is so important. People tend to think a ceiling light is sufficient in the kitchen space. This isn't true as this causes a flood of light and shadows everywhere else. Your kitchen design should accommodate light in layers - i.e. task lights for the bench spaces and ceiling for general light. You also need to consider daylight and reflective surfaces on chosen kitchen finishes.
Kitchen Design Tip 9:
Establish a timeline for your kitchen design to be implemented.
In addition to being the most functional room, it's also the most complicated room to consider when building a new home or doing a kitchen renovation. Consider your timeline. Think about lead times on various parts of your kitchen from your kitchen cabinetry to kitchen appliances. Making your dream kitchen takes time - so you don't want to rush it.
Kitchen Design Tip 10:
Ensure your kitchen installation is taken care of by professionals.
Choosing the right installers and trades people to implement your kitchen design and kitchen hardware, is essential at this point. Your kitchen designer will have professional tradespeople to install and complete your dream kitchen. Meaning, the only thing you should have to think about - is what to cook for dinner!
About the Author:
This helpful article on Kitchen Design 10 Top Tips When Designing a Kitchen was brought to you by made.
Made. are specialist suppliers of European kitchens, European kitchen design, German kitchen hardware and European kitchen appliances.
Visit madeliving.com.au for more info or visit the made. European kitchen showroom in Melbourne, Australia.
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