HOW TO DESIGN A KITCHEN
The kitchen is often described as the most important room in the house. No longer just for food prep; it is a space to gather; dine, socialise and feed the soul.
Probably the best thing about designing a kitchen today is that there are no set trends or fashions. You can design your kitchen just for you. Whether it is classic, industrial, contemporary, eclectic or anything in-between anything goes.
Following this guide will ensure that all the key elements are considered, combining functionality and purpose to create a kitchen that is perfect for you.
THE BRIEF
As with any successful design we start with a clear brief. Consider storage priorities, appliances, cooking preferences and the way you want to live. This is where we can dream big and dial it back if necessary. Clever details here will really make the design pop and should include key elements that can serve as a focal; point: a window seat, walk in pantry, cabinet larders or even a double island.
Questions to ask at this stage are what does the space lend itself to and are there any decorative details that need to be respected.
FUNCTIONALITY
The best layouts work with the physical constraints of the space and encourage intuitive smooth movement between the cooker, sink and prep areas; This is referred to as the working triangle. If space is tight consider dropping the units back to 400mm this will give you more wriggle room for an island or centre piece and break up a heavy wall.
Storage is key to a successful kitchen and we need to ensure that there is a natural place for everything. Drawers are more useful than shelves and for a sleek aesthetic concealed drawers can be used.
ESTABLISH A BUDGET
Be clear and upfront about the budget and spending limits. This will save so much time and heart ache later down the line.
Sticking to a budget is often about prioritising the show stoppers and being clever on how to make them a reality.
The budget will also influence whether you go off the shelf or bespoke for your cabinetry. Bespoke kitchens have more scope and flexibility and we can add more details that will maximise the purpose and feel of the space. While being expertly crafted means it will stand the rest of time.
There are also some great off the shelf options and it is a good idea to visit some showrooms to get a flavour of what you like and don’t like.
APPLIANCES
The budget will also determine what appliances you choose. Where possible we would always recommend integrated appliances. A washing machine on display can really ruin the prettiest of kitchens. The make will be determined by budget; there are some great options on the market today suiting all budgets.
Choosing whether or not to hove an extractor fan and whether this is vented through the ceiling wall or floor
ELECTRICAL
The electrical plan should be done along side the layout, the first fix starts before the cabinets are in so you need to be prepared.
Consider where you want sockets- on the island on splash backs, in units and larders..
Hide the fuses out of view and know what cables to run for your appliances. if you are having an induction hob and extractor this all needs to be planned for.
LIGHTING
Task, ambient and atmospheric should all be combined to create a cosy and inviting kitchen.
Different styles of kitchen would require different light sources. For example a contemporary kitchen would suit more LED and strip lighting than a more traditional kitchen would suit more wall lights and pendents. Add lighting in dark corners and over task areas. Incorporate lighting into the overall design with statements pendents, is another key consideration.
CABINET DOORS
Classic shaker, contemporary handleless, minimalist flat panels, in-frame or detailed beading and paneling. These will really dictate the mood and feel of your kitchen and the overall style and design of your space.
HEATING
This also needs to be consider early on. Radiators can be concealed behind window seats or if wall space is in hight demand consider water or electric under floor heating.
Plinth heaters are not a very energy efficient option and are noisy to run.
PLUMBING
Apart from the standard sink and dishwasher you might want to incorporate an ice machine or garbage unit that needs to be included in the design phase. A pan tap is a recent trend – this allows you to fill your pans at the hob without walking to the sink.
THE KITCHEN SINK
Sinks are a big deal , do you want under mounted or a Belfast sink, a stone sink or a gold sink? A single, one a a half or double basin?
Your sink can be a great focal point and compliment the cabinetry so consideration should be given to this..
STYLES
When it cones to setting the scene seek inspiration from various sources and use these to create a mood board. A pattern should emerge of your favourite ingredients in terms of colour, pattern and cabinet styles.
Consider how much natural light is in your kitchen, this will affect the colours you choose and the overall mood you wish to create. Kitchens can be quite masculine with hard surfaces and lots of angles. Consider feminine details that could include curves, rounded edges and a softer palette.
WORK SURFACES
Choose your surfaces carefully; durability and maintenance should be considered alongside aesthetics and texture.
Natural stone with care can age beautifully and over time actually enhance the feel of the kitchen. While quality composite such as quartz and granite require little maintenance and often come with a lifetime guarantee. Other materials to consider are concrete, tiles, metal (copper or steel) wood and terrazzo.
FLOORING
Consideration should be given to durability: a water resistant floor that is low maintenance is a good idea in a kitchen. Popular choices include stone ceramic tiles, luxury vinyl, concrete and engineered wood. Consider the overall aesthetic and whether it fits with your style direction.
TAPS
If you want a boiling/filtered water tank then make sure there is enough room for this under the sink.
There are some pretty cool taps out there and these can be a wonderful focal point soy can be quite bold with your choices.
FINISHES
Those all important finishes like shelving, splash backs and wall coverings can really bring a kitchen design to life, adding warmth and character. Antiqued mirrors pair so well with wood or stone while floating shelves sit nicely with a more contemporary design
HARDWARE
For a cohesive design consider door handles and knobs along side sockets and switches for a balanced and harmonious space. There are some clever sockets out there with paintable back plates and complimentary hardware.
WALLS
Paint is so washable now with minimal sheen so you have so much choice.
Kitchens can have lots of lines and edges from the cabinetry so I like to paint the ceiling the same as the walls to reduce those lines and lets the eyes rest in just the right places.
SPLASH BACKS & TILING
Splash backs can be a real focal point of the kitchen. include lighting here and you can create a truly beautiful scene. From mosaic tiles, antiqued mirrors, feature walls with marble or stone, marry these up with your overall kitchen design and these elements can really enhance the overall design of your space.
TIME SCALES AND MANAGEMENT
It can take anything from two weeks to four months to renovate a kitchen depending on the scale of the project. The more you plan for in advance the smoother the project will run.
The key to a successful kitchen project is in finding a style that resonates with your lifestyle, aligns with the language of the house and strikes the balance between practical functionality and visual beauty.
Try not to jump on trends and really think about the longevity and sustainability of your kitchen. It should serve you for years to come 🤍
