Designing the kitchen of your dreams is a very exciting process – selecting your beautiful new appliances, getting creative with your kitchen colour scheme and finally, seeing your design come to life. It can be a little tricky getting all the bits and pieces to work together how you would like them to and that’s where we come in! Our 6 Golden Rules of Kitchen Design will help you on your journey to creating that spectacular kitchen of your dreams!
The Golden Rules of Kitchen Design
RULE #1: Plan Your Kitchen Zones
The very best way to start on your new kitchen design is to plan, plan, plan! Look at your existing kitchen: Is everything in a convenient spot for you? Does it work the way you want it to? What works and what doesn’t? Take note of the way your existing kitchen is planned and have a look at the way it functions: How long does it take you to complete simple daily tasks (such as making a cup of coffee) and could this process be made more efficient. Figure out the most functional layout for your kitchen by creating a diagram. This diagram will act as your jumping off point to put together the perfect kitchen design for your needs.
RULE #2: Plan Your Kitchen Storage
A very common issue we find with most of our clients is a lack of storage space in their existing kitchen. Not only is there a lack of storage space but there is a lack of USABLE storage space, meaning that although there may be a cupboard to put things into, it is either in an inconvenient spot or it is not as functional as it could be. Corner cupboards are a classic example of this sort of situation: Items stored at the far back become unreachable without having to pull EVERYTHING out first! There are so many amazing storage solutions available from quality kitchen hardware manufacturers such as Blum and Hafele that will solve these issues in your new kitchen design – definitely worth taking a look to see which kitchen organisational tools can be best used in your home to help solve your storage woes. When creating your new kitchen design, also take the time to consider exactly where you would ideally like to store everything you need and accommodate for this in your new design.
RULE #3: Safety First
The kitchen can be an absolute disaster zone if not planned efficiently. Once you’ve created a plan of your space, look for any potential safety concerns: are appliance doors opening out into a walkway? If so, can this be avoided? Do you have or are planning on having children? In this case, designate areas where items such as knives, glasses, cleaning products, etc. can be safely stored away from tiny hands. Of course, there are child locks and gadgets available too if this is something that cannot be integrated into your new kitchen design. Your kitchen designer will also assist you in ensuring your design meets with Australian Standards, ensuring appropriate materials are used to maximise safety, as well as checking sizing and dimensions for safety and comfort.
RULE #4: Size Matters
Think about the size of your current appliances and fittings. This includes your oven, stove, fridge, kitchen sink and dishwasher. Are they working well for you or could you use a little more or even a little less space? We have so many size options available, from the standard 60cm cooktops to the larger 900cm wide cooktops and of course, a range of options in between! We have dishwashers at a standard 60cm, and then we have 45cm wide dishwashers and even half height drawer dishwashers to suit every lifestyle. Consider which sizes and styles would suit you best and make sure to include these dimensions in your kitchen plan.
RULE #5: Light the Way
Lighting is unfortunately very often overlooked in the kitchen. A simple central lighting fixture will always cast a shadow when you are working at your benchtop so it is crucial that you include task lighting to light up your workspace. Consider including LED light strips beneath your overhead cabinets, track lighting that you can manipulate to focus on key work zones and even lighting inside your pantry to ensure a more comfortable working kitchen.
RULE #6: Kitchen Colours & Finishes
And now we come to the fun part! Selecting your finishes and kitchen colours can be overwhelming, after all we truly are spoiled for choice! Consider your needs and what types of products will work best for you and your lifestyle. Always in a rush in the kitchen? Perhaps a porcelain benchtop is the right fit for you: it will not only withstand the super hot temperatures of trays straight from the oven but will also be incredibly easy to keep clean! Click here to read our guide on Porcelain Kitchen Benchtops for more information. Interested in exploring different kitchen cabinetry options? Checkout our guide to kitchen cabinet finishes here.
THE RULES OF KITCHEN DESIGN – BONUS RULE: Always Hire a Pro!
Designing your new kitchen is a fun and exciting task where you have the opportunity to truly tailor it to your personal needs and lifestyle. A qualified Interior Designer will assist you in creating the perfect space and ensure optimum safety, comfort and style!
Hiring a professional Interior Designer or Kitchen Designer will not only ensure that your design meets Australian Standards, but that you also benefit from their years of knowledge and experience, as well as ensuring the creation of consistent documentation. A complete set of kitchen design documentation (inclusive of floorplan, elevations, specifications, etc.) will ensure that all the Builders or Cabinet Makers quoting on your design are actually quoting the same thing rather than having to rely on making allowances (or simply setting place holders) for particular items (which can in turn lead to variations in your quoted price later on down the track when a final decision is made!)
These ‘rules of kitchen design’ will help you to create the perfect kitchen, a space that truly caters to your needs while also showcasing your own creative flair!
