Kitchen design is important, as you will discover if you are ever in one that has been badly thought out!
There is the added factor that where once the kitchen was a room where you just did the cooking and possibly casual eating, now it is at the heart of almost everything we do. It is therefore vital that your kitchen layout works in terms of what functions you want it to fulfil and the amount of space available.
Where do I start when planning a kitchen?
Create a checklist
It’s a good idea to make a list of what already works for your kitchen and what doesn’t. For example, the cabinets may need an upgrade, but the worktops don’t. Maybe you can retain the sink but add modern mixer taps. Is a kitchen island on your wish list and do you have the space for it?
Set a budget
Your dream kitchen can be yours but will be limited by how much you have to spend. Set a budget and stick to it then work out whether you can afford to install that kitchen island or new worktop.
Decide what you need from the layout
Open plan
Do you want your kitchen to run seamlessly into the living space?
Food prep: Are you the kind of person who needs plenty of food prep space. Do you need a butchers block, or a space for baking?
Are you radically changing the layout? If so, will you need to think about re-wiring the space or need to reconfigure the plumbing?
Think about the working triangle
In other words, how do the fridge, cooker and sink connect? Ideally you need to be able to go from one to the other without having to trek all over the kitchen.
How do I design my own kitchen layout?
If you are looking how to plan a kitchen layout you need a detailed floorplan. This could be drawn on paper, or you may want use kitchen design software to help you. The design needs to be in scale and include everything that’s in the kitchen including the position of windows where you wish to place appliances and of course their corresponding plug sockets.
And the fun bit…
This is all about how you want your kitchen to look. Do you want to opt for modern and minimalist or more traditional? What design and colours would you like your cabinets to be? Do you want to stick to neutrals or head down the route of what’s hot right now?
Choose a worktop
This is also a very important aspect of your kitchen design as it needs to fulfil a number of functions such as durability, aesthetic and cost. At the affordable end of the scale are laminate work surfaces, while more expensive worktops are in natural stone and wood. You also need to ensure it matches or compliments the cabinets.
Consider new lighting
Lighting can make a huge difference to the functionality and look of the kitchen so don’t see it as an afterthought.
Flooring
New flooring is another consideration. You need it to be hard wearing and good looking. Remember certain kinds of flooring are higher maintenance than others so take in consideration the amount of traffic from family and pets.
What are the five basic kitchen layouts?
One wall – where everything appliances, cabinets etc is lined up against one wall.
Galley – again a narrow space where the appliances etc line up against both walls
L -Shaped
Island kitchen – this is where the kitchen island becomes a focal point in the design.
Peninsular – where there’s a kitchen island but it’s connected to a wall and juts out like a peninsular
Looking for design inspiration for your kitchen? Then you’ve come to the right place. Check out all our fantastic designs on the Kitchen and Bathroom Creations website at: www.kitchenbathroomcreations.com
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