The kitchen is the heart of the home. How it is designed will impact the feel of the entire home. In this blog post, we will discuss the different aspects you need to consider for kitchen renovation. Other than gathering inspiration photos, this will give you an idea of where to start and help you plan well so that your kitchen design and renovation process runs as smoothly as possible.
Pre-Planning
Before you begin considering all the kitchen designs you come across, start by settling on a budget. This will help you know what your options are.
To come up with a budget, think about what your goal is and prioritize the areas you want to upgrade. Then research the costs involved i.e. cost of flooring, lighting, and other such fixtures and fittings. The last thing on the budget will be the finishing touches such as paint, curtains, and artwork. Your budget will also need to factor in plumbing, electrical work, and labour. We recommend adding an extra 10% to your budget to cater for unforeseen costs that may come up.
There are countless kitchen theme ideas you can find online or in interior design magazines. It may seem overwhelming to figure out which latest kitchen design would look best in your home. To guide your decision, first consider the overall theme of your home. The kitchen should fit in and complement the rest of your home.
This should guide you when you’re selecting the finishes for your kitchen so that there’s a cohesive flow. Getting finish samples and placing them in your kitchen is a good idea. Look at them at different times of the day to see if you like the look of them in different lighting settings. Lighting will play a big role in the overall look of the finishes.
Another tip when it comes to kitchen interior design is to decide on an eye-catching focal point. Examples include your choice of backsplash tiles, flooring, counters, or cabinets.
You can then choose more subtle kitchen details for balance. This will prevent your kitchen design from being visually overpowering.
The lighting affects the mood of the kitchen. Thinking about how you intend to use the kitchen space will help you come up with a lighting plan. For example, if you see yourself hosting dinner guests in this space, then it’s important to make sure to include softer lighting that can set a more relaxed mood. On the other hand, cooking and work areas will need brighter lighting. To adjust lighting as needed, consider adding dimmable ceiling lights or ones that are operated by a smart control system.
It’s important to come up with a lighting plan when you’re working on the layout. This is so that the necessary electrical work can be done before fixtures and fittings have been put in place.
The best kitchen layout for your home depends on your needs. We’ll go over the six best kitchen layouts you should consider to create a functional kitchen.
An L-shape kitchen, is formed when the kitchen is placed in a corner where two perpendicular walls meet. This works best for small to medium kitchens. Because it offers limited space, it needs extra planning to keep it clutter-free. Adding an island will add more working and storage space.
A U-shape kitchen is made up of three walls. The counter and cabinets run along all three walls. This maximizes the storage capacity of the kitchen. It also offers more space for counters and appliances. This kitchen layout is ideal for the cook to move around in, and it minimizes traffic.
A peninsula or G-shape kitchen is just like a U-shape kitchen, but it has an extension counter on one end. This creates seating space as well as additional workspace. However, this may make the place look a little more cluttered and interfere with free movement.
A P-shape kitchen is like a peninsula kitchen, but it follows a P-shape instead of a G-shape. This works best in a large kitchen area and can include a table or breakfast nook.
A single wall kitchen works best in limited spaces, by lining the entire kitchen along one wall. It works well in small houses or studio apartments where there are no more than two residents.
A galley kitchen also works in a small kitchen. The fittings and fixtures are lined on two opposite walls that form the kitchen. The narrow space is ideal for a cook to navigate, but it becomes difficult if more than one person needs to be in the kitchen.We recommend all kitchen layout ideas to have the kitchen triangle. Also known as the golden triangle, this relates to where the stove, sink, and refrigerator are placed. This helps people, especially cooks, move efficiently in the kitchen.
Consider the needs of your household and plan accordingly. If the kitchen is also meant to be a dining area, there needs to be enough space for people to navigate. The same is true if cooking is often a collaborative effort in your home. If there are young children, the kitchen layout needs to prioritize their safety by having a design that keeps them from the main working areas.
There needs to be symmetry in your kitchen. For example, if you’re adding a kitchen island, it needs to make symmetrical sense to the kitchen counters. It shouldn’t be too big or too small. Maximizing space is important, but proportions also need to be considered.
Your kitchen may benefit from structural changes that will change its feel or function. To allow for more natural lighting, consider adding windows. To add more space, extend the kitchen. If you would like to change the kitchen’s function, such as setting it up for entertaining or work, you could explore some options that open up the kitchen more such as breaking down a wall.
What’s the Deal with Appliances?
It would be awful to design and build your perfect kitchen only to find that when you bring in the stove and refrigerator, they’re too big or too small for their designated spot. To avoid this, pick your appliances first.
To determine where to put your microwave, first consider who will use it. If it’s mostly adults and older children, then you can place the microwave 15 inches above the counter to maximize space. If it is used by younger children, place it on the counter or have a nook built below the counter for it.
You need to decide on whether you’ll have a gas or electric stove pretty early on. This is because you need to make accomodations for either electric wiring or a gas line. You also need to determine how often you’ll be cooking or baking. Gas stoves heat up quickly and are convenient for cooking. Electric stoves heat more evenly and are better for baking.
If you have a lot of traffic and demands on appliances, you might want to consider doubling up on them. For example, a second microwave or mini fridge can be available so that people can easily access and warm snacks without disrupting the cook.
Think About Storage
Having sufficient storage in your kitchen is the difference between an efficient kitchen and one that looks and feels cluttered. It is vital that you keep storage in mind as you organize, plan, and design your kitchen.
To figure out how much shelving space you’ll need, start by thinking of what you’ll frequently store in the pantry. This will also help you determine the height of the shelves. If your counter space is limited, consider adding extra shelves to store smaller appliances that aren’t used as often.
Remember to include waste and recycling areas in your kitchen layout. They can be placed next to the sink area, which adds convenience. A more discreet option is to have designated cabinets for this purpose.
Part of efficient cooking is the placement of items you’ll frequently need. It is good to have deep drawers that fit all your pots and pans. These drawers could either be next to or under the stove.
There are a few options for adding kitchen cabinet drawers in extra small spaces that would otherwise remain as dead space. One such idea is a pull-out drawer for you to arrange your spices. This helps the kitchen look organized.
Another smart use of dead space is a Lazy Susan. It is an old design, but it’s a simple add-on for base corners. You can even find unique designs so that it’s a visually appealing feature of your kitchen.
To keep your kitchen cabinets from looking too monotonous or to add something to a tiny space between cabinets, you can add a wine rack. You could also plan a cooling wall by the refrigerator for this purpose.
An interesting kitchen cabinet design is the use of open shelving. It can increase your storage capacity as well as add space for artwork, plants, and other aesthetically appealing items.
Stacked upper cabinets are the small cabinets that you’ll find just below the ceiling. It’s a great option if you have enough ceiling height to accommodate these cabinets. They are meant to fill up space and can also be functional for storing items you rarely use or putting decor items. You can add pot lights or either standard or frosted glass doors to the cabinets to make the area more interesting.
For the Love of Kitchen
As you can see, there are so many things to think about when you’re deciding on the best kitchen design for you. Functionality should always be at the forefront of your mind when making these decisions. There are many small details that cannot be overlooked if you’d like to maximize your kitchen’s efficiency and functionality to make it an ideal place to cook in.
Not having enough space to work on as you’re cooking can be frustrating and adds to cooking times. A great kitchen has enough counter space, at least 15 inches, next to appliances such as the stove, microwave, and toaster so that there is a place to put hot items or prepare your food. Make the best use of countertop space by placing items you don’t use as often in cabinets, drawers, or the pantry.
When you’re choosing your kitchen flooring, you can’t just go for the one that looks good. Safety is a consideration if you have young or elderly residents. Also think about how easy it is to clean and maintain. Materials such as wood and stone are porous, making them difficult to clean, which is impractical for busy households. They also weather over time, so they need regular maintenance to keep them looking good.
Tile and vinyl flooring are good options if you’re looking for unique and colourful designs, want to mimic a material, or want a more subtle design. There are so many options to choose from and they’re easy to clean.
A pot filler is a tap that swings over the stove and allows you to fill your pots with water. It eliminates the need to walk from the sink to the stove with water. This is helpful when cooking large batches in big pots.
You need to make sure that your kitchen has enough outlets for your different appliances. Add a few extra outlets throughout the kitchen for good measure. It’s a good idea to have a drawer with outlets and USB ports to charge devices so that there are no unsightly cords all over the counter.
Choosing between knobs or pulls often boils down to personal preference. Knobs are easier to install and look better in more traditional kitchen design themes. Pulls are easier to grip and clean. They look better in modern themes.
As much as you may want to pick cabinets that fit in with your aesthetic vision, the first priority is to make sure that they’re sturdy. Cabinets are usually the most expensive part of kitchen renovation. You don’t want something flimsy or impractical that you’ll end up having to redo.
If you would like your kitchen to accommodate more people, a kitchen island can be a space for that. It can also create more workspace for efficient cooking. It all depends on your household’s needs and the size of the kitchen. Entertaining in a small kitchen area makes it hard for you to get around, so safety and efficiency are compromised.
Let’s Plan the Best Kitchen Layout
The perfect kitchen design is one that takes your household’s needs into consideration. What works well in one home may not in another. Function is the top priority, and from there, the layout, design, and finishing touches will flow. We are here to help you come up with the best kitchen layout for your home.
To get started, book a design consultation with us today, and let’s plan your new kitchen!