Made to Order: The Benefits of Custom Kitchen Design
According to recent reports, the average size of an Australian home is at a 22-year low. Shrinking living spaces reflect changes in modern lifestyles, needs and preferences. This trend is particularly relevant to kitchen design. As kitchen spaces become smaller, the challenge for designers and specifiers is to address a multitude of practical concerns such as bench space, storage and access to water and electricity, while keeping footprints minimal.
The emergence of custom kitchen designs and integrated kitchen solutions provide an opportunity to create optimised spaces tailored to the needs of modern users.
Residential Kitchen Design: Key Considerations
Some of the fundamental considerations when designing a kitchen include:
• meeting the mandatory design and performance requirements set out in Australian building standards and regulations;
• inclusion of features that meet the client’s functional needs and lifestyle;
• selecting products that deliver long-lasting performance and easy maintenance;
• provision of adequate and ergonomic work space;
• provision of cabinetry and storage; and
• delivering a cohesive, high quality aesthetic.
Kitchen Design Trends
As a response to shrinking residential floor space, a common theme in modern kitchen design is a focus on increasing the size of bench and work areas. Custom kitchen designs are growing in popularity as homeowners become aware of the range of customisable, space-saving solutions on the market. There are also a growing number of solutions, such as fridges, dishwashers and coffee machines, that are designed to blend seamlessly with the rest of the kitchen.
Benefits of Custom Kitchen Design
Enhanced Functionality
Unlike ready-made kitchens, custom kitchen designs can be optimised to accommodate the actual dimensions of the room and any special functional requirements. Stand-alone appliances can fulfil specific needs but require additional bench and storage space that can impact overall comfort and efficiency in the kitchen. Custom and integrated solutions can free up work space, making the kitchen easier to use and providing room for additional features.
Space and Storage Efficiency
Standard kitchen cabinets may not be suited for smaller, non-standard layouts. Custom designs can maximise space usage and enable integration of appliances in unique spaces within the kitchen.
The underbench footprint of certain kitchen solutions should not be overlooked. Water systems with ventilation requirements or underbench systems and other factors, such as internal clearances, space tolerances and warranty compliance, can impact cabinet design and require additional space. Leading suppliers offer water systems with comparatively smaller units and products which do not require ventilation cut outs. The use of tubing extension kits can also alleviate some of the problem.
Design Flexibility
Custom kitchen designs and integration allow for a broad scope of finishes, colours and materials, enabling designers to easily achieve a modern aesthetic. Carefully-specified appliances, water systems and tapware can also contribute to a visually coherent and impactful style. Leading suppliers will offer a range of profiles, finishes and colour options.
Billi
For nearly 30 years, Billi has been at the forefront of the tapware and instant boiling and chilled filtered water system industries. Originating from Australia but used worldwide, Billi’s premium solutions are celebrated for their combination of functionality, performance and contemporary aesthetics.
Billi offers an extensive range of high quality tapware and instant filtered water systems that feature eco-friendly technologies, enhanced functionality and compact designs that meet the changing needs of today’s residential market.
The company’s comprehensive offering features extensive customisation options on most popular models enabling designers to choose solutions that complement current tapware trends.
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