Kitchen design dos and don’ts
It’s a functional space, so you want to make sure your kitchen works. Follow these tips and you’ll be cooking in bliss.
Don’t: Ignore the layout rules
There are certain rules when designing a kitchen, which relate to flow and ergonomics, and ultimately make sense, no matter what size or style of kitchen you have. The all important kitchen ‘triangle’ is a guideline to incorporate the major activities in the kitchen, which revolve around firstly the sink, followed closely in use by the fridge and the cooking area.
In today’s open plan kitchen, the classic island bench is the perfect layout for the triangle, but if you are keeping all your services along one wall then ensure your sink is central to the fridge and cooker. Keeping major traffic patterns away from the intersecting triangle lines is the best option, so avoid kitchen layouts that create thoroughfares.
Do: Embrace negative space
A great kitchen is a balance between function and aesthetics, so don’t sacrifice one for the other. Not every wall needs cabinetry, and leaving some breathing room can prevent the room feeling overdone or contrived. If you are concerned about storage space, research clever products that create and save space, such as drawer dividers. Think about the details, right down to your appliance choices and bench thickness.
Consider the lines and finishes of the cabinetry, and how they relate different elements of the room. Mismatched cupboards, appliances, and rangehoods can create visual chaos, whereas a more integrated cupboard solution can help streamline the room’s design. In areas where appliances are highly visible, you could consider bespoke appliance finishes such as matte black, or vintage white.
Don’t: Be boring
Kitchens are the hub of the home, so create a design that reflects your aesthetic. If you are concerned about resale, or over-styling, keep the design streamlined and simple, adding colourful and quirky accents through lighting, bar stools, and kitchen accessories. The best kitchens are those with warmth and soul, not those that are magazine ready. Design your kitchen for living, and make sure you consider how it will perform with everyday tasks.
Do: Engage professionals
We live in a DIY culture, and being able and willing to keep costs down is admirable – especially as kitchen installation costs can run into the tens of thousands. But knowing when to engage professional help is the key to balancing kitchen design costs. If you feel confident with the look of your kitchen, but unsure of the cost structures, working with a kitchen designer will help maximise your budget. Putting together a workbook of ideas – images, layout sketches, and details such as tiling options, can help you communicate your ideas to tradies and design professionals.
Don’t: Overlook lighting
Kitchen lighting is a fine balance of task and ambient lighting, and the key to a well-lit kitchen is in the control and the placement. Make sure overhead downlights are over task areas, otherwise the essential light will be lost over floor areas or, even worse, can create dark shadows over workstations. Central pendants can work well aesthetically, but ensure they are balanced with under-cabinet LED strip or downlights over benches.
Also key with central pendants is that they are constructed of light and bright materials to cast light up and down. Pendant lighting over benchtops or island benches need to be placed evenly to create a consistent task light area.
Pendants are a great way to add an eclectic and personal touch, but ensure the light output is adequate for a task area. Ensure all lights are separately switched; this is especially important in an open plan living situation to avoid glare as well as underlighting.