A functional kitchen is one of the most integral aspects we look for in a great home. The majority of us spend a good deal of our time in the kitchen organising meals, fixing snacks and drinks. It is a gathering point for families everyday, as well as a place where we entertain our visitors. No wonder a kitchen has to be designed so thoroughly, it needs to be flexible for a variety of uses.
What makes a great kitchen? There are many elements that must come together, including: the function and layout, the appliances included, benches, the pantry, the all important splashback, the cabinet design, and the colour scheme. Here are some details of these components to consider when creating the heart of your home, the kitchen.
Function & layout
Think about how you prepare food and cook when you are in the kitchen. It is important to consider the Kitchen Work Triangle. Each point of the triangle accounts for the refrigerator, sink and stove. The three elements of the triangle should be close together, but not too close, to ensure optimum efficiency. Where will this translate to the layout of the house? You want enough space to move between the benches, even when the oven, fridge, dishwasher or cupboard doors are open. Where will most of the foot traffic be? This will help you choose where the entry into the kitchen will be placed as well. Another thing to decide is whether you want an island in your kitchen or a return with seating so that you can entertain whilst preparing food.
Appliances
Each family will have different appliances they favour over others. Will you include an oven, microwave, steam oven, a hybrid of the two? Will they be inbuilt or will you have a stand alone microwave, for example, that you will leave space for? Consider the size of the refrigerator you will need and whether it will go in your kitchen or a walk-in pantry. There are also a variety of cooktops on offer which differ in design, whether you choose gas, electric or induction. Once again, consider what type of cooking you do and what will work best for your situation. Once you have decided on the positioning of your larger appliances, remember you must cater for smaller appliances too. Do you use a toaster, kettle or coffee machine often? Decide what will stay out on the bench or in the pantry and what will be stored.
Benches
Mull over where the ideal preparation space will be in your kitchen. Consider including a bin drawer in this area for convenience. It is ideal to have space on either side of your stovetop to make cooking easier. Remember that your family and any visitors will be in your kitchen area regularly, so it will be worth making it a space that you love.You might like to upgrade your standard 20 mm stone to a thicker 40 mm stone and make a statement. You could add waterfall edges to your bench for further elegance.
Pantry
The pantry, once just a humble cupboard in most homes, is now often designed as a walk-in or in the form of a Butler’s Pantry. You might consider a laundry alongside or behind the kitchen which doubles as a Butler’s Pantry-type space when entertaining. (In this case, consider including extra bench space and a sink in there). To help decide, think about how much you have to store, particularly extra appliances, wine and foodstuffs. If you like to entertain regularly, a Butler’s Pantry is a great place for extra preparation space or to set down and leave dishes while you continue to entertain.
Splashback
Often the feature of a kitchen is the splashback. Make a statement with a bold colour or beautiful tiling. A mirror splashback gives the illusion of opening up a small area. Alternatively, consider a window for an ever-changing splashback. Think about what you are willing to clean on a daily basis. Mirrors and glass are high maintenance but worth the hard work if you have the time.
Cabinet Design
Will your cabinet doors be a sleek Laminex or will you upgrade to a routered/profiled door? We love the Shaker, Shiver and Nostalgia profiles. Add upper cabinets for extra storage if you desire. For a more spacious feel, include open shelving or no overheads at all. Consider the functionality of your cupboards in terms of how easy they are to open, close and clean.
Colour
How will you use colour to add to your kitchen? Will you have the same colour on lower and upper cabinets or dark on the lowers and light on the uppers? Make an island bench the feature with a splash of colour or as mentioned earlier, the splashback.
It can be difficult to envisage all of these elements individually, let alone together. We suggest you visit our display homes to gather ideas or you are welcome to consult with our team who have over thirty years experience in the building industry.
Would you like to build your dream kitchen? Contact us today and we will help get you started.