Kitchen Designs
Designing your kitchen or for that matter designing any other
room is a job that requires a lot of patience, creativity, imagination
and common sense. Everything has to be considered from storage
to practicality, while designing a room. If you have kids of
your own then you have to ensure their safety too. In short
you have to keep in mind a lot of things before you set out
to renovate your kitchen. Let us help you with some of the things.
Things to keep in mind...
Some of the things to keep in mind while designing for the following things;
Cooking units
-A separate oven and hob may be more expensive but improves the work productivity.
-Place the oven out of reach of the children, at a maximum height of 90cm from the floor level and easy accessibility for the adults.
-The height of a microwave should be 75mm below shoulder level so that you don't have to struggle with hot or heavy containers.
Lighting and ventilation
-For increasing the natural light, resize the existing windows, add skylights or open the kitchen space to the living, dining or outdoor areas.
-Create different levels of lighting. For example, you can have dimmers in your dining area and multiple recessed lights with traditional ceiling fixtures in eat-in kitchens.
-Use halogen spots or downlights to lighten up work areas including stove, sink and benchtops.
-Get a powerful exhaust fan installed in your kitchen to remove the heat, grease, steam and odours in to the open air and not in the roof-space.
-The positioning of your switches and outlets should be done keeping practicality in mind. For instance, light switches should be near the doors and multiple outlets above benchtops for appliances.
Colour & style
-Neutral colours and styles are preferable if it's a rented place or you wish to sell it in the near future.
-Everything goes with the colour white, hence a safe option.
-Smooth, reflective surfaces and light shades maximise light and enhance the sense of space.
-Dark, glossy surfaces look very elegant but stain easily while patterned surfaces don't show any marks and dirt.
-Stainless steel or brushed steel finishes are long lasting, stylish and hygienic. They go well with the appliances and also reflect light.
Flooring
-If you have a budget you can save money by retaining the existing flooring and resurfacing or resealing.
-Bamboo, cork or hardwood floors offer style, warmth, durability and cushioning but they require re-sanding on an annual basis to cover up any spills and splashes, whereas concrete, stone and tile flooring are easy to clean, waterproof and durable.
-For a more cost-effective and practical alternative, you can use linoleum for your floors that are available in vibrant designs and colours.
Washing up area
-If you have a spacious kitchen, always choose a double bowl sink with deep bowls for pot-washing.
-For the right handers, the washing area should be to the left of the workspace while the dishwasher and dishdrainer to the right and vice-versa for the lefties.
-There should be at least 40-60 cm next to the sink for the dishdrainer and the loading and unloading of dishes.
-A sink underneath a window makes the activity of dishwashing pleasant.
-If possible ask your plumber to install separate under-sink ball valves so you can shut off water easily to sink and dishwasher.
These are some of the tips for more ideas and information, you can consult a decorator or any of the kitchen design companies.
Things to keep in mind...
Some of the things to keep in mind while designing for the following things;
Cooking units
-A separate oven and hob may be more expensive but improves the work productivity.
-Place the oven out of reach of the children, at a maximum height of 90cm from the floor level and easy accessibility for the adults.
-The height of a microwave should be 75mm below shoulder level so that you don't have to struggle with hot or heavy containers.
Lighting and ventilation
-For increasing the natural light, resize the existing windows, add skylights or open the kitchen space to the living, dining or outdoor areas.
-Create different levels of lighting. For example, you can have dimmers in your dining area and multiple recessed lights with traditional ceiling fixtures in eat-in kitchens.
-Use halogen spots or downlights to lighten up work areas including stove, sink and benchtops.
-Get a powerful exhaust fan installed in your kitchen to remove the heat, grease, steam and odours in to the open air and not in the roof-space.
-The positioning of your switches and outlets should be done keeping practicality in mind. For instance, light switches should be near the doors and multiple outlets above benchtops for appliances.
Colour & style
-Neutral colours and styles are preferable if it's a rented place or you wish to sell it in the near future.
-Everything goes with the colour white, hence a safe option.
-Smooth, reflective surfaces and light shades maximise light and enhance the sense of space.
-Dark, glossy surfaces look very elegant but stain easily while patterned surfaces don't show any marks and dirt.
-Stainless steel or brushed steel finishes are long lasting, stylish and hygienic. They go well with the appliances and also reflect light.
Flooring
-If you have a budget you can save money by retaining the existing flooring and resurfacing or resealing.
-Bamboo, cork or hardwood floors offer style, warmth, durability and cushioning but they require re-sanding on an annual basis to cover up any spills and splashes, whereas concrete, stone and tile flooring are easy to clean, waterproof and durable.
-For a more cost-effective and practical alternative, you can use linoleum for your floors that are available in vibrant designs and colours.
Washing up area
-If you have a spacious kitchen, always choose a double bowl sink with deep bowls for pot-washing.
-For the right handers, the washing area should be to the left of the workspace while the dishwasher and dishdrainer to the right and vice-versa for the lefties.
-There should be at least 40-60 cm next to the sink for the dishdrainer and the loading and unloading of dishes.
-A sink underneath a window makes the activity of dishwashing pleasant.
-If possible ask your plumber to install separate under-sink ball valves so you can shut off water easily to sink and dishwasher.
These are some of the tips for more ideas and information, you can consult a decorator or any of the kitchen design companies.