Dreaming of a gourmet kitchen?
As they say, the kitchen is the heart of the home and these days we expect more from our kitchens than ever before. Long gone are the days where the kitchen is simply used to cook and clean. This is where we where we host, roast and toast special occasions and share some of most important moments with friends and family.
Even a standard kitchen installation requires the combined expertise of joiners, tilers, plumbers and electricians not to mention the 3D design and planning skills that are required to configure the cabinetry, gadgetry and appliances into your chosen space.
This is not a room you can afford to cut corners. Even a miscalculation of a few centimetres can make or break a successful kitchen installation. When done well however, you can create an impressive space that is both practical and beautiful and probably where you will find yourself spending most of your time.
Considerations when planning your kitchen
These days there are endless features that can be incorporated into a kitchen design. Anything is possible but there are some defining factors which can impact on the complexity of the project. There are a few things we suggest you take into consideration before writing your kitchen wishlist.
Room shape
Is the shape of your room conducive to how you see yourself using your new kitchen? Obviously certain shapes create certain limitations. A long narrow room will make it impossible to include a central island for example, where as an L-shape might make it difficult to create a natural flow in your cooking activities.
If you feel like the shape of your room will be detrimental to your dream kitchen layout, it’s not the end of the world. With careful assessment and design we can consider reconfiguring walls to help make the space fit for purpose.
SIZE
With a small space, you may struggle to fit all the features you would expect from a modern-day kitchen. Dishwashers, larders, extractor fans, fridge freezers, sinks and waste disposal solutions all come with their own housing requirements which can eat more space than you bargained for.
At the same time, extremely large kitchens can feel empty and soulness if not designed carefully to make the most of the space they offer. There is always a solution, but we cannot emphasise the need to use a company with kitchen fitting expertise for this important investment in your home.
DOORS & WINDOWS
The way we use our kitchens has changed considerably over the years. Access points and light sources are a critical point to consider. How do openings affect surrounding cabinetry and furniture?
Is there enough natural light to see or will artificial lighting need to compensate? Are there any bottle necks or blockages caused by any entrance points? Are you windows and doors currently placed in the best possible way for the future use of this space?
Ceiling heights
Lighting can be a defining feature of a room, but your ceiling heights may determine what kind of lighting you will be able to install. For example, if you picture using any form of spot or embedded lighting, you will need the space to incorporate a false ceiling if the heights allow.
Also, if new connections need to be run for extraction, air conditioning or other utilities, it could also make sense to use the overhead space.
Make sure you consider what you have above your heads or leave it to use to investigate and advise.
Plumbing, Electricity and Gas Connections
Unless your existing sink, oven and domestic appliances are going to stay in exactly the same place, the chances are you will need a new plan for plumbing, electricity and possibly even gas connections. This will require the collaboration of a number of different specialists that will all need to work together for it all to come together harmoniously.
UTILITY
Laundry, waste management, back-up storage, water heating. Is this all incorporated into the kitchen or do you see this as a separate function? With the social aspects of modern day kitchens in mind, it’s unlikely you want the more mundane, utilitarian elements of kitchen life on display in your stunning new surroundings.
Let’s figure out how your new layout can relocate non-essential aspects of kitchen life to another part of the home.