A smart guide to the perfect kitchen design.
Kitchens are one of the rooms that have priority in a house. Buying the perfect sofa or an armchair can wait, but you can't live without a kitchen.
If you are changing the cabinets and the room layout, you will need remodeling. The process will involve plumbers, electricians, tile installers, and, of course, new cabinets. The better you plan for it, the less time the job will take.
The interior design of a house will often start with the kitchen so that every detail can be scheduled and planned.
No matter the room size or budget, these design basics will ensure you a perfect kitchen:
1. Choose your ideal kitchen layout before deciding on the final look.
A kitchen design will be as good as the mind after it. Expensive-beautiful cabinets don't guarantee a great kitchen; it is vital to complement it with a good plan.
Nowadays, kitchens are not about filling all the walls with as many cabinets as possible.
A good layout will consider the needs of the people who will live with it and the particularities of the space.
Before designing it, we need to answer the right questions. Do you own a lot of small appliances, do you like to cook, how often do you use the oven, how much pantry storage do you need, how many pots and pans do you own, do you recycle, is the kitchen open to the living room or enclosed?
Is this design the best for you? Just because a store has been selling the same thirty years doesn’t mean this is the only/best solution for you. Once you have your ideal layout, it is a question of choosing aesthetics and brands. The kitchen cabinet market follows standard dimensions. With a good design in hand, you can shop for any brand within your budget and style.
Forget about boring layouts with cabinets hanging on all the possible walls. Prioritize function over quantity.
Rendering and elevations for one of our projects.
2. Integrated appliances.
Is your kitchen sharing space with your living and dining room?
No matter how expensive your fridge was, nobody needs to have a giant elevator-like steel box in their living room.
Integrated fridge, freezer, and wine cooler.
3. Flat panels are your friend.
They are our style to go to. Flat panels and integrated handles are easier to keep clean and temporal, and they mix well with any house style.
Gola handleless kitchen cabinets.
4. Ovens installed in vertical columns and not under the stove.
It will make it easier to see what you are cooking.
Double wall oven.
5. Drawers are more practical than doors.
Nobody likes to get on their knees to look for a can of tomato sauce. Pull-outs and drawers will make your life easier.
Store the pots and pans you use more under the stove. It will save you time and effort.
An excellent way to know how good is the hardware of the cabinets? Rule of thumb: if they offer drawers wider than 36", the quality is high.
Island featuring Big kitchen drawers for better organization.
6. Accessorize your cabinets.
Having well-organized storage spaces is crucial for easy retrieval of your items. Luckily, the market offers several options to accessorize your drawers and cabinets. If you're in the market for a corner cabinet, consider investing in one with a system designed for seamless access to everything stored inside. This will significantly enhance the organization of your storage spaces and make your life easier.
DRAWERS EQUIPPED WITH DIFFERENT ACCESSORIES TO IMPROVE USABILITY. PHOTO CREDIT SIEMATIC.
7. Low Maintenance Countertops.
The kitchen countertop is a significant investment that can greatly impact the style and durability of your kitchen. Engineered stone is a preferred option worth considering due to its vast array of colors and finishes. Moreover, it is easier to maintain and more consistent than natural stone. You may also want to explore new ceramic options like Dekton or Neolith, or quartz countertops such as Silestone. These alternatives offer durability and versatility worth exploring.
ISLAND FEATURING SILESTONE SUEDE FINISH.
8. Add a backsplash to ensure easy cleaning.
When designing a kitchen, it's worth considering minimizing seams to enhance its overall aesthetic. While tiling the wall is an option, it's not necessary. Instead, you can choose from various alternatives such as using the same material as the countertop, opting for large format tiles, or incorporating stainless steel or glass. Ultimately, the options you choose can significantly impact the final look and feel of your kitchen.
GLASS BACKSPLASH.
9. Tile your floor.
If you're searching for a sturdy and low-maintenance flooring material, porcelain and ceramic floors may suit your needs. These types of floors demand minimal upkeep and are highly resilient to chips caused by heavy objects. Hardwood floors, while aesthetically pleasing, may not be worth considering for spaces that are exposed to acids, grease, or water problems, as these can inflict damage on the wood.
THE PORCELAIN TILE COVERS ALL THE KITCHEN AREA.
10. Lighting is critical.
Proper lighting can significantly enhance the ambiance of any room. Each area within a room has different lighting requirements; for example, the prep area will need a dedicated light, while the pass-through areas may not require the same brightness as the counter. A well-designed lighting plan should include lighting at various levels, such as under-cabinet lights, decorative pendants, recessed, or spotlights to give your kitchen a cohesive look.
It is worth noting that planning for sufficient electrical outlets in your backsplash and island is essential, following the building code requirements for new constructions and renovations. Your lighting fixtures should be based on their intended use and placement. They can be as minimal or bold as you prefer, but their final use and placement are crucial factors.
THE LINEAR LED-HANGING FIXTURES PROVIDE LIGHT TO THE KITCHEN COUNTERTOP.
Incorporating these design basics into your kitchen remodeling or renovation project will enhance the aesthetics and functionality of your kitchen, making it a space where you can genuinely enjoy cooking, entertaining, and spending time with loved ones. Remember, your kitchen is the heart of your home, so make it the best it can be.