Top Ten Tips for a Kitchen Design Project:
Tip 1:
Make your own sketch / plan
Before you ask your designer to create a 3D design of your new kitchen, make a sketch plan of your desired fitted kitchen. It doesn’t matter how good you are at drawing, it will help you to have all the important aspects that you wish to include noted down.
You could draw inspiration from your current kitchen or you could include ideas that you have found through looking in magazines or on TV or on the internet. A sketch plan is good starting point for your kitchen remodelling company, who will appreciate this as a starting point and help you develop your idea further.
Tip 2:
Consider the all available space for new kitchen
Are you planning to add extra space by building an extension to make space for a larger kitchen or an open plan Kitchen/Lounge or Kitchen/Dining room?
The kitchen remodelling company will be able to advise you on how to maximise the potential of your new kitchen.
There is always more than one way to layout a kitchen and so your kitchen modelling company should be able to provide informed advice on the optimum design for the space that you have.
Tip 3:
Water supply and extra electrical power points / under floor heating
If your budget is tight then do not move about with the sink, gas pipes or waste as this adds substantially to kitchen installation time and price.
If it is needed and budgeted for, then you have more possibilities for creativity.
Your needs for plugging in large appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers, as well as smaller utensils such as toasters etc, will determine the amount of power point sockets that you need.
Under-floor heating systems, whether electric or water based, need to be planned carefully with your remodelling company.
Tip 4:
Floor covering
Kitchens often benefit from newly installed floor finishes, such as wooden / laminate flooring or tiles, vinyl or Amtico. The flooring alongside the new décor will enhance the overall aspect of kitchen. Plan carefully in advance as this will have major effect on services such as plumbing and under-floor heating.
Tip 5:
Lighting design for modern kitchens
A pendant hanging light over the new worktop or dining table or contemporary down lighters / spotlights will add new dimension to your admirable kitchen.
The lights are both important for practical safety in kitchen and modern design.
You should consider the inclusion of lights over sinks, cookers, designated food preparation areas or new work surfaces. They all need extra light.
LED light fittings could enhance lower plinth of baseline kitchen units or enhance new look of your glass.
Tip 6:
Kitchen unit style / worktops
The choice of unit style is entirely up to you but you should consider short or long term kitchen use. In the short term you’d want to install a practical kitchen with the neutral look and the colours. A kitchen that incorporates modern appliances but appeals to wide spectrum of buyers will be important if you decided to sell the property within a year or two.
For the long term kitchen plans you should be sure that your kitchen style and colour will correspond with other linked home areas to create continuity within your property. A contemporary kitchen mixed with traditional furniture in open lounge would not necessarily appeal to you or to your guests.
Tip 7:
Appliances and sink choice
Bet on good quality appliance even at rental properties. The cheapest will cost you twice or three times to replace them within 2-3 years.
Mid or high end appliances will last longer.
The sink dilemma is that right handed person generally likes to have left drained sink and vice versa. Think practically when considering sink as you will have it for long time.
Tip 8:
Kitchen ergonomics:
As any good chef knows the practicality is everything, therefore you should consider your food preparation process to make it most suitable for yourself.
It would be worth considering having a food preparation area near to your cooker to allow for control over dishes being prepared and cooking simultaneously, as well as adding new ingredients into dish. You should also consider the distance between your sink and cooker - you do not wish to carry dirty pans into sink long way.
Plan the ergonomics carefully round your needs with kitchen designer – a combined designer and remodeler could be the best choice as they will have an understanding of the whole process.
Tip 9:
Kitchen baseline units/ base corners
Ensure detailed planning of baseline kitchen cabinets, as you will require plenty of space to store your plates etc. These days there are plenty of pull out options available, known as “Magic Corners”. Those with smaller kitchens can achieve extra space by adding them into their design spec. The pull outs will add slightly to cost but will be handy later.
Tip 10:
That ugly and exposed boiler
If you have a boiler located in the kitchen within new layout area or stuck in the corner near a window, then there are a number of options to disguise its presence.
The costly option of moving the boiler into new location outside of kitchen is worth considering if you have the budget. More economical options such as enclosing it within matching kitchen units and doors are also worth considering. This is not straightforward with some installers so opt for advice how to hide it. Building up false wall to bring kitchen wall forward and hiding the boiler within matching kitchen cabinet and in line with other upper cabinets is another option.
Enjoy your new kitchen!
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