Thinking of upgrading or a completely new kitchen design? Cowan Building looks at some of the things to consider during your design phase. PLUS: What’s trending in kitchens and how you can take advantage of the latest and greatest.
Long gone are the days when the kitchen was a cut-off zone for only the cook to enjoy. Today, kitchens are the hub of the home, boasting an array of purposes and entertaining opportunities. Particularly over the past 15years, our kitchens have become the focal point of homes. Boasting an array of beautiful features while remaining highly functional.
For those selling, the kitchen can be the make-or-break part of your home. Understandably, poorly designed kitchens can cost a lot of money to correct – particularly when you consider all the plumbing, ducting and electrical aspects. Getting it right the first time is paramount. So, what aspects should you consider when designing your new kitchen?
Get Planning
With all good projects, planning is vital. Having a good idea of what you want out of your kitchen before calling in your kitchen designer, will help put your dreams into place. Just be prepared, a slight tweak or completely flipping your design on its head may provide you with a completely different aspect. This is why professionals are so important. They are specially trained to ensure you get the most out of your space while making it hugely functional.
It’s important to also stay open-minded. It’s not uncommon for a homeowner to have a solid plan set in place, only to find it simply won’t work. Or that once they speak to a kitchen designer and realise the options are endless – can put homeowners in a spin. This can make you feel a little overwhelmed particularly if the kitchen is a remodel of an existing kitchen.
So, start with the basics. Making a vision/theme board is a great place to begin. Look at current trends online and pin them to your board. Think about what colours you may like to incorporate into your kitchen and the major appliances. Also, make a list of exactly what you are expecting out of your kitchen. It’s helpful to ask the following:
What parts do I love about the current kitchen?
What parts do I despise about my current kitchen?
What functions are important to me?
How many people will be using the kitchen?
What will the kitchen be used for besides cooking – home office, entertaining, dining?
What is my budget?
Then it’s time to call in the experts!
Your builder and kitchen designer can then enlighten you on the possibilities of the actual design. A simple move of your oven or flipping the kitchen completely, or even removing walls to allow for a bigger open space could be an option. Depending on the budget the sky is the limit when it comes to great kitchen design. They will also open your mind to the types of ovens your space allows for – freestanding, multifunctional, or stack ovens.
Kitchen designers will also ensure the best ‘triangle’ for your kitchen. This is the triangle made up of the stovetop, sink, and refrigerator. This triangle makes for easier cooking and navigation through the zone when you are creating delicious masterpieces.
Appliances Galore
Once you have a good picture of your design, you can now start planning your kitchen appliances. This will obviously be affected by budget and the final design, however, with so much choice you can really get excited about the product.
Ovens are certainly a big trend now with multifunctional purposes. Stack ovens offer steam options, microwaves, and traditional baking. Many freestanding units are making big statement pieces in many kitchens with some even adding a splash of colour. Depending on your space and what your design has incorporated you can really make your oven a statement piece in your kitchen.
Don’t forget your rangehood! Many times, these are an overlooked feature, however, with ducting options, this needs to be one of the first concepts you consider, as it will dictate where you are able to place your oven.
Fridges are also stepping into the tech zone, with many featuring smart features. A good tip when considering where to put your fridge – keep it near the entrance if you have a busy household. This will allow hungry teenagers to access food and drinks without disturbing the chef. Fridges are now also able to be completely integrated into the cabinetry or allowed to stand proud as a focal point.
Dishwashers have also stepped into the future and are now also able to be completely integrated. Many now also come in colours to match your cabinetry. They can be slim, tall, two draws, or traditional. If you are looking for that ultra-flush look – consider the new push to open designs.
Happy planning! Need a hand? You know who to call.