Getting your kitchen design just right is easier if you follow our simple guidelines for success.
1. Assess your kitchen needs
Before designing your kitchen, think about how the space is going to be used. If you are a keen cook you will want larger work areas, which means cutting down on excessive soft furnishings that take up precious workspace. Think about who does the cooking and how many people are in the kitchen at the same time. The most rewarding kitchen is a functional yet stylish space, so design yours to fit your needs.
2. Base your kitchen layout on the work triangle
There is a natural pathway between the cooking and food preparation area, fridge and sink called the work triangle. Keep this area small to design an efficient kitchen that’s comfortable to cook in. Learn more about kitchen layouts.
3. Plan your budget
Know in advance what you are willing to spend on your kitchen. Your budget will have a say in your kitchen design but it need not dictate it. To help get the most from your budget, make a list of everything that you’d love in your kitchen, and then sort each item as a must-have or a nice-to-have. Most costs come under time (labour) and materials, and with careful planning there are ways to save money on both.
4. Select the right kind of kitchen design
There are four main categories of kitchen design - have you decided which is the right one for you? When talking to suppliers, it helps them if you’re clear which type of project you’re undertaking:
- New construction refers to a kitchen in a house that is being built from scratch.
- Kitchen remodeling usually means more than one task is being done in your kitchen to alter the structure, shape or space.
- Renovation of your kitchen involves significant improvements in line with the existing style of your house but with few, if any, structural changes.
- Decorative changes, or a kitchen face-lift, breathe new life into your kitchen without significant alterations to underlying structure or layout.
5. Hiring kitchen design professionals
If you are designing a brand new kitchen or changing the structure of an existing one and don’t have loads of experience, you should consider hiring a kitchen designer. When hiring help with your kitchen design, always ask for their qualifications, references and the opportunity to see examples of their previous work.
For decorative changes, you can experiment with different kitchen layouts using kitchen design software like the free Kitchen Planner from IKEA.
6. Consider the size of your kitchen
It doesn’t matter whether your kitchen is tiny, midsize, or enormous, it can be designed to meet your requirements and look stylish too. Make sure you take accurate measurements and double-check them so you can be confident in knowing the size of your canvass, before beginning your masterpiece!
7. Choosing the shape of your kitchen
Consideration of the shape of your kitchen plays a crucial role in good kitchen design. Most kitchens fall into one of several basic shapes. Find the shape that best suits the size of your kitchen and your practical needs, and remember to keep the work triangle small. Learn more about kitchen layouts.
8. Eating in the kitchen
The modern kitchen is about much more than cooking. It’s often a place we come to socialize, entertain guests, and help the kids with their homework. Increasingly, the kitchen is also where we eat many of our meals. Think about the kinds of meals that will be served and eaten in your kitchen, and keep that in mind when planning the design. How about a breakfast bar where you can hop on a stool and grab a quick snack? Or a dining table in your favourite style? Learn more about kitchen and dining tables.
9. Is your kitchen big enough for a kitchen island?
Kitchen islands look fantastic and bring a wealth of design potential to any kitchen large enough to accommodate them. The key here is to be sure that there is not only enough space for your kitchen island, but also for you to comfortably move around when using the kitchen. Learn more about kitchen islands and trolleys.
Get ideas for kitchen islands and trolleys
10. Plan for the future
Design your kitchen to meet your current needs but also ask yourself how those needs may change in the near future. How long do you plan to stay in your house? Do you have young children or children on the way? Will that lime-green fridge still be in fashion in six months time?
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