Kitchen Designing Guide from UK Kitchen Designer

Need to know:

• Be guided by designer’s experience
• Remember the magic triangle
• Keep decoration kitchen-proof – and simple

Kitchen designs are now available at the click of a button, thanks to computer-generated mock-ups. Just give the potential supplier your kitchen measurements and explain what you would like.

The information they will need to know includes what equipment you want in the kitchen, the type of units, the flooring, lighting, storage … the list goes on. The designer will know the right questions to ask and will make suggestions based on his or her experience of what works best.

The size and shape of your kitchen will, to some extent, dictate the equipment you have and where you put it. Beware of overfilling small kitchens unless you want permanent claustrophobia.

First decide where to site your sink, drainer and dishwasher. Try to retain the position of existing service points if possible, since re-wiring and re-plumbing can make a big hole in your budget. Alterations to existing wiring to incorporate track lighting above the work surfaces are well worthwhile, though.

Remember, too, the ‘magic triangle’ of sink, cooker and fridge. These three pieces of equipment should always be kept close together for maximum efficiency, with a food preparation area nearby.

If your kitchen is large enough to dine in, work out where to put the table or breakfast bar and stools/chairs.

Then decide what other equipment you want and how much space you will need for it. Remember that labour-saving items like food mixers and juicers need to be permanently at the ready. Similarly, plan how much storage space you will need for food, cutlery and crockery, cooking utensils, cleaning equipment, etc.

Your choice of units depends on personal taste, budget and lifestyle. Hard-wearing, easy-clean surfaces like wood, veneers or laminates are a boon for busy people and families with young children. Higher-maintenance glass and stainless steel are for those with time to care for them – or a cleaner!

When it comes to decoration, remember to use – or specify, if someone else is doing the work for you – grout that is resistant to heat, dirt and water. Similarly, choose special ‘kitchen and bathroom’ paint and wallpaper. Remember, when choosing tiles and paint, that a kitchen is a very ‘busy’ place so it makes sense to keep the walls fairly neutral to avoid visual overload.

When your kitchen is installed, think logically about where to put everything. Keep items you use regularly in the most accessible cupboards. Those you use infrequently can go in higher cupboards while heavier items should be stored in cupboards underneath the worktops.

Fitting a new kitchen involves a fair bit of upheaval and expense so it’s important to get it right. Your personal preferences, combined with your supplier’s expert guidance, should result in a room that meets all your needs for a kitchen that is efficient, aesthetically pleasing and a delight to use.

The past few years have witnessed an incredible real estate boom that rivals any that the United States and Europe have ever seen in recent decades. The combination of relatively healthy economies that produce low interest rates and a surge in builder confidence has caused home ownership to rise to never-before-seen levels. As a result, home owners are able to concentrate on facets of their home that were before overlooked, making for more finicky consumers. One of the top draws for a home buyer in the modern real estate climate is that of a well-designed kitchen. Here are five tips that will help you make sure that you kitchen is well-designed for your family and to help ensure that your home is ready for sale.

Take layout into consideration

When laying out your kitchen, keep it open and airy and well-connected to the rest of the house. The kitchen is a prime spot for congregation so it is best to keep doorways wide and have open access to dining areas and living areas for easy entertaining and living. Most houses that feature decks leading out into the backyard have entrances to them coming from or nearby the kitchen for easy backyard barbequing as well.

Zone your kitchen appropriately

There are four zones to take into consideration when designing your kitchen: cooking zone, staging zone, storage zone, and cleaning zone. The cooking zone refers to the areas around the stove, oven and microwave. The staging zone is countertop areas that are used for food preparation. The storage zone is cabinets and pantry space. The cleaning zone is the sink, garbage disposal, and garbage areas. Keep these zones separate and well-defined for a more planned and less cluttered kitchen area.

Kitchen floors and countertops

The materials used in kitchen floors and countertops are a huge asset in assessing the worth of the kitchen. Look for durable materials that are of high quality and that can withstand a lot of traffic, since the kitchen is one of the most visited and used areas of the home.

Storage areas and cabinets

Cabinet materials and types can make or break a kitchen, as can other areas of storage such as the pantry. Pick cabinets that complement the appliances and the floors and countertops and that are made of durable, attractive materials.

Appliances

Probably your largest investment in your kitchen, updated appliances make cooking and cleaning your kitchen a much easier prospect to tackle. Make sure all of your appliances match in color for an even look throughout.

Still need more information or professional advise? Please contact UK Kitchen Designer.

5 Tips For Creating a Kitchen That Flows

When it comes to organizing your kitchen you need to consider how best to make it flow so it works with your lifestyle. In other words, consider what works and what doesn't in the current set up of your kitchen and come up with some better alternatives.
Sometimes it's simply a matter of trying a new system to see if it works. Remember no organizational system is carved in stone. Try different kitchen set-ups and make note of how each has improved or hampered the flow.
In some cases, it may be a matter of training your family to a new way of doing things. If things don't appear to be working, give it at least a week or so before changing things back. Remember though it takes a good 21 days to establish a new habit so if a new system seems to makes sense do your family a favor and stick with it for awhile. You may even want to add temporary labels to indicate where things go in your kitchen cabinets or drawers.
Here are a few tips to help inspire your kitchen organization efforts:

• Store Appliances Near Outlets
  If you store kitchen appliances close to your electrical outlets and where they'll be used, you won't have to worry about moving them every time they're needed. Add an extension cord if necessary but don't get in the habit of having too many appliances plugged in at the same time.

• Keep Spices Organized
  Install a spice rack inside a kitchen cabinet door or on a tiered shelf inside a cabinet located close but not too close to your cooking area. Spices should be stored in a cool, dry place as heat and moisture will spoil the flavor and you'd have to replace them more frequently. Consider keeping similar spices together like nutmeg and cinnamon or sage and poultry spice or simply alphabetizing your entire collection.

• Sort Utensils By Size
  To make finding the correct utensil easier, store each according to size and length and close to where you'll be using it.

• Properly Store Knives
  For safety sake, store sharp knives by themselves on either a magnetic strip affixed to your kitchen wall or in a butcher's block near your main work surface. Knives stored in drawers not only present a danger but over time will become dull from being banged around with other items.

• Organize Plastic Ware
  Before attempting to organize your plastic ware cabinet, purge any containers without lids and match up all that remain. Nest like-sized containers together and place lids in one of the largest containers beside the rest.

First Tips on Designing Your Kitchen Sets

The first step is to consider how you use your kitchen!

• How many people are in your household who use the kitchen? The answer to this question will determine how much use your kitchen cabinets get, and how much traffic there is likely to be in the kitchen at any one time.


• Do two or more cooks typically work at the same time? If so, you may want extra counter space in your kitchen cabinets and/or an extra sink.


• Do you entertain frequently - and do you typically have formal or informal gatherings? If you entertain a lot, you may want to open up the kitchen/living room area into a great room that lets you be part of the party while you’re working.


• What other activities commonly occur in the kitchen? Some houses have a laundry closet in the kitchen. Some people want a wet bar, a breakfast bar or even a desk for writing or computer work included in their kitchen cabinets.


• Do you have any special kitchen cabinets needs? Is a user exceptionally short or tall, and uncomfortable working at standard-height counters for long periods of time? Do you have a disabled or elderly household member who may have special needs?