It requires a great deal of thought when planning a new area in your house, so you can’t just slap a few cupboards together and call it a kitchen. There is measuring, planning and coordinating involved if you want it to resemble something livable. A renovation is a whole other beast. The same meticulous process is needed especially for the kitchen, taking into consideration its location, the function, and even the aesthetics. And the thing is, you have to think of all those three things at once!
With so many elements related to building a kitchen, what are the most important points to ponder on? To make it easier for you, here are 10 things to consider when planning this busy place.
1. Safety First
It goes without saying, but the kitchen should be as family-friendly as possible. Some ways you could do it is to install slip resistant floors, pick round-edged counters, and have ovens and stoves at adult height so that kids can’t reach them.
2. Consider Lighting
When working in the kitchen, you need all the light you can get. The normal lighting won’t cut it, especially when it’s casting your shadow over the work area. Have some lights under a hanging cabinet so that you see what you’re doing. Moreover, natural light during the day could make the space both functional and beautiful.
3. Where are the Gas and Electric Lines?
One of the biggest mistakes when planning a kitchen is forgetting where the power lines are. Once they are in place, you can’t move them anymore without spending a huge sum of money. Make sure to take that into consideration when figuring out the floor area of the kitchen.
4. Don’t Forget About Storage
There’s nothing more stressful than a cluttered kitchen. You should always have storage areas that are easily accessible without being too bulky. For example, when creating cabinets, make sure it reaches the ceiling because that top space will just collect dust.
5. Clear the Air
You don’t want the room to be filled with smoke and odour, right? So to prevent that, it’s always wise to have a range hood to suck in the smoke and let it out. Others have wide open windows or even have outdoor kitchens, but that depends on your style and how you want the workspace to look like.
6. Plan Garbage Disposal
When you’re in the kitchen, you know you will always have trash. Whether it be peelings from the ingredients and plastics, you have to dispose them so you can keep the area clean. Have some trash bins either at the side of an island, or you can design a cabinet under the counter with a receptacle which is exclusive for rubbish.
7. Be Wise with Location
Instead of working hard, you should work wisely while in the kitchen. One way you could do that is through strategic locations of storage and fixtures. For example, make sure to have the the dishware near the dishwasher so that it’s easy to store them after. It cuts time in half when you do. Ensure your measurements are checked and double checked.
8. Think of Counter Space
There’s no such thing as too much counter space, so give due consideration to it. It gives you more working area, not to mention kids can help you as well. Pick a material that is easy to clean as it tends to get messy.
9. Play with Colours
If you have a small kitchen, dark colours would make it look even more cramped up. Instead, white is always a safe choice, or any hue that’s light.
10. Create a Focal Point
Just because the kitchen is a busy space doesn’t mean it can’t be pretty. Pick a focal point that will draw people’s attention, like a simple flowering plant to balance things out or an impressive splashback to show your individuality.
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