What does your dream kitchen look like? For most individuals, they have a rough idea: beautiful marble bench-tops, clear and spacious and … that’s it? Whether you're a design whiz or DIY rookie, we’re here to help you understand the basics of kitchen design. This will ensure that you are able to communicate and bring your dream kitchen to life within your beautiful home.
Layout
Depending on the size of the kitchen, some larger renovations may require complete rearrangement of design layouts. Either way, it’s important to consider the design you want. Here are a few for consideration:
Galley: Also called a walk-through or corridor-style kitchen, a galley kitchen is characterised by two parallel walls or lines of cabinets and countertop with a walkway in between them. If there's only one wall, it's a one-wall or Pullman kitchen.
L-shaped: As the name implies, L-shaped kitchens form an "L" with two adjacent walls or with a counter peninsula extending from a wall.
Double "L": A double L is an L-shaped kitchen with an island that is also in the shape of an L. Typically, the two Ls are supposed to create an open centre space.
U-shaped: U-shaped kitchens form a "U" or horseshoe shape and can be formed with three full-height walls or with two walls and a peninsula.
An avid home-chef? Make sure you consider the “kitchen triangle.” The holy trinity of kitchen design (and no we're not talking about BBQ, Chilli, Garlic on your HSP). The refrigerator, stovetop and sink should never be too far apart. The closer they are, the more efficient you can be as a home-cook.
Floors
The right floor-choice can make all the difference to the aesthetic of your kitchen. Several factors need to be considered with your floor boards: comfortability, durability, aesthetics. A few potential options are:
Tile: One of the most common kitchen floorings, tile doesn't absorb odours or bacteria, and it can hold up under heavy foot traffic. However, tile can also be uncomfortable to stand on because of how hard it is.
Hardwood: Hardwood floors, most commonly oak, can be beautiful if carefully maintained, but they can be damaged by pet claws and high heels and ruined by standing water.
Laminate: Laminate is relatively inexpensive and very easy to install. It is also stain-resistant and cleans in no time. However, it is vulnerable to water damage in the kitchen because moisture can swell the edges of the flooring planks, which cannot be repaired.
Kitchen Countertops
These may often be the most eye-catching part of your kitchen, especially after a remodel. Similar to flooring, countertops need careful considerations to ensure that they function well.
Engineered stone: The most common engineered stone material is quartz, which has succeeded granite as the "it" countertop material. Priced similarly to granite, quartz countertops are made with rock fragments bound with resin and offer overall better consistency and lower maintenance than natural stone. Most importantly, quartz is more stain-resistant and does not have to be sealed, as stone does.
Natural stone: Granite remains a popular choice for countertops, mostly because of its natural beauty. Granite has a hard surface that's extremely durable, but it must be sealed periodically to help prevent staining. Other natural stone countertop options include marble, soapstone, and limestone, but they are softer materials that require more care.
Wood: Butcher block countertops are easy to clean and can be maintained with wood oil but can also be damaged by water. Wood usually makes more sense for specific work areas rather than the primary countertop material.
Concrete: Concrete offers an industrial look to a kitchen, but it needs to be sealed up to four times a year. Concrete is also scratch- and heat-resistant.
Plastic laminate: The most cost-effective option, laminate comes in a wide range of colours and designs, but it can be damaged by hot pots and pans.
Cabinets
When replacing kitchen cabinets, don't skimp on space to save money. Choose base cabinets with deep drawers, and consider wall cabinets that go up to the ceiling. Storage space is of the utmost value in a kitchen.If you're on a tight budget, consider kitchen cabinet refacing. With refacing, you keep the cabinet "box" and reface the exterior with a nice veneer. You also replace the doors for a new look. Another option is to paint your cabinets, though this isn't always as simple as it may sound.
These are really just the basics within the complex art of kitchen design. For help with bringing your dream kitchen to life contact us at 0412105588 for a FREE QUOTE.
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