Your kitchen is the heart of your home, and it needs to have a practical layout that works for you, as well as a style that you love. You should be able to cook, move around easily, and even socialise in this space, so it’s important that the design meets your needs. If you’re thinking about refurbishing your kitchen, you’ll know that this requires a lot of planning and thought before you start buying counters and ovens. But where do you begin? Here are eight things to consider when you’re looking at renovating your kitchen:
1. How much space is available?
The most important part of designing your kitchen is knowing how much space you have to work with, and how much space you need. Measure up the usable space within the room, and plan it out to scale on paper.
When you’re thinking about space, bear in mind not only the amount of room appliances will take up, but also how much space you will need when you are using them. Leave plenty of room between counters for opening drawers and cupboards, and for you to move around.
2. Where will everything go?
Now that you know how much space is available, think about the appliances you need and where you are going to put them. This will depend on the amount of space you have, but you should also consider the ways in which you use your kitchen. For example, putting your dishwasher close to the sink will help to avoid dripping dirty water when you’re rinsing plates before putting them in the dishwasher. You may also want lots of counter space close to the fridge for when you are unloading your food shopping.
Picture yourself moving around your kitchen – what do you do every day, and how do you move around? What would be the most convenient layout for you? You may also want to think about what you put next to the walls – for example, having the dishwasher next to the wall may not give you much space for unloading it.
Your plumber will be able to tell you what needs to go where in practical terms, for example where the dishwasher needs to be plumbed in according to your current setup.
3. What appliances are you going to choose?
Choose your appliances first, and then design your kitchen around them – this is easier than designing a kitchen and then trying to find appliances that fit your particular specifications.
4. How big will your appliances be?
Consider the size of your appliances – are you limited by the amount of space you have, or can you afford to go a bit bigger? You may have nooks and crannies that would be the perfect home for the right sized appliances. Will you have a large fridge-freezer or separate under-counter units?
5. What’s your style?
What style of kitchen takes your fancy? Do you favour a clean, modern look with crisp white or shiny marble counters and built-in, hidden appliances? You can hide some things away behind cupboards, including your fridge, bin, and even your boiler if it’s in the kitchen. Or would you prefer a farmhouse style with chunky, wood block countertops? A Belfast sink, stainless steel, or something else?
6. What about colours and lighting?
The colours you should use may depend on how much natural light you get in your kitchen. If you don’t get very much, you will probably want to avoid dark colours and go for white surfaces and light or pastel walls that reflect the light around the room.
Think about what lights you are going to install too, and where you want to put them. Which parts of your kitchen need the most light? You may want to install lights on your walls underneath your cupboards, or over your breakfast bar where you prepare food or eat as a family.
7. What extras do you need?
If you find yourself lacking cupboard space, this may be something you need to consider when designing your new kitchen. Are you lucky enough to have a big kitchen that could house a breakfast bar or island, to give you extra storage and counter space? What about other added extras, like a wine rack or spice rack? Everyone’s needs are different, and your new kitchen should be the perfect fit for you.
8. What about the little details?
Don’t forget the smaller parts of your kitchen, as these all come together to add to the style and feel of the room. Think about the door and cupboard handles, and the taps.
The key to designing a kitchen that works well for you is to think practically about what you do in the kitchen and what your family’s needs are. At THS Plumbing & Heating Northampton we can advise you on planning your kitchen design and what’s practical in terms of your plumbing, and we can help you to fit it, too. Contact us using the form on the right or call 01604 212732.