As the saying goes, the kitchen is the heart of the home. So when planning your dream kitchen, the importance of this space should never be underestimated. It is also one of the most expensive areas of the house to renovate – so you want to get it right!
A great place to start your planning is with a list. It’s simple, but effective. We’d suggest a couple of different parts to your list – dream features and non-negotiables. This list will come in handy when you’ve established your budget and know how much will be allocated to the features.
This list should include appliances, finishes, cabinetry features, lighting, tapware, door furniture, benchtops and furniture like bar stools.
With your list handy, grab a pencil and sketch it out. Start with trying what your dream kitchen would be, and work backwards making any changes to make it practical. Where do you want the cooktop? Does the fridge have enough space around it? What oven configuration do you want? Will you have an island? Do you like a sink or cooktop in the island? Do you envision yourself sitting at the bench to eat? There are lots of considerations, so you want to allow adequate planning time.
Of course your kitchen needs to look great, but it also needs to be functional. It doesn’t matter if you kitchen is galley, L-shaped, U-shaped or single wall layout, the functionality should be a focus.
Something almost universally used by designers is the ‘Kitchen Triangle.’ This describes the positioning of the three most important features in any kitchen – the fridge, cooktop and sink. By placing them in a triangle, you cut down on foot traffic and make it practical as well as safe when working with hot, sharp or messy items.
You also need to consider things like the placement of windows and doors, ceiling heights, and lighting, both installed and natural. One the practicalities of your kitchen are taken care of, it’s time for the fun stuff which includes colours, style and of course, storage options!
We are highly experienced when it comes to planning and undertaking kitchen renovations and would love to talk about your dream kitchen. Get in touch to discuss your plans with our experts.