Most of us will agree that the kitchen is the heart of our home. It is the only space, after all, where we commune together to prepare food, eat and just share good conversations. Several people even love to entertain in their kitchens because of the relaxed atmosphere.
However, it’s also no secret that the kitchen can be the most tedious part of the house to maintain. Since it’s used a lot, it is a must to plan everything exactly how you’d want this space to function: from storage to cooking.
Now, if you’re designing your new kitchen or doing kitchen renovations, it’s important to think about every detail carefully to maximise the benefits of this space in your house. Here are some clever kitchen ideas that will help you do just that.
The layout
Choosing the right layout is an integral part of good kitchen design because it will help dictate the functionality of this space.
Here are some of the best layouts you can choose from for your kitchen:
The L-Shape
One of the most common kitchen layouts that you can find, especially for smaller kitchens, is the L-shape. Composed of two countertops on adjoining walls forming an L, this layout is excellent if your goal is to have extensive counter space and extra storage underneath. Some homeowners even convert one of their countertops into a breakfast nook. The L-shape layout also fits the “kitchen triangle rule”, best to maximise the usability of the space.
The U-Shape
Whether your kitchen space is large or small, you can benefit from using a U-shaped layout where you get to maximise all three sides of your kitchen and add an island in the middle if you have that extra space. A lot of interior designers choose this layout since it’s perfect for fitting storage cabinetry and creating much longer countertops that add to the functionality of a kitchen. This design is also ideal if you love to entertain since it can accommodate more than one cook at a time.
The Galley
If you have a smaller kitchen space to work with but still want it to be functional, the galley is a perfect choice. This layout consists of parallel walls where cabinetry and appliances face each other.
Although this design can only accommodate one person at a time, you can benefit from having a countertop for prepping and cooking. And since you’re working with a long and narrow design, you can create lots of storage space to keep all your appliances and utensils organised.
The materials
When it comes to building your kitchen, your choice of materials will dictate whether you’re going to enjoy this space for a long time or not. From your cabinets to your countertop, here are some of the best options for you to invest on:
Sink
You’ll be using your sink the most in your kitchen, so you need to choose one that will last for many years. Stainless steel has always been the sink of choice for many homes because it doesn’t rust and can withstand wear and tear for a long time.
However, this material is prone to scratches, food gunk, and stains. A granite composite sink is now a popular choice by designers since it’s solid, easy to clean, scratch-resistant, and non-porous. The manufactured stone also looks nicer than stainless steel, especially those with darker tones as they don’t make dirt and gunk visible.
Countertop
Aside from your sink, your benchtop will also take the most beating in your kitchen, where it’s most vulnerable to scratches, scrapes, and even indents. Furthermore, because the countertop is often the showpiece of the kitchen, it makes it very hard to conceal any damage.
If you ask designers, you’ll be presented with different types of countertop materials to fit your kitchen—from natural stones to wooden butcher blocks. But if you want to invest in something that can withstand almost anything to last you for a long time, it has to be quartz.
No, it’s not the cheapest countertop material but is definitely worth your investment since it can resist heat, scratches, and even acids. This way, you don’t have to worry about accidental spills or using the wrong cleaning products. Plus, quartz is one of the most durable kitchen benchtop materials that you can find on the market today.
Faucet
You will be using your faucet every day, so you need to choose one that’s easy to handle and clean. If you ask the experts, they would recommend a faucet with a solid brass body because the material is more resistant to corrosion than other metals, especially since your faucet is exposed to water all the time. Although you can find cheaper faucets with plastic or zinc-alloy materials, you should only invest in much tougher materials that will last you a lifetime.
Flooring
You can expect a lot of spills, crumbs, and other dirt on your kitchen floor, so it’s a must that you choose a material that can withstand all that and still make your cooking space look good. Once you start shopping, you’ll find that there are almost endless options when it comes to kitchen flooring.
But if you want something that would save you from having to replace your floors every couple of years, you need to go with Marmoleum. What makes it better than jute or limestone? For one, Marmoleum flooring is so versatile that it has different colours and patterns to blend easily with your kitchen design.
You also have the option between sheets and tiles, depending on the space you’re working with. Marmoleum is also ideal if you have pets or kids. After all, it has natural anti-static properties that make it very easy to clean because it repels dirt and dust. The best thing about this material is that it’s eco-friendly, so it’s a worthwhile investment for your home.
The storage
More than the kitchen benchtop and sink, your kitchen needs a lot of storage space for your appliances, kitchen tools, and dinnerware. Whether you have a huge or small kitchen, it pays to think about storage and how you can maximise your space.
This is where you should invest in good quality cabinetry.
For starters, you can choose between a custom or semi-custom cabinet, and this will depend on your budget. Pre-made cabinets are cheaper, but you also need to lower your expectations when it comes to quality and the fit in your kitchen. Since these products are ready-to-assemble, you need to make adjustments to the exact measurements in your kitchen, and you might have to replace them within just a few years.
Custom cabinets are still the best option because they are made exactly to the specifications of your kitchen space. You have several materials to choose from when it comes to cabinetry, particleboard, and plywood being the cheaper options. However, choose the right supplier to ensure quality. Now, if you want to invest in something that will last you for the years to come, it’s best to go with more durable kitchen cabinetry brands where you can guarantee good quality results.
When planning your cabinetry, think about practicality more than style. Think about how you would use the kitchen once it’s done.
- Do you need your spices near you?
- Do you bake a lot?
- Do you want your fridge to be accessible to the kids?
- Do you have a lot of dinnerware collections that need good storage?
Make sure that all the things you need and use often are easily accessible so you don’t have to keep reaching up to your cabinets. Of course, you shouldn’t forget about aesthetics when choosing cabinetry, especially the paint colour and knobs that will add to the style of your kitchen.
Talk to your designer about these details and ensure that the cabinetry will blend well with the rest of your home without losing its unique character.
The bottomline
Building a kitchen, whether brand new or through kitchen renovations, can take a lot of thought, research, careful planning, and proper execution to complete. Good thing you don’t need to do all the stressful work on your own because you can always work with professional kitchen experts from Hollywood Kitchens to help you through the process of putting together your dream kitchen.
At the end of the day, you don’t need huge spaces to build a kitchen that you can enjoy for years to come. These kitchen design ideas are just some of the many things you can do for your kitchen. Of course, it would also be more beneficial if you hire experts to make sure that you achieve everything you want while staying within your budget.