Recent studies have shown that we spend more time in our kitchen than in our living rooms, and this isn’t surprising when you think about the huge variety of tasks that we use our kitchens for nowadays. From finishing off that last bits of work before dinner, socialising with friends and cooking family meals, our kitchen is often at the centre of our everyday lives. When you combine this with the fact that most of us only purchase a new kitchen once or twice in a lifetime, it’s not so difficult to see why planning your kitchen is incredibly important. We’re going to take a look at some of the ways a great kitchen design can transform your space. This should give you some brilliant inspiration on what to consider when planning your kitchen so that you can create a space you’ll love for years to come.
Enhanced Workflow
No matter how many family members you share your home with, most of us will find that our kitchens get rather crowded from time to time. However, this shouldn’t mean that everyone gets under each other’s feet. A well thought out kitchen layout will ensure several people can use the space with ease so when you’re busy getting dinner ready you won’t be interrupted or if you enjoy cooking as a family, you’ll find room for everyone to help out. As well as ensuring your kitchen is practical for all the household, planning a great layout will seamlessly transform the functionality of your space. With every appliance and storage system perfectly positioned, cooking will be simply effortless so you can enjoy preparing meals in no time.
Plenty of Storage
The power of successful storage shouldn’t be underestimated. We’re all familiar with the frustration of realising that the one thing you need has been consigned to the furthest depths of your cupboard. If you give careful thought to including plenty of storage in your design, you’ll never have to face this catastrophe again. Introducing some clever storage solutions to your space offers a host of fantastic benefits. With everything in its place, ingredients and utensils will be easy to find and quick to get to. Keeping your kitchen neat and tidy won’t be a chore and maintaining a clutter and stress-free environment will establish a stylish and wonderfully calming ambience.
Create a Versatile Multifunctional Space
The kitchen really is the focal point of our homes and deciding to give this space a refresh provides the perfect opportunity to create a design that accommodates a variety of activities, from relaxing with a cup of tea to hosting dazzling dinner parties. Establishing a casual seating area is a brilliant way to enhance your design. A simple way of achieving this is by adding a breakfast bar to a kitchen island or peninsular. A seating area will provide a stunning space for guests to gather, add a touch of luxury with a stylish wine cooler. Alternatively, include electrical sockets to create an ideal spot for helping the kids with homework or even finishing some last-minute work yourself.
Improve the Longevity of Your Kitchen
Whether you have a busy young family or take an enthusiastic approach to your culinary creations, you will need to think carefully about how the style of kitchen and appliances you choose will impact the longevity of your space practically and aesthetically. In short, it’s no-good choosing gloss cabinets only to find you spend the next 5 years battling sticky fingerprints. Likewise, some worksurfaces are more hardwearing and some, like wood for example, require regular maintenance. When it comes to creating a long-lasting interior, it’s not just the durability of your kitchen you need to consider, you should also dedicate plenty of thought to the look and style of your space to guarantee you love your design for years to come.
How to Start Planning Your Kitchen Design
Having outlined some of the benefits to carefully planning your kitchen, hopefully you’ll now feel motivated to start gathering ideas for your exciting new project. A great way to find inspiration for the look of your space is by collecting magazines and exploring popular interior design websites, you can collate your findings using a mood board app. For the more practical side of things, you will need to think about your specific requirements. Ask yourself who you share your kitchen with, what would you like to be able to use your kitchen for and even what occasions or times of day might change the needs of your space. Consider your existing kitchen and make a list of things you find useful and things you’d like to improve.
If you’re still struggling with planning your kitchen then don’t hesitate to contact your local specialists for guidance. We are based in Leeds and love working with new kitchen clients as there is always lots to think about when it comes to designing a beautiful and practical long-lasting kitchen. Consulting your local experts is one way to ensure your gorgeous new space lives up to your expectations. Purchasing a new kitchen will demand a generous budget and so it’s not something you want to get wrong. If you have any doubts, then you can always rely on the knowledge and experience of your trusted local kitchen specialists.