When it comes to designing your dream kitchen, you don’t just want a space with good looks – you want it to have good functionality, too. Luckily, achieving a functional kitchen design is a lot easier than you might think. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of handy tips for creating a practical space you’re sure to love.
1. Plan your space
The first thing to think about is how your kitchen will be used. Love a good home-cooked meal every night? Then you’ll want ample bench and storage space. Looking for casual dining, or a space where kids can do their homework while still being part of the conversation? Then an island bench with seating might be for you. At this stage, our master craftsmen can be a definite asset when it comes to helping you plan your space.
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2. The kitchen triangle
Have you ever heard of a kitchen triangle? It’s a clever way to ensure a kitchen’s storage (fridge), cleaning (sink) and cooking (stove) areas are connected a comfortable distance away from one another, without any obstacles between them. Achieving this is one way to ensure your kitchen enjoys a workable flow.
3. Let there be light
Nothing creates a cheerful space quite like an abundance of natural light, which can also help your kitchen look bigger, too. When planning your kitchen, make sure to incorporate plenty of windows, or, if space is an issue, consider a skylight to make the most of the natural light available.
Now, what about lighting for when night falls? For a kitchen to be a functional space, you need to have good task lighting in areas such as:
- Over the sink for washing up.
- Over the counter area for food preparation.
- Over the stove top.
- Over the kitchen island, especially if it is being used as a casual dining area.
- Over appliances like the microwave, kettle and toaster (just ensure you have good lighting near all power points).
To add some warmth into your kitchen space, consider having some ambient lighting for when you want to illuminate your kitchen when you’re not cooking. Soft ceiling lights, cabinet lighting or even lamps can help achieve this effect.
4. Clever storage
No practical kitchen is complete without plenty of clever storage. How you achieve this is largely relevant to the size of your kitchen. If you have a smaller kitchen where space is limited, you’ll need to be smarter about how you utilise the available room – things like extra deep drawers for pots and pans and corner cabinets with carousel inserts can make a big difference. Luckily, every custom-designed Kitchen Craftsmen kitchen can be tailored to your individual needs, and all packed full of clever storage solutions, too.
See our range of clever kitchen storage designs.
5. Built to last
When it comes to choosing the right materials for your kitchen, you definitely want something durable that matches your needs. From tough, family-friendly Laminex benchtops right through to strong and stunning Caesarstone and Essastone benchtops, Kitchen Craftsmen can help you design a functional kitchen that’s built to last. Make sure to talk to one of our master craftsmen to find out which materials are best suited to your individual needs and budget.
Get started designing your dream kitchen today.