Key Mistakes To Avoid With Your New Kitchen Design
When creating a kitchen interior, serious mistakes can often occur. The key is to plan, plan, then plan some more – to avoid having to correct any mistakes later on, which can often become costly.
The rule of “planning in a triangle” is a good place to start – it simply implies zoning the kitchen in to three peaks, for an easy and comfortably cooking experience: for example, refrigerator – sink and cooking place – stove.
For those who have a linear kitchen, it is best to place the triangle on one side of the room. A sink is installed in the centre, and from it, on both sides, a worktable is placed, and only then a refrigerator and a stove.
For a two-row kitchen, a good option is if the sink and stove are on one side and the refrigerator on the other.
For the U-shaped kitchen, the triangle is set accordingly to the furniture: the middle row is suitable for washing, and the two opposite ones are for the stove and refrigerator.
L-shaped kitchen is perhaps the most common option. For this configuration, the sink is located in the corner or in the centre, and the stove and refrigerator are on either side of it.
Avoid these kitchen mistakes!
Improper planning. Start by sketching out a simple drawing, you don’t need to be an artist – but deciding where to place the sockets for example, can be detrimental to the overall kitchen design. Sockets should be close to equipment, but far from the sink. Think about how you will use the kitchen – and don’t forget about small appliances.
Impractical choice of material. The kitchen is one of the most used areas in the home - and the room is exposed to conditions that can be quite harsh. Throughout the day kitchen can be hot, humid, and wet. Therefore, thoughtful decisions on kitchen materials can save you a lot of hours cleaning or renovating again later down the line, for example chipboard or poorly processed wood in this room will crumble or swell.
Choice of household appliances. Measure up your space and buy furniture and household appliances at the same time and select the right sizes for each other. Don’t forget about small appliances: kettle, coffee maker, blender. Plan a place for them too!
4. Corner elements. If like me – you have an awkward corner that is L-shaped, it may not be a good idea to have adjacent doors and drawers, as when you open them - they will cling to each other.
5. Light sources. Add appropriate light! The kitchen will need task lighting, which is the main light used for completing tasks – like cooking or eating. However, do also spend time to consider softer lighting too, to create an ambience for those evenings of entertaining or relaxing. For example, additional lights on the work surface or under the wall cabinets.
6. Drawers instead of shelves. Drawers are becoming more and more desirable in modern kitchens due to their pleasing look – but ultimately, they can be more practical, too. Say goodbye to climbing into the far corners of the shelf for the salt, it is much more convenient to pull out the drawer.
7. Countertop material. The worktop is the place where we chop and serve food – therefore, choose a material that is easy to clean and one that won’t get stained. Wood, or chipboard for heavy consistent use can be impractical. Consider damage-resistant materials such as granite or natural stone.
8. Simplistic kitchen. Some people see cooking as therapeutic and an enjoyable experience. But for those of us who lead busy lives and want to make our time in the kitchen quick and easy - do not overly clutter the space with different furniture. Keep the work surface as bare as possible – the less busy the kitchen area is – will allow for easy movement around the space, making your cooking experience more enjoyable and less stressful.
