Planning on designing a new kitchen but don’t know where to start? We have the answers you were seeking. Here is how you can get functionality to the most used part of your home.
Are you planning to build a new kitchen or remodelling an old one? Are you looking for a dream kitchen that is so flawless in appeal and functionality that you just can’t get enough of it? But does the thought of designing a dream kitchen seem like a daunting task? You are just a step away with our dream kitchen checklist. Design your perfect dream kitchen with these five key kitchen elements! Use this checklist to start with your dream kitchen today and get ahead of your designing goals effortlessly.
All You Need To Know About The Perfect Kitchen Layout
The most important factor that determines how functional your kitchen will be is the layout. It is imperative to start by planning the right arrangement. If you are remodelling your kitchen, decide if the current layout works or needs modifications in terms of placement of equipment and storage.
The top six kitchen layouts are L-shaped, U-shaped, Island kitchen, Parallel or Galley, One-Walled and G-Shaped. The general rule of thumb is to have a work triangle also known as the golden triangle. This is a triangular equation between the cooking area, sink and refrigerator so you can easily switch between different workstations while at work in the kitchen.
Straight kitchens are good for homes that rarely use the kitchen for cooking or don’t host too many house parties. Simply put, they are perfect for singles or couples. Other larger kitchen layouts like island kitchens, parallel kitchens or U-shaped kitchens are great for large families, couples with kids and joint families. And of course, you need to choose a layout based on the amount of space available.
Materials And Colours You Need For Your Dream Kitchen Design
Many elements make up the perfect dream kitchen. The right material, first and foremost, factors in to make a perfect kitchen. Remember, this is a wet zone therefore you need material for flooring, countertops and cabinets that is durable and long-lasting. There are a plethora of materials available for this purpose like granite, laminate, wood, quartz, or concrete.
Stick to materials and kitchen elements that look stylish but are also easy to maintain and clean. Pick a colour palette for your dream kitchen. This scheme will stay consistent across your cabinets, backsplash and flooring.
An all-white kitchen is a classic, as you see in this image. However, two-toned colour schemes work well these days for homeowners that are inclined towards a clean and modern aesthetic.
How Can I Increase The Storage Quotient In My Dream Kitchen?
Cabinets, drawers, racks, and shelves are definitely key elements of a kitchen. They help organise everything from condiments, pots and pans, cutlery, crockery and your appliances. A tall unit is great to store crockery and glassware, cabinets with in-built racks for daily dishes, an oil pull-out for bottles, a pantry for dry food items.
You can also store spices and condiments in drawers built with organisers to protect them from harsh sunlight and/or moisture. Similarly, drawers are convenient to store your large pots. While, tandem drawers work great for heavy utensils. Alternatively, you can try shallow roll-out units to store lids and trivets. If your kitchen has an island, you can build cabinets, wine racks or shelves on either side to store bottles or dinnerware.
How To Design The Lighting For Your Dream Kitchen
The simple answer to this is – you need lots of light! When it comes to light in the kitchen, natural light is the best, as it is eco-friendly and you won’t rack up exorbitant electricity bills. There are four types of lighting you can choose from for your kitchen design:
Ambient Lighting: The primary source of light for your dream kitchen designs are ambient lights like chandeliers, pendant lights and recessed lightings.
Accent Lighting: Accent lighting can be considered the ‘icing on the cake’ to your well-designed kitchen, these include, wall sconces, floodlights, recessed lights, torchère lamps, or track lighting to accentuate your favourite elements.
Task Lighting: With task lighting, your working area is adequately lit so you can prepare meals safely, read recipes, and spot ingredients on your shelves. Some examples of task lighting are strip lights and puck lights.
Decorative Lighting: As the name suggests, decorative lighting helps enhance the aesthetic appeal of your kitchen. This type of lighting includes pendants, chandeliers, fairy lights and similar other decorative lights.
Do You Need An Appliance Garage In Your Dream Kitchen Design?
A kitchen will not function without the right equipment and appliances. To have a proper functional working space, you will need to include equipment and appliances that will last you for years to come. Some of these include a cooktop, refrigerator, a microwave and an oven. If you need other appliances like mixers and equipment like wine racks, then do build them into your dream kitchen design.
To make your life simpler, do ensure essential appliances are at arm’s length or maybe two, so you can easily multi-task. Additionally, you can also invest in an appliance garage, as seen in the image, or simply opt for a shelving unit that offers enough storage space for your kitchen appliances.
Designing a kitchen is never easy and as you see there are several things to factor into its interior design. Thinking through everything will save you from making costly mistakes. A kitchen designed with the right functional elements will make your kitchen a pleasure to work in. DesignCafe offers a wide range of kitchen designs for every taste and budget. Visit our nearest Experience Centre to find your million-dollar dream kitchen design today.
In the meantime, check out our other blogs on kitchen interiors: