Previously, cooking areas used to be tucked away. However, these days, they are places where we spend a significant amount of time. We need kitchens that not only provide the preparation and cooking facilities that are appropriate for all of the occupants in a household, but they also have to be stylish spaces that we want to spend time in.
Because they are frequently a zone in an open-plan kitchen, living space, and dining area, the kitchen’s decor must complement the unwinding and dining spaces.
In order to have your kitchen building go as smoothly as possible, you must prepare ahead of time. Whether doing it yourself or hiring a professional, you can follow this advice.
Here is some essential advice when constructing a kitchen.
Install the dishwasher and sink closer to one another
Place your dishwasher within an arm’s length of your kitchen sink. This will help you avoid spilling water, grease, food, and soap on the floor when cooking. After rinsing your dishes, you may quickly and effortlessly place them in the dishwasher. Moving dirty plates around the kitchen will rapidly become a nuisance that will ruin your day.
Position the trash can in an easily accessible location
The trash can is not only ideal for every station in the kitchen, but it is also often the only one in the whole house. You should place the trash can in a spot where it is easy to get to from the kitchen and the rest of your home (refrigerator, cooking station, sink, stove). It’s best to place a compost bin near food preparation spaces, and an island near the kitchen’s entrance is an ideal site for this purpose.
Obtaining the appropriate material
Rearranging your kitchen is a significant financial investment, so you’ll want something that will last. You should think about the type of material you want for the cabinets and furnishings—will you go with oak, maple, or coated plywood?
Remember the counter space. In addition to traditional marble and granite, you can use quartz and composite materials like countertops. For example, quartz is harder and less likely to scratch or chip than other forms of stone. It does not require polishing or sealing on an annual basis, as is the case with other stone types. Research is essential in anything—look at a number of different offerings before making a decision.
Electrical outlet placement should make sense
Have you ever worked in a kitchen with only a few electrical outlets? Cooking might become challenging if you are not ready. When building your kitchen, take into consideration the location and number of electrical outlets. If you have a large number of small kitchen appliances, you might want to consider installing a dedicated cabinet with outlets specifically for them. Sockets that are hidden beneath cabinets are also becoming increasingly common. They make it possible to have a continuous backsplash while being concealed from view.
Make sure there is enough space between the counters
A compact kitchen is not only uncomfortable to be in, but it is also difficult to operate in. Custom house contractors recommend leaving at least one meter between countertop surfaces. This gives you adequate room to open cupboards and drawers without straining your back. If at all feasible, aim for 1.2 meters. This will allow you to walk around an open stove or dishwasher without worrying about bumping into the appliance.
Storage
A proper amount of storage space is one of the most critical features of any kitchen. Make sure to include lots of shelves, drawers, and cupboards in your kitchen design. You will be able to store all of your cookware and other kitchen appliances.
Consider also building a pantry or other dedicated storage space for food items. If you want to make the most of your space, sliding shelves are a fantastic choice.
The practice of designing a pantry with a few basic shelves and calling it a day has become so widespread. Never overlook the importance of the smallest things while constructing a custom home. A well-organized and functional pantry will save you both time and space. Consider incorporating customized baskets, pull-out, and spice shelves into your design.
Organization
Keeping a kitchen organized is one of any cook’s most difficult tasks. Consider including plenty of storage space as well as locations for organizing your dishes, cookware, and other cooking materials in the design of your new kitchen space.
Use hooks or baskets to keep things organized and make finding the things you need easy.
Avoid cramming in too many elements
There will be a limit to the number of distinct elements you can incorporate into your new kitchen. This will depend on how much space you have available. The temptation to incorporate as many different pieces as possible is strong. But trying to make your way around a cramped kitchen is not a pleasant experience. You should remember that while building your new kitchen, you should consider functionality and aesthetics. You should not feel confined when preparing or cooking meals in your new kitchen. The need for space is undeniable, and it is possible to achieve this in kitchens of various sizes.
Take into consideration the working triangle
You’ve most likely heard of the working triangle at some point. It would be best if you positioned your kitchen appliances in a triangle. This will allow you to easily reach your fridge, sink, and stove, which is something to remember when making decisions. Neither of these areas should be too far apart, nor should they be too close together!
When planning your new kitchen, don’t forget to consider your appliances. Consider selecting appliances that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Consider the ones that can complement the overall style of the area.
Take into consideration the acquisition of energy-efficient appliances. These will save you money, ultimately, by reducing your carbon footprint. If you don’t have a lot of space, think about buying appliances that can do a lot of things.
The height of your cabinets will have an impact on your entire appearance
Cabinet height is a topic that has divided opinions. It all boils down to personal preference in the end. Cabinets that extend to the ceiling can make a space appear taller. But keep in mind that it may be difficult to reach the tops of these cabinets. Alternatively, some people choose to leave space as a decorative shelf, which can accumulate grease and dust. Smaller cabinets on top of the conventional ones, which you can use to store seasonal or infrequently used items, can be a nice compromise.
Plan lighting accordingly
The importance of lighting in a kitchen cannot be overstated. There should be sufficient light to make cooking a simple task. Under-cabinet lighting is getting increasingly popular, so it’s something to keep in mind. Consider where the light’s shadows will fall and where the light will fall. When you’re chopping wood in the dark, there’s nothing more frustrating. Custom house builders recommend that you install dimmers on the primary lights in the kitchen as well as the overhead lights. You will be able to modify the lighting from brilliant for a morning wake-up to beautiful low for a party ambiance in this manner.
Decor
When it comes to your kitchen, the decor is equally as important as the layout and materials used. Ensure that the finishes and colors you choose are aesthetically pleasing and match the rest of your house.
You can also incorporate personal touches, such as a decorative or distinctive backsplash, wallpaper, or tiles, into the design.
Design and style are crucial considerations
The advantage of building a custom house is that you may choose any design and style you want. You should consider these two factors: aging and resale value. Sure, your loved ones may never use an oven or a microwave. But if you ever decide to sell, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a buyer who will pay the full asking price for your home if it doesn’t have those features. In addition, a timeless design is always the best. It is not necessary to renovate your kitchen every five years, even if you intend to live in this house for the rest of your life.
Tips:
- Check to see if the kitchen flooring is moisture, slip, and stain-resistant before installing it.
- Look at your kitchen’s electrical and plumbing systems to ensure they can handle all of your needs.
- Only include special features if you intend to make use of them (like pot filler, ice maker, or wine refrigerator). Adding them without consideration can potentially result in you having a worse headache in the long run.
- Consider how people will interact with your kitchen while they aren’t in the kitchen preparing meals. Is there enough space for spending time, eating, or entertainment with family and friends?
- Make a list of everything you use in the kitchen and designate a space for it (from dishcloths to a slow cooker)
- Select styles and materials that are both functional and a breeze to clean.
- Though not quite necessary, ovens and double sinks are excellent selling features.
Conclusion
Appliances should not be the focal point when it comes to kitchen design. Instead, concentrate on any of these aspects, and you may create an incredible kitchen with a more customized feel! Consult with your designer or a builder if you aren’t sure what you want. This is because function must always take precedence over anything else. However, there are far more options available than you may think.