7 simple steps to creating your dream kitchen
The kitchen truly is the heart of the home.
We often say this, however it doesn’t make it any less genuine. It is true both metaphorically – family members spend a lot of time in the kitchen with many memories made here – and literally – a kitchen is more often than not located at the centre of a home’s design.
So what does it take to build a dream kitchen? Our 7 simple steps can help you determine your favourite style, the ideal layout and the key components you need to consider when it comes to kitchen design.
What is your style?
Choosing a style or theme for your kitchen is the first step towards creating your dream kitchen. A cohesive look is important not just for the kitchen, but for the rest of the home too, especially if you have an open-plan design. Whether it be modern, elegant, country or something a little bit different, make sure you have a style in mind or you could end up with a chaotic mess. Check out some kitchen inspiration here.
Build your foundation
The anchor of the kitchen lies in the cabinetry which takes up a good portion. You’ll want to consider just how much storage space you will need, and whether you intend to hide away appliances like your toaster (clutter is a killer for good interior design!). Natural wood, a painted finish, gloss or matte, cabinet choices are endless. Think carefully about the style choice you select and how the cabinets will complement it.
Work in the benchtops
Benchtops are the next big ticket item in the kitchen. Highly visible, there is a huge range of choice available these days from natural stone to laminate for a cheaper – yet just as lovely – option. The question you need to consider when choosing a colour is whether you want your eyes drawn to the cabinetry or the benchtop first. Choose a similar colour for a seamless look or something different for a bolder and more eye-catching approach. Ensure you have plenty of bench space to cook and prepare your meals too!
The feature splashback
After the benchtop it is time to choose your splashback. Contemporary homes tend to use a glass splashback. Paint is applied to the back of the glass, leaving the colour well protected and the surface smooth, shiny and easy to clean. You could also consider a window to enhance natural lighting. For a more traditional style, tiles remain popular. No longer are you stuck with plain square tiles either, with more and more shapes available every day. Tiles can be made to imitate natural materials like wood, concrete and marble, meaning it is easier than ever to create a look you love. Read more about splashback options here.
Prominence for your must-have items
Make a list of the most important items or appliances for your dream kitchen, and prioritise them. Whether it is a dishwasher, an extra space for a large fridge or a butler’s pantry with a sink, now is your chance to include them all!
Consider the kitchen work triangle
Closely related to your must-have items is the kitchen work triangle. The kitchen work triangle is a concept used to create the ideal functional layout for your dream kitchen. The main tasks completed in the kitchen are using your stove, sink and fridge, creating a kitchen ‘triangle’. Having these three features close (but not too close) to one another creates the ideal cooking environment. Think carefully about how you use your kitchen and what the ideal layout could be to maximise time and space.
Proportion and scale
Open-plan living is a beautiful thing, however it also means the line becomes blurred between kitchen, living and dining spaces. Properly scaled furniture creates more defined spaces and helps a room ‘feel right’. Ensure your benchtop is at an appropriate height, and your bar chairs need to fit comfortably under it. Your dining chairs need to sit approximately 25-30cm lower than the table. The table itself should be large enough to seat your family, but still have enough space around it to pull each chair all the way out.
What do you think of our list? Is there something we missed when creating a dream kitchen? Let us know in the comments!
