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Kitchen

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It may seem like a cliche but the kitchen really is the heart of the home. As well as being a food preparation area, it is also a place for entertaining and for the family to congregate so it is essential to get the right kitchen for your needs. A poorly designed kitchen will cause no end of frustration so taking the time to talk to professionals and sort out your requirements will ensure that you get the best kitchen possible.

Designing your Kitchen

This may end up being a long process, but taking the time to get things right here will ensure that there are no problems in the future. The first thing to consider when planning for your new kitchen is what you will use it for, whether it be primarily for cooking for your family or for entertainment. If you plan to entertain, how often will you do so, how many people will you be cooking for and will it be formal or informal? All of these influence how much space you will need, both to work and for storage.

If you are renovating your kitchen, identify existing trouble spots and see how these can be rectified. Working with a professional kitchen designer or other professional such as an architect, building designer or interior designer will be invaluable here, and throughout all parts of the design process. If you do not like the placement of existing plumbing and electrics, keep in mind that it may not be as expensive as you think to relocate these. A plumber or electrician’s advice will be needed before making any decisions. However, any kitchen should have the following basics: ample working and storage space, good lighting, reliable appliances, and plenty of power points (for all those small kitchen appliances!)

The most important thing in the kitchen is the “work triangle”, which is made up of the sink, the cooktop and the refrigerator. For maximum safety and efficiency the total space between the elements of the triangle should be no more than 7-10 metres with 7 metres being ideal. The kitchen sink should also be placed in an area with plenty of natural light and in an area convenient to you.

Nothing is more frustrating in a kitchen than a lack of storage space. Ensure that your kitchen design maximises storage space, and that cupboards and drawers are well placed. If you plan to have overhead cupboards, they should be easy to reach. Corner cupboards are unavoidable in many types of kitchens, so to maximise the amount of storage space in them, consider installing such things as lazy susans, bi-fold doors or dual-access doors. Drawers should be wide and deep wherever possible so that appliances, cooking utensils, pots and pans or even food items can be stored. Pantries should have narrow shelves at be at least 900mm wide. Pull out shelves are an option for pantries. Also ensure that the bench space is sufficient to serve meals, prepare food, and that there is also a designated space for hot items.

Lighting is another important consideration when designing a kitchen. Natural light is a priority and should be maximised wherever possible but if artificial lighting is required, it should be sufficiently bright and able to light up the main working areas. Shadowing should be avoided.

Types of Kitchens

There are several different types of kitchens from U-shaped to island kitchens. Following is a brief overview of each type.

1. U-shaped kitchen – this style of kitchen is suitable for small or large kitchens and is the safest design in that it stops members of the household from walking through the potentially dangerous work triangle. It also offers optimal bench and storage space. If seating is at a premium in your home, you can also use one of the “legs” of the U as a breakfast bar or eating area.
   
   
2. L-shaped kitchen – this kitchen style is great for narrow, long or open-plan rooms and still provides a good amount of storage and workspace. It is also easy to reach all of the main working areas.
   
   
3. Single-line kitchen – use this kitchen in small spaces. This style of kitchen has appliances placed underneath the countertop for maximum workspace and storage cabinets are usually placed overhead.
   
   
4. Two-way Galley - this style of kitchen minimises the amount of movement as cupboards and workspaces are located in front of and behind you. However, for safety reasons, ensure that the space between the two sides is wide enough for people to navigate around you.
   
   
5. Island kitchen – this is any style of kitchen with a separate workbench included. This is useful if more than one person is cooking at a time and works best in larger areas, so that traffic flow is not impeded.

Kitchen Materials

Kitchens can be constructed from a wide variety of materials including timber, stainless steel, stone such as granite or marble, tiles, laminate and glass. Here is a brief run down of each material:

1. Timber – is stylish and durable but if used as a countertop, it is prone to scratches and burn marks and can be unhygienic if meat or poultry is prepared on it. However, it is a great option for cupboards and drawers.
   
   
2. Stainless Steel – is a very modern look and also hygienic. It can be hard to keep clean.
   
   
3. Stone – granite, marble and other stone is a very classy material that will not scratch, burn or otherwise mark. It is expensive but it will last for a long time.
   
   
4. Tiles – are great for splashbacks and other accents but if used as a countertop, the grouting may prove to be unhygienic. Tiles come in a great range of colours and finishes and can be very inexpensive.
   
   
5. Laminate – can be used practically anywhere in the kitchen – for countertops, cupboards and doors. The wide range of finishes available means it will suit any kitchen design but it is not as hardwearing as some other materials.
   
   
6. Glass – in the kitchen, glass is used primarily for shelving and splashbacks. It provides a modern look and is hard wearing if properly reinforced but it can show dirt easily.

Safety Issues

As well as looking good and being practical, it is vital that the kitchen is as safe as possible. Make sure that there is sufficient room for you to maneouvre with hot dishes and that the risk of people colliding with you is minimised. Cupboard and drawer handles should be fitted vertically rather than horizontally, so that small children are not tempted to use handles as a ladder. Ergonomics also play a part in the kitchen. Consider using a refrigerator with the freezer in the bottom so that you are not constantly bending to get food. Different bench heights can also help save unnecessary bending. Hotplates should be lower than the food preparation area and the sink should be higher.

Selecting Professionals

As building a new kitchen is a major project, it is important that you are happy with all the professionals that are working with you on the project, whether they are kitchen designers, builders, electricians or plumbers. If you are hiring a firm to oversee the project for you, check if they coordinate all of the tradespeople required to complete the project.

If you are employing a kitchen building or design firm, you should get an initial consultation, after which you should receive detailed plans of your new kitchens along with an estimate of the cost and the time needed to complete the project. The professional should also be able to help you with choosing materials, colours, appliances, and other aspects of the kitchen.

A good professional will inspect your kitchen before any renovation to ensure that there are no significant problems. They should also be fully insured, qualified and able to show you references from previous projects. However, you should still check all paperwork thoroughly before any work commences and ensure that a system is in place so that changes to the original plan cannot be made without your express permission.