Planning a Kitchen – The Importance of Good Design

You may have heard the saying that the kitchen is the heart of the home, and it’s true. Research has shown that we spend more time in our kitchens than we do in any other room in our home. In the past, kitchens were solely used for cooking purposes, but this is no longer the case. We now use these rooms for a variety of reasons, including cooking, cleaning, making plans, gossiping and socializing etc. This means that good design in a kitchen is even more important than ever before. If you want to know more about the importance of good design in kitchens then keep reading below:

1.     A Well-Designed Kitchen Has Plenty of Space

Before you choose a kitchen for your home, you need to work out what you need the space for. For example, if you want to be able to have family meals in the kitchen, then you will need to take this into account. You could consider including an open space for a table or you could choose to install a kitchen island. Whatever you choose, you need to make sure that you will still have enough room to move around once they’re installed. If you only plan on using your kitchen for cooking, then the design can be orientated around this. A well-designed kitchen should fit your needs perfectly.

If you need some help with planning your kitchen renovation, then contact Kitchen Capital. This site can help with renovations of all shapes and sizes. Their kitchen designers will spend time getting to know you, your ideas, your style and your color schemes. This well-established company specializes in designing kitchens for new homes and renovations.

2.     A Well-Designed Kitchen Can Save You Time

Anyone who cooks regularly will tell you that a well-organized cooking area can make your job much easier and quicker. When planning a kitchen, you will need to take into account things like:

• The storage options
• Where your appliances will go
• The amount of countertop space you have available
• Where your bins will be located
• Where to place your sink and the types of kitchen tapware to install
• What gadgets you want installed

A well-planned kitchen can help streamline the cooking process. At the end of the day, when it comes to cooking, efficiency is key. No-one wants to unnecessarily waste their spare time cooking when they could be spending this time relaxing or enjoying themselves.

3.     Storage Can Be Built In

There’s nothing worse than having a kitchen installed, only to find out you don’t have enough storage. Storage is one of the main components you will need to consider when designing a kitchen. Some of the things that might be considered during the planning process include:

• Cabinet storage
• Storage for utensils
• Storage for tableware
• A built-in lazy Susan – this can make finding the right pots and pans much easier
• A walk-in pantry – this is a convenient storage space for dried goods such as rice and pasta

Planning your storage options in advance will stop you from running out of storage in the future.

4.     Lighting is More Important Than You’d Think

Lots of us overlook the lighting options in our kitchens, but lighting is a key element of good kitchen design. Here are some lighting options you should consider when creating your plan:

• Pendant lights – over the last few years, these have grown in popularity. Not only are they a brilliant source of task lighting, but they are also a point of visual interest, especially when hung over a dining table or central island.
• Under unit lighting – task lighting under units can help to illuminate the worktop surface.
• Candelabra – these are often hung over a dining table

Accidents are more likely to occur in a poorly lit kitchen, so getting the lighting right is extremely important. Not only that, but a well-lit room is more likely to be appealing and more inviting than a dark and dismal room.

5.     A Well-Designed Kitchen Is Good for Your Mind, Body and Soul

The design of your kitchen is often a mirror of your lifestyle and taste. Not only is the kitchen the heart of the home and the place we prepare food, but it is also the place where we can relax and unwind. Research has shown that living in a home that meets your needs and tastes is good for your mind, body and soul.

6.     You Can Make It into a Multipurpose Room

Using different rooms for different purposes is so outdated. These days, the majority of people want their kitchen to be a family-hub where everyone can gather for meals, but still have enough space to do their own thing too.

Depending on the size of your kitchen, you may want to combine preparation and cooking areas with dining areas and living zones. Even if your kitchen isn’t huge, having an area in the kitchen where you can enjoy a meal or a glass of wine with friends will allow you to continue being part of the conversation even if you’re washing the dishes or preparing food.

7.     A Good Design Can Improve Safety

Bathrooms and kitchens are the most hazardous rooms in the home. Grease, falls, spoiled liquids and fires are just a few of the safety issues that you need to keep in mind when planning a kitchen.

Aside from following the rules and guidance, the majority of safety rules are based on common sense. Here are some things that a good design should take into account:

• Stoves or ranges should not be put next to a door or under a window.range hoods
• Ovens, fridges and freezers should not be placed next to one another
• Refrigerators should not be placed in the corner of a room
• Stoves should not be located near the sink
• You should consider having a fire blanket nearby
• For safety, remember the kitchen work triangle - this will help to minimize
• traffic encounters while cooking
• Consider installing non-slip flooring
• Pay attention to kitchen lighting (as mentioned above)

Research has shown that accidents are less likely to occur in a well-designed kitchen.

8.     A Well-Designed Kitchen Can Increase the Value of Your Home

The quality and design of the kitchen you install in your home can have an impact on the re-sale value of your propertyInvesting in a high-quality and well-designed kitchen will not only make your life easier, but you can also expect to get a better price for your home should you wish to sell it in the future. In fact, a new kitchen is listed as one of the top renovations in terms of the ROI.

No matter which part of the home you’re re-decorating, it’s crucial that you pay attention to good design principles. Creating a good design strategy is even more important in kitchen design. The kitchen is now the most important room in the home. In the past, kitchens were simply a place to prepare and eat food, but in modern times the kitchen is the heart of the family home. Our kitchens will often act as a social area, cooking area and a dining room as well as a general living space. This is why good design is so important when planning a kitchen.