HOW TO DESIGN A KITCHEN
How To Design A Kitchen
Designing a kitchen does not involve creating a single-dimensional space. Rather, your needs in the kitchen are forever evolving, which requires for the kitchen to also evolve as per your needs. Earlier, kitchens were just spaces where the women of the house prepared meals. But, now, kitchens have become a space where a family cooks, bonds and even entertains guests. So, while planning your kitchen, it is this evolving role that you need to keep in mind.
Here is a step-by-step checklist of how you should go about transforming your kitchen ideas into a functional kitchen that meets your desired aesthetic.
1. Create A Wish List
Before you decide on what you need to do, you need to know what you want to do. Create a wish list of things you would like to include in your dream kitchen. It can be anything – from the colour of the walls, to the pattern of the backsplash, to the appliances you want, to the exact shade of polish on the cabinetry – note it all down! Once you are done writing your dream list, go on to research the plausibility of your ideas – online, in magazines or by discussing them with a designer. This will help you fine tune your ideas and help create a concrete plan of how you wish to progress.
2. Place The Sink First
Often, while designing kitchens, most designers tend to zero in on the area where the sink will go and then design the kitchen around it. While you may feel that the kitchen island and your appliances will see more use since those are the places the actual cooking will happen, it goes without saying that you will probably end up spending most of your time at the sink. Consider placing the sink in front of a window or where it overlooks the room. Modern designers also place sinks on the kitchen island.
3. Consider How To Use Your Space
Kitchen planning is not just about creating a layout that will fit the space you have, but it is also about how you wish to use the space.
a. Kitchen Layout
As mentioned, today’s kitchens have transformed into a hub where families spend time together and even entertain. So, it is best to demarcate areas by purpose – the prep zone, the cooking zone, and the dining space, to ensure easy flow and minimal clashes.
b. Choosing Materials For Your Kitchen Design
Once you have a layout in mind, the most crucial element is to choose the right materials for your space. One of the key features of any material that you choose for your space is that it should be easy to clean – since kitchens witness a lot of splatters and stains. Another important aspect is durability. The materials should be able to withstand the weight of appliances and the heat in the kitchen area.
c. Kitchen Flooring
Choosing the right kitchen flooring is a very important aspect – from a functional, safety and aesthetic point of view. Explore your options, from classic hardwood to modern kitchen tiles, to create your dream kitchen. Here are some flooring choices you can opt for:
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles are manufactured by firing raw materials at high temperatures in the kiln, making them durable and sturdy. The tiles have low porosity and are easy to clean – making them a great choice for kitchen floors. Available in a wide variety of colours and designers, with porcelain tiles you can be sure you will definitely find a tile that works well with the colour and design scheme of your kitchen.
Wood Look Tiles
Wood floors impart a warm look to any space they are added to, but are a highly impractical material choice when it comes to kitchens. This is because not only is wood highly porous and susceptible to fungal and mould growth, but also due to the high maintenance they require. Wood look tiles, on the other hand, can give your space that warmth and character wood brings, in a convenient tile form.
Stone Look Tiles
Stone tiles can bring in the rusticity of natural stone, without the added maintenance. Available in a variety of stone designs, stone tiles are available in patterns such as marble, limestone, slate, and granite to name a few. The tiles lend a relaxing and warm vibe to the space and are ideal for people looking to create a warm and inviting space.
Encaustic Look Tiles
The powdery and subtle finish of encaustic (cement) tiles is quite desirable, but the maintenance of these tiles can put a dampener on best laid plans.
Cue in encaustic look tiles – tiles that provide you with the look of cement tiles, but in a convenient and durable tile form.
Designing a kitchen need not be a herculean task as many believe it to be. You need to understand your needs and wants and style your kitchen that marries them both in a functional, yet aesthetic way. Keep in mind that one should never choose looks over usability. That glossy floor tile may be the perfect fit, but glossy floor tiles can be a death trap when wet.
Everyone also needs to know how to keep their kitchen clean and organized. You may design the most beautiful kitchen, but if there are piles of dirty utensils in and around the sink and if the island is overflowing with unorganized grocery, crockery and miscellaneous items – your kitchen will just attract negative vibes (and insects!) Make sure you clean your kitchen often, organize your cabinets and shelves and throw out all the expired.