We are often asked what our top tips are when designing each room of the house. We are creating a series of posts with design tips for each space. This week's the turn of the kitchen. Although a kitchen might seem only a functional space, most of us spend lots of time in this room, especially if we have families and little ones. This room is the heart of the house for many homeowners and if you also like to entertain, this space needs to be able to fulfil all your needs.
Listed below are our top suggestions from knowledge, expertise, experience and client's feedback on previous designs.
Tip #1 - Empty Island
Islands increase counter space and offer additional storage. They add seating options with bar stools or dining chairs along one or more sides. Furthermore, it creates a defined space in an open concept home. We always recommend avoiding any appliances, hob or sink on them to prevent clutter and dirt. This also avoids having services running in the middle of the room and creates a clean surface to work and entertain guests.
Picture #1: Kitchen design in Chiswick. Project finished while our founder was a project architect at EMR Architecture.
Tip #2 - Avoid top cupboards
Upper Cabinets make the kitchen look smaller and removing all or part of them can help reduce the claustrophobic, heavy feeling some kitchens have. It also helps achieve a brighter feeling specially on the worktop. And the splashback becomes a protagonist and therefore can be a beautiful feature. Lastly, top cabinets are actually difficult to reach so if the rest of the storage is enough for your needs we recommend saving some money and putting it towards a better use.
Picture #2: Kitchen design in Hammersmith. Project finished while our founder was a project architect at EMR Architecture.
Tip #3 - Task Lighting
Lighting design is crucial in every room, but even more in the kitchen. Make sure to include directional lights, wall lights or hidden lights on the underside of the upper cabinets to light the worktop up.
Tip #4 - Smart Storage
Maximise the use of the space by using some of the options listed below:
Hide small appliances and tools inside a pantry cupboard
integrate pull-out bins
floor to ceiling storage
use internal drawers, inserts, peg organiser and specific dividers for different items
make use of the corner with sliding shelves
Build in Kitchen Island Storage
American style fridge
Create an Electronics Drawer to charge your devices
Attach a Spice Rack inside your pantry doors
Tip #5 - Drawers Vs Cupboards
Drawers are great for below waist level storage. They are easier to access and can see everything quicker. No one likes having to bend and search through a load of things to get to something at the back of a busy cupboard. This is the leading reason why we recommend swapping lower cupboards for drawers. They are also great for small item organisation, can have insert, pegs, and a number of options for storing different items appropriately. The only thing to consider is that they are not great for heavy items, and in that instance a cupboard would be a better choice.
Tip #6 - Cleaning
Always take cleaning into consideration. Some choices can make you love or hate your kitchen over time so practicality is a very important aspect to consider. Some of the things to pay attention to are:
finishes and finger prints for both worktops and cabinets.
undermounted sink
open shelves can be a statement and look pretty but try to minimise them
go up to the ceiling and don't leave gaps where dust and grease can set
tiles are easier to maintain and more durable than a wood floor for example
Tip #7 - Sockets
Calculate how many you need and plan for more. Count your small appliances and tools and provide enough for your needs. We always recommend having more than needed and think of convenient places to charge your devices too. The island or inside a drawer are good options.
Tip #8 - Fridge Position
Consider positioning the fridge away from the working area so when people need to get drinks or snacks they stay out of the prep area.
Tip #9 - Extractor Hood
Always install a extractor hood and make sure it's ducted to the outside through the roof or an external wall. They can seem ugly but nowadays there are lots of different designs and we can always find ways to hide it and make it look stylish.
Tip #10 - Underfloor Heating
There are two types of underfloor heating: dry (or electric) and wet (or hydronic). Both work very well and have similar outcomes, but the electric one is easier and quicker to install and more suitable if only renovating one room. The reasons why we recommend it in kitchens is because it is more efficient than radiators, energy saving, increases comfort since the heat is equally distributed, and it frees space to allow you more flexibility in the rest of the design.
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