Your kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home. Getting it right the first time is important when you are planning on renovating or fitting a brand new one. Here is a list of everything you need to know and consider when choosing a kitchen for your home.
1. Purpose
This might seem obvious because the main purpose of a kitchen is meal preparation. However, some people will use their kitchen for more than just cooking. Dining, entertaining and even working are all activities that can be carried out in your kitchen depending on how big it is.
Before you choose a kitchen, examine your lifestyle and be honest with yourself. Are you big on cooking? If yes, then you may want to go for a chef style kitchen with all the bells and whistles. Are you more of a takeaway person and don’t spend much time cooking? Then you won’t need to spend big on cooking appliances. Keep it simple and splurge on areas in the kitchen that will serve you more.
2. Colours
Deciding on which colours to pick for your kitchen can be a headache at times. My rule of thumb is whenever you are not sure, go with the classic colours such as whites or greys. Picking a colour that is popular at one time might mean a dated kitchen in a few years. This leads to dissatisfaction which in turn leads to you spending more money to bring your kitchen back up to date. Where you can, go for timeless colours that will stand the test of time. Timeless colours can also include blues and ivory.
3. Finishes
Kitchen finishes can make or break your entire design. There are several finishes to choose from but the spec or standard you go for will depend on your budget. Finishes are determined by the type of cabinetry you go for, the colours you select and the hardware you want for your kitchen. Your countertops will also be one of the major decisions you will have to make when choosing your kitchen. Go for materials like granite, quartz, glass or concrete for durability. Other finishes you can use include wood, corian and laminate.
4. Style
You need to decide on what style kitchen you will be going for and if it will fit in with the rest of the house. Ideally if you have a modern interior theme, you want to go for a modern or contemporary style kitchen so it ties in with the rest of the house. Creating a seamless theme throughout your house is key and this should be considered when shopping for a kitchen.
5. Budget
Having a budget in place for your kitchen will help narrow down your choices. This will make shopping for a kitchen easier as your suppliers can show you the options available within you set budget. Allow a little room for movement within your budget but have a strict maximum spend. I say this because there may be things you wouldn’t have considered that you might need for your kitchen that may mean you go a little bit over your budget. The take home here is to at least have a rough idea of how much you want to spend.
6. Maintenance
Whichever finishes you go for in your kitchen, make sure you do some research on how easy they are to maintain. Most people want finishes that are hassle-free, easy to clean and maintain but only realise this when it’s too late. If you are thinking of using marble for example, before you fully commit to it, do some research on how to care for and maintain it. If the process doesn’t suit your lifestyle or you feel like it’s too much hassle, then it won’t be too late to change your mind. Always, I repeat, always find out how you maintain kitchen finishes before they are installed.
7. Future proof
Future proofing when choosing your kitchen means going for a design that won’t age quick. Certain colours and finishes may be trending when you decide to install a new kitchen but choose wisely. Although interior trends last longer than fashion trends, you want to be sure what you go for a design that will still look great and relevant in many years to come. Factors you should consider to ensure your kitchen doesn’t date quickly are colours, finishes and hardware.
8. Kitchen appliances
Kitchen appliances are usually an added cost to your kitchen design. Ensure you include an allowance for these in your budget. Be sure to think about which appliances you want to go for in terms of brands, colours and type. Do you want freestanding or integrated appliances? You kitchen supplier will be able to run you through some options for you to think about. Kitchen appliances do not have to match. In terms of brands, you can mix and match but choose similar colours such as stainless steel, white or grey for a uniform look.
9. Lighting
Lighting in a kitchen is very important and planning for this is essential when choosing a kitchen. You will need adequate lighting in your kitchen for various tasks such as cooking, chopping, eating and general lighting. Work with a lighting designer to consider the different types of lighting you will need. Task lighting over kitchen counters will help you see better when you are performing tasks such as chopping, mixing etc. Lighting in cabinets is decorative and serves a purpose at the same time.
Doing up your kitchen is fun and exciting. Ensuring you plan it right and ask all the right questions before you embark on your kitchen project will mean less chances of disappointment. If you need more advice on things to consider for your new kitchen get in touch with me at my design studio and we can come up with some ideas together. If you enjoyed reading this article, please leave a comment below and see my other interior design posts and tips here.
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