As the hub of any home, kitchen design should be treated as an essential task. Here are a few general rules you should abide by when creating your dream kitchen design.
Make sure that appliance doors and regular doors don’t collide, as well as 36″-wide walkways.
1. Keep the space open and light
Kitchens are multipurpose spaces that should reflect how their owner plans on using it, yet it can be easy to make common design errors that leave your space looking outdated and disorganized. Luckily, there are some simple rules you can abide by to help create both beautiful and functional kitchen spaces.
Interior design for kitchens should focus on keeping spaces open and airy, which means avoiding dark colors or too much clutter. Instead, opt for more neutral color schemes and add pops of color with accent pieces.
One key rule when designing an open floor plan kitchen is making sure it is easily accessible, especially the cooking zone itself. You don’t want a pathway through the kitchen that is too narrow or dangerous; this also ensures your cooking zone doesn’t block your main pathway.
One of the most frequent kitchen design mistakes is neglecting to plan for a seating area. This step can make all the difference between creating an organized kitchen and an unruly mess; whether your plans include breakfast bars, dining nooks or separate tables for seating purposes – make sure that seating plans are integrated into them all!
Keep the kitchen’s workflow in mind as well. A work triangle is often recommended as an effective method for positioning sink, refrigerator and stove in such a way as to reduce distance between them – idealy a triangle should have legs no further apart than 26 feet apart.
2. Use natural materials
Implementing natural materials is one of the best ways to give your kitchen an elegant and modern aesthetic. However, it’s essential to think about their functionality as well as aesthetic value in terms of how these materials will look in your space – such as wood for countertops, cabinetry and flooring as it is durable, hygienic and can pair well with different finishes to create an eclectic aesthetic.
If you want a kitchen with an organic feel, natural stone and tile should be considered for use as they’re easy to keep clean while being resistant to harsh chemicals and adding warmth and coziness to any space. Plus, natural materials make great accessories like vases and rugs!
An excellent way to add natural elements into your kitchen is through plants, greenery and wood elements. By including these warm elements in the mix, they create an inviting space – perfect for family dinners and dinner parties alike! Incorporating these components can also reduce stress and anxiety from daily life in the kitchen; perfect for busy lives!
To create a more natural aesthetic in your kitchen, it’s essential that you maximize the amount of natural lighting. Install large windows or bi-fold doors if possible so that the light can penetrate throughout the space and really brighten up your room.
To further enliven your kitchen, using light neutral colors is recommended to add brightness and airiness. White, grey and soft brown hues such as these work great as they complement natural elements in the space.
3. Have plenty of storage space
Kitchens are functional spaces, which requires them to have plenty of storage options. From galley kitchens to large open-plan designs, cabinets and drawers are essential in keeping everything tidy in this area; finding an optimal balance can be tricky when working within tight confines.
One way to add additional storage without making your kitchen seem cluttered is using drawer dividers for items like silverware and utensils, helping keep them organized while also keeping them from becoming disorganized. Another simple storage solution involves installing rails in either your backsplash or lower cabinets for hanging tools like spoons, cutting boards and seasoning jars easily accessed during cooking or cleaning tasks.
Take an innovative approach to storage by opening up partition walls to create pass-through passageways or adding sliding doors to narrow passageways – both techniques will make your kitchen seem bigger and more spacious without compromising functionality.
Your kitchen can become more organized by taking advantage of decorative baskets and bins to store less-often used items like serving bowls or seasonal bakeware. Furthermore, consider making use of space above cabinets to store decorative items or greenery – this way your cabinets remain uncluttered!
Finally, to increase storage in your kitchen use freestanding shelving or island carts. These items can quickly be moved out of the way when cooking or eating and put back when it’s time for cleanup.
4. Make it easy to navigate
Your kitchen is one of the most frequently visited spaces in your home and should be comfortable, functional, and user-friendly. Here are a few rules developed over time by designers, carpenters, and cabinetmakers to make your kitchen easier to use; while these may not be official “standards”, they are nonetheless generally accepted best practices.
The kitchen work triangle is the foundation for any efficient kitchen. This strategy recommends placing your sink, refrigerator and stove close together in order to minimize walking between each area – and ensure you can move through without stopping or stopping to think. Each leg should not exceed 9 feet as this ensures smooth movement in and out of the room.
Maintaining an organized workspace requires keeping items that are used for similar tasks close together, for instance keeping coffee grounds and your mug near the coffee machine can save time when making your morning cup of joe. All utensils should also be close by the sink for easy access when cleaning up after cooking or eating, and keeping a small trashcan handy to dispose of trash as soon as it accumulates will also save time.
Finally, corner storage should be included in your kitchen design plan to avoid bumping into cabinets and appliances as you navigate your space. In addition, make sure that cabinets can open freely without interfering with each other or colliding.
5. Keep it clutter-free
To achieve both functionality and beauty in a kitchen space, it’s essential that it remains clutter-free. This means keeping counters and surfaces clear of clutter and placing items back when done using them – this will keep the area looking its best while saving time when cooking or cleaning and making navigation simpler – plus making finding what you need much simpler!
One way to keep your kitchen clutter-free is to set aside specific areas for different items, such as paper towels and cooking supplies. Internal organisers or labelling cupboards will make finding things much simpler; magnetic knife strips on walls free up counter space while bins for utensils can also help. Another effective strategy for keeping clutter away in your kitchen is only placing items out when they will actually be used; otherwise they’ll just become part of an ever-increasing pile on countertops or surfaces and can lead to an untidy situation!
Be sure to include a fire extinguisher in your kitchen and test it regularly, in order to protect you and your family against fires, burns and accidents. This will provide additional peace of mind.
Though these rules might seem obvious, they’re often disregarded. When designing or upgrading an existing kitchen, keep these tips in mind; you’ll be glad you did! For even more inspiration check out our interior design gallery.
