Designing your dream kitchen is not as easy as it sounds. In fact, it is one of the most difficult places to design in any home. A kitchen is often the heart of a home.
When designing a kitchen, it’s not enough to simply choose your favorite countertop material or kitchen appliances. You need to design a functional space that you can use and enjoy for years to come. The room’s layout, your storage requirements, how you use the space, and your personal tastes can affect many of your design decisions. Let us look at the most important things you need to consider when designing a modern kitchen.
Set Up a Budget Early On
Designing or remodeling a kitchen is usually an expensive project to undertake. And there are so many things to consider like the kitchen work triangle layout, lighting, flooring, cabinetry and countertop materials, and interior design style. Considering all these factors, the cost of a kitchen can be astronomical. It is always best to set up a budget in the beginning and stick to it as much as possible. Also, it helps if you choose cabinetry, countertops, and flooring materials early on to avoid going over your budget.
Draw Up a Kitchen Layout
Planning the kitchen layout is the most essential part of kitchen design. The ideal kitchen layout creates a functional workspace with ample storage and enough space for family gatherings. An efficient kitchen layout is usually designed in a work triangle concept with a cooktop or stove, sink, and refrigerator as its endpoints. It ensures that the three points of the work triangle are easily accessible to each other.
Nowadays, you can create a perfect kitchen layout yourself with 3D kitchen design platforms offered on many online sites. However, it is always better to hire a professional designer for well-planned and seamless kitchen interiors.
Cabinetry and Countertop Materials
A well-planned kitchen cabinetry design can make the space functional and increase storage options. The cabinetry material and finishes can affect the look of your kitchen. Consider whether you want to include a pantry, kitchen island, breakfast nook or bar for extra storage and seating. Also, always consider the durability, look, and maintenance of the material before you choose. The kitchen countertop is the main workspace and thus should be functional yet attractive. While granite, slate, and marble are durable and beautiful options for countertops, they can be quite expensive. Other options are stone, quartz, tiles, and laminate countertops.
Kitchen Hardware and Fixtures
Kitchen hardware and fixtures are often overlooked in the design process. However, they play an important role in defining the look of your space. This is where you can bring in your preferences and give your kitchen a personal touch. The hardware, fixtures, and utensils can bring colorful accents to the decor. The various hardware designs and finishes like chrome, nickel, brass, etc. can bring elegance and luxury to a simple decor. Fixtures and fittings like the sink, faucet, etc. can also make an impression. The proper use of these hardware and fixtures can truly transform the look of any kitchen design.
Proper Lighting in the Kitchen
Proper lighting is essential for a functional kitchen. A well-designed kitchen has layers of lighting called general, task, and ambient lights. While general and task lights are important to light up a kitchen properly, ambient lights bring style and elegance to your decor. Go for recessed lighting and add task lights wherever needed like over the sink, under cabinets, etc. You can use stylish chandeliers and pendant lights on kitchen islands for ambiance.
Designing a kitchen involves a lot of patience and hard work. However, with a proper plan and these useful tips, the process becomes much easier and more fun.