The kitchen is a fundamental part of the house, and designing it is extremely subjective. From storage space to kitchen tiles, everything needs careful planning and consideration before starting the design process, and neglecting even one may have lasting consequences. A thoughtful home kitchen design includes modern kitchen cabinets and furniture that fulfills all your expectations.
Designing a kitchen that is both beautiful and highly functional is an exciting yet stressful job. The kitchen layout is the first and most important step in the modern kitchen design process. Hence, the perfect layout solely depends on your lifestyle, working patterns, and tastes. Once you finalize the layout, you can go ahead and choose the cabinetry.
You may want to incorporate a lot of new features, such as mixed-material cabinetry, different countertop finishes, etc., into your new kitchen, and maintaining a wishlist is the most suitable way to keep track. Start listing by analyzing what works for you in your existing kitchen and what does not.
After finalizing all your kitchen components, the next vital thing is to fit everything into your kitchen space. For this, you need accurate measurements of the kitchen size, cabinetry, appliances, etc. Proper measurements ensure a comfortable fit of the island, enough floor space, and countertop space. A good kitchen layout and adequate storage units will fail to serve their purpose if they lack accurate measurements.
In this article, we have enlisted some tips about how to design your perfect kitchen, keeping in mind the latest and modern kitchen trends. The more you see, the more you will get an idea of the various designs and styles you may prefer in your home kitchen. So, if you are planning to renovate your old kitchen or design a brand new one, stick with this article till the end.
If you want to buy top-quality modular kitchens, accessories, and appliances from the best brands, click on the link given below to check your options and submit your inquiries: For more details, contact below: Email: mukul.jain@buildingandinteriors.com Mobile: +91 99676 32127 |
Tips for designing a perfect kitchen
Designing a kitchen is an ever-evolving process. So, here are some tips that will help you explore all your personal kitchen aesthetics and smallest accents to create an elegant and fully-functional kitchen area:
Plan the layout
Image Source: Wellborn Cabinet
The layout of the kitchen is the first thing to consider when it comes to designing a kitchen. It should be designed perfectly to fit the kitchen space and your lifestyle. You can have a U-shaped, L-shaped, parallel, or straight kitchen, as per your kitchen shape. The kitchen layout is also very crucial in planning the space between the work triangle.
SHAPE | SPACE |
L-shaped Kitchen | Square-shaped or rectangular-shaped kitchens |
U-shaped Kitchen | Both small and large kitchens |
Parallel Kitchen | Narrow kitchens |
Straight Kitchen | Small kitchens |
Make proper use of lighting
Image Source: R&D Marble
Modern and versatile kitchen lighting sets the mood and uplifts the overall design and aesthetics of a kitchen. You can install spotlight task lighting for preparing meals; pendant lights for mood lighting in the dining area; and LED accent lighting to flaunt your crockery. Cove lights and chandeliers help to balance the ambiance, whereas strip lights fitted below the cabinetry are useful for downlighting. The lighting scheme should be planned early in the design process as it binds together all the kitchen interiors.
Decide on the cabinetry and kitchen style
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The cabinetry and kitchen style should align with the practicalities of your kitchen and complement the architectural features of your home, without clashing with each other. You can design your home kitchen by incorporating a traditional, contemporary, or freestanding cabinet style into your modern or period home. The perfect kitchen style highlights the look and feel of your kitchen area with a lot of personality and coziness.
Pay attention to cabinet accessories
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Cabinet accessories aid diverse cooking styles and create smart storage functions. They also provide efficient organization, convenience, and uncluttered kitchen space. To optimize every inch of your kitchen, you can use pull-out baskets, corner units, tall units, cutlery organizers, etc. Hence, efficient furniture accessories should always be preferred over an attractive kitchen design.
Pick the perfect material and hardware finish
Image Source: KIN by Mowlem
The kitchen furniture units’ material and hardware finish have the ability to make or break the entire design of the space. You can choose hardwood or plywood for a traditional style kitchen, and fibreboards or slab tiles to design a chic minimalist look. Engineered wood is the best and the cheapest material to design modern kitchen cabinets and furniture for your home. On the other hand, go for hardware finishes, such as polished brass, antique brass, satin nickel, chrome, and matte black, as per your kitchen style. Both material and hardware finishes are very crucial to maintaining the longevity of the kitchen area.
Focus on the ‘kitchen-triangle’ concept
Image Source: The Home Depot
The ‘kitchen-triangle’ concept refers to the strategic placement of the sink, refrigerator, and stove in the form of a triangle, for easy access. A triangle arrangement between these three key items works best since they are the most used in the kitchen. Your kitchen triangle should not be more than 25 feet and less than 10 feet in length. So, always consider this concept during the design process to plan the preparation and cooking space, and make the overall experience in your home kitchen efficient.
Consider your kitchen size and space
Image Source: Bob Vila
The kitchen’s size and space are the most important aspects when designing a kitchen. The layout, configuration, and design of the kitchen cabinets or furniture depend on both kitchen size and space. For instance, you can have a huge cabinetry unit if your kitchen area permits, or a thoroughly optimized unit for small kitchen spaces. So, you need to understand the size and space thoroughly to have a steady workflow in your kitchen area.
Look for proper appliances
Image Source: ReVision Design/ Remodeling
All modern kitchen designs are planned to get filled with huge kitchen appliances, for accomplishing different functions. These appliances include built-in ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, etc. Hence, choose all your appliances before installing the cabinet units to avoid a protruding refrigerator or an oven, which could disrupt the overall workflow.
Don’t forget your pocket
Image Source: Laurysen Kitchens
Kitchens are expensive, and the overall cost depends on the size and type of elements you want to incorporate. It can get more expensive if you don’t plan it wisely and forget your budget. Don’t spend more than 10% of the value of your home on the kitchen design process, and leave 10% of that budget for unexpected expenses. You can also ask for price quotes from potential kitchen renovators to get the best price possible.
Place the island correctly
Image Source: DIY Homefit
The kitchen island is a statement addition if you have enough space in your open-plan kitchen. It can be used as a cooktop, to place the sink, or as a prep surface. It is extremely versatile in functionality, so consider how you want to use the island before deciding on a design. When placing the island, allow at least 1 meter of space around it, or more if you want a wide walkway or seating around the island.
Keep the kitchen space decluttered
Image Source: Martha Stewart
The kitchen area should be kept decluttered at all times to avoid chaos in the kitchen. To clear the clutter, you can have floor-to-ceiling units, toe-kick drawers, or wall-mounted pegboards to store extra utensils or cutlery. You can also have enough horizontal surface area in the kitchen by adding an island or a breakfast bar. Also, you can integrate a full-sized dining spot with a drop-leaf table design that can be folded into a narrow sideboard and swap an electric kettle for a hot water tap.
Prioritize accessibility
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Accessibility is a critical factor while working in the kitchen. To achieve maximum accessibility, always plan your traffic flow to ensure maximum room to maneuver. You can also set up pantry units near your workstation and organize all your frequently used items within arm’s reach. A kitchenwill soon lose its value if all the essentials can’t be accessed easily.
Plan for a pantry
Image Source: MainStreet Design Build
A pantry is an ideal addition to store groceries, cans, and jars to maximize storage efficiency. It also aids in food preparation by storing all your perishables in one place. If you want a unit dedicated totally to food supplies, then you can install a wall cabinet pantry, a roll-out pantry, a pull-out pantry, or a chef’s pantry, for heightened versatility in your kitchen.
Set the sink first
Image Source: Suntech Interiors
The sink is the most used fixture in the kitchen area. An efficient kitchen triangle can also be visualized by placing the sink first in the design process. You can place the sink below a window or on the kitchen island, with taller fixtures to make dishwashing easier. So, spend more time deciding the placement of the sink while planning the kitchen layout and designing the entire kitchen.
Keep the corners clear
Image Source: Lily Ann Cabinets
During the design process, the corners of the kitchen should be given proper attention while deciding on the placement of the cabinets, furniture, and appliances to avoid reducing them to unusable dead space. You can keep the corners clear and fully functional by incorporating smart storage solutions, such as tiered pull-out units or corner drawer units. Also, to ensure proper opening and closure of the cabinet and appliance doors without banging into each other, avoid knobs, pulls, and appliance handles that stick out.
Don’t forget the countertops
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A good kitchen countertop depends on the choice of material. The perfect countertop material creates a visual impact in your kitchen that balances beauty with practicality. You can choose tough and durable materials like quartz, marble, slab tiles, porcelain, granite, acrylic resin, or timber to design your kitchen countertops. However, consider your budget, tastes, and the different characteristics of countertop materials to make the perfect choice for your lifestyle.
Think about kitchen hues
Image Source: Pluck Kitchens
Kitchens are full of colour opportunities, from ceilings and flooring to cabinets and window treatments. White, cream, off-white, and pale grey are great colour options if you want your kitchen to be a backdrop to different décor ideas with varied colours, patterns, and personalities. You can also incorporate high-gloss paint or colourful wallpapers for the ceilings, and bright, warm, and bold-coloured wall paints and tiles to create an impact in neutral kitchen designs. Dark colour schemes, on the other hand, can visually shrink an already small kitchen space, making it less inviting.
Split-up cabinetry blocks
Image Source: The Kitchn
It is always great to have a kitchen with a lot of storage space for easy organization and accessibility. However, the kitchen cabinets become too visually bulky sometimes. So, breaking up long blocks of doors and drawers and adding interesting glass doors and open shelves can provide the much-needed visual balance inside the kitchen. You can also add more aesthetics to your kitchen by displaying your crockery, placing wine storage, or adding windows between cabinets.
Add electrical outlets
Image Source: TC Countertops LLC
Electrical outlets are essential for using small appliances in the kitchen, like coffee makers, blenders, toasters, and other countertop appliances. During the design process, add multiple electrical outlets along the kitchen wall tiles, or on the island, to use your countertop appliances whenever you need them. You can also customize a drawer with outlets and USB ports to create a hidden charging station for non-kitchen devices.
Keep the stove away from the exterior wall
Image Source: Boutique Homes
The stove and the oven are very essential kitchen utilities, which need to be placed correctly to maximize their efficiency and functionality. So, while deciding their placement, always try to put them on an exterior wall, instead of an island or interior wall. This will also ensure proper ventilation in your kitchen area.
Don’t neglect the windows
Image Source: Simonton Windows
The kitchen area makes the most use of natural daylight, so appropriate window dressings are a must. You can install adjustable window roller blinds, Venetian window treatments to block direct sun glare while still allowing light in the kitchen, or simply window films to dictate privacy. Also, pay attention to the material of the window frames if they are near the sink.
Keep the walls less crowded
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Walls often become an extension of your countertops by increasing storage capacity, but it is best to keep them free. And for storage, you can always use your island and base cabinets. Wall cabinets often collect huge carbon footprints in the kitchen and add visual bulk to the space. Instead, keeping the wall free makes space for decorative tiles or art that elevates the aesthetics of the kitchen design.
Maintain ventilation
Image Source: Proline Range Hoods
Good ventilation is crucial to avoid stinky cooking odours lingering in the air. If you have an open-plan kitchen, poor ventilation can lead to cooking smells permeating soft furnishings and increasing moisture levels. So, invest in a high-quality cooker hood with an extractor fan to transport airborne particles outside and improve the quality of your indoor air. Proper ventilation also keeps your kitchen clean, increases the appliances’ life, and makes the cooking experience more pleasant.
Deal with the trash
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Kitchen trash should be managed efficiently and responsibly by incorporating a built-in bin into your under-sink cabinet. Such bins take less floor space than pedal bins and keep unpleasant odours at bay. You can also install sorting bins for recycling and separate general waste from recyclables.
Don’t neglect the flooring
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Flooring is one of the most important elements of the home kitchen design process as it deals with water splashes and high condensation regularly. Hence, pay more attention to durability, ease of cleaning, and simplicity before deciding on the flooring. There are different types of flooring available, but tiles, wood, laminate, vinyl, rubber, or concrete, are tough and hard-wearing with an anti-slip finish perfect to design your kitchen floorings.
If you want to buy top-quality modular kitchens, accessories, and appliances from the best brands, click on the link given below to check your options and submit your inquiries: For more details, contact below: Email: mukul.jain@buildingandinteriors.com Mobile: +91 99676 32127 |
Conclusion
The kitchen area is the activity hub of your home, which needs to look good as well as be efficient. Hence, to design the kitchen area perfectly, a proper selection of the layout, appliances, furniture, floor tiles, cabinet materials, and finishes is necessary. Choosing the correct features is a vital part of designing a kitchen, as it demands maximum functionality in an environment of extreme heat and moisture.
Many factors, such as the time spent in the kitchen and your family size, influence your home kitchen design. For instance, if you rarely use your kitchen and have a small family, you may not need a lot of storage and functionalities, whereas you may want to extract the maximum value out of your kitchen if you cook every day for a big family. However, remember, a well-designed kitchen with all the right functionalities, storage solutions, and accessories will uplift your cooking experience irrespective of the time spent and the number of people you cater to.
Your kitchen space should align with your style and taste without getting harsh on your pocket. From a sophisticated, minimalist kitchen to a rustic kitchen with old-school charm, everything can get expensive if you don’t plan wisely. You can keep your budget in check by installing the correct materials and finishes that ensure the longevity of the most frequently used spaces in your kitchen.
Now, you are ready to design your modern kitchen with top-quality kitchen furniture and alluring designs. So, get inspired and reflect your personality in your kitchen by taking into account our tips while planning.
*The featured image used in this article is from Pinterest