What Would You Like in Your Ideal Kitchen?

Why do you need a new kitchen?

·       Are you planning on reselling the property?

·       Have your needs for the kitchen expanded or reduced?

·       Or do you simply want to update the space?

What do you like about your current kitchen?

·       Is there sufficient storage?

·       Does the layout work well?

·       Is there enough space for all your appliances?

·       Does the colour scheme suit the property?

What do you dislike about your current kitchen?

·       Is there enough room between cupboards to easily move around, even with more than one person in the space?

·       Are any cupboards difficult to access?

·       Do the finishes on the cupboards and benchtops look dated?

What is your preference for the 'look' and 'feel' of your new kitchen?

·       Do you want to create a warm, inviting place?

·       Do you want your kitchen to be the hub of activity in the house?

·       Do you want a neutral, minimalist kitchen?

·       Do you want a vibrantly exotic kitchen, full of colour?

What are your storage needs?

·       Do you prefer a pantry, rather than cupboards, to store food?

·       Do you have a lot of crockery? Pots and pans? Glassware? Kitchen appliances that need to be hidden away?

·       If you're in an apartment, does your kitchen need to double as the laundry? Do you need space to store a washing machine, dryer, towels and linen?

Do you have any special items to be stored or displayed in the new kitchen?

·       Would you like to store or display wine bottles?

·       Do you have cookbooks you'd like to display on a shelf in the kitchen?

·       Do you want a spice cupboard, spice rack or open shelf for easy access?

·       Do you have particular crockery or stemware that you'd like displayed in the kitchen? Or rails to hold your wine and champagne glasses upside-down?

·       How would you like to store your chopping boards? Tea towels? General rubbish and recycling bins?

What fixed and portable kitchen appliances do you have, or will have? And, how often will you use them?

·       Fixed appliances include: refrigerator, freezer, sink, cooktop, stove, exhaust, dishwasher, microwave

·       Portable appliances include: espresso machine, toaster, kettle, sandwich press, blender, food processor, wok, ice-cream machine

Apart from cooking, what other activities will occur in the kitchen?

·       Will the kitchen double as an informal dining space?

What materials do you prefer?

·       On the cupboards and drawers?

·       On the benchtops?

·       On the splashback?

·       On the floor?

The Work Triangle

Creating a work triangle in your kitchen can cut down on excess movement by centering your work space. Why waste time running around the kitchen when you can be playing with your kids or taking some quality time for yourself?

Rules of thumb for the basic work triangle are as follows:

§  No one side of the triangle should be greater than nine feet or less than four feet.

§  The triangle should not be interrupted by traffic or cabinetry.

§  The perimeter of the triangle should measure no more than 26 feet and no less than 12 feet.

Corridor/Galley

Corridor designs are incredibly efficient because you can move around the entire kitchen in just a few steps. Counters and storage are limited, however. And, people walking through can get in the cook’s way.

Island

A  Island offers an open design that incorporates the kitchen and dining room. Its layout brings the whole family together by creating an extra common space.

L-Shaped

The L-shaped kitchen is one of the most popular. Its work triangle is uninterrupted by traffic and there is ample room for appliances. Also, by lengthening the leg of the “L”, you can create even more storage and counter space.

U-Shaped

U-shaped kitchens surround you on three sides with storage, countertops and appliances. This saves a lot of steps. If the “U” is big enough, you can add an island in the middle.