TOP INTERIOR DESIGN TIPS TO MAXIMISE YOUR NEW KITCHEN EXTENSION.
INTERIOR DESIGN TIP 1 - IDENTIFY WHAT YOU HATE ABOUT YOUR CURRENT KITCHEN DESIGN & MAKE SURE IT’S NOT REPEATED
Without stating the obvious, identifying both the annoying and impractical in your current space and noting them down is an exceedingly good start point. Then make sure they are never repeated.
Question yourself on the practical elements. Do you have enough storage for food? Is your fridge overflowing? Do you hate dodging the rain to go and get the fish fingers from the garage chest freezer? Do you have enough work top space? Are the power points in the correct place for food mixers etc or are you dragging wires across your kitchen? Do you have multiple drawers full of random things?
We all have those drawers full of old keys, broken hair bobbles, junk mail and in my case lots of random cables and plugs that may come in handy one day. So far that day has never come but you never know:always good to be prepared.
INTERIOR DESIGN TIP 2 - WORK OUT YOUR IDEAL KITCHEN LAYOUT AND SEE HOW IT RELATES TO YOUR CURRENT AVAILABLE SPACE.
This is the point that I ask you to channel your inner designer. Deep breath, it’s time to buy a scale ruler. Floor plans are generally drawn in either the 1:50 or 1:100 scale. The scale will be noted on your floor plans (assuming you have existing floor plans). Draw your ideal kitchen unit arrangement in the same scale as your existing drawings and cut them out.
The next thing is to overlay your cut outs on your existing floor plan and move them around. See where it looks and feels best. The extra space, both size and location will then become fairly apparent. At this point it’s time to have a meeting with your architect/designer to discuss potential issues caused by planning, drainage, structural limitations etc. Work together with your designer to develop your extension plans to suit your ideal kitchen layout. Remember, revisit to your list (tip 1) regularly to keep on track.
INTERIOR DESIGN TIP 3 - GETTING THE FINISHES IN YOUR NEW KITCHEN RIGHT: MAKING SURE THAT YOUR NEW SPACE LOOKS FANTASTIC & SUITS YOUR LIFESTYLE.
There is little point in having kitchen finishes that don’t suit your needs. Dogs, cats, toddlers, seniors, disabilities and allergies: all things that need to be considered when choosing your finishes. There are questions that we need to ask ourselves that will guide us to the correct choices. The main finishes will concern door and drawer fronts, worktops, floors and walls.
How much wear do you expect your kitchen to have? A middle aged professional couple will clearly not have as much impact on a kitchen as a young family with pets. It is unlikely a pair of grown ups will run around and around a kitchen island wielding make do weapons, with a moggy and a spaniel in hot pursuit. If your kitchen is going to have to endure the rages of family life make sure paint finishes are scrubbable, door fronts are durable and wipeable and floors scrubbable.
If you have pets or family members with allergies, it may be an idea to have a floor that you can steam. The steam cleaner is a thing of wonder and almost as satisfying as jet washing.
As always, successful interior design is a balance between aesthetics and practicality. Get in touch to see how we can help you create the space of your dreams.