Kitchens
How important is it to get the sink and stove in the right locations? “The locations of the cooktop and sink form some of the defining considerations for any design, along with storage – including chilled – and prep area,” says Dale Williams of Kettle Co Kitchens. “The positioning of these four items can impact not just on how efficient the kitchen is to use, but also on the whole feel and aesthetic of the room.” “The kitchen triangle concept stipulates the sink, stove and fridge should be located in a triangle with nothing interrupting the flow from one to another,” says Claudia Dorsch of Claudia Dorsch Interior Design. “This is still a useful idea – circulation and traffic flow in any room is important to bear in mind – but in addition to that, we consider the size, shape, proportion and period style of the property, as well as the client lifestyle and circumstances of using the space. A family of five will have different demands on their kitchen from a single occupant.”
A crisp, white and clean kitchen that still felt cosy. We achieved this by using a white palette paired with timber finishes and black accents. Our intention was to create a space that is simple in design. We didn’t want to overfill it with large items, so we concealed the fridge behind the cooktop wall. The finishes are quite minimal but the texture of the tiles, timber flooring and detailing adds depth. The curved benchtop and range hood soften the space.
hink beyond taupe tones Mother Nature’s palette extends far beyond beige and brown tones. For a bolder look in a kitchen or bathroom, consider incorporating other earth-based colours, such as olive green, dusty blue or oceanic navy. These shades have a calm and classic feel, and work particularly well in coastal and rural homes. “If you are going for a coastal style, try pairing these tones with warm timbers, natural linens and native plants. For something more tropical, pastel painted surfaces, tropical greenery and funky motifs would work well. Or, if you are after an art-deco style, combine these colours with dark and opulent flooring, velvets and brushed gold,” says Farrell.
Use a tap in an earthy tone to bring a bland, all-white kitchen or bathroom up to date. Or use it to draw attention to a statement kitchen island. New, coloured handles are another way to add impact to a kitchen or bathroom with minimal fuss or outlay. Give dated joinery a refresh with coloured or leather handles, or hardware in a warm metallic finish such as copper or aged brass.
Consider coloured fixtures Colour is no longer limited to paint and joinery – designers are now offering up fixtures such as taps and handles, in all manner of colours, that allow you to make a statement in kitchens and bathrooms. ABI Interiors has just released the Aura Collection – a limited-edition range of their best-selling Elysian Kitchen Mixers in a range of soft, nature-inspired tones, including Posy (dusty pink), Clay (terracotta), Solis (mustard), Flora (sage green), Dusk (navy) and Almond (beige).
Measure up before buying appliances Appliances that are too big can overwhelm and clutter up a small kitchen,” says Colin Jones, product adviser at Appliances Online. “It’s hugely important to choose the right-size appliances for a small kitchen, as standard ones may take up too much valuable space,” he says. “The most important thing is to take detailed measurements of your kitchen’s cavity spaces and benchtops. This is so you can work out what you can comfortably fit into the kitchen without overcrowding the food preparation and storage areas, as well as allowing you space to move around when appliance doors are open.”
Opt for pantries with internal drawers “We always try to incorporate a full-height, minimum 60-centimetre-wide pantry cabinet into a small kitchen,” says Metcalf. “There are several ways to fit them out. You could stick to fixed or adjustable shelves, but these make it hard to access the items at the back. A pull-out pantry gives you access to the items at the back, but they are heavy to move, can be overloaded and block traffic through to other parts of the kitchen. We find the most efficient solution is to use internal drawers instead of shelves. They suffer from few drawbacks other than the extra cost.”
. Pay attention to scale “Large-scale features and bold patterns can overwhelm a small kitchen and make you feel confined,” says Metcalf. “To create a more comfortable space, minimise the number of different colours and textures in the space, specify small-size tiles for splashbacks and flooring, and select muted tones and textures.
Maximise corner cabinets “In large kitchens, designers tend to avoid using corner cabinets as it is more functional to close them off and have drawer banks on either side of the corner cabinet. However, in small kitchens, we don’t have the luxury of space and have to make practical use of whatever we can get,” says Graeme Metcalf, industrial designer at Dan Kitchens. “Corner cabinets are full of space – it’s just annoying to reach into them,” he says. “Storage manufacturers have taken note and come up with a variety of solutions that give you better access. My favourite is the Le Mans unit (where curvy shelves twist out of the cabinet towards you), but you’ll also find shelving carousels and magic corners (which have shelves that extend towards you). While not as space efficient as standard shelves, they at least mean you don’t have to squeeze your body into a confined space to reach for items at the back.”
Add in one show-stopping element Just like any room of the home, the kitchen needs a hero piece – that one thing that instantly draws the eye, says Ruffé. “Introducing one bold, statement feature, such as a fabulous stone benchtop, can add personality to a small kitchen and give it gravitas. It can also add an element of surprise, as you might not expect to see such a beautiful, sumptuous material in a small space,” he says.
Integrate your appliances “Hiding appliances by integrating them into your cabinetry is one of the easiest and most effective ways to make a small kitchen appear bigger,” says Chris Ruffé, director at Bondi Kitchens. “Most brands now offer fridges, freezers and dishwashers that can be integrated, and we simply conceal them behind kitchen panels so they blend in seamlessly with the cabinetry.” “Integrating appliances also helps save you space as we custom design the cavities for a perfect fit. This frees up kitchen space, which you can then use for additional storage.”
10. Vertical storage Storing cutting boards, trays and baking trays vertically makes them far more accessible than storing them horizontally – you simply pull them out when required. Plus, they’re easy to put back. Vertical storage comes at a minimal cost, but needs to be incorporated in the design phase.
9. High-fold cabinets We find Blum HM bi-fold cabinets to be extremely practical for high and mid-level wall cabinets. They open smoothly, items are easy to access as there are no doors in the way, and when closed the cabinets create a long, sleek look. For added luxury, you can also upgrade to Blum Servo-Drive so the doors open with a light push. These cabinets are more expensive than standard overhead cabinets, but so worth it.
8. Power points with USB chargers Today’s kitchens are used for more than just cooking – they’re where homework is done, emails are sent and families gather. Having sufficient power points with USB outlets makes practical sense. Position power points at the end of your kitchen island, on your splashback, or consider a style that pops up from the benchtop when required and sits flush with the surface when not in use, such as EVOline BackFlip.
7. Integrated appliances Freestanding appliances, such as the fridge, need to stick out past the line of your joinery in order to open properly, which can create a cluttered look. Instead, consider integrating your fridge and dishwasher so you can create a flush, streamlined wall of joinery – ideal for an entertainer’s or open-plan kitchen. Look to position your integrated fridge at the end of the kitchen run for easy access and so it won’t interrupt the functionality of the kitchen when it’s in use. An integrated dishwasher should be positioned next to the sink. Be aware that these elements – as well as a wine fridge, if you wish to include one – need to be incorporated at the design phase since they affect your kitchen’s layout. Most integrated fridges on the market also require extra depth in the joinery, which will greatly impact the design of the space. Also be aware that integrated fridges can be much more expensive than standard freestanding styles as the joinery manufacture is very detailed and customised. They can also be quite hard to replace. Integrated dishwashers, on the other hand, aren’t an expensive upgrade as they simply require a joinery panel on the front. T...
6. Appliance niche If you don’t have the space for a separate butler’s pantry, consider installing an appliance pantry or niche – it’s not only practical, but great for adding wow factor to your kitchen. It looks like a normal pantry, but when you open it – either with bi-fold or pocket doors, depending on your budget – the inside is a dream space with internal drawers below, shelving above for glassware/mugs, and bench space for appliances, such as the toaster, kettle and juicer. An appliance niche is cheaper than a butler’s pantry, but upgrading it with internal drawers and pocket doors is still an expensive option compared with a standard pantry. I would recommend positioning an appliance pantry next to the fridge, which is normally the second cabinet inside the kitchen. This way the person using it won’t get in the way of others who are using the kitchen to cook and clean.
4. Soft-close drawers and full-extension runners Soft-closing doors and drawers are extremely functional and well-worth installing. They close smoothly and softly without banging shut like standard doors and drawers do. If you’re interested in soft-closing doors and drawers, be sure to plan early; they need to be factored in at the costing stage to ensure you get the correct pricing. Full-extension runners are another worthwhile investment. The drawer pulls right out towards you so you can fit more into it and you don’t have to reach into the back to find items. Soft-closing drawers and full-extension runners used to be a costly luxury, but not anymore. You’ll find all sorts of options at different price points on the market. One I’d recommend is Blum’s Antaro soft-closing runner range – it’s an amazing system that won’t break the bank.
1. Bin drawer Keep waste under control by upgrading to a pull-out bin drawer. A bin drawer is ideally placed near the sink and typically has loose bins inside it for waste and recycling, but can also contain bins for soft plastics and compost too. A bin drawer can either be retrofitted to an existing kitchen (space permitting) or designed into new kitchens. The design options are greater in new kitchens and, as such, they tend to be more practical. For instance, a new kitchen can have a bin drawer fitted with a touch-to-open system so you can open the drawer with the bump of a knee, leaving your hands free to place items in the bin.
Key design aspects Colour palette: Black White Grey (Dulux ‘Milton Moon’)
Interior lighting The simple joy of being able to actually see what you’re looking for cannot be overstated. If your pantry is lacking in the lighting department, remedy the situation by adding an overhead fixture or wall sconces.
Pull-out drawers and baskets Deep cabinets in the pantry are bound to become a cluttered mess. Install pull-out baskets, drawers and shelves and you’ll be able to easily reach what you need, even if it’s right at the back.
Pull-out drawers and baskets Deep cabinets in the pantry are bound to become a cluttered mess. Install pull-out baskets, drawers and shelves and you’ll be able to easily reach what you need, even if it’s right at the back.
Pull-out drawers and baskets Deep cabinets in the pantry are bound to become a cluttered mess. Install pull-out baskets, drawers and shelves and you’ll be able to easily reach what you need, even if it’s right at the back.
Library ladder If your pantry is tall, make use of all that vertical space by fitting a rolling library ladder. This way, you can easily slide the ladder to just the right spot and step up to grab what you need.
Risers and containers In a narrow pantry, shelf risers and storage containers are a big help in keeping your ingredients visible and easy to grab. Use risers on deep shelves to elevate the back rows of cans and jars. Sort ingredients into broad categories (such as baking goods or breakfast food) and keep like with like inside open bins.
3. Labelled drawers Deep pantry drawers hold a lot of goods, but they can also quickly become a mess. Keep yours in order with drawer dividers and reusable blackboard labels so you know exactly what goes where.
…And a pull-out bin Having your bin integrated into the island just below your work surface is another important functional element – it allows you to simply scrape the scraps straight into the rubbish. It also helps you stay part of the action with family or friends when cleaning up the kitchen and helps keep your floor mess-free.
7. Do integrate generous drawers… For functionality purposes, it’s imperative to have your cutlery drawer on the island and potentially your bowls and plates too. This gives easy access to the important everyday items you usually use an island for, such as serving up food.
Butler's pantry
A useful advantage of wall-to-wall kitchen cabinets is the opportunity they provide for incorporating integrated appliances. Here, for example, four ovens have been installed into the row of cabinetry. You could also include an integrated fridge-freezer, which could be concealed behind a cupboard door near or alongside a pantry.
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