7 Essential Features for a Well-Designed Kitchen
Designing a new kitchen? Tick off this seven-point checklist to ensure it looks beautiful and functions perfectly
When planning a new kitchen the layout is, of course, key to making the space work efficiently. But as well as the position of your working areas, there are a few more essential elements to think about. Take a look at this checklist to ensure you’ve ticked off the important features that are non-negotiable for a well-designed space.
2. A strong, stylish benchtop
If you like to cook, your kitchen benchtop will see some action, so as well as good looks, it will need strength and durability. To help you decide what type of benchtop to go for, consider exactly how you use your kitchen.
Think about how much wear and tear particular areas in your kitchen will get, as this will determine how durable your benchtop needs to be.
In this practical space, for example, the designers have chosen two types of material. The preparation areas near the oven and on the kitchen island have a tactile timber surface, but the sink area is fitted with a waterproof stainless-steel benchtop.
If you like to cook, your kitchen benchtop will see some action, so as well as good looks, it will need strength and durability. To help you decide what type of benchtop to go for, consider exactly how you use your kitchen.
Think about how much wear and tear particular areas in your kitchen will get, as this will determine how durable your benchtop needs to be.
In this practical space, for example, the designers have chosen two types of material. The preparation areas near the oven and on the kitchen island have a tactile timber surface, but the sink area is fitted with a waterproof stainless-steel benchtop.
3. Efficient appliances
Once again, the appliances you choose will depend on how you use your kitchen and the size and layout of the room. For example, if you entertain often, a large oven and dishwasher might be a priority. If your room is small, compact appliances such as a well-designed extractor fan will save space.
When you’re searching for appliances, consider how energy-efficient they are. You can find out by looking at the star rating label – most appliances have a rating between one and six stars (the more stars, the more efficient), though some increasingly efficient appliances are awarded up to 10 stars.
Once again, the appliances you choose will depend on how you use your kitchen and the size and layout of the room. For example, if you entertain often, a large oven and dishwasher might be a priority. If your room is small, compact appliances such as a well-designed extractor fan will save space.
When you’re searching for appliances, consider how energy-efficient they are. You can find out by looking at the star rating label – most appliances have a rating between one and six stars (the more stars, the more efficient), though some increasingly efficient appliances are awarded up to 10 stars.
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4. Layered lighting
As soon as you’ve planned your kitchen’s layout, think about where you’ll locate the lighting. Complement functional spots with some strategically placed task lights to create a lighting scheme that adds both depth and practicality to your space.
In this kitchen, the designers have chosen a series of beautiful pendant lights to hang above the island. As well as lighting the island benchtop and creating an ambient glow, these overhead lights also add a design feature.
Spotlights have been placed beneath the wall-hung cupboards and extractor fan to brighten the perimeter benchtops, while the downlights in the ceiling are perfectly placed to illuminate the centre of the room and the sink area.
As soon as you’ve planned your kitchen’s layout, think about where you’ll locate the lighting. Complement functional spots with some strategically placed task lights to create a lighting scheme that adds both depth and practicality to your space.
In this kitchen, the designers have chosen a series of beautiful pendant lights to hang above the island. As well as lighting the island benchtop and creating an ambient glow, these overhead lights also add a design feature.
Spotlights have been placed beneath the wall-hung cupboards and extractor fan to brighten the perimeter benchtops, while the downlights in the ceiling are perfectly placed to illuminate the centre of the room and the sink area.
5. Good-quality fittings
If you’re considering which items to spend more on in your kitchen, it’s worth paying attention to the fittings. A standard cabinet can be lifted by a beautiful handle, while a basic sink can look high-end with the addition of a well-chosen tap.
The fittings in your kitchen are going to be used a lot, so it makes sense to invest in quality to ensure they’re strong, durable and nice to touch.
If you’re considering which items to spend more on in your kitchen, it’s worth paying attention to the fittings. A standard cabinet can be lifted by a beautiful handle, while a basic sink can look high-end with the addition of a well-chosen tap.
The fittings in your kitchen are going to be used a lot, so it makes sense to invest in quality to ensure they’re strong, durable and nice to touch.
6. A hard-wearing floor
In a heavy traffic area such as a kitchen, the floor needs to earn its keep. There are many different surfaces you can go for, including natural stone, concrete, ceramic tiles and porcelain. You could also choose from beautiful timbers, but take expert advice on how to seal it and protect it from water damage.
Think about how your floor will look with the rest of your scheme, and whether you’ll want to change it in the future. A classic design like these stone tiles will work with most kitchen styles and colours. However, a patterned floor can look stunning and, if you really love the design, it could be worth being brave with your flooring choice.
Browse more crisp white kitchens
In a heavy traffic area such as a kitchen, the floor needs to earn its keep. There are many different surfaces you can go for, including natural stone, concrete, ceramic tiles and porcelain. You could also choose from beautiful timbers, but take expert advice on how to seal it and protect it from water damage.
Think about how your floor will look with the rest of your scheme, and whether you’ll want to change it in the future. A classic design like these stone tiles will work with most kitchen styles and colours. However, a patterned floor can look stunning and, if you really love the design, it could be worth being brave with your flooring choice.
Browse more crisp white kitchens
7. A slick splashback
The surface you install behind your benchtop can completely transform the look of your kitchen. Of course, a splashback’s main function is to protect the walls, but it’s also a great opportunity to get creative in your kitchen.
Choose a durable material that you can wipe clean easily, but also go for a design that suits your style. In this minimal space, for example, the hexagonal tiles add interest and texture to the room.
The surface you install behind your benchtop can completely transform the look of your kitchen. Of course, a splashback’s main function is to protect the walls, but it’s also a great opportunity to get creative in your kitchen.
Choose a durable material that you can wipe clean easily, but also go for a design that suits your style. In this minimal space, for example, the hexagonal tiles add interest and texture to the room.
Tell us
What essentials do you think are important for a kitchen that’s big on form and function? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like and save this story, and join the conversation.
What essentials do you think are important for a kitchen that’s big on form and function? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like and save this story, and join the conversation.
If you want your kitchen to be functional, one of the most important elements to consider is ample storage space.
Think carefully about what you need to keep in your kitchen, and choose furniture that works with the size and layout. Research space-saving designs, such as pull-out cupboard racks, deep drawers and tall wall units.
It’s a good idea to take an inventory of all your kitchen utensils and appliances first, to work out exactly what you need to store. Be realistic, and if there are any unused items that are cluttering up the space, now’s the time to recycle them.
Once you know the items you’re storing and where you’ll be using them, you can consider the best options for your space.