The thought of a new kitchen might have you day dreaming about all the endless possibilities, but before you start on the design, it is helpful to understand your needs. This will allow you to prioritise correctly so that you can make the most of your space and budget. That's why I put together a list of 5 important questions to ask yourself before you start the design process:
What do you really use your kitchen for?
The obvious answer to this may be 'cooking', but not all of us use the kitchen in the same way. Do you cook small simple meals every day or meal prep for the whole week on the weekends? Do you like to entertain? Do you have an elaborate coffee routine every morning? Do you love to bake? The answer to these questions may change how much bench space you need, the size of the oven or fridge you need, whether you need a separate pantry room and what you need to prioritise within the existing space.
Who uses the kitchen?
Designing a kitchen for one person can be very different to designing a kitchen for a family where everyone, including the kids, like to get involved. That's why it's important to consider who will be using the kitchen at the same time and what everyone will be doing. Sometimes not everyone using the kitchen will be cooking either, so you also need to consider things like kids doing their homework at the island bench.
What works and doesn't work for you currently?
If you are renovating the kitchen at a house you already live in, then it's helpful to use the current kitchen to understand your needs. Think about what works and doesn't work in terms of the layout, how the kitchen flows into surrounding spaces, the amount of light, size of appliances, amount of bench space, amount and type of storage, and the colour and materials of the joinery, benchtop and splashback.
How are your needs likely to change in the next 5 years?
If you are planning to stay in the renovated home for a long time, then you also need to consider how your needs will change in time. This includes thinking about whether your family is likely to grow or if older kids are likely to move out, if you are planning to get any pets and how priorities may change as you and your family gets older.
How will the new kitchen flow into other spaces?
This is important both in terms of layout and appearance. You need to consider any other spaces the kitchen is attached to so that the new layout connects to them in a way that is functional and practical to navigate. This includes ensuring you're not blocking walk ways and that the location of things in the kitchen make sense in relation to the dining space (for example, I like to ensure the cutlery drawers are easily accessible from the dining). You also need to consider this in regards to the appearance, so that the kitchen suits the overall look of the home and doesn't feel out of place (unless you're planning to renovate everything).
I hope this has been helpful for you! If you are planning a kitchen renovation and would like some help from an interior designer, you can click the link below to get in contact with us:
Hope you have a wonderful week!
Nina xx
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