The focal point of most households, the kitchen – not the bedroom – is where all the action happens. From preparing meals to family bonding, a good kitchen should be equally as conducive to group gatherings as it is well laid-out and easily navigable. Creating this haven of domesticity can be a tricky task, so we at iProperty.com bring you our guide to creating the perfect kitchen environment.
Before you decide
Getting an expert kitchen designer takes a lot of the hassle and problems associated with any renovation job, but have an idea of the mood and design that you would like to create. The more input you give the designer, the happier you will be with the finished product, not to mention that it will avoid time-consuming – and expensive – delays if you work closely with the designer to create an end product.
Kitchen suppliers normally have their own designers who can make recommendations and their advice usually come for free. Be aware though that they will steer you towards their products and contractors. It makes sense, both financially and design-wise, to shop around.
Remember, while we all love all things stylish, kitchens are functional areas, which means that they have to be practical and make efficient usage of layout and space.
Step one: Planning spaces
The amount of space that your kitchen has determines its shape. Many kitchens are rectangular or L-shaped, which are suitable for HDB units or flats where space is at a premium. Condominiums may use gallery-shape ones, while ‘island’ concept or G-shape kitchens – where the entrance is in one corner and every wall is utilised – are popular in properties, such as landed or bungalows, with a larger floor space.
Consider the layout of your kitchen first in the design stages.
Form and Function
The next step is to work out the function areas of a kitchen. Generally, every kitchen is divided into four areas: the cleaning area: including the sink and faucet; the cooking area: where the stove, oven, hood and hobs are; the preparation area: for food preparation; and the storage area: including cupboards and fridge.
For more storage space tips and tricks, click here.
Step two: Choosing a concept
Functional as it is, you want your kitchen to look the way you imagine it to be. You will need to determine the kind of kitchen concept you want, right down to the flooring and wall colour.
A well-designed kitchen not looks nice but is fully functional too.
In general, there are four kitchen popular kitchen concepts:
1. Modern Classic
Uses modern materials and concepts, such as glossy door panels, reflective glass and funky lighting.
2. Urban Concept
Plays around with the proportion of the cabinets. They are usually out of the normal standard size of kitchen cabinets.
3. Classical
Uses solid wood such as pine or oak with decorative glass and wood and handcrafted pieces.
4. Basic
Cheaper and simple in design by using melamine board with wood texture design.
Step three: Functionality
The devil’s in the details. Now that you are closer to getting your dream kitchen, do remember the small but important things.
Get practical accessories and appliances for your kitchen such as soft closing drawer runners, soft-close lift-up mechanisms, dish holders, railing baskets and the like to make working in the kitchen a better experience.
All images are courtesy of Reliance Metal Sdn Bhd. www.reliancemetal.com.my
