Kitchen design fundamentals

The kitchen is the one room in the house that contains more action than an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie. There’s cooking, conversing, entertaining, scheduling, the list goes on. To create a kitchen your family will want to live in, you’ve got to get the fundamentals right. So, just like an 8th grade basketball coach, we’ll show you the drill.

Planning Out Your Space 

Every great execution begins with a carefully orchestrated plan. In order to create the most functional and aesthetically pleasing design you can, you’ll want to consider every aspect of your kitchen layout. This is the stage where it’s worth sweating the details. 

The most popular layout principle is the kitchen work triangle. This theory improves a kitchen’s functionality by reducing walking distance between the sink, refrigerator and primary cooking surface. Popular layouts include: L-shaped, U-shaped, G-shaped, single wall and galley.

Choosing the Right Material, Finish and Appearance

Flooring, countertops and cabinetry materials are all prominent features of your kitchen space. So, choosing the right materials is paramount.

Flooring options range from wooden to laminate, ceramic tile or vinyl.

Countertop materials are just as diverse. Choose from stylish and durable surfaces like granite, marble and limestone. Timeless solid wood or cheaper materials like laminate, which still look high end.

As for your cabinetry, choose anything from MDF to timber, laminate, plywood, timber veneers or two-pack.

Reviewing Storage Options and Matching Hardware (Handles)

Double-sided island cabinetry is a simple way to maximise storage space and efficiency in your kitchen. This makes reaching Tupperware containers 10 times easier and helps you organise clutter more efficiently.

Handles are an important feature of any cabinetry unit and deserve some careful consideration. Keep in mind the style, quality, functionality, size and finish of your handles. Handles range wildly in price but if you dig around you can find elegant styles for as little as $4 a pop.

Butcher’s blocks or open islands are other storage options growing in popularity. Their ‘barely there’ presence makes the room feel larger and cuts out the need for cabinetry.

Ceiling shelving units and baskets (both countertop and hanging) are also great space saving storage options. They minimise clutter and handsomely compliment a minimalist vibe.

Getting the Right Lighting to Match your Layout

Lighting has a much greater sway on the overall mood of a space than you might realise. Research shows that lighting can psychologically control wellbeing, health and behaviour. That’s lit! Let’s shine a light on the four types of lighting you can consider for your kitchen.

Task lighting encompasses functional-style lighting over work stations, sinks or the spots over an island.

Ambient lighting is a more moody style of lighting, that can give the room a feeling of warmth. It’s what you might call the ‘vibe setter’. Common places for mood lighting are atop or beneath cabinetry.

Accent lighting, as the name implies, accentuates special features of your kitchen. like your China collection, your samurai swords from Japan or your Monet and Michelangelo masterpieces. How fancy!

Decorative lighting is similar to accent lighting. It compliments features of the room and enhances the overall style of the space.

The Right Package of Kitchen Appliances

The stove, oven and refrigerator are what you might call the A-listers of your kitchen. These are the kitchen components you want to spend the most money on. A good quality appliance will last for years. An average one on the other hand, will cost you more money in the long run. Omega have a wide range of high-performance cooktops, including: gas, ceramic and induction.

Second priority would be your microwave and dishwasher. It helps to consider how your appliances can work with the design and décor of your kitchen. Omega offer sleek stainless-steel microwaves and free-standing dishwasher in stainless steel and black. It’s these kinds of appliances that can really give your kitchen a chic, modern feel, without even renovating.

Then, at the bottom of your priority food chain would be your luxury additions, like your Nescafe coffee maker, your Tupperware containers and other storage devices, like baskets and trolleys.