Dawn Matthews | Sept 03, 2024
How to Design Your Ultimate Kitchen
10 Minute Read
The kitchen is at the heart of every home, and when you’re using it so often, you need it to be as functional as possible, while looking fantastic, and reflecting your personal style. But designing and installing a kitchen space that suits your daily needs probably isn’t the only goal you have if you share your home; your kitchen table is going to be a focal point for gatherings with family and friends, so creating the perfect space is important.
Designing your ultimate kitchen will look different in each home, so in this post we’ll be sharing advice that you’ll need to tailor to your own property, whether you have a tiny kitchen, or one that is big enough to dance in when the mood takes you.
Understand what you want and need from your kitchen
Before you can start planning, think about how you want to use your kitchen, as well as how much is possible within the space. You might consider questions like:
⏺ Do you plan to have a wooden dining table? If so, what size can you fit in the space?
⏺ If a large dining table isn’t possible, could you fit in a tiny table in a nook?
⏺ Could a breakfast bar with high stools be an option?
Maybe none of these suggestions are right for your kitchen, and you want a purely functional room that you only use for cooking. Whatever you decide, you’ll need to think about the ways in which you’ll use the space, before you get to making design decisions. When you’ve decided how you’ll be using your kitchen, you’ll want to think about how you’ll decorate your space. That might include colour schemes, materials, and accessories – let's take a look at those next.
Choose an interior design style
After you’ve established how you plan to use your kitchen, you can choose your interior design style. Whether you prefer the look of a rustic kitchen, a Scandi kitchen, or you want your kitchen to be perfectly on trend, you’ll be certain to find the perfect style for you.
Plan the layout and functionality
A well-planned kitchen layout will make the most of the space, providing optimal functionality. Many kitchen designers use a design principle called “the work triangle”, that allows for efficiency and flow of movement between the three main work areas: the cooker, the sink, and the refrigerator. Ideally, these three points should form a triangle, with each point of the triangle being around 1-3 metres from the others. This means cooking is more convenient and each key point is easily accessible. Zoning different areas within the kitchen can help contain the spread of mess – which, if you have a family, is an essential consideration!
When you’re planning your perfect kitchen, you’ll be investing a significant amount of money, so don’t leave the design to chance. Measure carefully, and make use of the many free design tools available online to visualise it – this will mean that you can get a better idea of whether you really love your choice or not.
Select the right materials
Choosing materials for your kitchen is an important factor, both in terms of aesthetics and for durability – and there are plenty to choose from. Some of the options you might consider for surfaces, floors, and so on include:
Solid woods such as oak, pine, walnut, beech, ash offer a warm, natural aesthetic that enhances the look of many interior design styles. However, in kitchens it is best used for furniture and accessories such as storage and shelves, as it can be susceptible to moisture. Depending on the type of wood and the finish, it may need regular maintenance to avoid warping or damage.
Laminate and engineered woods are an affordable alternative, and available in a wide variety of designs, but can be less durable than other materials and can chip or scratch easily, or absorb water, which can cause significant damage.
Granite is extremely durable and resistant to heat and scratches, and can look incredible. However, it can be very expensive and requires periodic sealing to prevent staining – so be aware that you’ll need to maintain it before you invest.
Quartz is an alternative that you can use instead of granite; however, it lacks the unique veining of natural stone, and can be expensive. It is non-porous and resistant to stains and bacteria, and only needs minimal maintenance, so could be an option if you like the look of granite or marble.
Stainless steel is used extensively in professional kitchens due to it being hygienic and easy to clean, with a sleek look. However, if you’re house proud, it may not be right for you as it is prone to showing fingerprints, smudges, and scratches.
Ceramic tiles are durable, water-resistant, and available in a wide range of colours and patterns, but be aware that grout lines can stain.
Glass is reflective and modern, enhancing light and space in the kitchen. However, it can be prone to chipping or breaking, and shows fingerprints easily.
Marble is a luxurious and timeless choice and has unique veining patterns, but it can be prone to scratching and staining, and requires regular sealing. If you love the look, it is well worth seeking an alternative that gives the appearance with lower maintenance requirements.
Concrete can look incredible in industrial and rustic stye kitchens, and it is strong and durable. Before you install it though, know that it can be prone to cracking and requires sealing to prevent staining.
These aren’t the only options, and so be certain to do your research before you commit to a particular material for an element of your kitchen.
Pick the perfect dining table set
A great dining table is going to be the focal point of your meals, and so choosing a good one is essential. Pieces of solid wooden furniture such as dining table sets are always a good investment, since wood is durable, looks fantastic, and offers warmth to the space.
When it comes to choosing dining furniture for your kitchen, you need to consider size, finish, and how it fits with your chosen interior decor style. Simpler is often better, but if you’ve chosen a rustic, industrial, or minimalist style, then our range of kitchen tables and benches can be the perfect addition. With the right maintenance, our furniture can last you a lifetime.
We also know that every kitchen is different, and so if you’re searching for a bespoke wooden table at a particular size, get in touch. We hand make every piece of furniture to order, and so if you need your table to be a few inches smaller, or larger than our standard measurements, most of the time we can do that for you. When you’re placing your order, simply add your requirements to the notes box. If you’re unsure, call us or email us, and we’ll make sure your order is made perfectly.
Add accessories
Once your new kitchen is installed, you can enhance the look and feel with kitchen accessories. Adding pops of colour or shiny chrome with small appliances such as kettles and toasters is a great way to start, then you can keep those pops coming with plants, crockery, and smaller items such as salt and pepper pots. We’ve curated a beautiful collection of kitchen accessories, including storage, functional pieces such as trays and chopping boards, and decorative pieces such as vases.
When it comes to choosing accessories, we’d recommend choosing natural materials in neutral tones, so if you move, or decide to change your accent colour, you can continue to use them. Accessories in neutral shades are versatile; for example, our ivory stoneware jug looks just as good used on the table for water as it does holding a bunch of vibrant flowers.
Kitchen shelving
With the right styling, open shelving can provide functional storage while contributing to the aesthetic of the space. You can use shelves to free up space in your kitchen cupboards – you simply need to find the right storage containers for bulky items like flour, sugar, and pasta.
You might also consider adding solid wooden shelves to your larder, if you’re lucky enough to have one, or in strategic places throughout the kitchen. Style them with your cookery book collection and other items to keep the kitchen aesthetic going.
Our Final Thoughts
While there’s a lot to think about when you’re designing your ultimate kitchen, getting the basics right – your cooker, counter space, and dining set – will mean you’re more likely to get it right first time. Those foundation pieces mean that you can play with the smaller spaces like shelving, table decoration, and change them seasonally. We wrote about decorating your shelving here, if you need some inspiration, and about how to decorate your kitchen table here.
If you’re looking for bespoke furniture for your kitchen, get in touch – there’s a good chance we can help! And of course, as we always say, when you’re posting about your gorgeous new kitchen, tag us in your Instagram posts so we can share them.
