Top 6 Kitchen Designing Tips That Come Straight From Experts

Do you want a kitchen that looks like the ones featured in your favorite magazines or television shows? A professionally designed kitchen is not only great to look at, but creates a multifunctional space that works with you instead of against you while you’re cooking.

Read on to learn our top kitchen designing tips that are straight from the experts!

1. Kitchen Layout

You may be tempted to start with color or cabinet design first, but professionals designing high end kitchens often start with the kitchen’s layout. Unlike many of your home’s other rooms, your experience of the space is highly determined by how well the layout is designed.

You want a kitchen that maximizes the amount of traffic space while minimizing the need to stoop and reach for needed utensils and tools.

The three most important elements of your kitchen are the stove, sink, and refrigerator. You’ll be moving from one of these elements to the other frequently while you’re cooking. The inconvenience of having to travel from one end to the kitchen to the other will quickly become apparent.

To make the ideal space, designers create a “work triangle” between the stove, sink, and refrigerator that is usually angled between 15 and 25 degrees, with each element on a point of the triangle. This keeps everything close at hand, but far enough apart that more than one person can move around the space comfortably.

2. Multifunctional Kitchen

If you entertain frequently, you’ll notice that your guests tend to center around the kitchen. This makes sense – it’s usually where the host is, and more importantly the food.

Consider making your kitchen an entertaining space at the same time. You can do this easily by adding a kitchen island to an open-plan kitchen with seating. The seats can be on the opposite side of the kitchen’s work triangle, so even with multiple people within the space, no one is blocking the chef’s way.

3. Cupboard Space

You should consider your cupboard’s layout just as much as the kitchen’s work triangle. Think about the tools and items you reach for frequently, and place these in areas that are easy to reach.

However, a line of cupboards along one wall can make the space feel small and oppressive. Consider open shelving for your cups and plates to open the space, such as above the sink or next to the oven’s hood. Break up the cabinetry to different walls so that there’s a convenient storage space in all areas of your kitchen.

4. Kitchen Colors

The color of your cabinets will largely determine the look and feel of your kitchen because they’re often the first thing you see. Here are a few things you should consider when you’re trying to decide on a paint color:

Does your kitchen receive a lot of natural light?

If your kitchen doesn’t receive a lot of natural light, you don’t want to choose dark colors that can make your kitchen appear even darker. Opt for light colors that can reflect and bounce the light that does come in.

How large is your kitchen?

If your kitchen is small, opt for light colors to make the kitchen appear larger.

Is there a cohesive style?

Consider the textures, colors, and style of your walls, flooring, and tabletop surfaces in your home. If you’re happy with them, you may want to continue with the theme for a smooth transition into your kitchen.

Will I like this in 10 years?

If you want to go with bold colors but don’t relish re-painting your kitchen in the near future, ask yourself whether these colors will hold up to the test of time. If you’re following current trends that may not match the interior decor of your home, after a few years your kitchen may need a change.

5. Kitchen Lighting

The light features you choose are just as important as the color and design of your kitchen. Instead of one main overhead light that can cast unappealing shadows, think of your lighting as multiple layers.

Besides task lighting for your stove and countertops, include ambient lighting with dimmable options that can set the mood while you’re socializing. Look for unique pendant lights that match the style of your kitchen while creating practical lighting over an island or bar area.

6. Kitchen Countertops

You should take into account your home’s current style as well as the colors of your kitchen in order to choose the perfect kitchen countertop. Some popular material choices for kitchen countertops are:

• Granite
• Marble
• Engineered stone
• Concrete
• Solid-surface
• Plastic laminate
• Ceramic tile
• Wood

Keep in mind how much use your kitchen gets. For instance, if you’re an avid cook who will be preparing food on the countertops frequently, non-porous materials will make more sense. Wood, a porous material, will require far more maintenance and refinishing.

Kitchen Designing Tips for a Professionally Designed Kitchen

By following these kitchen designing tips, you’re on your way to a kitchen that’s cohesive, visually appealing, and practical. These tips have one thing in common: preparation.

Consider the current aesthetic of your home, the natural lighting your kitchen receives, and the current layout. By keeping these elements in mind, you’re reducing the number of choices you can select from.

Do you have a small kitchen that sees a lot of use? Then plastic-laminate countertops and light-colored walls and cabinets may be the best idea.

Keep reading our blog on more ways to create professionally designed properties!