So it’s time for a new kitchen? Whether you are building or renovating, getting the kitchen of your dreams isn’t as simple as looking around a kitchen showroom or flicking through a magazine and picking one. There are a number of considerations required to plan the kitchen of your dreams.
When it comes to kitchens, every household will find their needs differ in terms of what they want and need within their kitchen and how it is to function. A busy family will have different kitchen requirements to a professional couple and your new kitchen needs to be designed to meet your specific needs.
Here are our 5 Top Tips for planning your new kitchen
1. Consider Size and Shape
Always start with a well dimensioned plan of your kitchen space. You may want a kitchen with an island in the middle of the room, but is this achievable in the size of your room?
The last thing you want is to find that you don’t have room for the essentials because you’ve incorporated a kitchen design layout that doesn’t suit the size or shape of your room.
Consider the size of your room and be realistic in your kitchen design. The size of your kitchen may limit the layout options you can have and if your budget allows, moving walls or relocating your kitchen may be the best option.
2. Think About What You Need
Have a checklist to ensure your needs are meet. Each household will function differently in their kitchen and therefore have different needs.
For example, if you entertain frequently you may want to design your kitchen with a large island bench where guests can sit and chat whilst you prepare dinner. Or if you buy in bulk when you do your grocery shopping you will need a kitchen that has plenty of storage.
In order to make it easier in the planning process, make a list of all the things you require within your new kitchen, in terms of what appliances you want to include; the proximity of these appliances to other areas within the kitchen; what you need to store and what activities will be carried out within the kitchen (i.e. entertaining, single-person cooking, kids doing homework whilst parents cooking or prepping).
3. Consider Cupboard Heights
The height of all your cupboards is something you do need to consider carefully. You want cupboards at a level that you can reach, but also out of the way of your head.
There are many accessory options that allow you to have storage up out of the way but still easily accessible including several different styles of lift up doors.
It is worth researching the different types of storage systems available to create a kitchen design that maximises your space. Door systems like those available by Blum are a great place to start.
4. Include adequate Storage Space
Storage is king! Include as much storage as you can. When you’re looking into kitchen design, think carefully about all the items you will need to store and use in the kitchen.
Create a list of everything that needs to be stored in your kitchen including appliances, cooking utensils, crockery, cutlery etc. Use large corner cupboards for larger items like slow cookers, rice cookers, blenders and the like.
Frequently used items need to be easy to access and daily crockery and cutlery easily accessible to the dishwasher. Enlist the help of drawer accessories to keep drawers tidy and maximise storage.
5. Be Logical
Make your kitchen work for you! When trying to decide what area will go where, think about how you work within your kitchen and the flow you want to create to make your time in the kitchen easier.
Place your washing up amenities and spaces together, put your refrigerator within close proximity of your prep area, which should also be close to your cooktop.
Take the time to think about how to make cooking and/or cleaning more efficient. Maintaining a work triangle will greatly improve the flow of your kitchen.
Read more on planning your new kitchen design and take the time to really think through how your new kitchen design before you start your kitchen design.
Planning your kitchen thoroughly will definitely pay benefits in the long term, as you will have created a kitchen that works for you, and you enjoy spending time in.
If in doubt, consider consulting an interior designer to create the kitchen you’ve always dreamed of.
How much should you spend on a kitchen renovation?
The cost of a new kitchen will depend on a range of factors, including your kitchen’s size, condition, design complexity, the materials you want to use and your vision for the space.
The 2017/18 Housing Industry Association (HIA) Kitchens and Bathrooms survey found the average cost to renovate a kitchen in Australia was $21,132. However, my experience is a kitchen makeover can be a low as 10,000 and generally go upwards of $25,000 for a full renovation depending on the scope of work and design required.
You will need to consider the materials you use as they will influence your budget significantly. You also need to budget for the type of kitchen appliances you want, they too range from basic to top of the range European brands. The size of the job, the type of tradespeople you hire, and your location will impact the cost. A small kitchen is going to cost less to redesign and refit than a big one.
You want to make sure that your kitchen renovation is going to work for you and will add value to your home.
Planning a new Kitchen or renovation project? Get started by reading all the tips on how to create a functional and beautiful new kitchen.
Getting Ready for a New Design or Renovation Project?
A new home design or renovation is not something you do on a whim, it requires planning.
Whether you are renovating a bedroom or a whole house there’s a few essential steps that will help as you embark on this exciting and sometimes daunting journey.
My 6 Top Tips for Planning Your Home Renovation
- Do your Homework & Define your Scope
- Know your Budget
- Know your Limitations
- Hire Experts
- Have a Plan Open & Honest Communication
Resources to Help You Get Started
Need More Information?
If you have any questions or would like help with your bulding or renovation projects, feel free to contact us for a no obligation discussion.
We help busy families and individuals achieve their ideal version of luxury living, blending it seamlessly with practicality to suit their lifestyle perfectly.
If you are building or renovating, we’d love to hear from you to discuss creating a beautiful interior that fits your dream of luxury living.
