4 details you may have forgotten from your kitchen design
Designing and renovating a kitchen is a stressful and complicated task. Aside from the actual design, there is so much to choose, and so many options! In todays world it is estimated that people spend 5 times as long weighing up options for one purchase as they did just 15 years ago. The main reason for this? The online world. Furthermore, it is estimated that only 7% of people will purchase an appliance from a retail store without first weighing up their alternative options online. The days of designing your kitchen in a week have faded into a historic claim. It’s no wonder that when the words “kitchen renovation” are uttered, there is a chorus of sympathetic groans from anyone that has just completed the job
With so much to choose, and with the overwhelming task of making your dream kitchen a reality, it would seem the best place to start is with the obvious things. The flooring, the cupboards, the built in appliances, the bench tops, the sink, the tapware. Is there a scullery? Walk in Pantry? Integrated fridge? Drawers or cupboards? The list of options,and whirlwind of questions seems to be endless. Maybe this is okay, but what about the finer details? We all know the saying ‘it’s the little things that make the biggest difference’, and your kitchen design is no exception to this.
What thousands of renovators will tell you from all over the globe, is that renovation disasters aren’t necessarily obvious flaws. Instead, it will often be the small details that have been overlooked, forgotten, and rushed. The end result in the ever rising living standards that we set? It will lack that feel of perfection and class. What’s more, the smallest things are generally the easiest things to perfect – so why do we get them wrong?
It’s for this reason we have put together a small list of details that you may have forgotten to think about!
1. Keep everything in the right proportions
There’s no point having a big kitchen if you are going to fill it with small accessories and fittings. If you are going big, everything needs to be big, otherwise they will get lost and the kitchen feel clinical and bare. Similarly, if your kitchen space is small, don’t crowd it out with huge accessories. This will only make the space look cluttered and crowded. This includes things such as light fittings, cabinetry hardware and decorative items. Most items available for purchase now days will be available in a number of sizes, so take advantage of this. If you aren’t sure what is right for your space there is a number of articles online to guide you. With cabinet handles try to make sure the length is anywhere between 30% to 80% of the door/drawer width. If you are using cabinet knobs, install two for the large drawers and cupboards.
2. Matching finishes
There has been a rise of late in people mixing finishes their metal finishes in one room. Probably because of the new and trending finishes continuously being introduced for metal products, which means it has become increasingly difficult to source all products in the same finish. Although this isn’t a no-no, it isn’t ideal either. Matching finishes across tapware, cabinetry hardware, door hardware, light fittings etc will ensure the design is kept consistent, and will improve the overall feel of the room.
3. Keep the Style Consistent
Nothing is more important than ensuring you don’t go mixing styles. In some cases you may get away with it where the styles are of the same family. For example; hamptons style, french provincial, classic and traditional styles when combined in moderation wouldn’t look out of the blue. However, when you go combining something like a modern or contemporary, with antique pieces, it will result in a very unfitting and disjointed finished look and leaving your viewers very confused. Same goes even for details like cabinet handles. Modern style kitchens will suit recessed or straight handles as opposed to handles or pulls with curves and elaborate details
4. Function is important!
Often when choosing interior pieces, we are so engrossed in the aesthetics that we forget to think about functionality. Although it is important to have a kitchen with aesthetic appeal, it is equally important to have a kitchen that functions well and isn’t causing any unnecessary inefficiencies. And this isn’t necessarily the obvious things like sink placement and cupboard height. This also means things like the cabinet hardware you choose. The last thing you want is a sharp drawer pull tearing holes in your clothes. The easiest cabinet handles to grip are the ones with a projection of 30mm+ and with radiused edges and corners.