The kitchen is the heart of any home. In many cases, it is the hardest working room in the house.
It is a place for you to get creative with food and show off your culinary expertise. It should also be a welcoming space for social interaction with family and friends. Creating a kitchen space that looks good and works efficiently is achievable, but there are some essential elements that you need to consider first.
Layout: Your home’s existing architecture will dictate your layout. However, if remodeling is on the agenda, the common layouts are U-shaped, L-shaped, parallel, single wall, or an island. Do not forget the triangle rule: ensuring the hob, sink, and fridge are all relatively close to each other.
Open-plan kitchens are still proving popular with the desire to seamlessly integrate the kitchen and living space, so keep in mind the overall flow and access to other rooms. Casual seating areas or sociable spaces are achievable with a breakfast bar at the end of an island.
Design: The design of your kitchen is your first stamp of personalisation. What style does your kitchen follow? Is it a design that can cope with the demands of a busy kitchen? Classical clean lines; contemporary minimalist design; or traditional delicate detailing - there are no limits to creating the style you want. The style will influence the aesthetics and your overall cooking experience, so consider how a marble, stone, or granite worktop will complement your scheme.
Appliances: For a fully functional kitchen, all cooking appliances need to be at your fingertips. If you want to modernise your cooking space with the latest technology and design, a Steam Combination Oven or a Miele Induction Hob with touch controls are two sleek options. Continuity is key, so think about purchasing Miele’s integrated dishwasher to complement the rest.
Storage: Creating stylish, streamlined storage solutions around the home is highly sought-after. In the case of a kitchen, it is important to create a home for every imaginable kitchen item. Think about how to display your favourite china and glassware. Will this be in cupboards, open shelves, or pull-out drawers?
Built-in spice racks make a stylishly compact addition to your kitchen storage, while dried food and crockery can be stored in deep drawers. If space is restricted, consider tall shelves, trolleys, or wall organisers are a great idea.
Lighting: A well-planned lighting scheme is essential. The more natural light in your kitchen the better. Task lighting is an option. For a compact kitchen, opt for smaller shades. Floor lights are a fabulous way to build atmosphere and illuminate your space. Meanwhile, dimmable lights can be fitted below wall cabinets, and in-drawer lighting will make your kitchen feel cosy.
Colours: A little zest of colour will bring your space to life. Splashes of colour can change the mood of your kitchen and similarly draw the eye towards certain features. For example, you could opt for a restrained palette of pale greys and blues, or in contrast yellow against darker grey. A clever way of incorporating colour is through accessories, so think about coloured stools for the breakfast bar or even patterned flooring.
Cherrymore Kitchens is located on the first floor of Ganly’s on the Roscommon Road, Athlone.
For more information call (090 ) 6494707 or email [email protected].
