The kitchen is probably one of the most challenging places to design because this space contains maximum functionality within the minimum area. We talked to the designers about the main points to pay attention to when arranging the kitchen.
What Mistakes Do People Make Most Often?
Of course, making a perfect design is a difficult task. One should consider numerous things: from materials used, to functionality, to style. If you want to save your time and resources, address the https://hawaiitrustedrealty.com/builder/kitchen-renovation service right away. And we will tell you about the common mistakes when designing a kitchen if you decide to do everything yourself.
1. Incorrect kitchen set location
Mistakes often concern the functionality of the kitchen. The classic one is the wrong location of the kitchen set along the walls. This decision is justified if the room has a square shape and a small area. In all other cases, you need to arrange the equipment according to the rule of the triangle: so that the distance between the stove, sink, and refrigerator is not more than four feet.
2. Saving on fittings
In the pursuit of beauty, customers typically save on mechanisms rather than facades. You should not do this: you will use drawers and boxes every day, and with the wrong layout, it can cause a lot of discomfort. Therefore, we recommend putting a certain budget on qualitative hinges and door closers. It is much more convenient to use drawers that will not open to the outside. It is more convenient to use sliding mechanisms — you can see what is stored in the drawer, and you can easily get what you want from the farthest corners.
3. Small work area
The optimal size of the cooking zone, if you do not just drink coffee in the morning, is at least 6.5 feet. If the kitchen is small and there are two or three people in the family, it makes sense to replace a full-fledged cooking surface with a two-burner one, thus freeing up an additional surface.
4. Boring facades
If we talk about trends in facades, the most relevant materials are very brutal: metal, concrete, and rough-textured wood. This does not mean that we all urgently need to use only them, especially since textured wood, for example, will be hard to care for. But you can always combine, as an option, a practical lower tier and a more fashionable upper one.
Checklist for Kitchen Planning
A good idea is to think about everything in advance, creating a checklist that will be easy to follow.
1. Think about the design
It is better to think about the visual component in advance: the kitchen should correspond to the general style of the interior of the apartment. In a small room, it is better to use light, neutral shades to enlarge the area visually and fill the space with air. Bright accents should be used in the decor.
If the height of a ceiling is small, choose the high kitchen set. In this case, dust does not accumulate on the upper drawers, where additional storage can be arranged. You can completely abandon the upper cabinets if they are not needed.
2. Use washable materials
When lining the kitchen, it is better to abandon materials that are not intended for washing: wallpaper and textured plaster should be left for living rooms. But paints that can be cleaned even with a stiff sponge are the perfect option for the kitchen. It is also better to use tiles or porcelain on the floor. Wood and laminate must be waterproof and with a high degree of wear resistance.
3. Choose facades depending on the opening mechanism
The concepts of “beautiful” and “practical” do not always coincide, so the color scheme should avoid dark glossy coatings: there will be visible fingerprints and stains. Bright doors are easier to use and easy to clean. It is better to install integrated handles or railings with glossy surfaces. White kitchens should not be made using film (PVC): over time, the material loses its glossy luster and becomes dirty, and with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, it turns yellow.
4. Take into account the size of the cabinets when installing lighting fixtures
A common mistake that occurs after installing the kitchen is the wrong location of lighting. Overhead luminaires are covered with top cabinets and shine not on the work area but on the top of the cabinets or make it difficult to open the facades. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the location of the light at the stage of repair and take into account the dimensions and opening of the upper cabinets.
5. Plan enough sockets
It is crucial to determine the location of work modules and built-in appliances in advance and analyze the scenario of using appliances. It is convenient to place small kitchen appliances in the corners or on the edges of the work area. Necessary socket blocks must be installed in these places. In order not to clutter the tabletop, the equipment can be hidden in small cabinets located directly above it or in sliding modules. This compact storage will save space and protect the equipment from dust.
6. Choose a countertop made of artificial stone
The most practical countertops are made of stone, but they are quite expensive. Therefore, we often use tabletops from artificial stone. They are resistant to temperature changes and minor mechanical damage. Besides, they can be easily restored by grinding. However, with complex configurations of the kitchen, you will get a visible seam, but when choosing a uniform pattern with small patches, this can be avoided.
Quartz countertops are also quite practical, but they can not include an integrated sink, and with a complex geometry the seam will be visible. Acrylic countertops are made of softer material: the joints on them are invisible, but it is better not to put hot objects on them.
Following these simple tips, you will be able to avoid numerous mistakes during kitchen planning.
