Tips For Designing Your Kitchen

As the heart of the home, there are a number of things to consider when designing your kitchen. Whether you’re cooking meals or entertaining, we’ve put together our top tips to help you create a kitchen that is both beautiful and functional.

Layout

Where you install your appliances, as well as fixtures such as your sinks and taps, makes a big impact on your day-to-day activities. The space in between is also as important as this affects how you move around your kitchen.

1 - Location

• Install the dishwasher close to the sink for better efficiency.

• Fridges should be located in close proximity to a countertop so you can quickly grab ingredients whilst cooking, plus this makes it easier when putting away your groceries.

• Built-in ovens installed at an optimal, ergonomic height make it easier to take out hot trays of food. Underbench ovens offer additional bench space, ideally suited for smaller kitchens.

2 - Distance

• Consider the circulation around your space and provide plenty of walkway space to avoid collisions.

• Ensure nothing is in the way between fixtures, particularly for the area where you will do your meal prep.

3 - Sink Placement

• If you have a window that looks out to a beautiful view, placing your sink underneath can turn the tedious task of washing up into something more pleasant, while bringing in natural light for better visibility. A white butler fireclay ceramic sink will look immaculate bathed in bright sunlight.

• If you have a large kitchen island, placing the sink there allows you to entertain while prepping and cleaning. We recommend an undermount sink with a deep bowl to help put clutter away from the benchtop. The undermount installation also makes it easier to sweep messes from the countertop straight into the sink.

Appliances

In this section, we’ll go over the things to consider around appliances: how and where to install and which functions to look for to suit your cooking and entertaining style.

1 - Installation

• Integrated appliances, such as undermount rangehoods, integrated dishwashers, and integrated fridges are installed within your kitchen’s cabinetry. These are the ideal option if you want to maintain a consistent look in your kitchen by discreetly concealing appliances.

• Freestanding appliances can become your kitchen’s centrepiece. For example, freestanding stoves come in a wide variety of colours and designs - from provincial style to sleek minimalist - to anchor the aesthetic of your space.

2 - Function

• Consider your cooking style to find the right types of appliances. If you’re cooking for a large family, double ovens and cooktops with 5 or more burners offer extra capacity for preparing a family feast. If you’re looking to broaden your culinary horizons, innovative appliances such as steam ovens, vacuum drawers, and super precise induction cooktops enable you to explore professional cooking techniques such as sous-vide.

• Select appliances that enhance your entertaining style. If you regularly host large gatherings, a french door fridge is a must-have to store large platters of food. If you like to create a restaurant-quality experience at home, appliances such as warming drawers and wine cabinets will help you impress all your guests.

Organisation

A kitchen design that is well-organised and tidy ensures a streamlined experience, whether you’re cooking or cleaning. Here are some tips to establish an organised storage and waste management system:

1 - Storage

• Ensure your frequently used items such as cooking utensils are on hand with space-saving kitchen organisation solutions. Storage for plates and cutlery should be located near the dishwasher for ease of unloading. Cookware can be stored near the stove or oven for easy access.

• Vertical storage maximises your available space. Shelving in your kitchen can house taller items such as bottles and jars. Or you can utilise stackable food containers to store dry pantry items.

2 - Waste Management

• There are waste bin options available which sort rubbish, recycling, and food waste to make bin day a breeze.

• For a hygienic and odour-free way of getting rid of food waste, adding a food waste disposal system, such as an InSinkErator, is essential. This grinds food waste into small particles that can go through the sewage system and away from landfill, making this the perfect addition to an environmentally friendly kitchen.

Design Scheme

Express your unique style and always make the right first impression by carefully curating a design palette for your kitchen. Transform any space into a stylish sanctuary you’ll love spending time in with these tips:

1 - Dominant and Accent Colours

• Selecting a vibrant dominant colour instantly makes an impact, while a neutral palette allows you to experiment with contrast and textures. Create an eye-catching centrepiece with retro fridges and freestanding cookers in a dominant colour.

• Choosing accent colours allows you to elegantly complement the main palette of your kitchen. Small appliances in your favourite tones and shades add a pop of colour on a benchtop, or you can opt to paint your cabinetry with matching shades.

2 - Finishes and Textures

• Add the perfect finishing touch to your kitchen with the right finish. From metallic tapware to mirror glass finishes on ovens and cooktops, you can mix and match to achieve your desired look.

• Even if you have a neutral colour palette, you can play around with different textures to create depth and layers. For example, you can combine matte black with glossy black textures on your main appliances, or create a focal point by pairing your white ceramic sink with tapware that has a brushed or polished metal texture.