In the 21^st century kitchens really are seen as the heart of the home. Today people want kitchens to be more than just places to cook, they want a kitchen they can relax in, entertain in and even work in. This can be a difficult ask for some kitchen spaces. This is why it is always worth seeking help from a good kitchen design company, if you are planning a new kitchen. After all, it is usually the room in the house that people spend the most amount of money on, so it needs to be right. With years of experience working with kitchens of all sizes and shapes, a good kitchen design team will be able to offer lots of good advice and fresh ideas on how to make the most of yours. If you are planning a new kitchen sometime soon, here are some of our top design tips

1. The kitchen triangle

The kitchen triangle is a principle that many designers still use to determine the most efficient layout for a kitchen. The cooker, fridge and sink are positioned on different walls so that if lines are drawn from one to another they form a triangle. The aim of this layout is to minimise the number of steps required when cooking or preparing food in the kitchen. However this design principle is not always very practical particularly in narrow galley style kitchens or very large kitchens. In addition, creating ‘kitchen zones’ where different areas of the kitchen are designed for specific purposes is becoming more popular. Different ‘zones’ could be areas for eating, food preparation, cooking, working or relaxing. A good design team will be able to help you incorporate all the different areas you desire into an overall kitchen design that works.

2. Wall cabinets

Storage is extremely important in a kitchen and wall cabinets are very practical. However in a small kitchen lots of wall cabinets can make the room look even smaller.  If they are needed for storage then a good idea is to mix solid door wall cabinets with some glass fronted ones. These add depth and create a sense of space while still providing good storage. However, if wall cabinets are a good option for your kitchen it might be worth considering full height, wall to ceiling cabinets. They provide even more valuable storage space and in addition save on the cleaning because they have no exposed surfaces on top to collect dust and grease.

3. Kitchen Islands

Islands are extremely popular at the moment and for good reason. They add a real wow factor to a kitchen as well as adding extra storage, extra workspace and somewhere informal to eat, drink and work. To get the most from your island make sure to add enough pop up kitchen sockets. These can be used for charging phones and laptops as well as for kitchen appliances. They will prevent the hazard of electric cables running across the floor from one side of the kitchen to another.

4. Handleless kitchens

If you prefer clean, sleek lines then handlesless kitchens are the perfect choice. The smooth, streamlined, kitchen cabinets with touch open, handleless doors are the ultimate in contemporary, minimalist design. They are also extremely practical. The ridge free surfaces and no handle design make them a dream to clean. A quick wipe and you’re done!

5. Lighting

Never skimp on lighting it can make the difference between a good kitchen and a stunning one! Different types of lighting (task lighting, ambient lighting, accent lighting) are needed for different areas of the kitchen e.g. overhead, under cabinet, low level dining, flooring etc. Your kitchen design team will be able to discuss all the options with you.

6. Bins

We all now need a number of bins to store our waste and our recycling. Finding the best place should be part of the kitchen design. Most new kitchens provide under the counter solutions for separating kitchen waste and recycling. If you don’t have the space for this option, always choose good quality bins and store them in an out of sight corner.

7. Sockets

Kitchens need a lot of sockets. You need sockets positioned near large electrical items such as the fridge, freezer, dishwasher, oven etc. You also need a number of sockets for smaller movable items such as the kettle, toaster, microwave etc. and for items that are only used occasionally. In addition installing a couple of sockets with USB adapters built in can make charging mobile phones and tablets etc a lot easier.  Sockets can be wall mounted, installed in cupboards, or pop up sockets can be installed which can be hidden from view when not in use. A good kitchen design consultant will be able to advise you on the number of sockets you need as well as the best places to locate them.

If you are planning a new kitchen and are looking for some expert advice our friendly design consultants at Aspire Kitchen Design would love to hear from you. Please feel free to get in touch or come along to our new kitchen showroom in Stirling to meet us in person.