Remodelling your kitchen can be a dream and a nightmare all in one. You may have a great idea of what you want, but then realise there are 100 more things to consider when you get started. Or, perhaps you hate your current kitchen but don’t know what it is that you want in your next.
Whether you’re a keen chef or a microwave whizz, the kitchen is a central part of the house. Outside of cooking, the kitchen is where we socialise, eat, clean and sometimes even dance and party!
When it comes to remodelling, you should consider your needs as well as the needs of others entering or living in your home. You may not need anything more than an air fryer to live happily in your home, but your partner wants a top-of-the-range stove and utensils.
Lighting
Lighting is very important in the kitchen. Not only do you need good visibility when using sharp cooking utensils or carrying hot plates, but a well-lit room is also easier to clean, keeping your kitchen hygienic and safe.
If you have an abundance of natural light, then you can opt to make this a feature of your kitchen. Position a kitchen table or breakfast bar under the window to create a nice, light and airy socialisation space. You may also want to keep traditional and have your kitchen sink beneath the window.
If you’re relying on artificial light in your kitchen, spotlights are a popular choice. They disperse bright light evenly around a room to emulate the feeling of natural light. For a more chic look, you might also want to get LED ribbons under your counters.
Flooring
The flooring you’ll probably clean the most in your house is the kitchen floor. No matter how careful we are when we’re cooking, spills are always inevitable. For that reason, it is important to get flooring which is easy to clean.
Although solid wood flooring is a popular choice for its aesthetic throughout the home, it is not suitable in a kitchen. The high moisture levels can cause the natural substances to warp and buckle. If you’re keen for a real wood aesthetic you can opt for engineered wood.
Engineered wood is created with a real wood veneer so, in many ways, it can be treated the same as solid wood flooring (you can even sand and refinish it). This isn’t the best option for a really busy kitchen with lots of spillages, however, as standing water can cause irreparable damage.
If you want something more durable and resistant to water, then luxury vinyl tiles (LVTs) are a great option as they can withstand very heavy usage.
It’s important to get a feel for the type of flooring that you want to add to your kitchen. The best thing to do is order some free samples so that you can test out your flooring in the room and have a feel for how durable it is, compared to your needs.
Counters
Your countertops set the tone for the whole kitchen. Rustic charm can be found in wooden countertops, sleek modern kitchens might favour a smooth black granite and for something more fun and kitsch glittered or coloured countertops look great.
It’s important to take your time deciding what kind of countertops you want, as they will have a dominating presence in a kitchen and are difficult to change. It’s not a bad idea to start by considering what counters you want and working from there to build the rest of the room.
White Goods
Arguably the most important features of a kitchen, white goods are the functional aspect of this important room. If you are a big cook, you may want to splurge more money to get an oven that can fulfil all your needs.
Consider the size of your family before selecting a fridge/freezer, you may save valuable space by getting a smaller one if you live alone. If you have a big family, on the other hand, you might benefit from a chest freezer (although these are best stored in utility areas/cellars).
It is also worth mentioning different appliances. While most people would love to have a mixer, blender, juicer and everything else at their disposal – you also need counter space. If you don’t have a lot of space, prioritise the things you will use regularly. This brings us to…
Storage Space
Good storage solutions are needed in any kitchen. What you use the space for will depend on how you interact with your kitchen. Some will be keen to create a large pantry to contain everything they need for cooking, while others will want optimised space for crockery and pots.
The style of your kitchen will depend on what kind of storage you want. Rustic designs may favour exposed spice racks and hanging pots and pans from open storage. More contemporary designs will look better with hidden solutions.
