8 minute read
8 steps to kitchen perfection
To make your dreams a reality, first turn your attention to the practicalities
Lighting
Appliances
As the busiest room in the house, the kitchen is often top of a home owner’s renovation wish list. Whether yours needs a simple cosmetic lift or a complete overhaul, you’ll need a plan of attack. Here are eight steps to guide the way to your new dream kitchen.
Sink & tap
Splashback
Benchtop
This kitchen layout includes a supersized island bench, with plenty of room for extra storage and casual seating. The combination of white, wood and concrete offers timeless appeal, with timber overhead adding contrasting warm tones.
Accessories Cabinet style
For less clutter and easy cleaning around the sink, consider wallmounted tapware.
Study nook
Flooring
Assess your space
The first step is to evaluate your existing kitchen. Identify what works in the space and what doesn’t, if there’s anything worth keeping, or if you need to gut it and start afresh. “Functionality is key to a great kitchen, so when planning the new space, take your lifestyle into account: how you cook, entertain, the number of people using the kitchen and your requirements,” suggests Briony Mikrou of Kaboodle Kitchen.
Set yourself up for success by keeping the principles of the working triangle in mind, adds Mike Smith, Bunnings in home services state manager. “For ease of use, the cooktop, fridge and sink, which make up the working triangle, should be positioned at a comfortable distance, no more than 2.5m from one another,” he says. “Regular go-to locations like the microwave, pantry and bins should also be given a prime position.”
The kitchen’s location within the home and adjoining spaces should also influence its configuration, materials and colours, to create a zone that flows and feels cohesive with the rest of the interiors.
Choose the layout
The size and shape of the room will often determine the best layout. An island kitchen features single line or L-shaped cabinetry and a central freestanding bench. “This offers a social space, with the island doubling as food prep and informal dining zone, yet it does need a generous floor area,” says Mike.
With cabinetry and benchtops on three sides and often a peninsula, the U-shape works in large and small spaces. “This is the easiest shape to perfect the working triangle and has ample bench space, but may feel closed off and multiple corners can create challenges in accessing storage spaces,” adds Mike. In apartments and linear footprints, straight line or galley kitchens can pack a lot into a small space.
“Online planning tools can be really helpful to visualise layouts and get a sense of how they will function,” says Briony. The 3D Kaboodle Planner can also give you a quick design and quote. 1
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Even compact kitchens can include a casual dining area by allowing an overhang on the benchtop.
3Factor in storage Ideally, storage will be specifically tailored to your needs – if you’re a baker, for example, you may have a pile of baking tins to stash. Look at exactly what you need to store, and where – everyday items like spices should be near the cooktop, while infrequently used serving dishes can be kept on a high shelf. To maximise space, consider installing tall cabinetry, adding practical and stylish open shelving, or building a niche into the end of the island. “The pantry is the most frequently used storage area, so ensure it’s easily accessible and functional, with tiered pantry pull-out baskets or a designated walk-in space,” advises Kaboodle’s Briony Mikrou. Incorporating internal storage systems will also help maximise storage capacity. “Internal wireware systems and even drawer dividers in a kitchen can really compartmentalise the space, adding that extra element of organisation,” says Simon Warmington, Bunnings national buyer, kitchens, laundry and appliances.
L-shaped plan
For a clean, streamlined look, match benchtop and door colours. Kaboodle ‘Modern’ profile cabinetry in Feta Whip and Hazelnut, benchtop in Hazelnut, ‘Plaza’ handles and steel frame shelving.
4Pick your finishes When choosing a benchtop, you’ll have to consider the thickness, profile, required lengths and the pros and cons of various materials. Engineered stone options are durable and beautiful, and can replicate more delicate materials like marble; for more conservative budgets, laminates can achieve a similar look. “Natural timber and bamboo benches are a great way to add warmth,” says Simon. While timber requires regular maintenance, it adds raw appeal and, like laminate, can be DIY fitted. “It’s important to consider surfaces that are durable and easy to clean,” Simon adds. “There are laminates with scuff resistance and anti-fingerprint technology so your benchtop will easily stand the test of time.”
Cost-effective options for cabinetry include melamine and thermoformed doors, says Briony. Glass and engineered stone splashbacks will need to be custom ordered and fitted; tiled splashbacks can be relatively quick and easy to install.
A simple galley kitchen plan can be costeffective – and avoids corner cupboard chaos! Kaboodle ‘Modern’ profile cabinetry in Macaroon, benchtops in Terrazzola and ‘Discreet’ grip handles.
Straight-line plan
Smaller details like tapware can have big impact. Methven ‘Gaston’ WELS 4-star 7.5L/min pull down sink mixer. Galley plan
Simon Warmington
National buyer, kitchens, laundry and appliances
5Select a sink and tap “Not all sink types are compatible with all benchtop materials, so discuss suitability with a designer,” suggests Mike Smith. “Weigh up the advantages of a single, 1.5 or double-bowl sink, whether to include a drainer, and choose a tap in a complementary style and finish. A tall tap, with adjustable head and pull-out vegie spray, offers great flexibility.”
Fitting options for sinks include drop-in, where the lip overlaps the benchtop, or under-mounted, where the benchtop comes right to the edge of the bowl. This option is less obtrusive than a drop-in version, a bonus in a small kitchen.
Sinks are an often-overlooked creative opportunity. While stainless steel is a time-honoured favourite, you might also consider a granite composite or ceramic sink, and colours ranging from gunmetal grey to gold. Taps are another, more subtle, way to make a style statement; find stylish mixers in chrome or steel, but also in black, white and shades of gold. A full renovation is a chance to take your sink area to the next level, with a mixer that also delivers filtered water.
6Size up appliances Whether reusing existing appliances or installing new models, you’ll need the dimensions early in the planning stage to ensure the perfect fit. Appliance location may also affect electrical outlets and plumbing, so discuss potential limitations or requirements with your kitchen designer or builder.
When buying new appliances, consider what could improve the kitchen’s design and usefulness; is it worthwhile upgrading the oven and cooktop, switching from gas to induction, or installing an integrated rather than a freestanding dishwasher?
A new cooktop location may mean changing your rangehood. Mike adds, “If considering switching from a recirculating to a ducted model, keep in mind it will need to be flued outside the house.”
MEASURE UP
Knowing key measurements can help you get a feel for what’s possible. “Standard bench depth is 600mm, yet for an island or peninsula, you may want to go for 900mm-1200mm, particularly if you plan to regularly eat, create a homework zone, or use the bench as a working space,” says Mike. A deeper bench can also allow for cupboards on the front of the island, which can be convenient for storing tableware and glassware.
Allow a 1000mm walkway either side of an island bench. For ease of cooking and washing up, provide 500mm set-down space alongside the oven and sink.
The standard size for appliances like ovens, cooktops, rangehoods and dishwashers is 600mm, although different widths are available to suit lifestyle and space, such as 900mm stoves and 450mm dishwashers. Fridges, however, vary significantly in depth and width, so choose your model early in the design stage.
U-shaped kitchens offer plenty of work space. Kaboodle ‘Modern’ profile cabinetry in Bubble Gum, benchtop in Yamaroo and ‘Cabo’ handles in Brushed Nickel.
U-shaped plan
Plot power points To determine where electrical points need to be installed, map 7 the location of fixed appliances and where small appliances will be used. “I advise including at least one double power point for each section of benchtop and adding them at either end of the island or tucked underneath a breakfast bar,” says Mike. “If you plan to store and use appliances in the same spot in the butler’s pantry, a series of outlets along the wall will enhance convenience,” he adds.
In an open-plan area, a minimalist palette is cool, elegant and subtle. Kaboodle ‘Modern’ profile cabinetry in White Pepper, benchtops in Oyster Swirl and ‘Discreet’ grip and bar handles. Single-line plan
A combination of lighting can create a little design drama. Pendants provide functional illumination, look lovely and, when grouped and hung unevenly, have a quirky, intimate appeal.
8Layer lighting To perfect the lighting scheme, Mike suggests including layers of light to cover all your needs. “For general ambient lighting, use ceilingmounted fittings that throw light in all directions or add flush-mount downlights spaced approximately 1.2m-1.5m apart,” he says. “Use pendants over the island teamed with undercabinet strip lighting for effective task lighting above workbenches.”
Accent lighting will turn up the luxe factor, and for ambience after dark, incorporate wall sconces and LED strip lighting at the base of benches. ◆
