Kitchens

Considering the amount of time spent in the kitchen, it makes sense to create an inviting environment, one that will make food preparation a pleasure rather than a chore.

Before choosing a new kitchen, many considerations need to be taken into account. It is recommended that time is taken to decide what will work best both from a practical and taste perspective. A wish list needs to be created and prioritised to ensure the end result will suit those who are going to be using the kitchen the most.

A large kitchen is a must for most new homeowners and increasingly people are ditching the idea of a formal dining room and are looking at the concept of a kitchen dining space, perhaps with a breakfast bar. A considerable amount of time will probably be spent in the kitchen area. It is the most intimate and yet social place in the house. Even the placement of the kitchen is central, often between the living room and the bedrooms, or the entryway. The kitchen should be designed bearing in mind what the most time is spent on in the kitchen, is it cooking, baking, homework, eating etc.

Kitchens can cost from €1,000 to €40,000+. Consider several designs and several suppliers before making a decision.

When buying a kitchen, it is recommended to first choose the basic layout/arrangement because the possibilities are endless. Then to focus on the elements and functions which are most important.

What's wrong with your present kitchen?
An approach that could be taken is to think of the current kitchen and what its positive and negative points are. What is the kitchen used for? What are the priorities? Then it may be easier to keep a focus on what is needed to meet the most important requirements from a compositional, stylistic and technical point of view.

Lifestyle considerations

• What meals are eaten in the kitchen?
• Will there be children in the kitchen?
• Is the kitchen considered the main room in the house?
• How many people cook in the house?
• Will it be a place for receiving friends and guests, or will it be used exclusively for the family?
• How many people will want to cook simultaneously?
• Are there elderly or disabled people?

Answering these questions will help establish the basic elements of the new kitchen. Will it be a modern kitchen, with islands or peninsulas, with separate work areas to allow more than one person to be in the kitchen at the same time? Will you want a snack bar where guests can sit while the dinner is being cooked? Or is the best thing an intimate kitchen, with a large table, that optimises space and maneuvering, with the sink and cooker near each other and a handy work surface not too far from the refrigerator? If there are elderly or disabled persons, consider using easy to open wall units, ergonomic counter tops, custom cabinet heights, and for example avoid making access to the windows difficult.

Functional considerations

Which accessories and appliances need to be included in the kitchen.

Think about the uses of the kitchen:

• For cooking in a traditional way?
• For cooking in a fast and modern style?
• For cooking frozen foods?
• For doing homework or other table-top activities?
• For recreational activities?
• For ironing clothes in the kitchen?
• Will the washing machine be in the kitchen?

These questions will help evaluate whether more than one ovens/hobs will be needed. Whether to choose a separate freezer and so have a larger fridge? What type of table or bar for eating? Will space be needed for a washing machine, or will an island with basins and a cooking range be more suitable, thus reducing the space for a table?

A kitchen designer will really be able to make a kitchen work for personal needs, personal preferences and overall lifestyle. By giving them as much information as possible they will turn requirements into the most suitable solution. Good groundwork will ensure the kitchen won't lack in any of your fundamental requirements.

There are thousands to choose from. Get as many ideas as possible before starting. While deciding on the ideal kitchen can be a lot of work, it can also be a lot of fun and the rewards are many.