The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in our home. This is why it is essential to make the right choices when you want to design or renovate it. When designing or renovating a kitchen, the choices to be made are many and involve systems, furnishings, appliances, and, of course, style. There are different aspects to be evaluated in parallel and the path error is just around the corner. Here are the tips when designing a kitchen:
Identify the appropriate shape from the space available
Island, compact, corner? The “shape” to be given to the kitchen is one of the first choices to make. But be careful, it is necessary to start from the size of the environment and then decide what shape to give it, and not vice versa. The risk is being forced to reconcile conflicting elements. An example? If the plant is narrow and long, the island is not recommended.
Finding the balance point between aesthetics and practicality
There is no one-size-fits-all solution since everyone has a personal way of understanding and experiencing cooking. So it is right that your habits are the leitmotif of the project and the first thing to understand is how we use the kitchen. If, we actually cook, how and how much. Or if aesthetics are more important to us than practicality. Emphasizing the priority of the habits of those who will use the kitchen, which can have a decisive influence on the design is also important.
Manage the plants according to your needs
We alternate high columns and low containment in harmony, and in planning the positions of the various elements, we start from the position of the implants without, however, renouncing to carry out, if possible, an intervention to move them.
Pay attention to the position of the appliances
In the placement of the various elements, the way in which we are used to using them certainly counts. But there are some rules that apply to everyone. For example, if it is true that the sink and burners cannot be attached, it is also true, that since the two pivots around which food preparation rotates, they should not be too far apart.
Install the dishwasher next to the sink
And in terms of space management, it reminds us that the dishwasher must also be placed near the sink, to avoid spilling dirt and water when we move dishes and pots.
If you cook regularly, fit a sturdy top
Tops and splash guards are areas that continually get dirty when cooking. We suggest giving up on trendy but difficult-to-maintain materials, also because on the market there are extremely practical alternatives for maintenance but also versatile in style.
Insert a breakfast corner, even a small one
Even if our kitchen is really small, we ask our designer to include a floor for breakfast or a quick lunch. The minimum footprint is 45×90 and the ideal location is not far from the stove and sink.
Choose resistant kitchen flooring
Whether it is terracotta or ceramic, it doesn’t matter, the kitchen floor must first of all be resistant, scratch-resistant and shiny. Detergents and edible oils can ruin it, generating stains that are difficult to remove and compromising its texture and therefore its appearance. It goes without saying that parquet and more delicate materials are less suitable because they are more difficult to wash. Of course, in that case, one is forced to give up a touch of elegance and glamour, but in the kitchen comfort and hygiene are essential above all.
On the market, however, there are types of kitchen flooring available that allow you to combine beauty, harmony with functional practicality. For example, porcelain stoneware recalls the beautiful aesthetic finishes of ancient tiles and at the same time ensures good resistance to abrasions, bumps and stains, thanks to the high mechanical capabilities of the material itself. In line with different needs, some stoneware models have veins and textures similar to those of wood, while others have a more modern and minimal mood. There are those who opt instead for oak parquet which, despite the complex maintenance, offers good thermal insulation and is sound-absorbing. Even the self-cleaning models, composed of titanium dioxide, are highly appreciated, for their anti-bacterial qualities.
So how to choose the floor for our kitchen? The decision is difficult and not only due to the wide range of solutions proposed, but several factors must be considered, regardless of the budget available and personal wishes. The evaluation must be weighed with zeal and without haste because the type of floor is decisive for the surrounding environment: it gives it its mood, gives it character, making it comfortable and welcoming rather than aseptic and formal. Here is a brief guide for a careful choice:
– Budget. The cost, as we know, varies, depending on the material chosen. The quality/price ratio must always be considered. But it is possible to have a resistant and aesthetically appealing floor with a low average cost.
– Lifestyle. A family with children will certainly have more difficulties and less time to manage a type of floor, which requires more maintenance. If, on the other hand, you are in a couple or single, you can also opt for a more delicate floor, with all the pros and cons of the situation. In short, if the pace of life is hectic, for professional or private commitments, it is better to choose a solution that guarantees comfort, without wasting energy in terms of maintenance;
– The frequency of use. Again, if the kitchen is the most used home environment, it is preferable to choose one that is easy to clean;
– The allocation of the environment. It is necessary to evaluate the type of rooms adjacent to the kitchen, such as any gardens, verandas, and rooms with delicate floors.
– Furnishing style. The floor must always be coordinated with the furnishing accessories and with the other coverings. The color and the type of material may also differ, but they must also be in the line only in the nuances of the cut of the tiles for example. In the kitchen, as in art, beauty is always synonymous with harmony.
Did you find these tips helpful? We hope so!