Undertaking the task of changing the look of your kitchen can be a daunting one. By now, you may already have a general idea of what you want in your kitchen space, but do you know what not to do under any circumstance?
Redesigning and remodelling your kitchen is something that may be more difficult than it seems, with so many factors to consider. Therefore, we have created a NOT-TO-DO list that may help in providing you with some baseline knowledge on kitchen designing. With these tips, we hope that they will give you a general idea of what to expect when starting your kitchen building plans.
Redesigning doesn’t just achieve an aesthetic purpose but also a practical one. That’s what this is all about, right? Reforming your kitchen is one of the vital changes you can make to your home, so we know you would want a perfect result. Ideally, a kitchen would be decorative and chic, but also functional, useful, and adapted for you. To top it off, some space for storage would be great too. Don’t worry, you can have it all!
However, the key for you to understanding the elements of a functional kitchen is in what not-to-do, which can guide you in looking out for specific things more acutely. Therefore, we hope this list will be a good guide for remodelling your kitchen when starting your redesigning.
Without further ado, when redesigning your kitchen, do not…
①
Think that wood is not a good material for the kitchen
Many times, we don’t consider using wood elements in our new kitchen because we think that it may be unsuitable in our humid
Singapore weather, or easy to stain.
However, this is not the case at all!
In fact, wood is a material that is always “in” and will help to create a warm and cosy look. There are also some wood flooring that are
water-resistant, flame retardant, and easy
to clean too! Choosing ceramics and tiles
flooring which imitate the patterns
and colors of wood can create a complementary
tone of the kitchen overall.
②
Choose an unsuitable material for the kitchen top
This surface suffers the most from the constant use and wear. It is one expense that you definitely shouldn’t skimp on when redesigning your kitchen. You should use a quality material that very resistant, such as stones like quartz. Alternatively, there’s a whole new range in the market that are even better than natural stones. These materials boast properties such as stain resistance, scratch resistance, and humidity control, which makes them the perfect material for a long-lasting kitchen top. If you’d like to find out more about these products, you can contact us here and we’d be better able to guide you in finding a suitable material for your kitchen.
③
Choose a difficult to clean laminate
The kitchen needs to be practical and functional, unless you’re thinking of using it purely as an exhibition space (honestly, some people never use theirs, and it becomes more of a decorative space in the home!). However, cooking sometimes entails splashing the wall with food or water, thus an easy-to-clean back-splash is useful in ensuring the kitchen remains free from mess. You don’t need to tile up the kitchen from floor to ceiling, but covering the working station and cooking area/hob would be a great help. We also recommend using the same material as the kitchen top to create a cohesive look to the kitchen.
④
Forget about your specific needs
Even though there are some basic rules that everybody can follow when renovating their kitchen, they can always be personalised to you. Every space in a house needs to be adequate and respond to the needs of its occupants. Always think of what you need: Are you going to have many small items? A wine storage place for your vast wine collection? Do you need a kettle or coffee machine area? Make sure whatever you do improves your quality of life and makes it easier. Functionality before design!
⑤
Think that opening the kitchen is a mistake
In “opening” the kitchen, you may choose to remove the wall that separates the kitchen from the next room, or create an intermediate solution with glass or non-glass openings. This enables you to achieve a very spacious feel with more luminosity. In most houses in Singapore, this would be a good choice, especially if the kitchen is facing the living or dining room. Our pro-tip is to also hide the home appliances behind the carpentry, so that they won’t be visible from other parts of the house.
⑥
Select an uncustomised solution
Choosing specific designs created for your kitchen space can help you to take advantage of the area you have. Even if your layout is too small, too complicated, or has a slanted roof, customising the space accordingly will enable you to take into consideration what you have, and turn it into a space that functions ideally for you. Professionals can also definitely help you to optimise your kitchen space to fit your space and needs as they have a keen understanding and acute awareness of the space available.
⑦
Forget about the storage space
Having adequate storage in the kitchen is essential in creating a well-functioning space. Before changing the kitchen furniture, have a look at all the items you have and remember that each piece will need to occupy a space. Of course, before anything, you would need to get rid of what you don’t need anymore. After that, however, the design has to meet your storage needs, otherwise you may have issues finding your stainless steel pan in the future.
⑧
Avoid fully maximising your space
Make full use of the kitchen cabinets to elongate and elevate your kitchen. If you have high ceilings, make the furniture go to the top. In that, place appliances that you use less frequently on top, and keep your daily utensils within arms length below. Although you may be working with a limited sized kitchen space, you can always use a medley of design techniques to visually create a larger working area. Using finishing that complement your kitchen tiles will also help to create a practical kitchen with style.
⑨
Neglect the standard measurements
There are also certain measurement guides for your station space that you can follow; it is recommended to leave around 60cm on both sides of the stove. Leaving space smaller than that may result in your arms hitting the walls while using the stove. We also recommend that you keep the sink in close reach to the stove and your fridge.
⑩
Avoid professional help
Many people think that they do not need help to design and renovate their kitchen. However, the kitchen is one of the most crucial spaces of your home, and is also the area with the most requirements. If you wanted to redesign your bedroom, it probably would not be as complicated. However in spaces like the kitchen and bathrooms, there are many more factors involved apart from just the furniture, such as electricity, water piping, waterproofing, and tiling. Therefore, we strongly recommend you to look for an interior architect when working on your kitchen, who can not only help to design the kitchen of your dreams, but also help you to avoid the renovation nightmare.
Written by:
Laura Garcia
Interior Architect