Because Not Everyone Is A Kitchen Designer…

Because Not Everyone Is A Kitchen Designer…

We all get grand ideas about how our dream kitchen should look. TV reality shows and retail showrooms set our imaginations in motion, but when it comes to making those dreams reality, a little bit of expert help can work wonders. Which, of course, is where My Beautiful Kitchen comes in.

Tips for making that dream kitchen a reality

Before you even begin to plan your kitchen there are a few basic concepts to get your head around, which will help you get your design right and get you as close as possible to your dream kitchen. They might even give you a few ideas you wouldn’t have thought of previously.

The shape (and size) of your kitchen is hugely important when it comes to where you site things such as the worktops and appliances. It’s a good idea to photocopy a scale drawing and practice planning your layout to see what works and what doesn’t. Bear in mind that the oven, hob and fridge need to be within easy reach of each other and not too far from the sink for convenience. And talking of the sink, that should be facing the window for light and the view of the garden, if you have one. A worktop on either side of the sink is good for stacking dishes.

Now you’re cooking

The cooker should be at the heart of every kitchen designer. That’s why it makes sense to place it against an outside wall where a vent can be installed. Placing a cooker beneath a window might seem sensible but there’s a risk of blinds or curtains catching fire and the window frame obstructing the hob when in an open position and for that very same reason, the cooker shouldn’t be placed close to a door.

You next important white good is your fridge, ideally a fridge/freezer if you’re short on space. Try to keep it separated from the cooker by a worktop and out of harsh sunlight.

Short on storage space? The wall space between a preparation worktop and wall cupboards is ideal for shelves or racking to store items such as salt, spices, herbs and non-perishable foodstuffs.

Expect the unexpected

It’s important to realise that most kitchen appliances and furniture have been manufactured to standard sizes (usually metric). On the other hand, your kitchen, especially if it’s an older building, probably hasn’t. However, all is not lost if nothing seems to fit. The key to getting the spacing right is to have your worktops cut to measure. Gaps underneath the worktops can be used for appliances such as washing machines or waste bins.

Remember too that the positioning of some appliances will be affected by the location of services such as water valves and pipes. Make a note of these on your plan. Likewise, take account of where the electrical sockets and gas connections are and where you plan to put your appliances.

Put a few of these tips into practice and you’ll be well on your way to realising your dream kitchen.

Hope this helps.

Team My Beautiful, x