Designing a Functional and Beautiful Kitchen

Kitchens are often at the core of home design. A functional yet beautiful space should be created through interior designers, architects and design-build firms that specialize in kitchen creation.

Back kitchens or sculleries continue to gain in popularity as an ideal place for hiding dirty dishes and clutter while offering additional prep areas and storage solutions.

Form

Kitchens are places where food is prepared. In an ideal scenario, they should be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. If you want a kitchen design that meets all of your needs, start by considering its function first.

Considerations should also include where these components will be situated in relation to one another – this will make navigation of the space much simpler. A well-planned arrangement will make navigating this room simpler.

Kitchen design has an expansive history. Publications about efficient ranges at the turn of the 19th century contributed to making kitchens part of rational reform of domestic life, while various objects and activities associated with kitchens often carried moral significance – ceramic ware and metal pots often carried biblical quotes emblazoned on them, for instance.

The classic work kitchen features cabinets on three walls and a table on the fourth wall to maintain the natural work triangle. A modified version known as G-kitchen adds partial fourth wall for sinks.

Function

A good kitchen design strikes a balance between form and function. Select materials that both look appealing and can meet the demands of a busy kitchen – especially countertops, which need to be heat and water resistant. Also take into consideration how easily the space will be cleaned; aim for symmetry over too many corners that require special cleaning methods.

Homeowners commonly make the mistake of failing to ensure that their kitchen contains sufficient storage space, especially considering the amount of food, dishes and utensils that will need to be stored there. Furthermore, it’s vital that there is enough room for people to move freely around it without getting in each other’s way – this can be accomplished by designing a layout using work triangle principles to facilitate proper flow; additionally, proper lighting incorporating both ambient and task lighting controlled with dimmers switches must also be implemented into their design plan.

Space

Interior designers need to keep several key factors in mind when creating a kitchen design, such as finding the ideal layout, creating functional work zones and using space efficiently. Furthermore, they should ensure there is enough storage for all of their clients’ kitchen needs.

Homeowners who love entertaining will find an island an excellent solution. Not only does this design feature provide space for sink, hob and seating area but it also blurs the line between kitchen and living room space, encouraging socialization.

At a minimum, when designing a kitchen it is crucial that it is well ventilated. Lack of ventilation can trap cooking odors and create an unhealthy atmosphere, as well as cause smoke or steam to rise into the air which could pose health risks. Furthermore, clear pathways need to exist so people can navigate easily around a tight kitchen space.

Lighting

Lighting design enhances both ambiance and functionality in the kitchen, so its consideration during renovation or new construction should not be an afterthought – otherwise it could limit design choices and be expensive to fix once installed.

Accent lighting can add the perfect finishing touches to a kitchen decor, providing not only task illumination for countertops and cabinets but also an opportunity to showcase decorative ceramics or cookery books in an instant ‘lived in’ effect that ties the room together with dining and living areas of an open plan home.

Dome flush mounts boast an retro aesthetic, making them suitable for pairing with both modern and traditional elements in a kitchen. Available in different finishes and accommodating opaque or clear bulbs to change up their appearance – fixtures with clear bases are especially versatile and look fantastic in any color palette!