17 Jan Essential Tips for Creating Your Dream Kitchen
Building a new home allows you to design and create your home exactly as you want it, and there’s no more exciting area to make your own than your kitchen. The kitchen is the hub of home, where we gather, cook, share a meal and entertain family and friends and it is one of the zones which can add the most value to your new home. However, there’s no doubt that designing your dream kitchen can be both stressful and overwhelming if you aren’t really sure of your style direction. At Elliott Hardie, we are modern, innovative home builders in Canberra committed to working closely with our clients to deliver exceptional homes, tailored made to suit their individual needs, personality and lifestyle. Whether you want to create entertainer’s delight or a classic cook’s kitchen, the space should be the right balance of function and style – here’s our tips for creating a kitchen that oozes aesthetic appeal and modern functionality.
Ensure it Complements the Style of Your Home
With minimalist cabinetry, streamlined surfaces, clean lines and luxe neutral colour palettes, contemporary kitchens have a subtle elegance and refined timeless appeal. However, if your architectural style is more classic than contemporary, you should consider adding some traditional features that will ensure your kitchen blends seamlessly with the rest of your home, such as a stunning farmhouse sink or shaker style cabinetry. Every room of your new home should have a cohesive look, so consider how all rooms work together and ensure consistency across your interior style.
Think About the Layout Carefully
When considering different kitchen design and layout ideas, think about the following:
- The kitchen layout should be designed to perfectly fit your lifestyle. Think about how you use the space – do you help your kids with homework while preparing dinner? Do you entertain guests or host dinner parties on a regular basis?
- Use the design concept of the working triangle of the kitchen. The three points are the fridge, sink and stove with imaginary lines between these forming a triangle shape. These three points should be close enough to each other to maximise efficiency but each work zone shouldn’t feel restrictive.
- It’s important to focus on the layout of the working part of the kitchen first, but don’t neglect its relationship with the dining area, or living area, in the case of an open plan space.
Benchtops Should Be Beautiful Yet Practical
When it comes to kitchen benchtops, you can choose to splurge or save as there are a multitude of great options available to suit all tastes and budgets. As a general rule, no matter if you go for laminate, stone or timber, opt for the best quality you can afford as benchtops are usually a beautiful kitchen feature but they face the most wear and tear from everyday use. If you’re not sure which type or style of benchtop will work best with your new space, our design team can talk you though the options in depth and provide inspiration and practical advice.
Play with Texture
When designing a new kitchen, many people tend to stick with a contemporary colour palette of neutral and minimalist tones, with an all-white kitchen popular for its elegance and timelessness. The danger with this is it can result in a cold, clinical or sterile feel. Texture can be found in cabinetry doors, bench tops, splash backs, flooring and hardware and these sophisticated textural elements allow you to create interest and add depth and warmth to the design without adding in additional colours that may overwhelm the space.
Incorporate Clever Storage
Every modern family kitchen needs smart storage solutions. Even in a smaller kitchen you can still make the most out of any storage spaces you have – integrate rotating shelves into tall cabinetry to provide access to hidden corner areas or hide small appliances behind doors to create a clean and fuss-free space. Having a well-considered place to store everything from pantry staples to phone chargers ensures an organised, functional and mess-free kitchen area.
Don’t Forget About Power Points
It’s easy to get caught up in selecting tiles, appliances, sinks and stoves and thinking about the working triangle. However, ensuring your kitchen includes plenty of electrical outlets is essential for a highly functional kitchen. In areas where you plan to use a coffee machine, toaster, blender and other appliances, make sure you have sufficient power points. Don’t forget about outlets for phone chargers, smart home hubs, laptops and other devices. Install multiple outlets along the splashback, on the island bench and even in the cupboards so you’ll have electricity wherever you need it.
The kitchen really is the heart of the home, so getting it right is vital. If you are looking to build a new home, get in touch with the team at Elliott Hardie today. We are the leading home builders Canberra locals trust to deliver a custom home that far exceeds all expectations. Our design team will work with you to ensure your home is built with your best interests at heart. Contact us online or call us today on 0479 106 944 to discuss your new home plans with our friendly team.