Kitchen Design Ideas

Home is where the heart is and the heart of the home, is the kitchen. Your kitchen design ideas should take into account exactly what your needs are and how it should function to meet those needs.

Whether you have a small kitchen design task at hand or a complete kitchen renovation, have a look at the space you have available and consider how it currently works. Make a list of all the things you like about it and then list the things which you would like to change or adapt. This will help you set out a clear plan of action. Get all your kitchen design ideas together and finalize your mood board and concept.

The image below is of modern country kitchen decor.

CRUCIAL QUESTIONS: to help you understand your brief and prepare a project timeline. Also visit the how to section for some valuable and useful information to assist you.

1) How will my kitchen design ideas best function?

-is there space to eat? e.g. will there be a breakfast bar or a dining table?

-will you socialize here?

-are the appliances located in the best positions?

-is the sink in the best position?

-can a laundry room be incorporated?

-will you set up an office in the kitchen?

2) How much worktop space is available?

3) How much storage space do you need?

SMALL KITCHENS: Small is beautiful however, small kitchen design can be tricky to get your kitchen design ideas right so before diving into make any changes, have a firm plan worked out so you know that it will look great and function equally as great. Keep your colors light to maximize you space and streamline your design using cupboard space creating ideas.

TIP: Slick Italian interior decor in a smaller kitchen looks clean and contemporary however country interior decor may dominate a small space and look over done.

LARGER KITCHENS: Space allows you to opt for bright or dark colors. Darker colors work good in an eating area. If you have space and would like to create a area there are a few subtle ways to split the room up using clever kitchen design ideas e.g a change of flooring, lighting or the addition of tiles or wallpaper to an area can really make a big design impact BUT don't be overly fussy or over do it. An island or monolith is a great addition into a large kitchen. They are both functional and great looking.

Having a larger kitchen allows you to go for pretty much any kind of concept. Classical country kitchen decor looks grand in larger kitchens however contemporary design will give you a sophisticated modern look. The worlds most expensive kitchens, each unique and are mainly styled on classical and country kitchen decor.

Lighting in the kitchen is particular and needs some thought e.g. make sure there is enough light that is glare gee to the surfaces to where you would be preparing food and softer lighting can be installed to the dining area. Choose a beautiful feature light for above your dining table and if possible have your lighting system operate independently so you can choose which light to have on or off. Recessed ceiling lights operate as directional lighting and also looks great as seen in the image below.

Color within your kitchen interior design should be complementary to your space. Perhaps a you could add a splash of your favorite color by selecting great lamp shades or a feature pendant light. An accent wall can look great in a kitchen so you could select a bold paint color or you could simply hang colorful artwork. A wall finished in a neural colored stucco looks fantastic in Italian kitchen decor and also works great with country kitchen decor.

Click here for lots of great information on COLOR

If you are daring enough why not go for some fantastically colored units like those in the image below. However you apply your color, have fun and create a special space that looks great and makes you feel good. Be careful not to over do it within small kitchen design so that the space avoids being too busy looking. You can create wonderful interpretations of Italian kitchen decor or country kitchen decor by using color.

Click here for some kitchen interior design inspiration: GALLERY

WORKTOPS: Firstly consider your budget, secondly select a look that fits your kitchen design ideas, next think about the durability and remember, you can never have enough usable space.

Granite or stone is a highly sophisticated finish and comes in great variety and is durable but it is costly and if you are going to spend then perhaps corian would be a good option for you? All kitchen design ideas and concepts look great with granite worktops.

Corian is a homogenous man-made material that is highly durable and easy to clean. It can be molded into any shape and comes in a huge variety of color. It comes in a highly polished or mat finish. The polished gives a shiny glossy look ideal for contemporary styled Italian kitchen decor or to make the most of space within small kitchen design.

Reconstituted stone or 'composite' is a mix of stone particles and resin. It is highly durable and also can be expensive but they are a cheaper option to granite so if you are considering country kitchen decor or a slick minamilistic look, this finish may be your best option. My advice is to visit stockists so that you can see all the ranges for yourself before finalizing you decision.

Wood If you choose a timber top then make sure you have it properly sealed and finished to avoid warping or unhygienic areas developing. The best timber worktops are usually coated with a lacquer or a linseed oil sealant. This should be repeated every few years. Country kitchen decor looks fantastic with timber work surfaces.

Laminated surface or Formica These are probably the most popular finishes and the are very affordable. They come in incredibly wide ranges, colors and patterns. Although they are low maintenance they are not resilient to heat or scratches so no hot pans and use a chopping board.

Stainless steel Easy to clean however it is difficult to completely remove fingerprints or scratches. I am not a big fan of having this material in a residential kitchen as they can look too industrial and cold. The finished surface can be polished, mat, patterned or even sandblasted.

TIP: avoid installing a marble worktop as it is too porous, making maintenance difficult and it can damage relatively easy.

BUDGET: Consider this, estate agents calculate that a new kitchen can add 5 to 8% to the value of your home so that should help you work out what your spend should be and try to keep within that figure. There are many fixtures and fitting out there that vary in cost so work out what is best for your budget and with a little care you can make inexpensive kitchen design ideas look out of this world.

CONCEPT: Your concept is what your kitchen design ideas and styles are. It is the look which you have decided to go for.

1. Contemporary: contemporary kitchen design is slick, current and modern.

2. Italian: Italian kitchen decor is super fabulous and can be very costly. The look is clean, uncluttered and luxurious.

3. Country: country kitchen decor is based on a classical look and although it is considered by some to be 'old fashioned', when well designed it can look timeless and elegant.

4. Retro: the retro look is colorful and imaginative. It is shape and form from the 60's and 70's to bring it to life.

5. Industrial: industrial design is simplistic. Lots of stainless steel surfaces which are easily cleaned and maintained.

To help you finalize your kitchen design ideas and style preferences, visit the CONCEPT section which has lots of fantastic information.

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