Wonderful Kitchens are experts when it comes to kitchen design, and with over 30 years experience in the industry they are now offering their top 10 tips to achieving top of the line kitchen design results.
Number one is ensuring there are smooth, seamless, streamline surfaces. Cupboards should reach the ceiling or run flush with the bulk head, which not only creates these smooth lines but also does away with dust catching and wasted space. Similarly, benchtops should be streamlined with few visible joins.
Secondly Wonderful Kitchens recommend integrating appliances. In a quest for an open plan kitchen design, appliances are making themselves scarce, hiding behind closed doors for a clean look that blends with the living area. Fridges can be fitted with a door in the same material as the cupboards and dishwashers can be disguised with an integrated front panel.
Next, get a smart splashback that shows off some kitchen design flair with colour or texture. Often pinpointed as the design focus of the modern kitchen, the splashback is an ideal place to add a little flair. Natural, clear glass splashbacks are still high in the style stakes, as are mosaics, or designers can choose the same material as they benchtop to keep that seamless look going.
The fourth design tip concerns benchtops and the endless choice of surfaces available. From natural textures like marble and granite to stone composites, polished timber, or poured concrete, all the options out there are beautiful. Kitchen design-wise, Wonderful Kitchens feel it is all about chunky slabs with deep edges. For the budget concious, this effect can be achieved by simply adding a thick edge to a thin slab.
Number five - opt for an island. A well designed island bench is becoming an essential component of the entertainers kitchen. Fit with a sink, cooktop or chopping boards so the cook can face family and guests, an island bench is available with a multitude of options to suit any kitchen design.
The number six top kitchen design tip is to get clued up on colour. Colour is a crucial element of any room design as it creates the mood and the tone for the space. Wonderful Kitchens suggest create a sense of calm by choosing neutral colours, such as white, cream, or pale grey, all of which are foolproof design classics. While dark tones make an impact they can overwhelm spaces so they should only be used on the bottom row of cabinetry. Similarly, bursts of colour should only be used on feature feature spots, like splashbacks or the front panel of island benches.
No matter what the style, budget, or space, the number seven kitchen design tip, kitchen layout, should be designed around what experts call the ‘Golden Triangle’. This involves placing the main work areas, i.e the fridge, sink and oven/cooktop, close to each other and positioned at three sides of a triangle. Regardless of kitchen size, these activity zones should be no more than three metres apart, so the cook can move easily between them.
Eighth on the list is lighting. Light up the kitchen with pendants or halogens, plus over bench lights for brighter work spaces. For extra atmosphere while relaxing, fit ceiling lights with dimmers, or simply leave on the over bench lights.
The penultimate kitchen design tip is to keep cupboard handles low key. Choose invisible angled ‘finger pulls’ cut into the top or side of the cupboards, or, if handles are desired go for no fuss designs in matt chrome or stainless steel.
Finally, Wonderful Kitchens suggest maximising storage space with drawers. Drawers make it easy to access the kitchen's darkest corners, and with extra deep options now available it is even possible to store pots and pans in drawers. Shallow and extra wide varieties are ideal for storing cutlery.
