7 Must-Haves for a Well-Designed, Modern Kitchen
Fitting a new kitchen? Tick off this checklist of items to ensure it looks beautiful and functions perfectly
Amanda Pollard
4 November 2018
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
When planning a new kitchen, the layout is, of course, key to making the space work efficiently. But as well as the position of your working areas, there are a few more essential elements to think about. Take a look at this checklist to ensure you’ve ticked off the important features that make up a well-designed space.
1. Super storage
If you want your kitchen to be functional, one of the most important elements to consider is cupboard space.
Think carefully about what you need to store, and choose furniture that works with the size and layout of your kitchen. Research space-saving designs, such as pull-out cupboard racks and tall wall units.
It’s a good idea to do an inventory of all your kitchen kit first, to work out exactly what you need to store. Be realistic, and if there are any unused items that are cluttering up the space, now’s the time to recycle them.
Once you know the items you’re storing and where you’re going to be using them, you can consider the best options for your space.
If you want your kitchen to be functional, one of the most important elements to consider is cupboard space.
Think carefully about what you need to store, and choose furniture that works with the size and layout of your kitchen. Research space-saving designs, such as pull-out cupboard racks and tall wall units.
It’s a good idea to do an inventory of all your kitchen kit first, to work out exactly what you need to store. Be realistic, and if there are any unused items that are cluttering up the space, now’s the time to recycle them.
Once you know the items you’re storing and where you’re going to be using them, you can consider the best options for your space.
2. A strong, stylish worktop
If you like to cook, your kitchen work surfaces will see some action, so as well as good looks, they’ll need strength and durability. To help you decide which type of worktop to go for, consider exactly how you use your kitchen.
Think about how much wear and tear particular areas in your space will get, as this will determine how durable your worktops need to be.
In this practical space, for example, the designers have chosen two types of material. The preparation areas near the oven and on the island have a tactile wooden surface, but the sink area is fitted with a waterproof stainless-steel worktop.
Wondering what’s the right countertop material for your kitchen?
If you like to cook, your kitchen work surfaces will see some action, so as well as good looks, they’ll need strength and durability. To help you decide which type of worktop to go for, consider exactly how you use your kitchen.
Think about how much wear and tear particular areas in your space will get, as this will determine how durable your worktops need to be.
In this practical space, for example, the designers have chosen two types of material. The preparation areas near the oven and on the island have a tactile wooden surface, but the sink area is fitted with a waterproof stainless-steel worktop.
Wondering what’s the right countertop material for your kitchen?
3. Efficient appliances
Once again, the appliances you choose will depend on how you use your kitchen and the size and layout of the room. For example, if you entertain often, a large oven and a dishwasher might be a priority. If your room is small, compact appliances such as a well-designed extractor fan will save space.
When you’re searching for appliances, consider how energy-efficient they are. You can find this out by looking at the energy-rating label which is a good indication of an efficient product, but it depends on the type of appliance it is.
Once again, the appliances you choose will depend on how you use your kitchen and the size and layout of the room. For example, if you entertain often, a large oven and a dishwasher might be a priority. If your room is small, compact appliances such as a well-designed extractor fan will save space.
When you’re searching for appliances, consider how energy-efficient they are. You can find this out by looking at the energy-rating label which is a good indication of an efficient product, but it depends on the type of appliance it is.
4. Layered lighting
As soon as you’ve planned your kitchen’s layout, think about where you’ll locate the lighting. Complement functional spots with some strategically placed task lights to create a lighting scheme that adds both depth and practicality to your space.
In this room, the designers have chosen three beautiful pendants (one out of shot) to hang above the island. As well as lighting the island worksurface and creating an ambient glow, these also add a design feature.
Spots have been placed beneath the wall units and extractor fan to brighten the perimeter worktops, while the downlights in the ceiling are perfectly placed to illuminate the centre of the room and the sink area.
Here’s how to use recessed lights
As soon as you’ve planned your kitchen’s layout, think about where you’ll locate the lighting. Complement functional spots with some strategically placed task lights to create a lighting scheme that adds both depth and practicality to your space.
In this room, the designers have chosen three beautiful pendants (one out of shot) to hang above the island. As well as lighting the island worksurface and creating an ambient glow, these also add a design feature.
Spots have been placed beneath the wall units and extractor fan to brighten the perimeter worktops, while the downlights in the ceiling are perfectly placed to illuminate the centre of the room and the sink area.
Here’s how to use recessed lights
5. Good-quality fittings
If you’re considering which items to spend more on in your kitchen, it’s worth paying attention to the fittings. A standard cabinet can be lifted by a beautiful handle, while a basic sink can look high-end with the addition of a well-chosen tap.
The fittings in your kitchen are going to be used a lot, so it makes sense to invest in quality to ensure they’re strong, durable and nice to touch.
If you’re considering which items to spend more on in your kitchen, it’s worth paying attention to the fittings. A standard cabinet can be lifted by a beautiful handle, while a basic sink can look high-end with the addition of a well-chosen tap.
The fittings in your kitchen are going to be used a lot, so it makes sense to invest in quality to ensure they’re strong, durable and nice to touch.
6. A hard-wearing floor
In a heavy traffic area such as a kitchen, the floor needs to earn its keep. There are many different surfaces you can go for, including natural stone, concrete, ceramic tiles and porcelain. You could also choose some beautiful timber, but take expert advice on how to seal it and protect it from water damage.
Think about how your floor will look with the rest of your scheme, and whether you’ll want to change it in the future. A classic design like these stone tiles will work with most kitchen styles and colours. However, a patterned floor can look stunning and, if you really love the design, it could be worth being brave with your flooring choice.
These kitchen floor tiles rule the roost
In a heavy traffic area such as a kitchen, the floor needs to earn its keep. There are many different surfaces you can go for, including natural stone, concrete, ceramic tiles and porcelain. You could also choose some beautiful timber, but take expert advice on how to seal it and protect it from water damage.
Think about how your floor will look with the rest of your scheme, and whether you’ll want to change it in the future. A classic design like these stone tiles will work with most kitchen styles and colours. However, a patterned floor can look stunning and, if you really love the design, it could be worth being brave with your flooring choice.
These kitchen floor tiles rule the roost
7. A slick backsplash
The surface you install behind your work surface can completely transform the look of your kitchen. Of course, a backsplash main function is to protect the walls, but it’s also a great opportunity to get creative in your space.
Choose a durable material that you can wipe clean easily, but also go for a design that suits your style. In this minimal space, for example, the hexagonal tiles add interest and texture to the room.
Read more:
Trending: Most Popular Features Being Requested in a New Kitchen
Tell us:
Are there any other elements you think are important when designing your kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
The surface you install behind your work surface can completely transform the look of your kitchen. Of course, a backsplash main function is to protect the walls, but it’s also a great opportunity to get creative in your space.
Choose a durable material that you can wipe clean easily, but also go for a design that suits your style. In this minimal space, for example, the hexagonal tiles add interest and texture to the room.
Read more:
Trending: Most Popular Features Being Requested in a New Kitchen
Tell us:
Are there any other elements you think are important when designing your kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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When determining needed storage, add about 10% more than “exact.” Example, when I figured mine, pressure cookers and air fryers were barely used.
If there is any way to create a walk in pantry, even if small I have loved having one in my last 2 kitchens. Any no sink in the island unless absolutely no where else for it! Why put the mess in the middle? Free and clear space...my recent remodel met the article's recommendations EXCEPT for the marble
Countertop. It is beautiful but the protectants don't really work like we were told they would!
C Kasp - marble is relatively soft too. Sink in island at the very edge not in the middle - my wife nixed ours in the design stage - sure wish I had it for when we both cook which is much more often now - she has a large presence i am in HER way most of the time. I hid my generous pantry in the front hall.
One set of deep ones (for baking supplies) open into the kitchen too.