Kitchen
Plan for some empty space (yes, really) It’s worth reminding yourself, storage isn’t everything. It might seem tempting to fill every spare centimetre of your kitchen with cupboards and drawers, but that could, ironically, leave your pad feeling more cramped. Instead, build in some breathing space to keep things stylish. In this kitchen, minimal, ceiling-height cupboards maximise every inch of storage – but open shelving with smart lighting and just a smattering of ornaments stops the room feeling closed-in and sterile and keeps it chic.
Make shelves work hard Open-plan shelving can be practical as well as good-looking: the key is not to overcrowd it, which means being ruthless about binning or giving away those unloved glasses and plates. Here, a wide grid of white-painted shelves provides a home for wine glasses, plates and cookery books; separate cubbyholes also create a spot for the kettle, microwave and coffee machine. However, open shelving does require discipline, so be honest with yourself before committing: how tidy are you and will they remain looking stylish and dust-free?
Organise with wire racks Don’t assume you have to go for conventional timber or laminated shelving. This cupboard is full of neat, utilitarian pull-out wire racks that keep packets, jars and other groceries in order. There are lots of different options for similar wire mechanisms that fit standard-width cupboards and drawers, so investigate which options work for you. In general, when planning storage, work out how much space you’ll need for food, crockery, cutlery, saucepans and so on – also think about the number of people in your home. You may need more space than you think, especially if your family is growing.
Be creative When planning cupboards, drawers and shelves, ask yourself the most crucial question: what will I actually be using them for? For many of us, kitchen storage isn’t just about plates, pans, mugs and cutlery, it’s about those other trickier items, such as the iron, vacuum cleaner and chunky blender. A bespoke cupboard may be the answer. This clever design manages to incorporate all those odds and ends, plus a slender wine rack to boot.
Try on-show storage An island with open shelving can be a way to bridge the gap between the functional and the stylish in an open-plan kitchen-diner, as this unit demonstrates beautifully. Here, carefully stacked matching crockery adds character, but this arrangement is also practical – you can grab plates and glasses and lay the table in your dining area in a jiffy. Remember that coordinated crockery is definitely the trick for a streamlined look.
Stay slimline with a space-saver If your kitchen is on the smaller side, a slimline island is a valuable space saver. This 600-millimetre-wide bar with solid walnut top uses an unobtrusive column support at one end to reduce bulk. A cabinet housing storage and a microwave sits neatly at the wall end.
Try an ‘almost island’ When is an island not an island? When it’s a peninsula! This monochrome kitchen uses an L-shaped cabinet run on one side to create a breakfast bar, as well as a natural divide in the open-plan space. The benchtop switches from stone to wood, differentiating the separate ‘zones’.
This skinny pull-out unit, for instance, has been kitted out with robust wire racking to become a mini pantry, with space to store boxes of cereal, jars, packets and a whole host of other dried goods. The handle-free door keeps things looking sleek and contemporary, but be sure to discuss door-opening options with your kitchen fitter to ensure everyone in the house will be able to open the new pantry. Also consider what exactly you’re likely to store in the space, so as to get the shelf heights just right.
Distinguish between spaces When planning where to position your room divider, consider the distinct functions of each space. This glazed box, for example, creates a hallway, shielding the kitchen-diner from the thoroughfare without blocking light or spoiling the expanse of beamed ceiling. The line of plants inside softens the look, although it would be equally at home in this industrial-style room if it were left bare
Black, white and wood To warm up black and white, add timber floors and wood accents for a look that feels lively despite not having any true – and possibly trendy – colours. In a larger kitchen, try black cabinets with a white island to make the island a focus. In a smaller kitchen, reverse the colours to keep the walls open and airy.
Shades of blue One of the best aspects of blue is that, while any individual shade is bound to get dated, a combination of shades will always look beautiful. If you stick to neutrals and blues, you can easily add new accents over the years and never feel like you have to start from scratch to stay up to date. Feel free to mix in green-blues, purple-blues or both. The overall effect will still read as monochromatic, and you can adjust the vibe by replacing one or two items.
Make it work double time I love everything about this cool and functional kitchen bench set-up. A grid-like arrangement of pegs runs across the length of the bench and not only adds visual interest to the scheme, but also doubles as floating storage for wine bottles, cookbooks and more. Elasticised rope or flexible rubber tubing has been wrapped around the pegs to ensure the items on display are stable and properly secured. If you want to transform the front of your bench into a stylish storage space but aren’t sold on a set-up like the one above, stick with floating shelves or built-in cubby holes instead.
If you’re more of a technical whizz, you might prefer to take inspiration from this clever kitchen. With a built-in iPad holder installed neatly under the overhead cupboard and right beside the stovetop, this mod con is perfectly positioned to follow recipes online and listen to your favourite music while you’re whipping up a feast.
A custom-built cookbook library makes referencing simple As can be seen in this brilliantly thought-out space, it makes total sense to have a built-in shelving system to display your cookbooks and keep them at arm’s reach when you’re whipping up a masterpiece in the kitchen. Not only is it far more practical to include cookbooks in the kitchen than to run off to your home library, but it’s also a great way to bring some colour and interest into your kitchen design, too. Cookbooks are notoriously good looking and easy on the eye.
A sociable island invites your guests to watch the action You may know this design as a breakfast bar, but in a cook’s kitchen, it’s more commonly known as a sociable island. It is a pleasure to watch a cook at work, and the inclusion of a sociable island in your kitchen means you can give your dinner guests a front row seat to the main event. The other added benefit of a sociable island is that you can continue to join in on the conversation with dinner guests while you’re preparing meals. You may decide to move the dinner to a more formal setting once the meal is prepared, or you can plate up and use the sociable island as a serving space for dining. What we love about this kitchen and its use of the sociable island is how it spaces guests out so they are sitting opposite each other – a position that is more conducive to helping conversation flow as opposed to being in a row sitting side by side. The trick is to extend your island sideways rather than putting it parallel to the kitchen bench.
Ellard’s top choice for benchtops is engineered quartz, as can be seen in this cook’s kitchen. “Quartz is an excellent material choice for benchtops in the kitchen of any discerning cook. It’s durable, stain-resistant, heat-resistant and easy to clean,” she says. “Quartz benchtops are also scratch resistant, so you can choose to chop directly on the surface, however you are likely to damage your knives, so I would always suggest using a chopping board.”
Mix up materials One easy way to add a hint of colour and texture to a white room without paint or wallpaper is by using a different material – concrete and wood tend to work well with white. In keeping with the industrial style in this kitchen, the concrete worktop offsets the white without detracting from it
Beautiful in black You might assume they’d look too gothic or severe, but black-painted boards can be dramatic, modern, grown-up and sleek, as evident in this stylish kitchen. As you’d expect, they go brilliantly with white walls, but they also provide an excellent neutral backdrop, allowing other colours to shine. Wooden furniture also stands out beautifully against a black floor, as seen with these stools.
Wall-mounted wire baskets It’s okay to be a basket case … when choosing vertical storage solutions for your walls, that is! In the kitchen, wall-mounted wire baskets provide ideal storage for fruit and veggies; and why stop there? You can also use them for plenty of other household items that build up, including towels, toys, shoes and magazines.
All-in-one benchtop and sink If you choose a stainless steel benchtop for your new kitchen, you can have it manufactured to include the sink as part of the whole benchtop unit. Your benchtop manufacturer will be able to offer you various options for sink shape. The main advantage here is that the sink can be seamlessly incorporated into the benchtop so that you won’t have any seals or joins – just a continuous flow of stainless steel the length of the benchtop, including the dip of the sink. This option isn’t for everybody but it’s certainly worth exploring if you love the idea of having an easy-to-clean commercial-style kitchen.
Type: Under-mount sink An under-mount sink is mounted underneath the benchtop. In this case, the bench cut-out is completely exposed, making under-mount sinks best suited to solid surface benchtops, such as granite or engineered stone – the cut-out can be polished and sealed against moisture. Proper installation and sealing is crucial to prevent leakage and to make sure the sink is properly supported under the benchtop.
ype: Top-mount sink When you are choosing a stainless steel sink for your new kitchen, the two most common installation options that you will be offered are under-mount and top-mount. A top-mount sink, also referred to as an inset sink, is the more cost-effective option, both in terms of retail cost and the cost associated with installation. The outer rim of the sink sits on top of the bench, such as the one pictured here. These sinks usually have a stainless steel drainer board attached, although you can choose to have one without. They are installed by cutting a hole in the benchtop. The sink’s border rim sits over the bench and is then secured from underneath by clips. The cut-out is completely unexposed making top-mount sinks suitable for use with any benchtop material, including laminate.
Why choose stainless steel? Stainless steel is the most common choice for kitchen sinks and with good reason. It’s a very durable material, which is easy to clean and requires very little upkeep. Stainless steel also resists corrosion, won’t chip, crack or wear out and is also non-porous, making it very hygienic. A good quality stainless steel sink should last forever!
The gauge of stainless steel refers to its thickness on a scale of eight to 30 – the lower the number, the thicker the stainless steel. The most common gauge for good quality kitchen sinks is from 16 to 18. Heavier gauge stainless steel contributes to noise reduction when items come into contact with the sink and also make it more resistant to denting and bowing.
What is stainless steel? Stainless steel is an alloy (or mix) of steel, chromium and nickel. Two details to look out for when selecting a good quality stainless steel sink are the grade and the gauge of the stainless steel. The higher the percentage of chromium and nickel elements, the better the grade of stainless steel. A good quality stainless steel sink is made from 18/10 (also know as 304 grade) stainless steel, which means that the stainless steel is made from 18 per cent chromium and 10 per cent nickel. Nickel is what gives stainless steel its strength and the chromium reacts with oxygen to create a chrome oxide film, which makes stainless steel so resistant to corrosion.
The walk-in scullery is a great place to keep appliances that are in heavy use but not part of your cooking equipment, such as the coffee machine and toaster. It’s simply far less annoying when someone decides to make themselves a cuppa while you’re cooking – they won’t have to get under your feet. It’s also a sensible place to install a kind of organisational hub, somewhere for bags, notes and everyday paperwork to be stored that’s both on hand and out of sight.
Provides clever storage One-wall kitchens are improved with the addition of extra storage, most usually by overhead cabinets. However, if that space is taken up by a window or other features, deep pull-out drawers best accommodate tableware and pots and pans for easy access; and sometimes can work even better than cupboards.
small nook for hot plate. like the tiles, seem to match ok with marble like bench
in built wine rack
Think about tile shapes Choosing your tile shape based on the shape of your kitchen is a great way to achieve a coherent and well-thought-out look. So a more square space may benefit from square tiles, while for a longer space, consider rectangular tiles to accentuate the shape of the room.
Cream & Black Interior Design SaveEmail Layer your lighting Kitchens tend to be one of the larger spaces in the home and are very functional, so a little extra thought needs to be put into the lighting scheme. The possibilities are endless: spots, tracks, pendants, plinth lights, under-cabinet lights, strip lights, wall lights, floor lights, uplights, downlights, mood lights, warm white, cool white, colour-changing LEDs… Mix in different types of light so you can create different atmospheres depending on the task at hand.
Consider how the elements relate to one another A wonderful way to make a kitchen feel really special is to think carefully about how different parts of the room link together. This might be an island that mirrors a skylight, or a breakfast bar running under a window. In this room, the skylight is aligned with the flooring and the extractor and stovetop. Once decisions on these design points have been made, the key to achieving them will be in the planning and the skill and experience of the architect, designer and builder you’re working with.
Consider placement of rubbish bins … You may need to consider where simple things like the rubbish bin will go, too. Check if your floor plan has a concealed bin area for both recyclable and non-recyclable materials. Not only does this help with environmental sustainability but it will keep those little explorers away from unhygienic areas, too. In addition to minimising the spread of germs, a bin storage area will prevent the disappearance of household items that get popped into the bin without your realisation. … and brooms and dustpans The same goes for brooms and dustpans. Check your floor plan to see if there is somewhere you can store your household brooms and mops. There is nothing worse than needing to shove a broom between the fridge wall cavity because it is the only vertical space you can find.
Your lighting Lighting is the jewellery of kitchen design. Get it right and it will make your kitchen a standout. Take a layered approach such as putting task and ambient lighting on separate switches. If there is an island bench, pendant lights hung low can create atmosphere and add a wow factor. And a wash of soft light on the splashback (such as LED strip lighting) can highlight a feature finish.
Your storage Maximise space through clever storage solutions for a clutter-free kitchen. Sliding doors may conceal hidden walk-in pantries, integrated cabinetry could include pull-out versions of the same, and soft-close panelled doors could hide large appliances behind them. Other inventive ways to conceal appliances and supplies include lazy Susans in corner cupboards, plate holders in deep, soft-close drawers, super-wide cutlery trays and integrated fridges and rangehoods.
Bring in light with white For those longing to brighten up their kitchen, white makes for a classic, cool look – but just one type of white could look austere. This cooking space has light-bouncing glossy cabinets combined with pale stone benchtops for a sleek look that feels as fresh as a daisy. Recessed cabinet handles maintain the clean lines, while pale engineered oak flooring adds warmth. For a hint of colour, the dove-grey window frames and patterned blind take their lead from the veining on the marble backsplash.
What and where will larger items be stored? It’s a misconception that the walk-in pantry will only hold grocery items. Many appliances and cookware dishes and pans are kept in the pantry instead of a kitchen drawer or cabinet, mostly because it’s easier to access them. To accommodate these bulky items, create some large but uniformed pigeonholes
How can free wall space be used effectively without overcrowding the pantry? Every spare bit of space can be used to solve a storage problem and a pantry wall fee of shelving is no different. Whatever you decide to do with it, keep it simple – and flat. Some ideas include hanging up some hooks for aprons and utensils; or sticking a giant planner or calendar on the wall and filling it in with events and important dates for everyone in the household to see. A chalkboard painted on a section of the wall could also serve this purpose.
Does the pantry need some special features? It’s really only at the planning stage that you can incorporate special features that will become permanent but useful fixtures in your walk-in pantry. Some of these could include pull-out baskets for root vegetables, narrow pigeonholes for large platters and spice or wine racks.
A common error is to line the pantry with shelves from top to bottom with no break. A small and wider shelf at bench-height will not only fit larger, taller items or appliances, such as mixers, blenders, toasters or even microwaves, but also act as an extra servery when preparing food.
How will the shelves be arranged so that common items are easy to see? Obviously put the items you use the most on the shelves that are in front of you when you walk into the pantry. Make sure the shelves are not too deep, and that you can see everything at once by placing smaller items at the front and larger items at the back. Heavy crockery and tableware can be stored on shelves that are wider and lower down.
5. Will the position of the pantry aid or hinder kitchen traffic and, more importantly, cooking? You not only need your pantry well illuminated, you also need to get in and out of your pantry quickly when cooking. If the pantry is positioned in such a way as to hinder the flow of kitchen traffic, you’ll have to walk too far to grab essential ingredients when whipping up a meal. For that reason, it’s important your pantry is near where you are preparing food. Also consider the process of stocking your pantry and where it is in relation to benches and tables in the kitchen. A kitchen benchtop that is just outside a pantry will prove to be convenient for setting down groceries. Its close proximity also makes using it as a sorting station from which to fill pantry shelves extremely handy.
Plywood shelves look especially smart when the surfaces have been laminated black, white or with a colour, and the ply edges left exposed. This imbues any carpentry made from ply with a simple Scandinavian or Japanese aesthetic.
ArchiBlox SaveEmail 4. What budget materials can be used to get a designer look? A walk-in pantry doesn’t need to be fancy (it is, afterall, behind a door and not on view), but nonetheless the shelves and cabinets should be made of a sturdy material with a finish that complements the rest of the kitchen. Solid, polished timber shelves or powder-coated metal racks are attractive options, however a cheaper alternative is engineered wood. Ply is one of the best low-cost engineered woods available. It is extremely strong and looks very contemporary, especially when it is left in its raw state or given a light stain.
A brilliant idea for knowing what is on the upper shelves of your pantry without clambering up a step-ladder is to install glass shelving or wire racks on the upper levels. Immediately you can check what is up high by casting your gaze to the ceiling.
Will there be enough light? Another typical mistake made when people are building their pantries is to have either poor lighting in the pantry or none at all. Your pantry will more than likely be built without a window, or if it does have a window, it may only be small. One way to make sure that you have enough light in there is to install quality LED lighting, or if your home is a single floor dwelling, put in a skylight. Also, the light switch should be reachable and in an accessible spot by the pantry door.
Which way will the door open? A common mistake when planning a pantry is fitting a door that gets in the way. When space is at a premium, the best options are sliding doors or concertina doors. An outward opening door gives more room for pantry shelves and is the next best option – but only if there is plenty of space outside the pantry to swing the door wide. A door that opens inwards can work but be aware it might make an already small space smaller. It can also compromise the space behind the door of your pantry, limiting the amount of stuff you can store there
A tap that dispenses boiling water is another clever and convenient addition that you might like to incorporate into your kitchen. Boiling water taps are also energy efficient; safe to use; boast in-built filtration systems that deliver cleaner, fresher water; and save precious benchtop space.
you thought about whether you will mount your tap to your wall, benchtop or directly onto your sink? Each of these options have their benefits. For example, mounting your tap to the wall will ensure that the benchtop space below is a breeze to clean, while bench-mounted taps make for seamless and visually appealing look. One of the main benefits of sink-mounted tapware is that they are generally easier and less expensive to install and replace compared to wall- and benchtop-mounted taps, which is good news if you wish to give your kitchen a quick (and cheap) update.
Don’t forget about the shape and size of the spout While the style and finish of your kitchen tap is important, so too is the shape and size of the spout. For example, L-shaped taps with a low profile are more subtle in style than oversized C- or U-shaped spouts that stand tall over your kitchen sink and instantly attract the eye. Taps with medium and high spouts not only ooze show-stopping appeal, but are practical, too, as they can accommodate large pots, pans and oven trays with ease.
Think about what finish will work best … Polished chrome or brushed stainless steel? Bare brass or bright copper? There are endless options when it comes to tapware finishes. While there aren’t any rules you must follow when choosing what finish to incorporate into your kitchen, we suggest opting for a tap that ties in with your appliances, cupboard door hardware or furniture, as this will create a cohesive and harmonious look. You can see this clever design trick in action in this chic cooking zone.
Do you have an ultra-contemporary cooking zone? Then minimalist tapware that features sharp, clean lines and a high-shine finish may be the perfect finishing touch for your space. If you have a country- or traditional-style kitchen, opt for a tap that features gentle curves, decorative details, and will add an extra touch of charm and elegance to your scheme.
DILEMMA 14: Your sink is too small, too noisy, too deep or too hard to keep clean. Too often we fall for the aesthetics of a certain sink without considering its practicalities. SOLVED: Think about how you do the dishes before making a decision – do you need a drainer to leave things to dry, space to soak big dishes, or a small second sink to rinse your greens? Get real on your washing up habits before settling on what could be the biggest practical decision you’ll make for your next kitchen.
DILEMMA 13: The corner of your kitchen is wasted space. SOLVED: Corner cabinets usually end up housing all those kitchen items you rarely use because they’re so tricky to get to. Consider a design that features the sink or stove on an angle, like this one …
DILEMMA 11: You loved the splashback when it was first installed but it’s such a doozy to keep clean that you’re starting to loathe it. SOLVED: Glass and solid splashbacks are becoming more popular for a reason – they offer a clean look and are a snap to wipe down. Rethink any splashbacks that involve grout. Grout is a magnet for grease and grime and won’t look white and pristine for long. If you must have tiles, consider grey grout and be prepared to do some regular scrubbing.
DILEMMA 5: You wish you had an island bench but your kitchen’s too small or the wrong shape. If you’ve got your heart set on an island – and who doesn’t? – don’t give up just yet. SOLVED: This amazing design has created extra room by positioning the island bench over the stairwell. All that extra bench space is enough to make you swoon, and there’s even a spot for a couple of kitchen stools. It pays to think outside the square if there’s a feature that would make a difference to how much you love your kitchen over the long term
DILEMMA 3: You bang your knees when sitting at the island bench. Get this important measurement wrong and you’ll find your kitchen is far from the social hub you hoped it would be. SOLVED: Plan an inset of at least 300 to 400 millimetres to accommodate legs of different lengths when people are sitting on stools at the island bench. Better too much than too little. Each person will also take up at least 600 millimetres of room along the bench, so plan accordingly
DILEMMA 1: Your kitchen is giving you a backache. Get the height of your benchtops wrong and your body will soon let you know you’ve made a big mistake. SOLVED: This is where it pays for everyone likely to be using the kitchen to visit the shop or showroom to try different heights out for size. Slightly too low and you’ll find yourself stooping; too high and things will be hard to reach. Common bench heights range from 900 to 950 millimetres, but if you’re especially tall or small, don’t be afraid to veer outside these norms.
In the kitchen In this day and age, the kitchen is arguably the most power-hungry room in the house. Food-processors, toasters, kettles, coffee-machines, dishwashers and fridges are all power-hungry devices! Think about where you want to store each of these items. Some will inevitably live on your kitchen bench and remain plugged in day-in and day-out, so ensure you install sockets beside the bench for these items. If you are keeping some appliances hidden in the pantry or in a drawer, remember to install a socket on the back of the pantry wall, or in the appliance drawer – that way you don’t have to move the appliances onto the kitchen bench every time you want to use them. TIP: If you are building a new kitchen, remind your electrician to install sockets for your dishwasher and fridge.
Black, white and grey The contrast of black and white has been a much loved colour combination both in fashion and interiors for many many years. Although the contrast of black and white is strong, it’s still a very easy scheme to live with. Because there is no real colour as such, a black and white scheme can be brightened with various coloured accessories that can easily be changed as you tire of them. When we think black and white, we think black tie – smart and sophisticated, and most definitely not out of date. To create maximum impact with this colour scheme, look for the brightest, most crisp white and the purest black. Soften the harsh contrast of black and white by introducing some grey tones. Black is a strong colour that creates big impact, so if you have a small space, use it sparingly. Consider a glossy finish for your black surfaces; this will help to bounce light around the room and make the black feel less heavy.
Space between counters When designing a kitchen, it is recommended to leave a minimum of 1000mm of floorspace between your two benchtops. This will allow room for you to open drawers and cupboards, as well as stand in front of your dishwasher when it is fully opened. However, if you have the space, I would suggest you aim for a space of 1200mm so you can comfortably move around your open dishwasher, without fear of bumping your shins on the corners – OUCH!
DE atelier Architects SaveEmail 6. Adequate lighting The kitchen is the most likely room for accidents to occur, and it’s no wonder! Hot plates, sharp knives, and gas stoves can all be household hazards. It is for this reason that good lighting is essential in the kitchen. Consider a combination of ceiling lights, under-cabinet lights and pendant lights. Downlights provide general lighting in the room and illuminate the entire space. Pendant lights, on the other hand, provide more focused light. If you have benches underneath hanging cupboards, you might also like to consider under-cabinet lights. This will ensure those dark corners will also be illuminated. Above all, think about where you are going to need light at all hours of the day. Stay up late with friends? Choose dimmable lighting over the dining area. Cook on the island bench? Choose task lighting to shine directly on your prep zone.
cupboards Gone are the days of storing your toaster and kettle on the kitchen bench. The trend these days is to hide your appliances away in a cupboard. To this end, you need to ensure you plan for electric sockets to be installed inside your cupboards, so your appliances can actually be plugged in. I would suggest installing more than one double socket, as we are using more and more appliances these days. The humble toaster and kettle don’t cut it anymore – we have coffee machines, mix-masters and food processors. So install two double sockets so you can have all your appliances on the go!
Dishwasher location Designing the layout of a kitchen is a little like solving a Rubik’s Cube. Earlier, I mentioned that you should always place the dishwasher near the sink for plumbing reasons. Well, with that in mind, you should not install your dishwasher next to a wall. This will greatly limit your access to the dishwasher and make it very difficult to pack and unpack, as you will only be able to access it from one side.
in location The kitchen bin is not only used for food scraps and packaging. More often than not, it is used for everyday household rubbish that is collected around the house. For this reason, it is useful to place the bin at a point in the kitchen that is easily accessible from the rest of the house. I suggest placing it on the end of the bench or island, closest to the kitchen entrance. That way, you can simply throw something in the bin as you walk past, rather than walk into the kitchen and get in the way of the chef! As for a compost bin, that you can keep as close to your food prep area as possible.
Chalkboard splashback
Q