8 Ways to Future-Proof Your Kitchen
If you're looking to renovate your kitchen or build it afresh, these ideas will help you spend your money wisely to be sure the design lasts
We all know that kitchens and bathrooms, when designed well, add a huge amount to both a home’s aesthetic appeal and its resale value. And we also know that the kitchen is one of the biggest investments you are likely to make when upgrading your home. So to be sure your money is well spent, you want to prepare your home for any future changes by ensuring that the layout, materials, fixtures and fittings will stand the test of time. Simply put, a well designed kitchen ensures a return on your investment.
A new kitchen is a major investment, and not something you you want to have to do over because the first design wasn’t quite right. Here’s how a little investment – which may mean not choosing the cheapest options – can help keep your kitchen up to date and looking great in years to come.
1. Engage a qualified kitchen designer
A professional kitchen designer not only has the relevant skills and experience in designing kitchens, they also have a current, comprehensive knowledge of products, hardware and materials. Products are constantly evolving, so these professionals can achieve a kitchen that will stand the test of time.
How the future of kitchen design is changing
A professional kitchen designer not only has the relevant skills and experience in designing kitchens, they also have a current, comprehensive knowledge of products, hardware and materials. Products are constantly evolving, so these professionals can achieve a kitchen that will stand the test of time.
How the future of kitchen design is changing
2. Think ergonomics
Good ergonomic design improves the interface between the body and the things we need to interact with to get work done more efficiently, more pleasantly, and with less fatigue.
Human bodies are not going to alter their movement abilities to fit the environment, so we have to design the environment to fit our human motion. Good kitchen design minimises movement, so you spend less energy and time bending, walking, twisting, lifting and cleaning.
Good ergonomic design improves the interface between the body and the things we need to interact with to get work done more efficiently, more pleasantly, and with less fatigue.
Human bodies are not going to alter their movement abilities to fit the environment, so we have to design the environment to fit our human motion. Good kitchen design minimises movement, so you spend less energy and time bending, walking, twisting, lifting and cleaning.
The kitchen work triangle was developed way back in the 1920s by Lillian Moller Gilbreth, a pioneering industrial engineer, who applied motion studies and ergonomic principles to household tasks. That triangle – which aims to achieve a minimum distance between the cooking zone, cleaning area and refrigerator/ food storage space, to ensure optimal efficiencies – is still used today.
But we’ve now added task-centric work areas, so that ingredients, appliances and implements are all grouped together and located where the task is to be performed – think appliance sheds and sculleries.
But we’ve now added task-centric work areas, so that ingredients, appliances and implements are all grouped together and located where the task is to be performed – think appliance sheds and sculleries.
3. Be adaptable
Good kitchen designers aim for a flexible, adaptable space in which work can be done with minimum wasted motion and maximum efficiency. And this isn’t just for today – think about what your future movement limitations could be. Also consider users with differing needs and capabilities in the space.
Mass production of kitchen components may make them cheaper, but they are designed to a hypothetical ‘average’. For example, kitchen benchtops are a standard 900 millimetres from the floor, which is less practical for shorter or taller people. Wall cabinets then tend to be installed at 450 millimetres above the benchtop, which is once again no good for short people. An adaptable kitchen ignores the standards and concentrates on making the kitchen fit its users.
Good kitchen designers aim for a flexible, adaptable space in which work can be done with minimum wasted motion and maximum efficiency. And this isn’t just for today – think about what your future movement limitations could be. Also consider users with differing needs and capabilities in the space.
Mass production of kitchen components may make them cheaper, but they are designed to a hypothetical ‘average’. For example, kitchen benchtops are a standard 900 millimetres from the floor, which is less practical for shorter or taller people. Wall cabinets then tend to be installed at 450 millimetres above the benchtop, which is once again no good for short people. An adaptable kitchen ignores the standards and concentrates on making the kitchen fit its users.
If you have difficulty bending to reach lower cabinets or are too short to reach higher cabinets, then you do not want to store frequently used items there. Drawers and extensive pullout systems are designed for everyday efficiency, as the uninterrupted shelves and accessible sides give every user greater visibility and access.
Think about integrated, hands-free pull-out rubbish bins and the latest in future-proofing – electronic pantry systems that operate with a tap anywhere on the door front. An added bonus is that these formerly costly specialty products are now affordable and readily available.
Think about integrated, hands-free pull-out rubbish bins and the latest in future-proofing – electronic pantry systems that operate with a tap anywhere on the door front. An added bonus is that these formerly costly specialty products are now affordable and readily available.
4. Plan for safe design
Rather than waiting for problems with advancing age to kick in, think ahead before age makes the change necessary. Think of kitchen safety by ensuring that your kitchen is not a thoroughfare, as congestion only creates opportunities for collisions and accidents. Allow an aisle of at least 1 metre between built-ins for a single user, 1.2 metres for two users and for wheelchair access, 1.5 metres.
See how acccessible design makes wheelchair living easier
Rather than waiting for problems with advancing age to kick in, think ahead before age makes the change necessary. Think of kitchen safety by ensuring that your kitchen is not a thoroughfare, as congestion only creates opportunities for collisions and accidents. Allow an aisle of at least 1 metre between built-ins for a single user, 1.2 metres for two users and for wheelchair access, 1.5 metres.
See how acccessible design makes wheelchair living easier
The simple act of turning on a tap could be a problem for older hands, so think about stylish lever handles that look great and are practical for everyone. Pull-out hose taps are also very useful for rinsing plates and vegetables.
A knee space under a sink, bench or a cooktop helps make these areas accessible to someone in a wheelchair, and the same knee space allows an able-bodied person to sit on a stool for food preparation to avoid fatigue and back strain. Until then, the same knee space can be used as parking for a mobile butcher’s block/chopping board or pullout appliance trolley.
A knee space under a sink, bench or a cooktop helps make these areas accessible to someone in a wheelchair, and the same knee space allows an able-bodied person to sit on a stool for food preparation to avoid fatigue and back strain. Until then, the same knee space can be used as parking for a mobile butcher’s block/chopping board or pullout appliance trolley.
5. Light up
Lighting is often left as an afterthought, but should be considered during the initial planning stages. The perfect design includes four layers of lighting: task, ambient, accent and decorative.
Task lighting is the key in a kitchen, as if it is misplaced it can actually hinder you, throwing shadows on your workplace. As we age, we need more light to work, so lighting that can be operated on a dimmer switch would be a great way to alter the level of light needed.
Browse more kitchen lighting options
Lighting is often left as an afterthought, but should be considered during the initial planning stages. The perfect design includes four layers of lighting: task, ambient, accent and decorative.
Task lighting is the key in a kitchen, as if it is misplaced it can actually hinder you, throwing shadows on your workplace. As we age, we need more light to work, so lighting that can be operated on a dimmer switch would be a great way to alter the level of light needed.
Browse more kitchen lighting options
Key locations for task lighting include underneath the overhead cabinets and over the island – anywhere you’ll be chopping, slicing and reading recipes. The pantry is another place where you’ll want bright, focused lighting.
Again, this is where expert help will future-proof your kitchen. It is not worth trying to tackle the lighting plan or product specification yourself. Lighting technology is advancing at a rapid pace, so use a professional to advise you on the best products and placement.
Again, this is where expert help will future-proof your kitchen. It is not worth trying to tackle the lighting plan or product specification yourself. Lighting technology is advancing at a rapid pace, so use a professional to advise you on the best products and placement.
6. Act sustainably
A sustainable kitchen is one that is made to last, making less of an impact on the environment. Choosing better quality and long-lasting materials, products and hardware may cost more initially, but you actually save money in the long run. Products that don’t need to be replaced every few years place less strain on the budget, as well as the environment.
It is worth investing in the items that will ensure your kitchen stays around as long as you do, and these are often the things you cannot see. Things like drawer runners that can withstand 60 kilogram weight would normally have a lifetime guarantee, while plywood is a strong, stable and sustainable material to choose for carcasses.
A sustainable kitchen is one that is made to last, making less of an impact on the environment. Choosing better quality and long-lasting materials, products and hardware may cost more initially, but you actually save money in the long run. Products that don’t need to be replaced every few years place less strain on the budget, as well as the environment.
It is worth investing in the items that will ensure your kitchen stays around as long as you do, and these are often the things you cannot see. Things like drawer runners that can withstand 60 kilogram weight would normally have a lifetime guarantee, while plywood is a strong, stable and sustainable material to choose for carcasses.
Make sure the base material in handles is solid brass. Choose plywood, solid wood, Corian, stone, glass and metal for door and drawer tops, not chipboard. Benchtops are a little more tricky as they all have their disadvantages.
Most natural stones will stain, steel will scratch, glass and lacquers will chip, grout and wood will discolour, even Corian (my personal hero of the bunch) will discolour with heat. However, these are all durable materials when used in the right way.
Most natural stones will stain, steel will scratch, glass and lacquers will chip, grout and wood will discolour, even Corian (my personal hero of the bunch) will discolour with heat. However, these are all durable materials when used in the right way.
If want your kitchen for life, but may want to change the colour and finish in the future, hand-painted finishes are a good choice. If spatial design is right and the base materials are strong enough to last a lifetime, then the door and drawer fronts, appliances and benchtops can all be changed and updated at a fraction of the cost to create a new kitchen. If this sounds like you, then ensure that your kitchen is manufactured in a way that allows for easy removal of the drawers and door fronts, so repainting the kitchen is not too disruptive.
7. Go for energy-saving appliances
While it may seem more expensive to purchase 5-star appliances, they will save you money in the long term by cutting your energy usage. The best appliances come with a near-lifetime guarantee, and that’s a simple act of sustainability.
While it may seem more expensive to purchase 5-star appliances, they will save you money in the long term by cutting your energy usage. The best appliances come with a near-lifetime guarantee, and that’s a simple act of sustainability.
8. Get techy with it
Home appliance technology is changing rapidly. I think it will be a while before a self-cooking kitchen is the norm, but some other tech will keep your kitchen current for years. Consider systems that can be controlled remotely using your smart phone, part of internet-inspired tech revolution predicted by experts.
7 high-tech home improvements
Home appliance technology is changing rapidly. I think it will be a while before a self-cooking kitchen is the norm, but some other tech will keep your kitchen current for years. Consider systems that can be controlled remotely using your smart phone, part of internet-inspired tech revolution predicted by experts.
7 high-tech home improvements
But do your research to find which systems will best serve you – don’t invest in something that you may not use. I find that anything that improves functionality is on my list: instant filtered cold and boiling water taps, warming drawers and induction hobs all save time and are now the norm in kitchen design.
The kitchen is a big investment and when costs can be so alarming, it is easy to talk yourself out of investing all the future-proofing. Choosing to invest only in your ‘forever home’ overlooks the fact that a good kitchen has real resale value too, and can literally make or break a sale.
TELL US
What have you done to future-proof your kitchen? Share your tips and experiences in the Comments below.
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Take a look at more kitchen stories
TELL US
What have you done to future-proof your kitchen? Share your tips and experiences in the Comments below.
MORE
Take a look at more kitchen stories