The kitchen of our time is not just a place where we prepare and cook food. This is now the new place where the family entertains guests, eats and stores devices. As we design our new kitchens, we must now accommodate these additional new activities.
The additional activities have contributed to the rise in popularity of kitchen remodels for those with older kitchens. Today, kitchen islands, stainless steel appliances, and farmhouse sinks are regular additions to the kitchen; while custom countertops and cabinetry remain key elements of any inspiring design.
If you are thinking of building a new kitchen, the following suggestions may be helpful:
Determine kitchen layout
Installing a completely new kitchen space or carrying out a complete reform is a great opportunity to create that kitchen you have always wanted. With the expert and professional help of a home or kitchen designer, even your small space could be transformed into a remarkable place, with excellent functionality and abundant storage space.
Generally, you have two options:
• If your cooking space is quite large, try a U- or L-shaped layout that has a large center island.
• For a small space, the kitchen design would be fine. Due to limited horizontal space, think vertically by stacking shelves and counters high on your walls.
kitchen storage
To properly store all of your kitchen utensils and appliances, you’ll need to have enough drawers, cabinets, and shelves. To achieve that goal, be sure to make use of all available slots:
1. Include cabinets in the kitchen island.
2. Buy hanging pot racks and spice racks.
3. Invest in a good kitchen cart.
4. Put the bulky cookware you use frequently on the counter.
5. Free up space by storing less-used items in your store or basement.
6. Above all, organize your place!
In Australia, there are specific rules regarding the amount of space you must have around stoves. The relevant standards and regulations are found in Australian Standard AG/601-AS5601. In particular, a lot of attention is paid to gas burners, mainly because they have naked flames.
Cabinets & Countertops
Granite and marble countertops are stylish options. Concrete, stainless steel, and limestone countertops are also great options. For that splash of color, you can add a bright mosaic backsplash or choose a floor finish made of vibrant wood.
Perhaps even more contemporary is the mix of cabinets! Today, frosted cabinets are valued for their sleek, modern style.
the lighting
For a super sleek and beautiful modern look, you can go for a tileable light or even install multiple backlit glass panels. This will create effective lighting around the workstation and its counters.
When installing new light fixtures, be sure to comply with all applicable regulations. Fortunately, in line with the new National Building Code (NCC) regulations for lighting in domestic settings, the Building Codes Board of Australia has recently released a Lighting Calculator. The Calculator has been designed to help lighting designers, especially in new buildings, successfully comply with the new Code.