How to choose a new kitchen

by Articles

When our clients are looking for full home renovations and they appoint us to design and deliver their project, they often have also the clear intention to buy a new kitchen.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, there are many things to consider before choosing your new kitchen, first thing being your existing one.

Is it too small and cluttered?
Is it too big and some cabinets have only random dusting cloths?
Do you find yourself comfortable when having guests, do they participate in cooking or do you prefer to keep it private?

When you look at your kitchen and ask yourself these questions, you will start to understand if it is the case to change size or layout for the new kitchen.

Even if you will prepare the food in another area of the house, the new kitchen could have a similar layout to the previous one, if that really works for you and makes you efficient!

On the other hand, many like a new kitchen to be an entirely new experience. Often kitchens are extended or relocated to enjoy a better position in the house and garden views.

What is important in a new kitchen?

The style and the general aestethics of your new kitchen are secondary, compared to the king of kitchen requirements: Practicality.

The kitchen is a home laboratory of food preparation, where practicality must be second to nothing. Practicality means ease of access, ease of movement, ease of storage. But also ease of cleaning.

What makes a kitchen practical?

When designing a kitchen there is a principle called “the kitchen working triangle“, according to which the three hot spots in a kitchen -sink, hob, fridge- form the vertexes of a triangle where the cook moves within, possibly in a circular flow.

Think about it:
Take any food, un-pack it or wash it, cut it or mash it, cook it, serve it.

The process is fridge -> sink -> hob.
But there are actually many triangles, depending on your cooking style. Fresh food can be from the fridge, you can use dry or preserved food from the larder. Some stuff is marinated and kept aside while other goods are peeled and washed…

Being a lab, it’s ultimately up to your chemistry style but Practicality will keep you going without loosing your mind if the day has been a bit more difficult than the usual.

Also, after your meal there will always be stains to clean and some could be aggressive, like vinegar or lemon juice, or greasy and peristent like oil or melted fat.

So it is very important that your new kitchen has the right storage, the right layout, and it is made with good materials and finishes for easy cleaning on doors and tops, but also in the most unreachable corners (of course that’s where dirth sticks the most).

Is there a best design for a kitchen?

Once the kitchen layout is outlined, there is not a style better than another.
 
In a small space a Galley or L-shaped kitchen fit well. Go for a modern look, no handles and smooth surfaces, to have less visual impediments, but If you have plenty of natural light a classic kitchen will see all its details emphasized.
 
In a big space, you can have a kitchen island or a breakfast bar, be it in concrete, country style or luxurious onyx, as long as the layout is proportionate to the room and the views, keeping it practical.
 
If you are planning an open space, the kitchen will be together with other functions around it, usually dining or sitting/receiving guests. You may want to have some screen or feature to separate the functions.
 
Or when the wall length allows it, there could be a gradual transition to different functions as we did for a project in Bromley, shown in the header image, where the kitchen becomes larder, then coffee bar, bottles’ pantry, bookcase and, finally, fireplace and sitting area, using all the walls of an almost 80 sq m open space.

How can I decide which kitchen to buy?

Buying a kitchen is a milestone in every residential project. While a good one can last for decades, finding the right one can be daunting. We recommend to think well about the layout and consider a practical solution. Find who makes a kitchen in a style that you like, see their product in person -very important- and test the quality of the paint and hard surfaces. Ensure you get the right appliances for you, in terms of capacity and power, ensuring these are energy efficient (class A or more). We usually go through all the requirements with our clients and work together with them on their ideal solution, liaising with shortlisted makers until the perfect kitchen is ordered, delivered and installed. If you are planning to renovate your home and get a new kitchen, our expertise will help you land the right solution, from the most simple to the most complex and customised. Our advice is few clicks away, just tell us about your project and we will help you survive in the kitchen jungle.