Aesthetics play a significant role in creating an inviting and pleasant atmosphere in the kitchen. An aesthetically pleasing kitchen can uplift your mood and make your cooking experience more enjoyable. On the other hand, being functional is closely tied to efficiency and safety. A well-designed kitchen minimises potential hazards and reduces time wasted in unnecessary running around.
Balancing between aesthetics and functionality is important as it directly influences the overall experience and usability of the space. Aesthetics alone may create a visually stunning kitchen. However, it can become impractical and inefficient without careful consideration of functionality.
Form follows function — that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union. Frank Lloyd Wright
Striking the right balance ensures the kitchen looks captivating and serves as a practical and efficient workspace. One should invest time and effort in perfecting the design of this seemingly ordinary room. This blog post will explore key strategies for achieving just that to get you started.
Optimise Appliance Positions and Locations
One of the first steps in creating a harmonious kitchen design is to carefully consider the placement and location of your appliances. It would help to have an efficient workflow with your habit of doing kitchen work. Your most used appliances need to be relatively close to each other:
- Fridge
- Cooktop
- Ovens
- Benchtop
- Sink
- Bins
That way, you don’t have to walk a far distance when accomplishing a task. For instance, you don’t have to step back and forth to stir your stew because you need to get the ladle at the other side of the room. Placing the stove and oven close to the food preparation area makes cooking more convenient. Additionally, the dishwasher should be strategically placed near the sink to simplify cleaning and putting away dishes.
You don’t necessarily have to follow the traditional “kitchen work triangle” concept, where the three main work areas (cooking, preparation, and storage) form a triangular layout for optimal efficiency. While this kitchen concept can be useful in most situations, it’s not always the best approach for every kitchen design. All your appliances and tools need to be close to each other to reduce unnecessary movement.
To optimise the kitchen layout based on your kitchen workflow, begin by understanding your daily routines and cooking habits. If you enjoy baking frequently, prioritise a designated baking zone with easy access to the oven and nearby storage for baking needs. Opt for an open and inclusive kitchen design if you’re a home chef who values socialising while cooking.
At KIND Kitchens, we will explore and understand your workflow and routine in a kitchen before our draft design. We will consider all aspects, such as existing pain points, cooking habits, and storage requirements, to ensure the best layout has been suggest. We ensure that the kitchens we build are flexible and adaptable for future modifications, so you don’t have to tear down the entire kitchen if you want to incorporate anything new.