For most people, a kitchen is one of the most heavily used spaces in the home, and when it comes to planning a new kitchen space, how well it functions is just as important a consideration as style.
While having a stylish kitchen space is a must in order to make it feel like a welcoming part of your home, it’s also essential to think about a few key points about how you plan to use it.
Here are some useful things to consider before you start planning.
Allow enough space to move comfortably
Space is one of the most important aspects of any room, and a key part of any planning process. When it comes to a kitchen, you will most likely be moving around a lot more than you would in any other room in the house. Depending on your household, this may only involve one or two people, while for a busy family, or those who love entertaining, you could be fitting in a lot more.
You should have ample space to use appliances and work areas comfortably and safely, with enough access to all storage spaces. Check in on door opening spaces to ensure there is enough room to open cupboards, drawers and other doors, without hitting something, or causing an obstruction.
Think about your lifestyle
Another important point that will influence the design of your kitchen is your own lifestyle. The number of people in your household will determine how much use the kitchen is likely to have – if you are a professional couple that prefers ordering in and entertaining guests, you’re unlikely to need a lot of kitchen appliances, but might want plenty of storage space for items for guests.
If you’re a large family on the other hand that cooks regularly, several times a day, then having efficient storage for cooking supplies, as well as well-sized cooking tools and accessories will be a priority in your kitchen design. Gilmans Kitchens and Baths in San Francisco provide some great design solutions for all types of homes and lifestyles.
Consider your budget
While you might have a dream kitchen in mind, one very practical consideration to take into account is your actual budget. Keeping this at the forefront of your planning process will help you stay within your means, and avoid going over your financial limits.
Creating a kitchen on a budget doesn’t have to mean compromising, or settling with something that you’re not happy with. Instead, use budget constraints as an opportunity to think of creative solutions, and look for ways that you can re-use or re-purpose parts of your kitchen to serve your needs more effectively.
Having a budget in mind will also influence what you spend your money on. It’s better to invest in key items that will last a long time, even if it means spending a little extra, than trying to cut corners and then having to replace them after a short period.
