Perfectly formed
With a luxurious range of materials and the best space planning, your new kitchen will make a strong style statement, whatever its dimensions.
Creating the perfect kitchen is a big project, regardless of how much room you have at your disposal. The freedom of open-plan living is very appealing but many homeowners can feel a little daunted when faced with the challenge of determining what will work best in a large area. And a compact areas can feel just as problematic with numerous tight spaces and awkward corners.
Super-sized splendour
If you're lucky enough to possess a grand room, there are many fantastic choices available. You should be able to dream up to three rooms in one, with a kitchen, lounge area and dining space allset in the same place. For those of us who love to cook and entertain, those extra inches are a luxury, allowing for an excellent range of appliances as well as a number of storage and social options.
When planning for this new hub of the home, there are a few points to consider. First, you'll need to achieve a balance between dedicated work and leisure zones and it's best to stick to simple design. Wherever possible, you can't go far wrong with a central island unit with opposing runs of fitted units. Think about how you're going to move around the room to get the best position for the sink, worktops and appliances. Remember that good lighting is a must - with spot-lights to help with food prep at the hob as well as ambient illumination for the dining and living sections in which to unwind post-supper.
A gigantic kitchen will allow for a real reflection of a family's lifestyle. The personality and style ideal of household members can be portrayed with a mix of materials, from granite and stainless steel to natural timbers and paint effects. Freestanding dressers, sizeable cupboards and hard-working bespoke tables in solid wood are also in demand.
Lizzie Beesley, Creative Director at Second Nature, explains that anything goes when it comes to image, "A large cook zone can look modern or traditional. In a classic scheme, think soft seating, warm colours and character oak furniture, or even a sideboard. In a contemporary one, it's all about chic bar stools, glass tables and sleek styling."
Compact cases
The main thing you'll want to consider when kitting out a small kitchen is how to maximise its potential. Don't make the mistake of cramming in furniture, as you'll only create a closed-in and unattractive feel. Instead, make the most of colour, texture and lighting.Think about reflective surfaces such as high gloss units, stainless steel appliances and try using vibrant glass or mirrored splashbacks to make the room seem bigger and brighter than it really is.
You can also use some clever storage solutions such as corner carousels and tambour shutters. Pull-out larders and drawers that fit around the sink plumbing will avoid any precious room being eaten up while some suspended or leg-set cabinetry can increase a sense of floor space. You should have about 1.1m between two runs of units to allow for opening of cupboard and appliance doors. Neil Lerner, Owner of Neil Lerner Kitchen Designs, says, "Small zones are the most functional, with every inch utilised for the homeowner's needs. Planning is critical to create the right work triangle."
Best of both
The latest trend in bespoke design for the hub of the home is to have a kitchen within a kitchen.
If space permits, why not include a separate cook zone which is dedicated to a favourite culinary interest such as breadmaking, baking cakes or simply whipping up breakfast or a quick supper?
When deciding how to use a large open-plan room, it is advisable to work out how to break it down into very specific, self-contained areas that function in their own right and together form the component parts of the whole room. But, what to decide to do with an abundance of square feet?
It's wise to consider a separate walk-in pantry room that can store bulky dry goods such as rice, lentils, pasta and cereals as well as keep fresh vegetables at room temperature. Streamline your appliances so that they fit snuggly against the walls, bringing the efficient and tidy feel of a smaller room into a larger space. Once this has been achieved, the dining area can become an uncluttered and striking focal point to enjoy with friends and family. Finish with simple shapes for tables and islands, and use glass doors to cleverly partition different zones. Now you've seen some of the options out there, which will you choose?
