Thinking of remodelling your kitchen? We have some great pointers and design ideas for you
Getting your kitchen layout right is the most important factor in ensuring a functional and practical kitchen area. A clever layout will make all the difference in helping you to get the most out of the space. Here are some basic types: (Top of page: Kitchen with BerryAlloc Style Collection Elegant Natural Brown vinyl plank flooring, www.berryalloc.com/global/en)
The One-Wall Kitchen
This simple layout is space efficient without giving up on functionality. Consisting of cabinets installed against a single wall, the One Wall Kitchen can have upper and lower cabinets or shelving over base cabinets, creating a clean aesthetic.
The Galley Kitchen
With a very economical use of cabinets, the galley kitchen consists of two rows of cabinets facing each other, creating an inner passage or galley between them.
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The L-Shaped Kitchen
A practical layout option for small and large kitchens, the L-shaped kitchen has cabinets along two perpendicular walls.
The U-Shaped Kitchen
A great layout for larger kitchens, the U-shaped kitchen consists of cabinetry along three adjacent walls. This type of layout provides plenty of storage but can feel enclosed if there are upper cabinets on all three walls.
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What’s on trend
- Clever compact design – Whether narrow, square or broken plan, where space is at a premium, compact kitchens come to the rescue.
- Hot water on demand – We’ve become so accustomed to everything in an instant, that even boiling the kettle is a wait we would rather do without. ‘Hot water taps are going to be a sought-after item for the kitchen of 2021,’ suggests Mark Staweczny, designer for Abode.
- Dark surfaces – Our kitchens are following the fashion for taking surfaces to the dark side. Dark worktops and countertops can be offset by lighter furniture and bright ‘colour pops’.
- Downdraft extractors – Extractor fans are being reimagined for kitchens of the future with a shift towards downdraft extraction systems which remove odours and vapours at their source.
Save money by replacing doors and drawers
Many people have discovered that replacing your entire kitchen, when a makeover looks just as good, does not make much sense. For the majority of people, replacing doors and drawers will save £1000s when compare to the cost of an entire new kitchen, plus there’s less stress and mess with a simple kitchen facelift.
Extend the kitchen into the side passage
Many of England’s 19th and early 20th century properties have an original brick ‘extension’ to the rear. These are particularly common on terraced and semi-detached houses. A side return extension infills the space alongside the original ‘extension’ and is one of the most popular methods of improving and extending your home. This relatively small-scale alteration can transform a property.
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Eco-friendly improvements.
With an increasing desire to become more eco-friendly, it’s merely a matter of time until the population adopts a sustainable way of life rather than just talking about it. Luckily, there are many ways in which sustainable design can be incorporated within your home, particularly the kitchen, so you too can start doing your bit for the environment.
Here are our eight sustainable design ideas – choose a few to use within your kitchen; we promise, living sustainably is a lot easier than you think!
- Sustainable Materials
- Energy Efficient Lighting
- Enhanced Ventilation
- Use Re-Purposed Items
- Improve Insulation
- Use Potted Plants
- Plastic Free Storage & Utensils
- Energy Efficient Appliances
The return on investment (ROI) for kitchen remodels can vary. The experts at Remodeling Magazine have found that the ROI on a kitchen remodel can be about 65%, making it one of the wisest investments you can make in your home, but even with a limited budget, you should never make updates the cheap way. Do not neglect checking your plumbing and electric lines for optimum functionality. Do not figuratively “paint over problems,” or try to hide damaged spots. Issues like mould and a compromised structure can never be ignored.
Always be aware that a kitchen remodel is an intensive process, especially when the job is done correctly. While dramatic home makeover shows transform entire kitchens in the matter of days or reduce the process down to a 30-minute program, in reality it takes several weeks to perform a thorough kitchen remodel!
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