With 93% of people reporting a better quality of life after finishing renovations on their homes and 57% reporting an uplift in appraisal valuation, it’s no surprise that so many Americans are looking to update their kitchens.
But while a lot of design choices rely on personal preferences or the style of home you have, there are some fundamental kitchen design rules you should get to know if you plan on renovating your kitchen.
By making smart design choices, you can ensure that your space is safe and accessible and creates a pleasant environment for visitors and residents alike. As well as picking out beautiful finishes, bear in mind that you’ll be spending a significant chunk of each day eating, cooking, and possibly even working in the space.
On that basis, style over substance just won’t cut it. That’s why we’ve collated five kitchen design expert tips to make sure your kitchen is as liveable as it is stylish.
Let’s get into it.
#1 - Function, then Form
As the saying goes, form follows function - especially true when it comes to designing a kitchen.
When designing the kitchen of your dreams, establish what kitchen staples, such as your island, will be used for. If you plan on transforming it into a dinner spot, you’ll need to factor in adequate space for seating around the island.
If you want an island space for washing, drying, and chores, you’ll need to fit a sink and consider which other appliances you’ll need. Likewise, you’ll need to establish what type of activities the room will be used for.
Do you plan on eating in your kitchen or a separate dining room? Will you need a lot of room for entertaining? Is having space for other activities like working or studying important to you? Answer these questions before you decide on a design.
#2 - Create Landing Space Near Appliances
We’ve all been there. You bring a fresh casserole out of the oven and realize there’s nowhere to place it down nearby. In a race against time, while you can feel the heat coming through your oven gloves, you end up dropping your dish.
You’re one chicken casserole and one dish down, and you’re left with an hour of cleaning up the mess.
When you’re designing a kitchen, one of the main kitchen design guidelines to consider is the user journey of your home. Imagining yourself cooking, cleaning, and eating there, and that will help you design the perfect space.
Creating landing space near appliances, for example, is a must. Think how many times you take a dish out of the oven, a saucepan off the stove, or a set of freshly cooled desserts out of the refrigerator.
By planning landing space, you’ll have an area near your appliances where you can put items down as quickly as you pick them up and avoid dropping, spilling, or burning your hands.
#3 - Prioritize Safety
Naturally, any kitchen is full of hazards, from hot ovens to knife displays, so prioritizing safety is a must. To combat fire hazards and keep your family safe, keep a fire extinguisher visible and easily accessible.
Likewise, never put your oven or stove under a window. Blowing kitchen curtains can easily catch fire, so the two are best kept as far as possible apart.
Keeping the use of flammable materials at bay is a must, too, as well as carefully considering where you store dangerous items. When it comes to selecting your countertops, opt for ones with rounded, not pointed, edges to avoid causing injury.
#4 - Install a Range of Lighting
Lighting is all too often overlooked as part of your kitchen design, but it can make a huge difference to the general atmosphere of your space. We’d recommend installing various lighting in positions to give your kitchen that warm atmosphere look.
If you’ve got an island, pending lighting like this pendant light from Acorn creates an eye-catching focal point without drawing too much attention away from the rest of the room. Check out our kitchen island blog for more lighting ideas.
If you have a particularly large kitchen, you might want to consider lighting other parts of the room using wall lights like this beautiful brass wall lamp by Schwung. Meanwhile, having lights underneath your cabinet can also provide extra functionality and an atmospheric finish.
Not sure how to pick your kitchen lighting? There are a few things to consider in terms of size, style, and material. Metal, glass, and ceramic lights look good in contemporary, industrial-style kitchens, while fabric and bamboo are perfectly at home in boho, country-style kitchens.
Sizewise, work with the size of your kitchen as a guide. Large lights can draw too much attention in smaller spaces, while small lights will be drowned out by other features in a big kitchen. Work in proportion with the rest of the room and your home.
#5 - Make Your Kitchen Easy to Navigate
When designing a kitchen, layout is key. To make the room as pleasant as possible to spend time in, prioritize a design that allows you to move about the room freely and saves you time.
Your kitchen’s floor plan should include adequate space between the cabinets and the island so you can walk easily without knocking objects off your countertops. Any areas that you expect to encounter the most foot traffic should be free from clutter or unnecessary items.
Where you plan your storage matters, too. Having your coffee jar in one drawer and your sugar in another, for example, is a recipe for disaster. Instead, consider which items you’ll use in tandem and make sure they’re stored together or nearby each other.
Bonus Rule - Put Quality First
Don’t overlook the importance of finishing touches when creating the house of your dreams. While it can be tempting to skimp on the best when it comes to the smaller items, kitchen essentials such as lighting and cabinet handles can make a world of difference to the overall look of your kitchen.
Bonus Tips for Designing a Kitchen
To make your kitchen design even more exceptional, consider incorporating these additional actionable tips:
- Introduction: Elevate your kitchen design with these bonus tips, ensuring a stylish and functional space.
- Go green: Opt for energy-efficient appliances and lighting solutions to reduce your environmental footprint and save on utility bills.
- Durable materials: Choose easy-to-clean and durable materials for countertops and cabinets, keeping your kitchen looking fresh for years.
- Personal touches: Add unique elements like artwork, colorful backsplash tiles, or decorative hardware to reflect your personal style and make your kitchen truly your own.
And if you’re looking for designer lighting to level up your kitchen, take a look at our expertly curated collection. From pendant lights to floor lamps, we’re sure you’ll find something you love that will help create the kitchen space of your dreams!