Kitchens are arguably the most important room in the house. They provide a central point for family interactions as well as a place to gather with guests when entertaining. Modern kitchens are no longer a place to simply prepare and cook food, they also double as an informal dining space and a space for leisure and work activities.
If you're planning a kitchen renovation, then you've probably spent a lot of time and effort putting together ideas for the look and style you'd like for your new kitchen. As well as aesthetics, it's important to think about the functional and practical elements of kitchen design. Here are two key areas that can be overlooked in a kitchen renovation project, often to the detriment of the end result.
1. Layout
Having a good layout is important in every room of the home but in the kitchen, it's even more so. Getting the layout right can make the difference between an average new space and a space that looks incredible and functions perfectly.
Although it may be tempting to stick with the existing layout to save money, it's usually worth the extra expense to play around with it and create a layout with better flow. A fresh layout can help to open up the room, increase natural light, provide better outdoor views and achieve a more contemporary feel.
2. Lighting
It may not seem as important to have a great lighting plan for a kitchen as it may be for a living room. However, the right lighting can make a huge amount of difference to how easy to use your new kitchen is as well as ensuring that you have a room that has ambience and warmth. As well as the standard ceiling lights, you can add extra lighting to specific areas to make them more practical and more attractive.
Pendant lights over an island bench look modern and chic and they add a sculptural element to the room. Lights under cabinets which illuminate the benchtops will help to make cooking easier during nighttime hours and provide unobtrusive background light when the cooking is done and you're relaxing with family and friends.
If you're not sure about the right layout or lighting design for your new kitchen, then talk to your remodelling contractor about what you'd like to achieve. They have the experience and the knowledge to help you make the right choices and ensure that your new kitchen is as amazing as you want it to be.