How we Approach the Design of a New Kitchen
The kitchen is often referred to as the hub of the home and as such it needs to be designed with the utmost care and consideration for the people using it. We always ask the most relevant questions to ensure each kitchen we design is absolutely perfect for each individual Client.
Assess the Space
We may be working with an existing kitchen space; in which case our architects have parameters to work within and will design a kitchen that makes the best use of that space. If we are doing a complete refurbishment, we will need to know exactly what our clients expect from their new kitchen. This can range from the position of the kitchen within the house, to what other adjacent rooms will be required, such as a utility room, boot room, walk-in larder or laundry room.
How will it be Used?
It is important to know how the kitchen is going to be used. We ask about the family’s lifestyle, from how many children there are, to whether the kitchen is used for everyday dining or just for a quick breakfast. We enquire about family parties, about whether there will be catered events and if so, how many people will need to have access to the cooking and food preparation areas. We ask our clients if they are enthusiastic cooks, whether they want a large range cooker with multiple ovens and numerous burners, or whether a bank of built-in multi-function ovens at eye level is their preference. We explore the details of gas versus induction hobs, whether a microwave is required, and whether warming drawers would be a welcome addition. The kitchen island is important when hosting get-togethers, so we will consider whether this should be surface-only, which is ideal for food preparation and laying out food and drinks, or whether it should also incorporate a sink and hob. It is often more practical to position the sink and hob in perimeter cabinets, keeping the island surface clear and available for everyone to use.
What are the Family Requirements?
A kitchen in a family home with small children has different requirements to that in a single-person household. For households with small children, our clients will often want a kitchen island that can be used for after-school activities, homework and for preparing quick and easy kitchen suppers. Older children may be happy to retreat to their bedrooms or study to do their homework tasks but youngsters need a helping hand and that, more often than not, happens around the kitchen island or breakfast bar. It also makes a difference if the kitchen is open plan or self-contained. Open plan kitchens generally lead into a living/dining/family space, so this will have an impact on the position of a kitchen island or peninsula. Storage space is always a key consideration. A single or two-person household may need less storage space for groceries and appliances, so we may suggest allocating space for a cocktail cabinet or a concealed breakfast cupboard housing a sophisticated coffee maker and all the necessary equipment.
Are there any Accessibility Considerations?
Our architects and designers will always ask our Clients about any accessibility requirements. There may be older parents or grandparents who visit and stay with the family so we will take this into consideration for the bedrooms and bathrooms. As far as the kitchen is concerned we can look at features like the height of a breakfast bar, whether the breakfast cupboard is easily reached and ensure that grocery pull-outs and bins are convenient and straightforward to access and open.
Whether we are starting with an empty space or refurbishing an existing room, our kitchens are designed with meticulous attention to detail and a desire to use our architectural and design experience to produce a kitchen that is perfect for our Client.
