The kitchen is the room in the home where we spend most of our time and where multiple functions are performed. Precisely because of its versatility and functionality, kitchen design requires greater care and attention to detail, resulting in a space that combines aesthetics with functionality and practicality.
When designing or renovating a kitchen, there are many decisions to make, not just regarding style but also involving systems, furnishings, and appliances. Various aspects must be evaluated and monitored to avoid future mistakes.
Five steps to designing the kitchen
Furnishing and designing a kitchen is a complex task that requires specific skills and knowledge. It’s often thought that a simple online design program is enough to choose and design your kitchen, like building blocks. The reality is different. The project is the result of careful and meticulous research that can be summarized in five macro steps.
Identify the most appropriate shape based on the available space
The “shape” of the kitchen is the first element to consider: it can be linear, with an island or peninsula, horseshoe-shaped, etc. But the main factor to consider is the available space to then choose the most appropriate shape, and not vice versa. This is because errors and incorrect assessments could arise, severely compromising the functionality and livability of the space.
Identify the intersection between aesthetics and practicality
It’s essential to find the point of convergence between the artistic and stylistic aspects of the kitchen and the habits of the individual. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. It’s important to understand the needs and emphasize them in advance, so that they can positively influence the design and aesthetics of the kitchen.
System Management
System management is an important issue. Once the design has been chosen, it’s important to plan and identify the location of the various elements, in the case of a new kitchen, or consider moving them, in the case of a renovation, to optimize the available space.
Placement of Appliances in the Kitchen
Choosing the location of appliances goes hand in hand with system management, always taking into account the individual’s habits. However, there are some rules to follow: while it’s true that the stove and sink shouldn’t be positioned next to each other, it’s also true that, being the fulcrum of kitchen preparation, they shouldn’t be far apart. Similarly, the oven should always be conveniently located near the stove and sink, to avoid having to carry food around the kitchen. The best solution is for these three appliances to be positioned at the vertices of a hypothetical triangle, regardless of the shape you choose.
Choosing Kitchen Finishes
The last element to consider is the finishes: the material for the countertops, doors, and backsplash. This topic requires a separate discussion due to the multitude of materials and ideas. When choosing the kitchen countertop, it’s best to choose a material that has good resistance to impact, heat, and wear. You can choose a more innovative material like Dekton or Corian, or a more classic and common material like quartz or laminate. Again, the choice is subjective and based on your habits. The same can apply to the backsplash, which can be the same material as the countertop, tiled, or even nonexistent. There are also many options for the doors; depending on the cabinet material, you can choose laminate or lacquer, and Finix or wood.
Designing a modular kitchen
There are many issues to address when designing a modular kitchen. Here, we’ll try to provide a general overview of a much more complex topic, through simple general concepts, reiterating some of the points previously discussed.
The first issue to address concerns the kitchen components. When it comes to modular kitchens, the various elements—wall cabinets, columns, or base units—have standard measurements, which may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer.
For base units, the standard measurements are: width 60 cm, depth 60 cm, and height 90 cm. For wall units, the standard measurements are: width 60 cm, depth 30 cm, and height varying from 40 to 70 cm. For column units, the width and depth are the same as those of the kitchen base units, but with a height of 200 cm.
Once the minimum and standard dimensions of the furniture have been defined, we can address the issue of “shape.” As mentioned, the study of the kitchen’s shape and layout, even in the case of a modular kitchen, begins with a careful analysis of the available space. Given this understanding of the space, we can identify two broad categories of form: linear composition and parallel composition.
Linear composition is one of the most common solutions, often conditioned by the positioning of the appliances on a single wall. With this solution, appliances extend along a single line, and the minimum dimension that this wall can assume is 360 cm. The origin of this measurement is a simple sum of the elements described above, i.e., six 60 cm modules. Although it is the most commonly used kitchen type, it is not the most practical. In fact, one of the rules of proper kitchen design requires fluidity of work between the three key points: the so-called “work triangle,” which for obvious reasons is not respected here.
The second category encompasses all other spatial distributions and ensures compliance with the work triangle rule. Possible solutions include the U-shaped kitchen, which extends across two sides and provides ample work and maneuvering space. It is not suitable for long, narrow spaces.
The L-shaped kitchen requires cabinetry to be arranged on two sides. This is the ideal solution if a table is placed in the center, thus allowing for proper kitchen operations.
Island and peninsula solutions also fall into this category. In both cases, food preparation areas are positioned parallel to the rest of the kitchen. For these solutions to be feasible, sufficient space is required to allow for easy movement and the cabinetry to be opened. These various solutions can then be combined to create the kitchen that best suits your personal and space requirements.
Another factor to consider is the ergonomics of the kitchen: countertops that are too low and cabinets positioned too high prevent proper kitchen operation. For this reason, cabinet heights, rather than cabinet heights, follow specific standards. Wall cabinets should be raised from the countertop by at least 45 cm, up to a maximum of 54 cm, and the countertop should be around 90 cm.
Pros and Cons of Designing a Modular Kitchen
One of the main advantages of a modular kitchen is its competitive price, which is cheaper than custom kitchens. Another advantage is the faster delivery times. The disadvantage of a modular kitchen is its inflexibility. Indeed, designing this solution is difficult with crooked walls, non-symmetrical measurements, or niches, so much so that companies are increasingly offering custom kitchens.
Designing a custom kitchen
Designing a custom kitchen is different. While the rules and solutions proposed thus far apply, a custom kitchen offers the advantage of endless possibilities for customization and personalization, not only in terms of finishes but also in the composition of the elements. With this type of kitchen, the dimensions of the wall and base cabinets can vary and vary from case to case. For convenience and to maintain uniform reference measurements across all manufacturers, increasingly standardized sizes are being adopted in multiples of 30 cm (60, 90, 120 cm), with the option of customizing them as well.
Pros and Cons of Designing a Custom Kitchen
The greatest advantage is the ability to adapt to any type of space, from an attic to a room with beams or irregular walls, maximizing the full width and height of the space. The disadvantage of designing a custom kitchen is the cost, which is higher than standard kitchens and often requires the work of artisans.
Designing a brick kitchen
Designing a built-in kitchen is a conscious and lasting choice, lending the space a unique charm. People often associate a built-in kitchen with a rustic or classic style, unaware that it is increasingly gaining popularity in modern kitchens as well.
Designing a built-in kitchen begins, as with other kitchen designs, with a thorough study of the space, its functions, and the layout of the appliances. Once these uncertainties are established and agreed upon, we proceed with the construction of retaining walls and a countertop that will serve as the future kitchen’s worktop. The walls will be constructed to create niches for the appliances and the actual wooden cabinetry. In addition to these elements, it is also possible to create cantilevered shelves or recesses carved into the thickness of the walls.
As with custom kitchens, a built-in kitchen is a unique and personalized solution, conceived and designed specifically for each individual case. These are therefore non-standard furnishings that do not follow the typical modularity of fitted kitchens. It is possible to have a kitchen with variable depth and width depending on your needs. Special attention must be paid to appliances and details: handles, fabrics, and furnishing accessories are what make a built-in kitchen personal and personalized. When designing a built-in kitchen, you can combine different materials, such as stone or ceramic tiles, to create decorations or use as backsplashes. More modern and impactful is the use of resin or stamped concrete.
Pros and Cons of Designing a Built-in Kitchen
The advantage of a custom kitchen is that it is absolutely solid and robust, built to last and maintain its charm over time. It is also suitable for both indoor and outdoor spaces, resisting exposure to the elements well. The main disadvantage is that it takes much longer to build than a standard kitchen, but on the other hand, replacing parts is unthinkable. Added to this are the rather expensive prices.
We understand that the world of kitchens is constantly expanding. There are kitchens for all tastes and budgets, but the foundation of all of them is proper planning. It’s best to rely on industry professionals who can apply their knowledge and skills to design the kitchen that best suits your needs.