Unless you have an exceptionally small kitchen, try to include an eating area in your plan because a table is a linchpin for a sociable kitchen. Above all, it is the gathering place where members of the family and friends naturally congregate. For this reason, the table should occupy the most comfortable space in the […]
Kitchens
How to plan a kitchen with an island unit
Although it’s been said that no man is an island, many people want an island in their kitchen. In fact, surveys show that 80 percent of home buyers consider a kitchen island to be desirable or essential. Kitchen islands can range from simple work and storage stations to multi- tiered custom units that include a […]
Give your kitchen some shape when designing
Like an islands location, its shape is often determined by the surrounding area. In enclosed rooms, the basic rectangle is the most popular shape. In open layouts, angular islands – L, Y or V shapes can act as boundaries to delineate the kitchen without closing it in. While these designs cost more to build, they […]
Getting the right draining area for an island unit
However, draining and venting an island requires a professional. The drain line has to drop through the floor beneath the cabinet and link with an existing drain line, running at a specified slope. Furthermore, since there’s no wall behind it, an island must be wet-vented. This part of the job is tightly regulated by codes […]
How to plan an open plan kitchen with ease
If you’re wondering how to make your small kitchen feel more expensive without adding on, consider the possibility of taking out a wall or two and converting the area to an open plan. While this option calls for careful planning, a building permit and some demolition work, it’s quite feasible if you’re planning a major kitchen remodel […]
Small kitchen design – no problem
Whoever said “good things come in small packages” probably wasn’t thinking about kitchens. If yours is 150 sq. ft. or less, it’s “officially” small – and you’re probably looking for ways to make it feel bigger and work better. Fooling the Eye When redoing a small kitchen, the primary visual goal is to make the room […]
Great kitchens for great cooks
Some families need only a basic kitchen, with enough cabinets, work space and appliances to prepare simple meals and clean up in time for the next round. But if you’re serious about cooking, your remodelling project presents the opportunity to consider speciality appliances, fixtures, accessories and design elements that can make your kitchen a joy […]
Planning your kitchen storage
Planning Storage Since serious cooks often use a wide array of pots, tools and supplies, an organisation can be critical. To organise your cooking equipment, start by prioritising it (not all of your cake pans are equally important). Put oversize items and those you use infrequently, like a turkey roast- er, on a shelf in […]
Adding sinks and taps to your new kitchen
The sink is the most-used work centre in the kitchen. If there are two or more cooks in your household, you may want to include an additional sink in your plans. Even for one cook, a second prep sink is a nice luxury. The primary sink should be roomy, making it easy to fill or […]
Selecting the right kitchen worktops to suit your style
Kitchen surfaces, namely countertops and flooring, range from practical (laminate countertop, vinyl floor) to extravagant (copper countertop, terrazzo floor), and trends are always changing. But regardless of how much you want to spend and what look you’re going for, remember that each surface material has positive and negative qualities for every application. Since there’s no […]