National award winning building designer Shayne Le Roy, shares 8 essential design tips for creating a polished and efficient kitchen layout that caters to your needs.
Tip #1: The kitchen work triangle
The work triangle is based on the layout and efficiency between your cooking, food storage and sink areas. This concept is a guideline, as lifestyle influences and functionality also play a key role in the design outcome of your kitchen.
Tip #2: Storage
Kitchen drawer systems are far more efficient with space usability. Use every possible cavity you can find, especially when designing small kitchens.
Tip #3: Island considerations
Island benches are great for everyday use and entertaining guests. Ask yourself: How do you like to work in the kitchen? They’re ideal for prepping, so naturally you would need a small sink and also beneficial while cooking so you can still enjoy interacting with your family and friends.
Tip #4: Integrated design
The two main integrated appliances to consider are dishwashers and fridge/ freezers. Fridges are still evolving with integration because there’s a couple of factors that need to be considered; the cost of integrating the appliance vrsus the standard fridge; and the amount of storage capacity in some integrated models versus non integrated. Also integrated fridge models don’t feature water dispensers.
Tip #5: Appliance selection
Everyone has a different kitchen efficiency and price point in mind, so every house is unique when it comes to appliance needs. If you have a scullery, then you could consider doubling up with appliances. If you like to entertain, then a second dishwasher in the scullery would be handy for dinner parties. It’s quite common to have two ovens; a combination of your standard oven plus a steam oven. When reviewing oven size, the 60cm and 76cm ovens tend to be more spacious - the 76cm is known for often having the same cooking volume as a 90cm oven.
Tip #6: Microwaves
Consider featuring the microwave in the butler’s pantry or under the bench. Tuck them away so they don’t clash with the styling and overall finish your kitchen. If nutrition and healthy living play a large role in your lifestyle, then consider a steam oven over a microwave. Steam ovens have a reheat function that will take a little bit longer, but the regeneration of the food is very close to when you originally cooked the meal.
Tip #7: Ergonomics
Don’t make your benchtop too high because your overheads will be even higher. Remember that the minimum bench height is 900mm and the standard bench height is 940mm. I would install a wall oven stack over an under bench stack, purely for the ergonomics of a wall oven stack.
Speak to an expert
There’s no right or wrong way of designing a kitchen, but an expert will resolve your kitchen design in the best possible manner. You also have to be mindful of the wish list, the budget and the outcome. If the wish list and the budget work, then you’re going to have the perfect outcome.
For help finding the perfect appliances to match your needs and lifestyle, book an Appliance Discovery Consultation.
