DESIGN: Ingredients for perfect kitchen design

Ingredients for perfect kitchen design


Interior Design
Naoimh Tuohy

I’m thinking pistachio-crusted goats cheese wrapped in parma ham and served with a tomato berry salsa. Or, how about braised duck with a black-pudding hash and garlic-infused spinach in a grain-mustard hollandaise sauce. Sound tempting? I think so. Sadly, however, my culinary skills are quite raw (pardon the pun), so if this is the type of dish you were expecting at one of my dinner parties, you might want to eat beforehand.
But like it or not, dining in is the new going out. Dinner parties are going down a storm the length and breadth of the country. What easier way to help you adapt to this new mode of life than to create a space that makes spending all that extra time in the kitchen far more enjoyable.
Having the right tools for any job means you’re more likely to achieve a successful outcome. Not that everyone should run out and purchase a new kitchen in the hope of becoming the next Nigella, but it’s a continually proven point that a well-fitted quality kitchen will be the selling point of any house. And in this climate, despite the bottom having fallen out of the property market, it’s a shrewd property owner that will make the most out of the heart of their home.
There are a number of things you need to think about when taking on such a project. Firstly, issues such as finance, lifestyle and general tastes need to be addressed. Secondly, once you’ve nailed down the economics of it and planned the layout of your kitchen, you need to start thinking about what materials and fittings will suit your own personal style. This week, we’ll tackle the first part.

Budget
The budget – the logical start for most building projects, but surprisingly the bit that people lose the run of before, during and after the job is done. There are countless kitchens, numerous types of work tops and a ridiculous variety of tiles out there, so deciding how much you have to spend will help you to focus on what materials you can afford to use.

Likes and dislikes
Make a list of the things that you like about your current kitchen, as well as the things that drive you mad. This will start the ball rolling on the layout that you want. This plan is likely to change ten times over, but it’s essential for finding out what works for you.
Keeping the dishwasher close to the sink is handy for plumbing. Putting the hob close to (but not right beside) your sink makes preparation of your meal a lot easier. Eye-level ovens are much better for people with back problems. Leave under-counter space free for other appliances.
Incorporate, if possible, a normal waste bin alongside a recycling bin in one pull-out unit close to your sink. It will keep your kitchen area tidier. Full-length pull-out larders hold a multitude, leaving remaining cupboards for other produce or crockery and cooking utensils. If you have room for a utility area, then this is ideal for keeping under-counter sections free for other uses.

Scrapbook your ideas
Collect images and ideas from interior magazines. There’s a multitude of periodicals out there with an infinite amount of information available to you, so use it. You’ll find it easier to communicate your needs and wants with visuals.

Planned sketch
Make proper use of your kitchen designer. Have them draw up a visual plan of what your kitchen will look like when it’s finished. Some people find it easier to see with their mind’s eye than others, so get help from a professional to ‘paint a picture’, as it were. It’s a great way of bouncing ideas around and finding the best options for you.

Lifestyle
If you like hosting dinner parties and entertaining, space that allows your guests to relax with a glass of wine while you prepare the meal is essential. Islands (if you have the floor area for them) not only give you extra storage space, but if planned properly, they can allow you interact with your guests while you cook. If speed and convenience is your priority, then adequate freezer and shelf space is essential for non-fresh produce.

Having dealt with the ‘behind the scenes’ part of the project, it’s time for the fun bit to begin. Check back in a fortnight to learn more about tackling the choices to be made on walls, floors and doors!