In my previous article we looked at the different places where we could look for inspiration. We also recommended starting by defining your own personality or taste then proceeding by making coherent decisions regarding colour, layout and style of kitchen that we want to use etc.
In this article we will continue with the following important aspects:
Black versus white.
As for colours to be used in kitchens, a timeless design is generally advised. White kitchens whether in glossy tones or matte are the absolute classic. Opting for a kitchen in black is a little more daring, but if it is integrated with other light colours or forming part of a colour scheme, dark kitchens can have their charm. However, the size and brightness of the room should not be underestimated, while the large and bright rooms tolerate a black kitchen a small, dark rooms on the other hand seem optically wider if you opt for a white kitchen. My advice; choose white if you are conservative or the kitchen itself has little light or it is small, go for of dark colour if you have a large space but must be part of a more sophisticated colour scheme.
What kind of floor finish do I use for my kitchen?
When it comes to choosing a kitchen floor, hygiene should be the main factor. When cooking or baking something can always go wrong and part of the lovely pudding may land on the floor, a good idea is to opt for an easy to maintain floor, obviously. Here in Spain you can obtain good quality floor tile for very reasonable price, 8€ a square meter and if you know where to look for even less than that.
However if you are more creative you can also include wood, stones (preferably granite) or maybe concrete with a resin finish a, while the use of carpets is clearly out of place here. So in the end we should end up gravitating to a style of kitchen that apart from its functionality and hygiene, it must also combines with the rest of the house or apartment, especially if it is an open kitchen.
Other important recommendations.
In addition to form and materials, another aspect to plan our kitchen is its layout. So that dishes, pots and cups can be kept minimally ordered, we must have considered in advance certain aspects: From where can to store the tomatoes, where to place the refrigerator, to where to wash and cut those tomatoes? Equally important is to carry out a detailed inventory, which will clarify if we need more drawers, shelves or cabinets. If we consider all these points in advance, we can plan and equip a kitchen to best suit us.
What should I keep in mind when buying a kitchen?
Before buying a kitchen, you have to take into consideration the situation of the room. While a kitchen with island fits in open spaces, in small rooms is much better a standard kitchen. Nor are irrelevant the position and size of windows, ceiling and the design of walls or floors, since the kitchen has to fit well taking into account all of these factors. Another decision that must be taken in advance is the question of whether the dining room should be integrated into the kitchen and how we should do it. During the purchase it is advised to focus, along with the functionality and quality of the kitchen, on its durability, as we want it to last as long as possible. Another equally important reason is to follow a timeless design, or at least to design a kitchen that we are sure we will continue to enjoy in the long term.
How do I design an open kitchen?
To make an open kitchen, it is necessary of course to have sufficient space. This may seem a truism but often people start designing an island kitchen to arrive to the conclusion afterwards that their space is too small, however, even in a small apartments, it is always possible demolish internal partitions to integrate the kitchen space with the dining area or even with the living room. An open kitchen goes hand in hand with a kitchen with island, but for this you do need plenty of space. When designing a kitchen / dining room order is an important aspect. Although the island is used to integrate the kitchen dining and possibly living space into a fully habitable area, it should never be too messy. So kitchen cabinets must be well thought of to store pots, pans and other piece and pieces, it should not be too problematic to maintain a working kitchen into a well ordered space permanently. It is important that all utensils in the kitchen have their place and refrain from placing decorative items that may takes up useful space.
What if my kitchen is too small?
If we only have a small space for the kitchen, we have two options. One, opt for small modular kitchen, but being consistent with design; In other words, follow the same colour scheme as for the floor, walls and kitchen furniture. Two, we can choose a mini-kitchen. There are several “smart” kitchen models that integrate multiple functions. Turning, folding and sliding elements creates a hidden storage space, so that the kitchen looks kept tidy and does not give up any of its functionalities.
Good luck and be creative my friends!!
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