Kitchen is the heart of the home and the most used space in the house. This hard working room is a busy hub - from morning coffee to cooking and clean up; from having family discussions to hosting, socializing and making memories and festive meals. Due to all the demands that are placed on this space, it is important to thoughtfully design the kitchen with optimal efficiency, functionality, comfort and aesthetic value in mind.
Here are some of the key considerations I walk through with my clients when designing their dream kitchens:
*all images below are of projects by Marina Medina Design
1. Decide on your must haves
This is a utility-driven space so it is important to focus on the specific needs and lifestyle of your family. Spending some time on Pinterest can be helpful at this stage. Consider the following:
Do you wish to have seating and if so, for how many?
What types and sizes of appliances are you hoping to include? Do you prefer a range or a cooktop and a wall oven? Do you need a microwave? Are you hoping to include a beverage fridge? Built-in vs stainless counter depth fridge?
What kinds of sinks do you prefer - stainless, porcelain, silgranite? Single or double bowl? A sink workstation?
Do you prefer to keep everything in closed cabinets or display your tableware on open shelves? A combination of both?
Think about you list of non-negotiables and nice-to-have’s. I usually take an inventory of everything the client wishes to find room for in the new kitchen, such as that Kitchen-Aid mixer or the espresso machine so that we can find a home for those items in the new design.
Regardless of what budget you are working with, this exercise is a great starting point to get your thoughts organized and get your priorities in order.
2. focus on the floorplan
Before we get to the fun part of choosing finishes, figuring out the most optimal layout is key. Working with a professional interior designer can be very helpful because so much needs to be considered - design rules, local building code, ergonomics, scale and proportion. Professional will help to delineate work zones, strategically place appliances, plan for adequate storage and ensure there is enough circulation space.
Well-considered work triangle is the golden standard of a functional kitchen design. The refrigerator, sink and stove are spaced to allow the user to move between prep, cooking and clean up in an efficient way. The triangle spacing will be based on the industry standards as well as on the overall size of the kitchen, ensuring that the three stations are adjacent but not too close - just right!
Interior designer will draw up a floorpan of the space and shift the various elements around until everything works well together.
3.max out the storage
Whether you are working with a small or a grand space, properly considered and organized storage is critical. Regardless of the size of the kitchen, it is important to map out where various items will live and to design spaces accordingly.
I like to make sure the pantry has maximum functionality by incorporating a combination of adjustable shelving and pull out drawers. Blind corner’s usability can be improved by using a clever hardware solution such as a Magic Corner. Having an intentionally designed home for your spices, oils, cutting boards, small appliances or even a Dyson with a built-in charging station can make all the difference!
It is equally important to think about where and how to store tableware and glassware. Do you wish to show off some beautiful pieces on a curated shelfie or do you prefer closed doors? Glass cabinets with regular, frosted or reeded glass is another beautiful alternative.
4. consider continuity
In most open floor layouts, the kitchen is an extension of the rest of the home, visible from the dining or living rooms. It is important to take a look at this relationship from the layout, materiality and sightline perspective. These adjacent spaces must be considered as a whole not as separate distinct rooms.
For example, in the image above, the dramatic and impactful kitchen design provides a spectacular sight from the adjacent living room. The black island works well with the black windows throughout the home. Wide plank hardwood flooring extends throughout the ground floor creating continuity between these spaces.
5. figure out the finishes
While the chosen finishes can help to define the style and vibe of the space, this decision is about more than just the aesthetics.
Running hardwood flooring into the kitchen can help to unify kitchen with the rest of the home and many people find it more comfortable underfoot. However, tile flooring is certainly more durable and hard-wearing and can be a really practical choice for this high-traffic area. With either of these choices, an area rug is a great addition.
Countertop material is another decision not to be taken lightly. There is a vast number of options on the market varying greatly in terms of aesthetic, durability and price. A vintage marble is a personal favourite of mine. Some other alternatives are granite, quartz, porcelain, butcher block and stainless steel. When tastefully combined, two or even three different countertop materials or various colors of the same material can create a beautiful result.
Additionally, one needs to think about the millwork finishes as well as the finish of the faucet and hardware and to ensure all the elements work well together.
6. identify where to save & splurge
Kitchen renovations are a high ticket item; therefore, discussing budget and priorities at the outset is important. My goal as a designer is to get the client the best result while staying within budget. Together, we try to identify what splurge (if any) would create maximum impact and give the best bang for the buck. For some people, gorgeous decorative island pendants is the splurge item of choice. For others, vintage marble countertop will be where they decide to spend to get that fabulous aesthetic. In the image above, my clients decided to invest in a sink workstation to improve efficiency for this busy work zone.
7. remember the backsplash
Aside from its practical purpose, backsplash is an excellent opportunity to bring additional personality and design statement into your kitchen. There is no shortage of options on the market. The interior designer’s job is to consider the relationship between all the finishes in the space, making sure the backsplash works well within the overall formula.
In the kitchen above, we selected a beautiful vintage marble for the perimeter of the kitchen. To maximize the effect, we decided to run up the same marble along the back wall. I suggested adding a small ledge on top, which became the clients’ favourite feature in their newly renovated kitchen - a place to store oils and spices.
8. let there be light
Make the most of what natural light you have in the space but also don’t forget to add layers of ambient, task and decorative lighting.
I like to put a sink in front of the window or with a view of the window, if possible. This will help to provide adequate illumination but also potentially give one some views to enjoy while using the sink.
Undercabinet lighting provides both an ambient glow as well as critical task lighting for the work surface. Ceiling potlights are an important way to add some general illumination throughout the space.
Decorative lighting is an opportunity to add fun, drama, texture and personality to the room. Lighting fixtures really are the jewelry of the space!
9. Devil is in the details
Details are what make the space and must not be overlooked.
Adding walnut cabinet interiors is a detail that elevates the space (like in the image above). Using stylish designer vents instead of regular builder-grader floor ones is another example.
During the course of the renovation, there is a multitude of decisions to be made daily - decision fatigue is very real! An experienced professional will run through the list to ensure none of the small items are left as an afterthought as each of those is an opportunity for its own design moment!
10. Don’t forget accessories
After the renovation has been completed, the contractors left, and you have moved into your space, it’s time to build upon your kitchen with layers of functional and decorative objects, adding texture, color, warmth and elements of your own personality into the room.
Whether it is quality wood cutting boards, some lovely pottery or perhaps plants displayed on the open shelves, a beautiful bowl with a display of fresh fruit, your go-to cookbooks, fresh cut flowers in your favourite vase on the island, or some art - make this space unapologetically beautifully yours with all that makes your heart sparkle! Life is too short not to create intentional moments of magic - so here’s to romanticizing the everyday and the mundane in your beautiful new kitchen!