Transform Your Space: Kitchen Planning & Design Considerations
Your kitchen is more than just a functional space. It’s the heart of your home – a hub for family gatherings, culinary creativity and daily chit-chats over coffee. With that in mind, a thoughtfully designed kitchen can make all the difference. At Claremont Kitchens, we understand the importance of functional yet aesthetically pleasing kitchen planning and design. So, if you want to improve your kitchen’s layout, incorporate useful gadgets or update your worktops, keep reading. In this post, our lead designer Liz Dunk will share some of her top tips with you!
Kitchen planning and design advice from our experts
1. Layout is everything
Creating the perfect kitchen layout is key to creating an efficient and practical space for preparing and cooking food. Whether you’d like an open-plan design, a galley kitchen or a U-shaped configuration, you’ll need to consider the “work triangle”. Put simply, this is the relationship between your sink, hob/ oven and fridge. A good kitchen layout minimises unnecessary movement between the three areas to streamline your cooking process.
Not sure which arrangement would work best for your kitchen? Our team can analyse your space and discuss your kitchen planning needs to design a layout that works for you. From compact city kitchens to expansive farmhouse designs, we ensure every square metre serves a purpose.
2. Storage solutions: more than meets the eye
Storage can make or break a kitchen’s functionality and is key element of good kitchen planning. Strategically placed storage solutions, such as pull-out pantry shelves, corner units and built-in organisers, can help to maximise your space. Meanwhile, custom cabinetry will provide a sleek finish no matter the shape of your kitchen, and keep clutter neatly out of sight.
In fact, we can work around existing fixtures and fittings, and adapt units and worktops to fit awkward angles too. Keen to find out more? Contact our team now to discuss more kitchen design tips and the bespoke storage options we can provide.
3. Materials and finishes: balancing aesthetics and durability
From worktops to cabinet doors, the materials and finishes you choose will define your kitchen’s overall look and feel. Considerations such as durability, maintenance and style preferences play a significant role.
We can supply painted timber or vinyl wrapped cabinet doors. Solid timber units are durable and provide a premium look, but are more prone to marking and chips. Meanwhile, vinyl is easier to clean – particularly on slab door designs – but doesn’t offer the same high-end finish.
When it comes to kitchen worktops, natural stone surfaces are undoubtedly elegant with individual patterning and timeless appeal. But they do require regular sealing and gentler cleaning than their synthetic counterparts. Manmade quartz and porcelain can also mimic the beauty of natural stone but with more uniform colouring. They’re also incredibly robust and offer greater heat, scratch and stain resistance without needing to apply a protective coating.
Why choose stone worktops?
Stone worktops, such as granite, marble, quartz and porcelain are a popular choice for their durability and huge variety of finishes. Each type of stone has its unique appeal:
- Granite: Known for its strength and natural beauty, granite offers a stunning array of colours and speckled patterns. Its heat resistance makes it ideal for busy kitchens.
- Marble: Renowned for its luxurious finish, veined marble adds a touch of opulence to any kitchen. While it requires a bit more care, its aesthetic appeal is unmatched.
- Quartz: Engineered quartz worktops combine the beauty of natural stone with enhanced durability. Non-porous and low-maintenance, quartz is great for families.
- Porcelain and ceramic: if minimal maintenance and excellent heat resistance is top of your list, then ceramic worktops could be ideal. We supply designs by top brands like Dekton and Uniceramica, alongside Neolith surfaces made with recyclable materials.
Need help selecting the right type of kitchen worktop for you? Our team at Claremont Kitchens will guide you through our range of premium stone worktops to help you find the perfect match.
4. Lighting: layered and functional
Another element you’ll need to factor into your kitchen planning and design is lighting. An often overlooked aspect, lighting can dramatically transform your space. Layered lighting – a combination of task, ambient and accent lighting – is essential for creating a functional and inviting kitchen. For instance, under-cabinet lights provide focused lighting for meal prepping. Meanwhile, overhead pendant lights can add a stylish touch above an island or dining table. Our designs incorporate thoughtful lighting schemes to your specific space and preferences.
5. Kitchen appliances and modern gadgets
A modern kitchen would be incomplete without state-of-the-art appliances. At Claremont Kitchens, we offer a selection of high-quality kitchen appliances by leading brands. This includes integrated ovens, refrigerators and dishwashers cleverly hidden behind custom cabinetry for a cohesive, uncluttered finish.
Additionally, we can supply and fit innovative gadgets to take your kitchen to the next level. For example, Quooker boiling water taps that instantly dispense boiling, chilled or sparkling water to save time. You can even upgrade to WiFi-enabled Smart appliances and self-cleaning ovens to make it easier than ever to manage your kitchen. Whatever your cooking habits, let us know what you need and we can help you select suitable appliances.
6. The value of professional kitchen planning expertise
While online inspiration can provide ideas and low-budget DIY may be tempting, there’s no substitute for professional kitchen planning and design advice. At Claremont Kitchens, Liz Dunk brings years of experience and an eye for detail to every project. Her ability to blend functionality with beautiful design ensures your kitchen is not just a room, but a statement. And somewhere you actually enjoy spending time!
By working with a professional, you can access bespoke solutions and benefit from a design tailored to your specific needs and preferences. We’ll even create 3D visuals for reference so you can see what the proposed design will look like before deciding whether to go ahead. And by taking our tips on board, we can simplify the decision-making process and costly mistakes.
Let's design your perfect kitchen layout together
Ready to get started? Book a free kitchen design appointment online to get the ball rolling. Otherwise, feel free to visit our showroom to browse material options before scheduling a longer consultation. Your perfect kitchen awaits. Let’s create it together.
