1. Which comes first: renovating or ordering a kitchen?
First, you need to decide on the design, architecture, and layout of the kitchen. The kitchen project must be done before the renovation. The final project of the kitchen should not be made by an interior designer who sees the general concept of the room (his project can be taken as a basis). The project must be drawn up (with your direct participation) by the designer of the company that will manufacture or supply kitchen furniture. Otherwise, you can plan one thing, and it will turn out to be completely different.
When you have a ready kitchen project, you will know where and what you will have: a refrigerator, an oven, a microwave oven, a dryer, a sink, a dining table, etc., up to an electric kettle.
As a result, it will be easier to decide where to place sockets for appliances and lighting, switches, water supply and sewage pipes, ventilation outlets, heating batteries, etc., how to lay out a tiled “apron” (the designer will tell you how to do it correctly).
Most often, they rely only on the opinion of the executive who oversees the repair, or on their own experience. But it is still better to consult with kitchen remodeling contractors, professionals in the field of kitchen furniture. After all, you want the kitchen to be comfortable, everything to be at hand, everything in its place, and its appearance pleasing to the eye.
2. Research
Before you buy or order a kitchen, do a little research, look at furniture magazines, internet sites. If you have time, go to salons and furniture studios. It is better to contact manufacturers, and not middlemen who sell furniture. The manufacturer, as a rule, is more permanent, practically does not change its location. And from manufacturers it is better to choose those who make kitchens to order. In this case, you will receive exactly such a kitchen, which will embody the greatest number of your expectations. And from these manufacturers – those in your region. In this case, it will be more convenient for you if you have questions, want to replace furniture elements, order additional ones, get a warranty or post-warranty service. You will find your option.
To create the most complete picture of the manufacturing company, read customer reviews, look carefully at the quality of the products, learn about the experience of working in the kitchen furniture market.
Beautiful furniture is not cheap, and if you want it to please you for many years, do not immediately look at the price – try to understand what you are paying for.
3. Style
After you have decided on the functions of the kitchen, it is time to start choosing the style and facade of your kitchen set, other elements of kitchen furniture. Most operators in the modern kitchen market can offer you a variety of styles and options for facades.
“Classic” style of furniture for the kitchen: facades and finishes made of natural solid wood or materials imitating wood. This style is characterized by elements of ancient architecture, solidity. In the modern interior, the classic style can be combined with other styles, forming new wonderful options. “Avant-garde” is the opposite of classical style. The main role in the interior is played by color. You can mix, combine, combine any colors, the main thing is not to cross the line between brightness and vulgarity. The avant-garde is created on contrasts. Every detail must be original. Avant-garde is a bold experiment in which, despite the seemingly general chaos, everything falls into place.
The “High-tech” style assumes modernity, the elements of the environment obey their functional purpose. Structural openness, inclusion in the visual series of pipes, fittings, air ducts, complex structuring of space. Favorite materials are metal, glass. The almost complete lack of decor here is compensated by the “work of natural texture”: the play of light on the glass, the shine of chrome and metal surfaces, the pattern of natural wood. A variety of modern synthetic materials are added to this “standard set”.
4. Materials
Perhaps the most important component when choosing materials for the kitchen is the choice of material for the manufacture of facades, as they largely determine the look of the kitchen. Also, facades are an important factor in the formation of the main part of the cost of a kitchen set (on this parameter, they only compete conditionally with countertops, the options and cost of which are also quite diverse).
Facades and doors are made of different materials.
5. Money
In any case, a new kitchen is an expensive purchase. You buy it for a long time and stay here for a long time. It is used more intensively than any other furniture in conditions of increased mechanical, temperature and moisture loads. Therefore, if you have already decided to buy a kitchen, then you should do everything possible so that you do not have to pay twice. It is necessary to save, but it is necessary to save wisely, sparingly, balanced.
Set priorities for yourself in the right sequence, what to save and to what extent, and what not to save at all:
- c) appearance;
- b) reliability, durability;
- a) functionality, convenience, capacity;
6. Universal solution from the manufacturer
All kitchen furniture market operators have different conditions. It is convenient when one company can get a turnkey kitchen. These services will include: consultation on materials, individual design project, visit of the constructor-designer to the object (measurement of the room, clarification of the project, selection of material and color scheme, advice on repairs), completeness with built-in appliances, delivery, assembly, and installation furniture and equipment installation, warranty and post-warranty service. Thus, in one company you will be able to solve all problems related to the kitchen, saving time and effort.
7. Open plan kitchen
Interior designers strive to fill the living space with air and light, and therefore make it more and more open. In addition, open elements – shelves, mezzanines, cabinets, lockers – cost less than the same elements with sliding facades.
8. Types of kitchen layouts
First of all, the kitchen should be functional and provide convenience during work. Only after thinking about the functionality, for which the configuration of the lower and upper cabinets is of crucial importance, can the aesthetic side be “fitted”. For the overall aesthetic impression, the part that is at eye level is more important – that is, the upper cabinets. Therefore, first, we suggest creating lower cabinets – cabinets, and only then upper ones – mezzanines.
Often limited space does not allow your kitchen to perform all the functions you expect from it. Therefore, the statement that simplicity is all power remains true. Avoid many horizontal lines (level differences). Use decorative boxes, elements and accessories for the kitchen within reasonable limits.
All existing types of planning can be divided into six main types:
- linear kitchen;
- two-line kitchen;
- L-shaped kitchen;
- U-shaped kitchen;
- peninsular cuisine
- island kitchen
- Linear kitchen
9. Rational planning of the kitchen
Using rational kitchen planning, you can save approximately 35% of the time and 55% of the effort. First of all, it is worth observing the sequence of zones in the kitchen according to the cooking technology:
1-2. Refrigerator, product storage area;
- Cleaning, washing products, waste container;
- Processing, slicing of products, preparation for heat treatment;
- Heat treatment of products.
10. Ergonomics
The optimal internal configuration and complete set of furniture for the kitchen will allow you to place everything you need in the access area. Various shelves, drawers, nets, baskets, cargo, pallets, trays – with their correct location, you can effectively use up to 90% of the internal space of kitchen furniture modules.
The convenience, comfort and coziness of the kitchen are when there are no problems with finding, accessibility and ease of use of what you need. You will be happy to be in such a kitchen, prepare food, receive guests, just relax.
The kitchen is the heart of your home.
You undoubtedly deserve the kitchen of your dreams, a kitchen that suits your taste.
