5 Top design tips to plan the perfect family kitchen
Are you planning a family kitchen? Read on for our 5 top tips to get you started!
If you’re looking at ways to unlock the potential in your home, there’s no better place to start than the family kitchen because the demand for an open plan kitchen diner isn’t going anywhere.
Gone are the days of small, separate rooms to accommodate the kitchen and dining area. Instead, families want an open plan space where they can spend time together whilst engaging in different activities – cooking, homework, relaxing with a book……
This is multifunctional living at its best!
But where do you start? And how do you make sure you get it just right?
Follow our top tips to get you started. And if you need to extend or reconfigure your property to accommodate a new space, please do get in touch to see how we can help.
1 Identify your priorities
As with any project it’s important to identify your priorities from the outset. That way, as the project progresses and you have a whole load of decisions to make, you can return to these priorities for focus.
For most people, this is going to be to create a sociable space to enjoy with family and friends. If you’re hosting friends for dinner, it’s nice to join in with the fun whilst cooking instead of being alone in the kitchen!
Families also want to be able to multitask. Being able to prepare a meal whilst helping children with homework or keeping an eye on a toddler makes family life so much easier.
Connecting your indoor living area to your outdoor space could also be a priority. As noted in our blog post about home trends for 2023 (link to trends blog), people are giving much more consideration to the flow between their indoor and outdoor space. Consequently, considering how the home flows out to the garden is key. Family kitchens work incredibly well when placed at the back of the house with easy access to the garden. You will be spending the majority of your time in this room so it’s nice to have views of the garden, and when summer arrives it’s wonderful to have the flow between the kitchen and garden.
You might also want to add space and light to your home. Older homes tend to have smaller kitchens with a separate dining room. This can make the kitchen feel dark and cramped. Opening the space up and letting the light in will transform your home.
Finally, if you want to add value to your home for a potential sale in the future, focussing on the kitchen is a smart move! It’s what homeowners are looking for and is a steady theme rather than a passing trend.
2 Look for more space
In most cases, we need to increase the space to accommodate a family kitchen. However, this doesn’t always mean an extension!
Depending on the layout of your home, you might be able to create the space with a simple reconfiguration. Could you knock down existing walls to open up the space for example? Do you have an outhouse that could be incorporated into the kitchen?
Even if you aren’t adding an extension, an architect can be very beneficial. We can help to identify opportunities to reconfigure that you may not have considered, which could save you money in the long run. You’ll also need professional advice if you plan to knock down walls.
If you don’t have the space already, in most cases we can create additional space with an extension. As well as the design and technical drawings, we can manage the planning application on your behalf and also help you to find a suitable builder.
3 Let the light in
Both natural and artificial light in the kitchen are important, so you need to consider how to bring these into your new space.
Adding large doors that lead out to the garden is a great way to achieve both light and access to the garden. If wall space is too limited to incorporate windows, we can use skylights, sun pipes and sky lanterns to provide additional lighting.
4 Nail the layout!
Once you know the physical space, it’s time to focus on the layout to maximise the space and create a kitchen that works with you, not against you!
Whilst we can help with interior space planning for the overall space, and to zone areas for kitchen, dining, and relaxing, it’s a good idea to work with a dedicated kitchen designer to create the perfect layout for kitchen cabinets and appliances.
Generally speaking, an island is a great anchor point for a large room, and really adds a social element to the kitchen because people can gather around whilst you are cooking.
We also advise our clients to consider various storage solutions – never underestimate how much storage you will need!
5 Focus on design
A consistent design throughout the space will achieve a cohesive look and elevate your home decor.
It can be hard to settle on a theme when there is so much choice, so do your research and create a mood board to help identify any consistent themes that you are drawn to. Once you’ve made a decision, try to stick to the same colour palette throughout.
Accessories such as lighting pendants can be a great way to bring the theme together, and to also help with the zoning of specific areas.
Conclusion
Adding a family kitchen to your home will not only add value to your property, but it will help you to create the most of your living space too.
Why not check out some of our latest projects on Instagram or Facebook for some inspiration?
Wondering if you need an architect to help? Check out our blog post Do I need an architect for an extension? on this very subject for more details.
Alternatively, get in touch and we can have a chat.
