Some kitchen designs are trickier than others to figure out. The goal is always to arrive at a solution that meets all the objectives (combining flow, function and fashion), without tossing in the towel on fiscal responsibility. Some people simply get paralyzed by the dizzying array of choices and materials, and the inevitable frustration found in trying to jam all of the items on the wish list into a layout that actually fits the available floor space. So what’s the trick to getting it right and re-imagining your fatally flawed kitchen? I like to think of every kitchen as a puzzle of sorts. Start by envisioning all the components of kitchen as individual pieces and put them into a box, then give the box an almighty shake and dump it all on the ground. Forget about where the pieces used to fit together, and think instead about how they should work together. By starting with an empty floor plan, you can experiment with every scenario until you find the one that fits best. If you can master the pieces of the puzzle, the net result will be a kitchen that fits your lifestyle, and your budget!
Start with a goal
If there’s one thing you know you want, one element you can’t live without, try to work your planning around that feature. In this case, I felt that a peninsula was a “must have” for the additional counter space and storage it would offer. By zoning in on the best place to put said peninsula, I was able to jig the layout of the rest of the kitchen around it. The key to success is practicality, so be sure you embrace the reality of the available space you have and try to maximize what you’ve got, not what you wish you had. Blue-sky thinking is all well and good, but I believe that the road to reno success is paved with healthy sprinkling of reality to keep your aspirations in line with your bank account.
See it in 3D
The good news is that if your sketching skills are somewhere this side of dire, you needn’t enlist the assistance of a pro. Simply go online and use the kitchen planner software that’s available. (Ikea.com has a good one.) You can plug in the dimensions of your room, complete with windows, doors and finishes, then you click and drag your way to a new kitchen vision. It’s easy to experiment with multiple layout options from the available components, and the software won’t let you make a mistake. Within minutes you can view your creation from a plan view, elevations, or even spin around and check it out from all angles. If you ever enjoyed playing with Lego or dollhouses as a kid, you’re going to love this!
Get creative with counters
Cool stainless, sleek stone and warm wood aren’t the only way to go for surfaces. While these three options are the most common contenders, don’t forget about good old laminate. What you see in the ready to roll section of the big-box stores is hardly an accurate representation of the veritable rainbow of hues and patterns available to add style and pattern to your counters. It’s definitely worth considering your options, as you just might find a shade that suits your style. The one I found ended up being the jumping off point for the colour concept of the whole space. I can honestly say that’s a first for me, as I never expected to design a kitchen around laminate counters!
Have fun with it
Your kitchen is meant to be a creative space and a gathering place, so don’t hesitate to lighten up with touches that will liven up your home. A wide ribbon of green paint wraps up and over the walls and ceiling to introduce a bit of accent green to the lounge area, while a fun DIY clock project (made from a simple clock kit and some vinyl adhesive lettering) makes a graphic statement on the wall as an alternative to artwork. The lesson here is simple: Think of what you can do to add unique flair and fun to your home!
