What Do You Want from Your Kitchen?
What Do You Want from Your Kitchen?
Be Open-Minded
I’ve always started every design consultation by asking my client, “What do you want to achieve?” On every occasion, I’ve reprioritised what is actually most important to them.
At this early stage, take some time to brainstorm and talk through your thoughts and ideas about what you want to do in the space. You might be surprised by what truly matters most to you.
Consider the following and create a wish list;
1. What Doesn’t Work Now?
Start by writing a list of things in your current kitchen that don’t work well. This could be a lack of storage, poor lighting, insufficient dining space for entertaining, or even something as small as not being able to position your food processor in a convenient spot on the worktop. No matter how insignificant it seems, add it to the list.
2. Are You a Cook?
Not everyone loves cooking. But if you do, now is the time to think about what you cook and what equipment you need. Are you a baker who needs plenty of oven space? Do you love cooking curries and require extra ventilation? Or perhaps an Aga is your preferred means of cooking? Make a note of what will make cooking more enjoyable and efficient for you.
3. Do You Love to Entertain?
This can be a fascinating challenge—how to create a functional, day-to-day kitchen that can also transform into an entertaining space. Think about how often you entertain, the types of food you serve, and how many people need to be seated.
4. Is It a Family Hub?
I’ve designed kitchens that are the heart of the home—spaces for cooking, homework, chatting with friends, and even watching TV. But I’ve also created kitchens that are purely for food preparation, with the living room serving as the family hub. I personally love large, open-plan kitchen-diner-living spaces, but for some, separate rooms work better. Take time to think about what suits your household best.
5. How Will the Space Connect to Any Outdoor Area?
This is especially important in the UK, where the seasons vary so greatly. Consider how important access to the garden is from the kitchen. How will you get food from the kitchen to the outdoor seating area? Also, think about the direction of doors and windows. Large south-facing glass panels can create overly hot spaces in the summer. At this stage, list any garden activities that might be connected to your kitchen use.
6. Think Long Term
I approach this from two angles:
Resale Value: If you sell your house, will the new kitchen and any structural changes add value and appeal to potential buyers?
Evolving Needs: Consider how your family might grow with the space. Open-plan living works well when kids are young, but as they grow older, a separate lounge may be more useful. Might you want to extend in the future? How would this work with your current kitchen objectives?
In Summary
List the 5 most important things you want from the kitchen.
Highlight what’s most frustrating about your existing kitchen.
Discuss your requirements with the rest of the family.
Think about the relationship between the kitchen and the garden.
Consider how you might use or sell the property in the future.
By establishing what matters most at this early stage, you’re far more likely to achieve the perfect end result. It will also help you clearly communicate your ideas to your architect or kitchen designer.
Final Tip
Friends, family, and kitchen showrooms will all have their own opinions and ideas. Take it all in, decide what’s right for you, but let the insights from the list above guide your choices.
– Tristan