KBSA - Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association

Kitchens are still the heart of the home

20 April 2011
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The modern kitchen is the most important room in the home and a multi-functional space where the whole family can congregate, entertain and socialise. Creating a dream kitchen requires good planning and the KBSA has some great advice on how to make your kitchen the heart of the home.

A kitchen that is the heart of the home should perform its different roles equally well and provide the warmth needed for a social space as well as the functions required of a successful, modern kitchen.

Creating different zones so that you have a working area, a relaxation area and a dining area works well.  A good designer will incorporate these by the positioning of the units or the design of an island that has two distinct ends or sides.

Different colours or textures also create distinct areas and ambiences in each space but don’t go too far – there should still be a link throughout the room.

If your kitchen backs on to the garden then you can plan the space so that the dining/entertaining area looks out on to it. Depending on budget this will also allow for concertina windows or French doors to open up the space to the outside, which is lovely in the summer months!

A common mistake is to try to cram too much into your available space.  This will result in an ineffective kitchen which feels small. If you do not have room for a dining table, incorporate a breakfast bar instead as this takes up less space – either as part of an island or as a shelf against the wall.

If you have children then do consider using part of the island as a breakfast bar as it will allow the kids to sit and eat their snacks, do their homework or even watch and learn while you cook.

Lighting is very important in a room with such different functions, therefore it would be best to have brighter lighting such as spotlights in the kitchen area and either softer lighting or lighting which can be dimmed down, in the entertaining space.

The current trend is to have a relaxing area with TV or music and comfortable chairs, within the open plan kitchen space. By all means include your home comforts in this space but do bear in mind that fabrics, floor and wall coverings should be easily cleaned or of a wipeable material.

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