The beauty of a bespoke kitchen lies in the fact that every detail can be designed precisely around you and your home. But with so many possibilities, it can help to consider when and how you wish to use your kitchen space and how it can enhance your lifestyle. As such, Bath Bespoke, known for its high-end bespoke interior projects across the UK, has compiled a list of the top 10 questions to consider before beginning your new luxury kitchen project.
1. How much space do you have?
One of the most important questions to answer is where will your kitchen sit? Are you looking to use the existing space, create an extension or remove a wall to create open plan living? If you’re unsure, it can help to get your design professional in at this early stage to advise on what’s possible. It helps to consider how you wish to use your kitchen – something to consider in the following questions.
2. What is the kitchen for?
Thinking about the kitchen’s purpose is really important. Are you someone who likes to cook? Is it a family room? Do you need space for dinner parties? Deciding this will really help when it comes to the design stage.
3. How do you like to cook?
If you’re someone who likes to cook, investing in some smart appliances will be worth it. If so, do you need extra counter space to store them? Is there ample room to clean and prepare the food? If you’re someone who wants a quick meal, cut down on preparation zones and use the space for a snazzy breakfast bar or extra freezer storage.
4. How do you shop?
If you like to buy food in bulk, you may need extra food storage space like a large freezer or larder. If you buy a lot of dry food or cans, do you have enough under counter storage?
If you like to try new cuisines, perhaps an integrated spice rack would suit? Or if you’re a drinks connoisseur, consider space for a wine rack or drinks cabinet? Will these be on the wall, on the floor or integrated?
5. Who’s the master of the kitchen?
Take time to consider who uses the kitchen most. Do you need a larger sink to accommodate multi-tasking? Do you have young children who want to help you in the kitchen?
Designing the perfect space takes time, especially when there is more than one person to consider. Consider the flow of the room, and how each member of the family will play their part in the kitchen.
6. What type of appliances?
This is one of the most important considerations when designing a kitchen. You need to consider where your appliances will go. Especially the big ones. Are you thinking a gas, electric or induction hob? Do you need a large fridge/freezer combo?
Do you want a stand alone cooker and a two tier cooker integrated into a wall cabinet? Is there still space to move from one to the other and are they easy to access?
7. What style do you like?
This is often influenced by the existing style of your home. A large traditional style kitchen sits beautifully in a country home, while a classic Shaker kitchen works perfectly in a Georgian townhouse.
But, don’t feel you have to limit yourself to one style. We’ve often been asked to create a modern, high tech kitchen in listed properties with clean slab cabinets and handle less doors. Explore what type of style works for you. You can also play around with colour. You may like the style of a Shaker kitchen but then opt for a bold electric blue to create a statement.
8. What colour and materials do you like?
When opting for a bespoke kitchen, the options are almost limitless. From wood species and finish, to countertop material and handles, different combinations create very different effects. If you’re opting for something more traditional, perhaps add some unusual handles to add a contemporary splash. Or if you’re thinking super modern with clean straight lines, maybe add a speckled splashback, or a tiled splashback to add some texture and contrast.
9. What about lighting?
Lighting is an often overlooked element in interior design. But an incredibly important one, and natural light is the first aspect to consider. Spend time in your kitchen space to see how the light changes throughout the day. The direction of light will often affect where best to place your cabinets to keep the space bright and open. It’ll then help you decide where best to place your artificial light. Things like spotlights and LED light strips help to lighten areas above and around the cabinets, while pendants work really well above kitchen islands and breakfast bars and create a focal point.
10. Finally, does this space suit you?
With so many things to choose from, and so many design ideas online, finding the right kitchen can be very overwhelming. Sometimes in an attempt to create something perfect and unique, you can lose track of what you actually want to achieve.
You may like the idea of a wall mounted wooden wine rack or a multi tier cabinet just for your cereal, but if it doesn’t suit your lifestyle then why have it? At each stage of the decision making, take a step back and consider the feature in your everyday life. If you can’t visualise it, bin it.
