Home Improvement

The layout of a kitchen can have the largest impact on its functionality so it is vital to get it right.  One of the best ways to start the design process is by initially using a number of template kitchen layouts and then adapting them to suit your space, requirements and budget.

Galley Kitchens
One of the most straightforward kitchen designs is a galley kitchen, making them well loved amongst younger people and first-time buyers. Generally this type of kitchen can be designed and fitted using standard styles and sizes, making them low budget and cost effective.

Although galley kitchens are generally the smallest type, they also tend to be the most functional to go around due to the fact that all areas are within easy distance to each other. Preparation, sink and cooking areas tend to be parallel to each other along the same wall, which makes an effective production-line format to the kitchen. This also means that the other wall can be used for storage and as a general worktop.

L shaped kitchens
These are the most common shaped kitchen, and are often finished with a tall oven or fridge-freezer at the ends of the run. L shaped kitchens also provide various storage options, given the various corners, Le-mans and magic corner wireworks are well loved choices.

L shaped kitchens are ideal for those with a young family due to the fact that they often provide enough room for a breakfast table and thus make the room multifunctional. Areas such as this often work well for younger children by providing enough room for eating and playing, whilst still offering a dedicated dining room reserved for adults.

U shaped Kitchens
With a U shaped kitchen there is easy access to the main areas of preparation, washing and cooking. Whilst these shaped kitchens often do not allow enough space for a table and chairs, they tend to function well by allowing generous space between the areas. As a result, this shape kitchen is a well loved layout for older families, and shared houses.

Island kitchens
Island kitchens are one of the most well loved kitchen layouts, providing a practical and functional layout, especially when teamed with a bank of tall units with built in ovens/multifunctional ovens, tall fridges and freezers. When designed with all areas of preparation, washing and hob cooking in front of you, islands are easy to work around and also provide a very sociable way of cooking. Islands also work well in multifunctional living spaces, where there may be a combined living/dining room.

These kitchens are well suited to larger rooms, and often require a generous budget due to the additional resources required such as a granite worktop on the island.

Double island
In larger open plot spaces such as converted barns/chapels, secondary islands can be used to divide the open plot space and provide an additional worktop. Usually the main island is used for preparation, washing and hob cooking and the secondary for entertaining and additional space.

Given that these type of kitchens are suited to larger spaces, they are often designed as part of a bespoke project. This ensures that the finishes are considered as part of the whole house, with stainless steel, glass and even muraspec (decorative panels and wallcoverings) often chosen to complete the look at the back of the island.

Whilst the layout of a kitchen is dependent on the room size and shape, there are a few key trends. The most apparent of which has been a shift from conventional shaped kitchens to a reduction in wall units. Shallow tall storage units which are the depth of a wall unit but are often built from the floor to ceiling, are becoming increasingly well loved as they allow customers to see everything being stored as well as helping minimise any worktop clutter.

As open plot spaces continue to increase in popularity, designers are often adapting to make an overall finished look first and then working backwards along this theme to ensure that the layout works and looks the part. This often means using completely integrated appliances wherever possible to minimise the impact the impact that the kitchen has on the room as a whole.

But, to ensure that your kitchen caters for all of your requirements it is advisable to discuss your layout with a specialist designer.

Kitchen Designs for New Kitchens and Understanding the Step Saving Triangle

Kitchen Remodels
New Kitchen Designs and Kitchen Layout 
Sizing Kitchens and Understanding the Step Saving Triangle

A family cook often walks 100 miles a year. As much as one third of this kitchen pacing may be wasted motion, due to appliances placed for saving dollars in the construction or remodeling process. Sizing a kitchen is very vital prior to the start of a new kitchen project. Plot ahead and know the best kitchen layout for your family.

In an efficient kitchen there are three ” activity centers”.  The kitchen activity centers consist of the refrigerator, the sink and the range. These activity centers in a kitchen should lie within easy reach of the cook – and according to a study made at Cornell University, better placement of these activity centers can eliminate as much as 40 miles a year from the kitchen marathon.
 
There are Four Basic Kitchen  Layouts
 (There also are variations to the four basic kitchen layouts

The corridor kitchen.
The L kitchen.
The U kitchen.
The one – wall kitchen.
 
Two variations are the Double L and the G kitchen layouts.

The 3 activity centers make up 3 points called the “work triangle”
(The refrigerator, the sink and the range)

Usually – The smaller the triangle the greater the efficiency

In an efficient kitchen – the sides of the triangle add up to no more than 23 feet.

Additional Kitchen Considerations: Each activity center must also have a minimum of counter area and storage volume. 48″ between facing base cabinets or appliances. (There is Enough space to stand at an open cabinet, refrigerator, or oven while another person edges past)
Wishing You The Best Life Can Bring And Kitchen Remodeling Success!

Kitchen Remodels
New Kitchen Designs and Plotting Kitchen Layouts 

Image by by jakubik peter

Feng shui interior design describes using design elements to improve the ‘qi’ or energy of the home. Each room of the home serves a specific purpose and the interior design of the individual rooms will perform that purpose with the help of feng shui. In this respect, different principles and techniques must be applied to the different rooms. One size doesn’t fit all in this case. Make the most out of every individual room by using really unique cures and remedies.

The aim of the bedroom is usually to be the room inside the house that promotes rest, relaxation and romance. This is meant for being an area that brings out calmness and tranquility. As a way to do that, colors play a necessary role. Loud colors are the very last thing we wish to use, because they are too much of a distraction and really promotes restlessness. Furniture placement is also a key factor. The bed should be the main feature of a room and has to be showed at a commanding position, which is diagonal with the door. There are many other techniques you should utilize to optimize the bedroom, many of which are associated with like. The like corner is another central part of a bedroom, make excellent use of this area to attract like or maintain excellent relationships.

The purpose of the living room is to be the room in the house for get togethers. It is usually meant for family gatherings and entertaining guests. Because of this, the living room must be an area that promotes conversation and should be optimized for family bonding. To be able to do this, the main focus is on how the seating of this room is arranged. Sofas and chairs are supposed to be placed in a semi circular shape to accomplish this purpose. Family photographs also needs to be a feature of this room. Other fantastic additions include artwork and live plants.

The aim of the kitchen is to feed and nourish the entire family. It really is considered one of the primary rooms of the house, because it symbolizes growth and prosperity for each of the members of the family. The stove is the primary focus of the kitchen and its burners really represent wealth. A stove situated within an island often is the ideal position, since the cook should manage to have a excellent view of the entire kitchen. It’s always vital that one can see who comes through the door. If the stove is constructed against a wall, a very excellent feng shui remedy is always to add mirrors behind the stove so anything in back is still visible.

The aim of a home office is to be the part of the home that work is completed, it must be optimized in a way that promotes productivity and will help guarantee success. In this case the desk is the most vital piece of furniture inside the room and has to be located in a commanding position with a clear view of the door. Using a map bagua, locate the wealth and career corners for further feng shui design. The home office is an ideal room to utilize live plants such as the money tree or lucky bamboo, both of which are used to attract wealth.

As you are able to see, there are many different feng shui interior design techniques for every room of a home. Making the best balance between all these rooms is what makes everything come together. The different areas of your life is really harmonized as a result of making this fantastic balance within your home. With the bedroom working towards like, the living room promoting your relationships, the kitchen helping to generate wealth and the home office building success for your business, all these different areas of your life starts to fall in place.

Kitchen Designs for New Kitchens and Understanding the Step Saving Triangle

Kitchen Remodels
New Kitchen Designs and Kitchen Layout 
Sizing Kitchens and Understanding the Step Saving Triangle

A family cook often walks 100 miles a year. As much as one third of this kitchen pacing may be wasted motion, due to appliances placed for saving dollars in the construction or remodeling process. Sizing a kitchen is very vital prior to the start of a new kitchen project. Plot ahead and know the best kitchen layout for your family.

In an efficient kitchen there are three ” activity centers”.  The kitchen activity centers consist of the refrigerator, the sink and the range. These activity centers in a kitchen should lie within easy reach of the cook – and according to a study made at Cornell University, better placement of these activity centers can eliminate as much as 40 miles a year from the kitchen marathon.
 
There are Four Basic Kitchen  Layouts
 (There also are variations to the four basic kitchen layouts

The corridor kitchen.
The L kitchen.
The U kitchen.
The one – wall kitchen.
 
Two variations are the Double L and the G kitchen layouts.

The 3 activity centers make up 3 points called the “work triangle”
(The refrigerator, the sink and the range)

Usually – The smaller the triangle the greater the efficiency

In an efficient kitchen – the sides of the triangle add up to no more than 23 feet.

Additional Kitchen Considerations: Each activity center must also have a minimum of counter area and storage volume. 48″ between facing base cabinets or appliances. (There is Enough space to stand at an open cabinet, refrigerator, or oven while another person edges past)
Wishing You The Best Life Can Bring And Kitchen Remodeling Success!

Kitchen Remodels
New Kitchen Designs and Plotting Kitchen Layouts 

The layout of the bathroom shower