Designing the kitchen dining room

Designing the Kitchen Dining Room

This was one of the main focuses of the entire project and a key reason for the undergoing renovation in the first place - so it made sense to dedicate a considerable amount of time into getting it absolutely right.

Tips for Designing a Kitchen

• Kitchens can be very complicated rooms to design, so it can be really helpful to work with a kitchen designer who will have invaluable expertise and knowledge. However, take it slowly and methodically and you can get a lot of the work done yourself.
• Establish how many people will be using the kitchen, as this will inform design decisions such as the size of the fridge and the amount of cabinets.
• It pays to be granular from the beginning as to what will go where, as you can then create bespoke storage that meets your requirements exactly. I recommend making a list of everything that needs to be housed, so you can see what you are dealing with.
• It's also a great idea to make a list of all your electrical items and work out where they will go so you can plan the plug sockets to be in the right place.
• Try to avoid cupboards that are overly deep, and instead go for pull out trays or drawers to make the items within more accessible.
• Installing the hob and the oven separately enables ease of movement when two people are cooking.
• Consider making the main kitchen space smaller to make room for a scullery or pantry.
• Ensure there is space for the size of dining table that you want.
• It's incredibly important to continually review your plans and ensure that everyone is up to date on the latest decisions. Keep in mind that when a plan evolves multiple times, it's the sign of a really first class outcome.

Sourcebook

Oxford Gardens kitchen plans

Plain English kitchens. For a more affordable alternative, look at British Standard.

Sink from ABI Interiors

Lighting designer Sally Storey